Distal Impact Of Learning Trajectories On Motivational Factors In Second Language Acquisition Of Adult English Learners, Feng Zhang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Learning a foreign language is a long-term process sustained by learners’ motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulation. While prior research has established that past performance influences these motivational factors, overlooking the impact of past performance on current motivational constructs. This dissertation explores how past learning performance impact current motivational factors. Using a person-centered approach, three subgroups were identified as latent learning profiles within the sample population based on their performance features: the high-performing early peak profile, the stable profile, and the rising profile. Regression models were conducted to evaluate the extent to which latent learning profiles predicted motivational variables. The results showed …

Ctso Implementation In Secondary Education: Insights Into Teacher Motivation, Barriers And Training Needs, Ariane Crystal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study explores the role of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in enhancing the educational experiences of secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in Utah. By surveying CTE educators, the research identifies key factors that motivate teachers to implement CTSOs, as well as barriers they face in doing so. The findings indicate that a significant majority of teachers recognize the value of CTSOs for fostering student engagement and career readiness. Key motivators include support from school administration and access to professional development, while challenges such as time constraints and resource limitations hinder participation. The study highlights the importance …

Understanding Power Dynamics Of Latter-Day Saint Marriages In The United States Of America, Bonnie Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Power sharing is a key feature of romantic relationships. It is important to understand how various groups navigate power sharing within their relationships. Thirty-one participants who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (16 women and 15 men) reported on their experience of power-sharing in marriage. In-depth individual and couple interviews revealed that couples engage in four individual and relational processes that impact and promote equality in marriage: systemic influences, self-in-relationship processes, relationship processes, and identity outcomes. These processes have important implications for future research and therapeutic practice with Latter-day Saint, religious, and secular couples.

Factors Influencing Cognitive Load: Exploring Affective Elements, Motivational Constructs, And Regulatory Strategies In Learning, Rebecca B. Brockbank

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

There are three separate research papers within this dissertation, each looking at specific elements of learning. The process of learning is a complex phenomenon that includes not just cognitive aspects, but also emotional and motivational aspects. During learning there is an input of information into our cognitive system (i.e., minds). When too much information is given or the information is not presented effectively, this can overload our cognitive system and negatively impact our learning. Understanding how to learn within the parameters of our cognitive system is important. However, learning is more complex than just the simple input and output of …

Authentic Digital Writing Parameters In College Composition: Design, Implementation, And Assessment Of A Culture Jam, Mary Ellen Greenwood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As technology reshapes communication, college classrooms must adapt to prepare students for writing in a quickly changing world. This dissertation investigates how authentic writing—writing that feels meaningful, relevant, and tied to real-world purposes—can enhance student motivation, confidence, and writing skills in college composition courses.

The study introduces a multimodal assignment called a Culture Jam, where five participants critiqued and remixed media messages, such as advertisements or social media posts, to create their own critical digital compositions. Over three weeks, participants created their Culture Jams, shared feedback with peers, and reflected on their experiences. This project focused on five key elements …

Exploring Promising Practices In Temporary Informal Education Programs For Visitor And Community Engagement In The United States National Park Service, Cameron L. Miller

All Theses

According to the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), interpretation is “a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us” (NAI, 2021). Interpretation is an integral part of a visitor’s experience to informal education venues like museums, zoos, aquariums, and parks and is at the heart of experience planning within the National Park Service (NPS). However, traditional interpretation methods, such as formal interpretation programs, tend to engage a small percentage of overall park visitors, that are typically older and white. Recognizing the need for interpretation …

Deaf Faculty Members’ Experiences In Higher Education Institutions, Stephanie Proctor Horvath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deaf faculty members bring diverse perspectives to higher education, yet their experiences remain underexplored in academic research. The critical first year of teaching can shape their career experiences, revealing both opportunities for growth and systemic barriers. The purpose of this study was to understand deaf faculty members’ experiences, focusing on their transition into academic roles, the accommodations provided in their workplaces, and the challenges they faced. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 15 Deaf faculty members, whose teaching experience ranges from 1 to 30 years. In the reflexive thematic analysis and AI-coding of this data, …

Administrator Perceptions Of Title I Parent And Family Engagement Practices And Policies During Covid-19, Rebekah Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine Title I administrator perceptions of facilitating parent and family engagement practices and policies prior to, during, and post Covid-19. The literature shows one of the leading factors in a child’s academic learning is family engagement (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships highlights ways in which administrators and school staff can be successful in engaging families and building strong partnerships by meeting four different capacity skills. Data collection strategies included semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, via Zoom video or audio interview, observation, document review, and field notes. Analysis of data …

Integrated Stem Education For In-Service K-5 Elementary Teachers: Definitions, Self-Efficacy, And Teaching Practices, Amani Alhassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing interest has been evident in implementing integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching in public schools. However, teachers need to be professionally prepared and increase self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM in their classrooms. Little is known about how teachers' self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM is related to teachers' practices around STEM integration, particularly in K-5 classrooms.

This convergent mixed-methods study involved surveys with open- and close-ended questions to determine the integrated STEM perceptions, definitions, classroom teaching practices, and self-efficacy level in teaching integrated STEM for 79 northeast Tennessee K-5 teachers. The study also investigated the relationship between teachers' …

Professional Pathways In Business: The Role Of Social Capital For Latinx Students, Maritza S. Campo, Manuel Pech, Teresa Madamba

Journal of College Access

Latina/os currently represent one of the most significant contributors to the United States economy, possessing $3.78 trillion in purchasing power. Despite constituting the second largest demographic group in the nation, Latinx representation in business graduate programs and corporate leadership positions, including board memberships, remains below 5%. As Latinx enrollment and graduation rates in higher education have consistently increased over the past decade, it has become increasingly imperative to examine how Hispanic-Serving Institutions can more effectively support Latinx students in their transition from academic to professional careers in business. This study investigates the impact of initiatives implemented by one Hispanic-Serving Institution …

Introduction Pages, Lorenzo M. Sianez Jr, Claudia Martinez

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Hiring Practices And Superintendent Turnover In Rural Idaho: Examining Factors That Influence Leadership Stability, Scott Frank

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive multi-case study examines superintendent turnover and hiring practices in rural Idaho school districts to identify factors influencing leadership stability. The study addresses the central research question: What factors influence the hiring process of district superintendents in high- and low-turnover school districts? Using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a comparative examination of two districts—one with high superintendent turnover and one with low turnover—this research explores the structural and governance factors shaping retention.

Findings indicate that low-turnover districts develop internal leadership pipelines, promote certified staff to administrative roles, and systematically engage community stakeholders in hiring decisions. These practices foster leadership …

Does Teach Lead To More Teachers? Evaluating The Effects Of The Federal Teach Program, Daniel Sparks

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Teachers are critical to education production. Yet, recruiting and retaining teachers has remained challenging, particularly in high need fields, at schools serving a high proportion of students from low-income backgrounds, and from racially diverse backgrounds. To incentivize enrollment in teacher preparation programs and to support teacher candidates through degree completion, the federal government implemented the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant in 2008. The TEACH Grant offers undergraduate and graduate students up to $16,000 and $8,000 in grant aid, respectively, to pursue degrees in high need teaching fields. I use difference-in-differences analyses to estimate the effects …

Light & Faith: August 2025, Taylor University

Light & Faith

No abstract provided.

Origin Of Purpose, Career Satisfaction, And Life Satisfaction: A Quantitative Study On Early Career Professionals, Anne Hocking

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 2000s, research has increased on purpose and how it correlates with fulfillment outcomes in life and career satisfaction. This research has been valuable in professional and academic fields and helped develop leadership practices and interventions for organizations to increase satisfaction levels among employees and students. This study focused on the general problem that research dedicated to purpose has not adequately addressed whether origin of purpose affect its outcomes on fulfillment levels, particularly those of life and career satisfaction. To address this consideration, the researcher conducted a quantitative associative correlation to measure if and to what extent origin …

Promoting Metacognitive Awareness Through Exploratory Learning., Ryan J. Patrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exploratory learning engages learners in novel problem solving before direct instruction. This process is designed to lead learners to experience productive failure. Productive failure, however, has been shown to benefit learners by improving the recognition of knowledge gaps, relevant problem features, and deep structures. This allows learners to better attend to relevant information during the subsequent instruction and improves conceptual understanding. This dissertation investigates the role of metacognitive awareness during exploratory learning, in attempt to identify additional metacognitive mechanisms that support exploratory learning. Two experiments tested the theory that exploratory learning promotes metacognitive awareness in exploratory learning. Groups in both …

Opportunities For Mathematical Thinking (Omt) In Fourth Grade Mathematics Textbooks., Lucas Wayne Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mathematical thinking is essential not only for students’ academic achievement but also for their ability to compete in a global workforce (Schoenfeld, 1992; Mullis & Martin, 2017). However, students in the United States continue to lag behind their international peers on assessments that measure mathematical thinking (Mullis et al., 2020; van Davier et al., 2024). These gaps emerge as early as elementary school, where the foundation for future academic success is established (Aunola et al., 2004; Locuniak & Jordan, 2008). Given the importance of mathematical thinking and the persistent disparities in student performance, this study examined how mathematical thinking is …

Teaching Out Of The Closet: A Qualitative Study To Examine How Queer Educators Navigate Their Professional Work Environments., Brent Braun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Queer educators across the nation have faced an onslaught of issues in recent years as they maneuver working in the heteronormative environments of public schools. With the passing of Senate Bill 150 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2023, Kentucky educators became a part of the growing group of educators having to silence themselves within their classroom environments in order to protect their professional careers. This study sought to examine the ways in which queer educators navigate their professional environments in making decisions to either disclose or keep private their identity within the queer community. Semi-structured interviews were completed with …

The Substance Of Reality: Moral Perfectionism In Shakespeare's Hamlet., David Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through a selection of and close reading of key passages, I offer an interpretation of Hamlet that seeks to illuminate the play as an important work of moral philosophy, and to situate the play within a strand of moral philosophy named moral perfectionism by Stanley Cavell. Indeed, Hamlet is a masterpiece of Renaissance drama, but when read with attention to moral perfectionism, the play yields additional layers of meaning. Hamlet is a “philosophical drama” that navigates the “moral calling of philosophy”—a text that seems to, almost uncannily, elicit the audience to think reflectively, to ask fundamental human questions along …

Bleeding Out From The Redlining: An Autoethnographic Study Of Racial Equity Policy Enactment In A Large, Urban School District., Anderson Aven Cook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This autoethnographic study investigates the enactment and impact of racial equity policies within Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), a large urban school district in Louisville, Kentucky. The research is motivated by the ongoing challenges of achieving true educational equity for Black and Brown students, a struggle rooted in historical injustices such as redlining. Despite over seven years of policy implementation aimed at promoting racial equity, academic and behavioral disparities between Black and Brown students and their White counterparts have shown little improvement. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, this study employs autoethnography to intertwine personal narrative with scholarly analysis, exploring the lived …

Polymathy: The Foundational Source Of Creativity And Innovation., Michael Araki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an era of mounting complexity and a growing need to transcend siloed thinking, this dissertation advances polymathy as a critical yet underexplored construct in the management and behavioral sciences. Polymathy is framed as an expansive approach to the pursuit, development, and application of knowledge, marked by the conjunction of breadth, depth, and integration. Building on a thought lineage that stretches from Ancient Greece through the Renaissance to the present day, this work shows that polymathy is neither a relic of the past nor an achievement reserved for a few—but a mode of being, thinking, and acting in the world …

Engaging In Movement At Work: Exploring Engagement And Physical Activity., Spencer A. Cavan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High levels of employee engagement provide organizations competitive advantages such as increased customer satisfaction, profits, and employee productivity. Despite potential benefits, the number of engaged employees is declining and organizations need to find innovative ways to enhance engagement. Emerging evidence suggests workplace physical activity may generate organizational benefits extending beyond health improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of engagement among employees participating in a physical activity intervention at work. A qualitative design, guided by phenomenology, examined perceptions of workplace physical activity and perceived levels of engagement, as well as constraints related to involvement among university …

Why Are Parents Choosing Forest Preschool? A Look Into Parent Choice And Outcome Expectations In A Forest Preschool Setting., Victoria M. Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As interest in alternative early childhood education settings continues to grow, Forest Preschools—programs emphasizing immersive outdoor, nature-based learning—have gained increasing attention from parents across the United States. This qualitative research study explores the underlying motivations and decision-making processes that lead families to choose Forest Preschool settings. Guided by Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory, which examines behavior as a function of person and environment, the study investigates the dynamic interplay of personal beliefs, social influences, and contextual factors that shape parental choice. Specifically, this study addresses four key research questions: (1) How do families who choose Forest Preschools gain information about preschool …

Bridging The Gap: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Trio Student Support Services In Promoting Retention, Persistence, And Graduation At Boise State University, Ryan Brevik

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the effectiveness of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs at Boise State University in promoting academic success of first-generation college students, students from financially limited backgrounds, and students with documented disabilities. Using a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, a secondary data analysis was completed to compare fall-to-fall retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and six-year graduation rates between TRIO SSS participants and a matched comparison group of non-participants with similar demographic and academic characteristics. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Appreciative Advising, self-efficacy theory, sense of belonging, student involvement theory, and student persistence models, this study adds to the existing …

Open Educational Resources In Elder Refugee Esl Contexts: Instructor And Administrator Perspectives, Alison Elliott

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a promising solution to educational disparities through their free, adaptable, and shareable nature, fostering collaboration and innovation in pedagogy. While OER, alongside Open Educational Practices (OEP), has seen a vibrant and growing integration within K-16 foreign language contexts, its application within adult English as a Second Language (ESL) education remains significantly under-researched. Adult ESL contexts, especially those serving refugees, present unique challenges: learners have experienced trauma, interrupted education, and have urgent practical English needs, while adult educators contend with inconsistent training, demanding part-time workloads, and a fragmented professional ecosystem that limits professional development and research …

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers For Writing Instruction: Best-Practices And Insights Into Self-Efficacy, Lindsey Wiggins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Many pre-service teachers (PSTs) report feeling under-prepared to teach writing, a challenge often linked to limited attention to writing instruction in teacher preparation programs (TPPs). While writing methods courses offer opportunities to build PSTs’ self-efficacy and pedagogical skill, questions remain about how to best structure these experiences and measure their impact. This three-article dissertation examines how PSTs develop self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction during teacher preparation and how those beliefs relate to instructional practices.

In Study I, I conducted a systematic literature review to examine how researchers measure the effects of effective writing and writing instruction interventions with elementary …

University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Faculty Handbook, 2025 August 1, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Office Of Academic Affairs, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Faculty Senate

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Faculty Handbooks

Governance, policies, guidelines, services, and resources managed by and for the faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Beyond The Degree And Financial Obligations: An Examination Of Generation Z (1995-2010) Perspectives, Attitudes, And Motivations On Giving To American Higher Education, John R. Steger

Education Doctoral

Four-year higher education institutions rely heavily on donations from external sources, including alumni. As Generation Z begins to enter the next phase of their lives after college, these institutions need to understand this generation's perspectives, attitudes, and motivations regarding giving back to their alma mater. Known for its distinct traits that set it apart from previous generations, Generation Z is the focus of this quantitative study, which uses a screening questionnaire and a cross-sectional survey to examine their activities and behaviors related to philanthropy toward higher education. The questionnaire was hosted on Amazon Mechanical Turk and analyzed using SPSS. The …

Latina Senior-Level Leaders In 2-Year Public Higher Education Institutions In Texas: A Life Story Narrative Study, Monica Yvette Escobar-Leblanc

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study was designed to understand the personal and academic experiences of Latinas in senior-level leadership positions in 2-year public higher education institutions in Texas and the impact, if any, of these experiences on their leadership development. Although Latina undergraduate college enrollment has continued to increase, Latinas remain significantly underrepresented in senior-level leadership roles in higher education institutions. Using a life story narrative approach and LatCrit as the theoretical lens, this study examined leadership development across the life span from adolescence to middle adulthood. The thematic analysis of the four Latinas' life story narratives, employed in 2-year public higher education …

Overcoming Second-Order Barriers To Teachers’ Technology Integration: A Study Of Positive Impacts, Crystal Ann Hume

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored K–12 public school teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs about technology. The teachers worked in a medium-sized, semi-affluent public school district in North Texas. The study investigated second-order barriers to technology integration and what might positively impact teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs. This study used a qualitative descriptive methodology to collect qualitative data about their beliefs by interviewing and observing K–12 classroom teachers who had completed a bachelor’s degree through a traditional teacher education program. Teachers with alternative certifications or noncertified classroom instructors were omitted. Findings revealed that external factors, failure, mistakes, confidence, and professional development …