Education Commons^™

“They’Re All Our Students!” Using Data-Based Individualization To Increase Reading Performance For Students With Disabilities In The Resource Setting, Jennifer J. Hill

All Dissertations

Students with Disabilities (SWDs) are not making progress in reading, and this is a problem that occurs across the nation. The National Assessment of Educational Progress scores showed that students without disabilities are increasing in reading growth, while SWDs showed a decrease in reading (Stevens et al., 2024; Vaughn & Wanzek, 2014). On average, SWDs are about three years behind their peers in reading (Gilmour et al., 2015). All students, including those with disabilities, need to learn how to read because it leads to success in academics and future careers as an adult (Sullivan et al., 2016). If SWDs do …

Exploring Communication, Connection, And Culture During Technology Implementation: An Autoethnography, Paula Bryant Blue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have been undertaken on technological innovation in the classroom; however there is a lack of study on innovation at the organizational level and there is also a lack of focus on experiences of individuals leading the transformation. Individuals who are spearheading change can gain and offer valuable insights into their behaviors during the change process by reflecting on and examining their interactions, inclinations, and objectives. Furthermore, it is crucial to take into account the organization's culture and structure in order to comprehend how leadership operates throughout periods of change. This analytical and evocative autoethnography documents the experiences of …

Non-Efl World Language Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences With Generative Ai Tools, Georgia Konstantinou

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory quantitative research study explored the perceptions and experiences of non-English as a Foreign Language (non-EFL) world language teachers who were members of online communities of practice regarding their use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools in their teaching practices. Many research studies began to explore the impact of GenAI tools in various educational settings, and some studies even investigated the perceptions of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, but research studies exploring the perceptions of non-EFL world language teachers regarding the use of GenAI tools inside and outside of the classroom remain limited. This study addressed this …

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 …

How Do Homeschool Parents In South Carolina Select Curriculum And Make Pedagogical Choices To Support Their Children’S Early Reading Development?, Lauretta O. Osho

All Dissertations

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a period of growth and development for young children as they begin their educational journey. The need for a high-quality early childhood learning experience is necessary for the child’s holistic development, without which children may grow up with learning challenges that could negatively impact their adult life. Each child's early learning experience must begin with a good and deliberate reading foundation. Therefore, understanding the best methods of instilling strong reading skills in children from an early age sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Homeschooling is the practice of educating, instructing, and tutoring children …

An Exploration Of Factors Influencing Sophomore-Year Persistence At A Regional Institution In Southern Appalachia, Jonathan W. Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative and interpretative phenomenological study was to explore factors that participants identified as playing roles in their persistence through their sophomore years at a regional university located within Southern Appalachia. Research on second-year retention efforts is far lacking compared to first-year retention efforts. Reflecting the heavy emphasis placed on the first year, there is also more research on first-year retention. However, students can feel a sharp decline in support entering sophomore year, making that just as critical of a transition. Student retention has been emphasized in higher education since its inception, as an institution’s goal in …

Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions Of An Outdoor Learning Experience Within A Science Methods Course, Steph Dean, Summer Landreth

Publications

Given the challenges currently facing early childhood science education, this exploratory study investigates the advantages of outdoor learning as part of a teacher preparation program. A group of 49 pre-service early childhood education teachers participated in a day-long outdoor learning experience embedded within their science methods course. Guided by the theoretical lens of embodied cognition, we employed a case study approach to collect and analyze qualitative survey data, using both categorizing and connecting strategies to explore participants’ experiences. The findings reveal four key themes related to pre-service teacher perceptions, in that outdoor learning: (1) represented an engaging experience, (2) contributed …

Bringing Life To Our Mission And Vision: A Problem Of Practice, Jessica Preisig

All Dissertations

This study leveraged principles of improvement science and a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of an intentionally designed professional learning cohort for teachers. The intended aim of this study was to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy necessary to effectively utilize instructional technology to meaningfully engage all learners. As one part of a collaborative dissertation in practice, this study explored the broad impact of teachers’ participation in a cohort implementing the seven elements of effective professional development (Darling-Hammond et al., 2017) and framed around the ISTE Standards for Educators (Crompton, 2017). The companion study (Britton, forthcoming) …

Mathematics Achievement: The Impact Of Cooperative Learning Strategies On Math Anxiety And Self-Efficacy Among Adult Basic Education Students, Lacey H. Rogers

All Dissertations

Many adult basic education (ABE) students struggle to pass the mathematics portion of the GED, limiting their access to educational and employment opportunities. This Dissertation in Practice addressed the problem of low math achievement at the New Beginnings Adult Learning Center by implementing cooperative learning strategies aimed at reducing math anxiety, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting student engagement.

Grounded in the principles of improvement science, the eight-week intervention introduced daily Think-Pair-Share routines during math instruction. The goal was to create a more supportive classroom environment where students felt encouraged to participate and build confidence in their math skills. Data were collected …

Understanding The Experiences Of White Female Elementary School Teachers Who Promote Racial Equity And Justice In White Schools, Meredith Valentine

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In this qualitative study, I conducted semi-structured interviews of six white, female elementary school teachers to better understand how and why they enacted principles of racial equity to challenge the status quo of whiteness with their predominantly white middle-class students and school community. Teachers felt they lacked a formal, structured education to feel confident in their teaching of racial and social justice concepts. Teachers used other forms of social justice teaching that they were more experientially familiar with, such as gender equity, language diversity, and (dis)ability, as a catalyst to discuss topics of racial justice. Each educator navigated their classroom …

Exploring The Impact Of Inclusion Initiatives On The Retention And Engagement Of People Of Color In Nonprofit Organizations: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Kesha Carter

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the impact of inclusion initiatives on the retention and engagement of people of color (POC) in nonprofit organizations. Grounded in Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations, this study examined how organizational structures and practices influence inclusive workplace cultures for POC employees. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies have gained traction, many nonprofit organizations struggle to move beyond performative efforts and address the systemic inequities that shape POC experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 full-time POC employees working in nonprofit organizations across New York State to capture their lived …

An Examination Of How Black Church Leaders Support The Long-Term Impact Of Trauma In The Black Community: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Loretha J. Mccullough

Education Doctoral

The prevalence of mental illness due to untreated childhood trauma continues to be a concern, particularly for Black people. The consequence of obtaining formal treatment is perceived to be discriminatory and stigmatizing in the Black culture. Instead, the preferred method of treatment is religious coping. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine how Black clergy leaders support the long-term impact of trauma in the Black community. The primary source of data collection was semi-structured interviews. These interviews captured the essence of how Black clergy leaders described their preparedness to effectively advise, and counsel congregants on mental health …

Madam President: Navigating The Journey Of Black Women To Executive Leadership In Higher Education, Tressi Daymon

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine the leadership trajectories of Black women in senior executive roles in higher education, with a focus on the barriers and supports that have shaped their careers. Semi-structured interviews gathered perspectives on their lived experiences, capturing both the challenges they faced and the strategies used in their journeys. These strategies included networking, skill-building, advocacy, and resilience, reflecting how these women navigated and overcame the unique leadership challenges they faced. Black feminist theory and intersectionality provided the theoretical framework to explore how race and gender biases uniquely affected their leadership journeys. Data …

The Need For Succession Planning In The Non-Profit Sector Through The Lens Of The Black Church: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Lydia E. Hylton

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the critical need for succession planning within the non-profit sector, focusing on the Black Church as a case study. Through in-depth interviews with church leaders, this research uncovered the challenges and best practices in leadership transitions. The study provided insights into how effective succession planning can ensure organizational sustainability, preserve cultural heritage, and maintain community trust. By understanding the lived experiences of Black church leaders, this research aims to offer practical recommendations that can be applied across the non-profit sector, promoting resilience and continuity in leadership.

Examining Employers’ Perspectives Relating To Early College High School Programs And Employability Skills, Kathleen Mcguigan

Education Doctoral

This phenomenological qualitative research study examined employer perspectives on the employability skills of graduates from Early College High School (ECHS) programs. The study investigated the program components that enhance the preparation of employability skills and the systems that support graduate transition to the workforce. Using semi-structured interviews with employer partners and an iterative coding process, three key themes emerged across the data. The key themes highlight the importance of factors relating to workplace readiness, including internships and experiential learning, behavioral and soft skills, and structured transition systems, as critical components in preparing ECHS graduates for employment.

The findings indicate that …

Interdisciplinary Studies At Grand Valley State: Brooks College At Twenty, Eric Covey

Grand Valley Reports and Histories

This study, focused chiefly on academic programs, begins with a brief outline of the history of the Cluster Colleges at Grand Valley State University and then goes on to detail how the arrival of a new provost in 2002 revived and reshaped the idea of an independent college dedicated to interdisciplinary experiments. It was written partially to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Social Sprouts: A Play-Based Packaged Intervention - Improving Peer Interactions In Early Childhood Classrooms With A Novel Group Contingency, Brittany D. Garza

Master's Theses

Teaching prosocial skills such as positive peer interactions in early childhood settings not only promotes behavioral health but reliably predicts future learning outcomes. The literature suggests that decreasing levels of challenging behavior may improve peer interactions, and a feasible class-wide strategy that can address this combination of needs effectively is a group contingency. The current study investigated the effect of a novel group contingency, Social Sprouts, on both positive peer interactions and disruptive behavior. This study utilized a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design in three Head Start classrooms to evaluate the effect of this packaged intervention delivered just before and during …

Using Inquiry Classroom Experiences To Correct Student Misconceptions In Elementary Science: An Action Research Study, Hope A. Ellison

Master's Theses

Misconceptions in elementary science education can significantly hinder students' ability to construct accurate and lasting conceptual understandings. Grounded in the constructivist learning theory, this quasi-experimental study investigates how inquiry-based instruction influences the identification and correction of third-grade students’ misconceptions in science, specifically in the domains of energy, force, and matter. Using a pre- and post-test design, along with data derived from daily teacher field notes, the research was conducted with a sample of fifteen third-grade students at a public elementary school in Mississippi. The results, discussed in the methods section, revealed a statistically significant improvement in students’ conceptual understanding following …

Formation Of Inclusive Competence Of Future Special Education Teachers, Gulbanu Ashimkhanova, Akbota Autaeva, Anar Rakhmetova, Gulmira Tussupbekova, Kanat Sadykov

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study aims to explore the phenomenon of inclusive competence as an integral trait of today’s educators.

Methods: The scientific research involved surveying students from pedagogical universities as well as using methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and classification.

Results: The concept of inclusive competence is understood as the degree of skills and knowledge required to fulfil pedagogical responsibilities within an inclusive educational environment. Key elements of inclusive competence, such as cognitive, motivational, reflexive, and operational components, have been identified and have the following functions:

• · Cognitive elements enable teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Project-Based Vocational Learning Programs At Vocational Schools, Muhammad Sadam Rizkylillah, Soeprijanto Soeprijanto, Muksin Muksin

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study evaluates the impact (effectiveness and outcome) of project-based vocational learning program in Electrical Power Installation programs (TITL) at vocational schools in Tangerang, Indonesia. Using the Goal Free Evaluation model and a mixed-methods approach, quantitatively, the study found that 93,93% of the program ran well. It identified 33 positive impacts that matched the program's goals, 2 negative impacts, and 6 unexpected positive outcomes for students such as curiosity, confidence, safety awareness, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and honesty. Addressing high vocational graduate unemployment, this research fills a gap by focusing on real impacts rather than predefined goals. The program is recommended to …

Effectiveness Of Geo Fun Thinkers Digital Learning Media On Student Understanding, Nur Halimah Silviatus Zahra, Budi Handoyo, I Komang Astina, Wan Ibrahim Wan Ahmad

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to develop and test the effectiveness of Digital Geo Fun Thinkers learning media on student understanding of the material on the utilization of natural resources and their problems. The research used the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model (Analysis-Design-Development-Implementation-Evaluation) which was carried out at Almaarif Singosari Islamic High School with the subject of 27 students in class XI IPS 1. Digital Geo Fun Thinkers media was developed based on digital technology by raising the contextual phenomenon of natural resources at the foot of Mount Arjuno, especially in Sumber Brantas and Toyomarto villages. This media …

Penerapan Layanan Bimbingan Kelompok Dengan Teknik Role Playing Terhadap Kemampuan Meregulasi Emosi Pada Remaja, Rizky Abdillah, Nurussakinah Daulay

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This research was conducted at An-Nizam private junior high school, during adolescence is a period of significant changes that occur in terms of physical, social and psychological changes. During this period, many people have difficulty managing their emotions, which will have a negative impact and have a bad influence, so they need guidance so that their emotions are more controlled. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of group guidance services that use role-playing strategies to improve emotion regulation skills in adolescents. This research used a quasi-experimental design with 42 students from class VIII at An-Nizam Private …

Augmented Reality Based Cultural Heritage In Improving Students' Literacy Culture In History Learning At Smk Muhammadiyah I Pekanbaru, Suroyo Suroyo, Novena Ade Fredyarini Soedjiwo, Derinta Entas, Antonio Constantino Soares

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

History learning in vocational high schools (SMK) is often faced with challenges in increasing students' interest and understanding of culture and history. The application of Cultural Heritage-based Augmented Reality (AR) technology as an innovative solution in improving students' literacy culture in history learning at SMK Muhammadiyah I Pekanbaru. This study aims to evaluate the impact of using Cultural Heritage-based AR on historical understanding, cultural appreciation, and student interest at SMK Muhammadiyah I Pekanbaru. Experimental research method was used with one experimental group engaged in learning using Cultural Heritage-based AR and one control group following conventional learning. Data were collected through …

Digital Media In Teaching & Learning Reading Comprehension: The View Of The Efl Pre-Service Teachers In An Indonesian Higher Education, Mistang Mistang, Ruslin Ruslin, Zul Aini Rengur, Hijrah Syam, Siti Wirana

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed the dynamics of reading comprehension instruction, particularly in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. This study aims to explore the perspectives of EFL pre-service teachers regarding the teaching and learning of reading comprehension in digital-based learning environments. Additionally, the research seeks to understand the challenges these preservice teachers face in teaching reading skills and to investigate the effectiveness of current digital media in enhancing EFL pre-service teachers’ reading comprehension abilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected through online questionnaires distributed to 26 respondents, while qualitative data …

Faced With Genai, Educators’ Engagement Capacity Matters More Than Ever, Thomas Menkhoff

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In a commentary, SMU Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources (Education) Thomas Menkhoff stressed the need for educators to upskill so they can guide students in using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) responsibly, rather than dismissing it. He argued that universities should move beyond prohibition and invest in AI literacy to safeguard academic integrity. Prof Menkhoff mentioned that combining the use of GenAI tools with effective prompting and Socratic questioning transforms students’ use of technology from passive consumption to active, reflective and critical engagement. To achieve this, he said that schools must set clear guidelines and design AI-compatible assessments that …

The Impact Of Previous Police Contact And Attitudes Toward Police On Firearm Carriage In A College Student Population, Amanda Kroll

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines whether an association exists between police contact and firearm carriage. Additionally, the present study examines whether the intrusiveness of police contact has an association with firearm carriage. Questionnaires measuring participant demographics, perceptions of the police, contact with the police, and firearm carriage were administered to 222 participants recruited through undergraduate psychology courses at a state university in the Midwest. Results indicated that participants with a history of contact with the police were more likely to carry a firearm than participants with no contact with the police. Regarding frequency of firearm carriage, participants with a history of police …

​​Alumni Voices: Uk Graduates, Global Influence​, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic

Higher education research

The Alumni UK network offers a unique opportunity to understand the perceptions, behaviours and influence of international alumni of a UK education. This report interrogates the second round of the British Council’s Alumni Voices longitudinal study data conducted online between November 2024 and January 2025. In total there were 3,094 participants in the survey from 123 countries. 892 of these were the same respondents from Round 1 (this same survey being administered in 2023–2024). This report focuses on two key areas that highlight the benefits of international alumni to the UK: advocacy for the UK and UK education; and alumni …

Educational Attainment Patterns Among Mena Adults: A Comparative Study Of Native- And Foreign-Born Groups In The Us, Michael Okyere

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study examines educational attainment patterns among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) adults in the United States, focusing on how nativity status, residential patterns, and gender shape these outcomes. Drawing on segmented assimilation and spatial assimilation theories, I analyze data from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey using ordered logistic regression models. Results indicate that educational attainment varies by gender, with MENA women consistently achieving higher education levels than men across all nativity groups, though this advantage varies considerably in magnitude between native-born and foreign-born subgroups. Residence in ethnic enclaves demonstrates a strong negative association with educational attainment among foreign-born …

The Tree That Would Not Fall: An Educator’S Autoethnographic Journey Of Healing Through Words, Raeanna Marie Carlson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

To say the world has changed since the 2020 COVID-19 shut down is to minimize the micro and macro social changes that infiltrated the school system. In the wake of it all, we find a landscape marred by a both rising teacher attrition and struggling student motivation. This autoethnographic dissertation explores the deeply personal experience tethered to a deeply problematic system that contributes to not only teacher burnout but what I came to know as teacher demoralization. Personal traumas of teachers profoundly impact their experience in the classroom, and as I examined my own near departure from the classroom, I …

Understanding The Dynamics Of Formal Mentoring In Professional Identity Development Of Early Career Extension Professionals: A Phenomenological Approach, Anuradha Choudhary

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Formal mentoring plays a crucial role in shaping the professional identity of early-career extension professionals; however, limited research has explored how these dynamics affect professional identity development within formal mentorship structures. This study uses a transcendental phenomenological approach to understand how mentees and mentors perceive the impact of formal mentoring on professional identity development within the Nebraska Extension system. Using criteria-based random sampling and snowball sampling, the study engaged 10 mentees and 10 mentors, employing semi-structured interviews, focus groups utilizing ripple effect mapping, and document analysis of mentoring agreements, program guidelines, and mentoring checklists. Following Moustakas' (1994) transcendental phenomenology framework, …