Education Commons^™

Perceptions Of Spirituality And Of God: A Psychological Qualitative Study, Christopher E. Peck, Timothy B. Smith, Jamila Mastny

Faculty Publications

The majority of people living in the U.S. report that spirituality is an important part of their life that is influential to their well-being. However, individuals vary widely in how they conceptualize spirituality, which often stems from and overlaps with their conceptualizations of God or so-called “God image”. Examination of people’s experiences of spirituality and conceptualization of God can enable psychologists to improve their understanding of individuals’ core personal experiences. This study evaluates both spirituality and God image, as well as the relationship between these two constructs, using qualitative hermeneutic analysis of interviews with 63 adults (51% women, 49% men, …

The Acute Impact Of Game-Based Physical Education On The Mood States Of Middle School Students, John Nemeth

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Mental health disorders represent a massive global health burden, with close to one billion people currently affected. Access to treatment and medical care remains low, especially among children. Increased physical activity (PA) is a widely recognized and accessible method for improving mental health, with substantial evidence supporting its benefits. Physical education (PE) is a structured, school-based environment that promotes PA and increased movement, but research examining its impact on mood is limited. This study examined mood changes in middle school students following PE participation in two game-based activities: handball (team sports) and badminton (partner games). A quasi-experimental design was used …

Exploring South Asian Parent Perceptions Of Involvement In Their Child’S Schooling, Qazi Mohammed Faaizuddin Biabani

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

No abstract provided.

Addressing The Crisis Of Masculinity: The Impact Of A High School Counter-Hegemonic Course On Adolescent Male Identity And Traditional Masculinity Ideology, Thomas Conlon

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

No abstract provided.

An Instrumental Case Study Of Low-Income, African-American Parents’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Parent-Teacher Relationships In Midwestern, Pk-8 U.S. Public Schools, Rochelle Rolle

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Positive parent-teacher relationships are vital for student success in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, particularly among low-income, African-American parents and guardians. Research suggests respect, trust, and open communication as key factors for cultivating positive parent-relationships; however, race and social class have influenced the development of African-American parents and guardians’ relationships with their children’s teachers. This instrumental case study investigated how six low- income, African-American parents and guardians in Midwestern PK-8 public schools perceive their relationships with their children’s teachers. Using a qualitative method approach, the study was guided by the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler Model of the Parental Involvement Process and Critical …

The Case For Visual Art In Overcoming The Double Empathy Problem, Katelyn Milea Rose Nilson

Theses and Dissertations

A person's cognitive environment--made up of their thoughts, experiences, and tendencies--can affect how they empathize with others. Those with significantly different cognitive environments, such as autistic and neurotypical individuals, may have a difficult time empathizing with one another. This study aimed to facilitate empathy between the two groups by aligning their cognitive environments through discussion about visual art. Five autistic neurotypical dyads completed three discussion sessions where they observed and journaled about a piece of art, discussed their thoughts with each other, and filled out a questionnaire about their experience. All participants also completed a post-study interview. Data from questionnaires, …

Marketing De Moda Predictivo E Inclusivo: Estrategias De Segmentación Avanzada Para Audiencias Diversas Con Inteligencia Artificial, Oscar Barroso Huertas

GDI. Revista de investigación de Género, Diseño e Innovación

Introducción: El marketing predictivo, impulsado por la inteligencia artificial (IA), está transformando cómo las marcas anticipan las necesidades de sus audiencias. En Moda, la personalización es clave para conectar emocionalmente con los consumidores, pero también es esencial que las marcas sean inclusivas, respetando la diversidad y la privacidad. Este artículo explora cómo las marcas de moda usan el marketing predictivo para segmentar audiencias diversas, garantizando campañas personalizadas e inclusivas. Metodología: Este estudio adopta un enfoque mixto, combinando revisión documental y análisis cualitativo. Se revisan fuentes académicas y casos de marcas que aplican marketing predictivo inclusivo, utilizando tecnologías como machine learning …

Audiological Characteristics And Associations With Psychological Inflexibility, Karen Muñoz, Bailey Sorensen, Aryn Kamerer, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

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Comparing Emotional Facial Expressions Produced During Personal Narrative Discourse By People With And Without Aphasia, Chloe K. Houghton

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the differences in emotional facial expressivity between people with aphasia (PWA) and control participants during emotional discourse tasks. Participants consisted of 26 PWA and 26 control participants from Aphasia Talk Bank who retold a stroke or illness story and an important life event story, totaling 104 video files. Undergraduate research assistants were trained to code emotional facial expressions according to valence, intensity, and duration utilizing a modified Facial Expression Coding System (FACES; Kring & Sloan, 1991). Dependent variables included positive frequency, negative frequency, positive intensity, and negative intensity. Results from this study demonstrate that female participants used …

Creation Of An Open Access Textbook, Sue Ann Gardner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Presentations

Slide presented during the PRCA Research Celebration, June 3, 2025, in the University Libraries, University of Nebraska-Lincoln titled Creation of an Open Access Textbook, about the development and publication of Concepts in Animal Parasitology, co-edited by Scott L. Gardner and Sue Ann Gardner and published by Zea Books (Lincoln, Nebraska, USA) in 2024.

The Library Is Open: Making The Case For Academic Libraries As The Planning Hub For Frederick Douglass Day, Shaina V. Anderson

Urban Library Journal

This case study showcases the value of having a library act as the central planning and event location at a public, land-grant university. Frederick Douglass Day is a hybrid day of “…collective action for Black history” (Center for Black Digital Research, n.d.) that was founded by Dr. Jim Casey, an African American Studies faculty member at Pennsylvania State University. It is a day where students and community members from higher education institutions, archival institutions, and museums from around the world log onto a transcription program and participate in transcribing historical documents. Some of the participants are assigned to be “transcribers” …

Education In Advance Care Planning: A Novel Equity-Based, Interprofessional Service-Learning Approach, Dorothy Yam, Sriya Kudaravalli, Elizabeth A. Mulvaney, Leslie Scheunemann, Grace W. Orsatti

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: Despite health sciences graduate schools emphasizing service-learning and interprofessionalism, they often struggle to integrate these values into the curricula effectively. Advance care planning is inherently interdisciplinary and presents an opportunity to address equity gaps through service-learning. This report describes a novel interdisciplinary service-learning initiative for graduate student trainees, focused on advance care planning in underserved communities.

Methods: After targeted training, teams of medical, law, and social work students, and professionals from their respective fields, took part in two Life Planning Fairs in historically underserved neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Using a form developed by the Allegheny County Bar Association …

Quality, Suitability, Understandability, Actionability, And Readability Of Patient Education Materials: Baseline Findings From Slp Graduate Students, Bonnie K. Slavych, Greg Williams, Lauren Siemers, Lauren E. Jones, Alana Mantie-Kozlowski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study evaluated graduate SLP students’ ability to communicate complex health information, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. A cross-sectional analysis of 28 first-semester graduate students enrolled in a voice disorders course examined the quality of patient education materials they created based on fictional scenarios. Quality and credibility were assessed using the DISCERN instrument, suitability with the Suitability Assessment of Materials, and understandability/actionability with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable materials. Readability was analyzed using five formulas: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, FORCAST, New Dale-Chall, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. DISCERN scores ranged from 17 to 31 …

Personalized Learning In A Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders Seminar, Paul W. Cascella

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This paper highlights the utility of personalized learning (PL) embedded into an on-campus graduate seminar focused on pediatric speech sound disorders (PSSD). The example showcases six key PL features described from an autoethnographic lens. These include: (a) context-specific positionality viewpoints (i.e., instructor, student, discipline, and university); (b) PL-adapted course learning outcomes; and (c) PL-style instructional resources, (i.e., diverse and efficient elicitation study questions, intentionally introspective in-class activities, and a menu of student- and discipline-centric topics conveyed in varied instructional formats). Evidence of students’ PSSD accomplishments are shared via personalized proof portfolios, and links to entry level national certification benchmarks. Closing …

The Effect Of Blended Training On Aac Strategy Use By Pre-Service Educational Professionals, Cheri Dodge Chin, Stephanie M. Schaaf, Jennifer Gaylord, Melissa Pebly

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study explored the feasibility of a blended training program model on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies by pre-service education speech pathology students. The training incorporated Read-Ask-Answer (RAA) and naturalistic Show-Wait-Respond (SWR) techniques, aiming to increase participants’ competence in AAC strategy application. Four graduate students participated in a single-case A-B research design. Following five baseline sessions, participants completed a one-hour asynchronous online training based on a modified ImPAACT model (Kent-Walsh & Binger, 2013; Kent-Walsh & McNaughton, 2005). The training focused on RAA and SWR strategies and included video demonstrations, written practice opportunities, and reflection activities. Following …

Experiential Learning And Autism: An Undergraduate’S Journey, Emma K. Walker, Jennifer C. Dalton, Dawn C. Botts

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This paper reflects on my experiential learning journey using the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle to explore pragmatic therapy for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a participant observer in the Level Up program, I engaged in twice-weekly social communication sessions, gaining insights into interprofessional practice, communication interventions, and effective counseling techniques. Through this hands-on experience, I recognized a gap in the curriculum related to employability skills for individuals with ASD and IDD. This led me to develop a lesson plan focused on job-related social skills, addressing the need for practical, vocational-focused interventions. …

The Effects Of In-Depth Exposure To The Lived Experience Of Aphasia On Student Learning, Brianne Roos, Gretchen Szabo, Tami Brancamp, Elizabeth Hoover, Chaleece Sandberg, Tom W. Sather

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Although individuals with aphasia are commonly treated by speech-language pathologists, many clinicians entering the field feel under-prepared to work with this population. Undergraduate and graduate students need appropriate training that emphasizes person-centered care mapped onto evidence-based practice, combining high-quality research evidence, clinical expertise, and client preferences. Incorporating lived experience into curricula helps shape students’ knowledge and understanding of aphasia from the perspective of patients and carepartners. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study examined the impact of in-depth exposure to the lived experience of aphasia on students across six US universities. Students read the book Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves …

An Interdisciplinary Early Intervention Learning Community For Undergraduate Students, Ciera M. Lorio, Hannah Rudkin, Christina Rauwolf, Luminita Hartle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

There is currently a nationwide shortage of early intervention (EI) providers in the United States, and the number of families in need of EI services is much greater than the available service providers (CEC, 2019; Barton et al., 2012). One way to increase the number of qualified service providers is to offer better and earlier preservice training in EI at the university level. To meet this need, we designed and implemented the Early Intervention Learning Community (EILC), an extracurricular experience that focused on introducing students to EI and interprofessional practice. The primary components of the EILC included self-guided learning modules, …

A Multiple Case Study On Cisgender Women Experiences In Electrical And Computer Engineering And Computer Science Majors, Alena Marie Degeorge

Theses and Dissertations

Gender disparities are found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education because of gender norms and stereotypes that project the ideology that men are better at those subjects than women. Women who pursue a college education in STEM encounter barriers that influence them to switch to a non-STEM-related major making them part of the leaky pipeline. This case study examines the experiences that junior and senior cisgender women have while pursuing an electrical and computer engineering or computer science degree and how they overcome barriers they encounter to continue their educational pursuits in a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) …

Developing Full Performance Interpreters: Cultivating Interdisciplinary Mindsets And Skillsets To Engage Audiences In Climate Change, Women's History, And Other Contested Heritage Topics, Delia A. Lister

Dissertations

Heritage sites immerse visitors in places where the impacts of climate change are readily apparent. They are also powerful places to elevate untold stories of women and girls. Heritage site interpreters interact daily with audiences who bring diverse lived experiences, different levels of subject matter knowledge, and multiple perspectives on climate change and the role of women in history. Every visitor interaction has a set of meanings, values, and narratives that visitors knowingly or unknowingly espouse. To interpret contested heritage topics, such as climate change and women’s history, interpreters must cultivate interdisciplinary mindsets and skillsets. The purpose of this basic …

Advanced Surgical Skills: Surgical Intern Preparedness, Anne Vanderpool Mba, Roger King St, Robert D. Barraco Md, Mph

Department of Education

No abstract provided.

Surgical Olympics: A Skills Based Competition, Anne Vanderpool Mba, Roger King St, Robert D. Barraco Md, Mph

Department of Education

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Perceptions Of Campus Racial Climate Of Black Undergraduate Students At A Pwi, Solana Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the perceptions of Black undergraduate students regarding the racial climate at a predominantly white institution (PWI). Utilizing quantitative methodologies, the research examines how Black students experience and interpret interactions, institutional policies, and campus culture as they navigate spaces often characterized by racial homogeneity. Key areas of focus include feelings of belonging, exposure to microaggressions, access to culturally relevant resources, and the role of peer and faculty support in shaping these experiences. Findings reveal a complex interplay of support and alienation, with participants reporting both affirming and discriminatory experiences. Many students highlighted the significance of student-led cultural organizations …

From One Campus To Another: Transfer Student Journeys, Meocha Dozier-Pendleton

Theses and Dissertations

Community college systems offer accessible and affordable postsecondary education, with nearly half of all undergraduates attending public institutions opting for community colleges, particularly low-income, minority, and first-generation students. Less than 35% of students will reach the goal of transferring to a four-year institution within six years even though 80% of community college students intend to (Jabbar et al, 2019). This thesis explores the experiences of transfer students as they transition from one institution to another, focusing on the challenges they face and the support systems they rely on during this process. Focusing on transfer students can provide insights into why …

Adapting The Comprehensive Assessment Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Processes (Compact) Questionnaire For Contextual Relevance In Uganda: A Comprehensive Approach, Joseph Mugarura, Khamisi Musanje, Michael E. Levin, Ronald Asiimwe, Morris Ndeezi, Simon Kizito, Ross G. White, Rosco Kasujja

Psychology Faculty Publications

The global utility of acceptance and commitment therapy highlights the need for adapting measures that can effectively capture the richness of psychological flexibility. One such instrument is the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT). We translated the CompACT into Luganda and adapted it for use in Uganda. The original CompACT was translated into the Luganda language and reviewed through a series of evaluations. Nine mental health professionals participated in one-on-one interviews, while a focus group of eight culturally competent laypersons provided further insights. Their feedback resulted in revisions to enhance the instrument’s clarity, relevance, acceptability and completeness. …

"Opting Out Of Ai”: Exploring Perceptions, Reasons, And Concerns Behind Faculty Resistance To Generative Ai, Aya Shata

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Research on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in higher education primarily focuses on faculty use and experiences, with limited attention given to why some abstain from using it. Drawing from Innovation Resistance Theory, this study aims to address this gap by exploring the perceptions of both faculty users and non-users of GAI, identifying the reasons and concerns why they avoid GAI. A survey of 294 full-time higher education faculty from two mid-size U.S. public universities was conducted. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, results show that over one-third of the faculty members opted out of using GAI for five primary reasons: not …

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

A Comparative Study Of Standards-Based And Traditional Grading Among Ninth-Grade Students, Senitra Lachelle Upton

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This study examined the impact of standards-based grading (SBG) on the performance of ninth-grade students in English and Mathematics from 2021 to 2023. Using a comparative research design, archival performance data from School A (SBG) and School B (traditional grading) in a public school district in Tennessee were analyzed. Independent t-tests showed that Math scores were consistently higher under traditional grading (p < .001, d = 0.53-0.70) across all years. In English, SBG students outperformed their peers in 2021 (p = .001, d = 0.32), but by 2023, traditional grading yielded higher scores (p = .002, d = 0.46). These findings challenge the assumption that SBG improves academic achievement and highlight the role of contextual factors such as teacher adaptation, implementation fidelity, and subject-specific learning demands. The decline in English performance under SBG suggests difficulties in maintaining standards alignment and student acclimatization to a mastery-based system. In contrast, traditional grading's structured point system may better support procedural retention in Mathematics. This study emphasized the need for systemic evaluation of grading reforms, considering subject-specific requirements, student behaviors, and community attitudes. While SBG aligns with mastery-oriented instruction, its effectiveness depends on addressing practical concerns, such as teacher workload, grading consistency, and assessment transparency. These findings contribute to the discourse on equity in grading and encourage policymakers to adopt evidence-driven, context-based decisions. Future research should explore subgroup variations and longitudinal effects of grading interventions to enhance diverse instructional practices. Keywords: Standards-Based Grading, Traditional Grading, Academic Achievement, Mathematics Performance

K-8, Private, Midwestern School Principals And Their Experiences Of Work Demand, Emily Madden Roth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is increasing job demands and insufficient job resources plaguing K-8 principals across the nation. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate K-8 principals’ perceptions of increased work demands and their influence on excessive stress, burnout, and turnover in a private, Midwestern school district. Bakker and Demerouti’s job demands-resources theory served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 principals from the same district. Participant responses were analyzed through several rounds of coding, which led to the emergence of the following six themes: …

Examining Disproportionate Discipline Through Teacher Discipline Referrals: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Shivon A. Griffey

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of the racial composition of teachers on disciplinary practices within a school, specifically focusing on how the lack of demographic representation contributes to disciplinary disparities experienced by students from underrepresented groups. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research integrated qualitative data from focus group with quantitative analysis. Thematic analysis revealed key themes related to (a) perceptions of disciplinary fairness, (b) cultural competence, (c) representation (d) student-teacher relationships, (e) professional development, (f) and community and parental perspectives. Additionally, a chi squared test was conducted to assess if there was a statistically significant difference in the expected …