Education Commons^™

Kelp Guardians Can Save The World: A Food Sovereignty Lab Report Of The Ghvtlh-K’Vsh Shu'-Srnelh-'I~ (Kelp Guardians) California Sea Grant, Delaney A. Schroeder-Echavarria

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

As partners of the Ghvtlh-k’vsh Shu'-srnelh-'i~ (Kelp Guardians) California Sea Grant project, the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute has actively engaged with local educators, Tribal organizations, and Tribal Nations to create youth-centered curricula, researched through a community-based participatory research lens. This is demonstrated through an innovative approach to recruiting and retaining Indigenous youth and community interest in coastal and marine ecosystems and resources by connecting with Indigenous cultural practices, Indigenous sciences, and community-based programs to encourage future careers. The Kelp Guardians project is led by the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (TDN or Nation) and includes various …

Leveraging Large Language Models To Create Learner Personas For Training Design, N. Lovett, M. Yang, K. Herman, B. Li, M. Sosonkina, W. Purwanto, P. Jiang, M. H. Wu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This case examines the innovative use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate learner personas for developing learner-centered cybersecurity training materials when direct access to initial learner data is not available. The team developed a nine-stage iterative process for creating and refining AI-generated personas to address this constraint, integrating ethical review, stakeholder feedback, and action research principles. The process expanded upon Kouprie and Visser’s (2009) empathic design framework to ensure cultural responsiveness and mitigate potential biases in LLM outputs. Through multiple refinement cycles, initial generic personas evolved into detailed, context-rich archetypes which informed the development of effective and context-responsive training …

Understanding Students' Decision To Proceed With Hybrid Education: Examining The Post-Covid-19 Scenario, Heng Zhang

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Hybrid education—integrating online and in-person instruction—has become a prominent educational model in the post-COVID-19 educational landscape. While prior research has examined the benefits and challenges of hybrid learning, as well as general acceptance patterns through frameworks such as the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior, critical gaps remain in identifying the factors shaping students’ behavioral intentions toward this educational model. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing the interplay of external variables (such as prior hybrid learning experience, employment status, course type, commute time, and work-family balance) and socio-demographic attributes (such as age, gender, academic program and …

Clinical Pharmacology And Medication Safety: A Remote Learning Elective Designed For Senior Medical Students, Elizabeth B. Graham, William T. Wightkin, Curt R. Bay, Uzoma S. Ikonne

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

In the United States, medical educators have expressed concern that an integrated and condensed pre-clerkship curriculum risks leaving gaps in student pharmacology knowledge. This study evaluates a remote-learning clinical pharmacology elective that integrates fundamental pharmacology concepts and principles of medication safety and explores how the course impacts senior medical students' self-reported readiness for residency. Clinical Pharmacology and Medication Safety is a remote elective course for senior medical students. The course integrates a review of basic pharmacology with clinical pharmacology topics through case-based learning sessions led by clinical pharmacists and physicians. To evaluate the elective's effectiveness, students in the fall and …

The Performance Of Artificial Intelligence In Lesson Plans, Meghan Mezzacapo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

As a future teacher, I have recently observed the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Many of the classes in my teacher education program have encouraged me to use AI as a tool for creating lesson plans. In schools, I have noticed an increased expectation from administrators that teachers use AI in the classroom. After experimenting with various Artificial Intelligence generators, I became interested in whether these tools could create a better lesson plan than myself. Determining AI’s capability may benefit teachers by allowing them to spend less time on creating lesson plans and more time on other …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Preparation To Become Clinical Educators, Alivia English

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Clinical education is significant in a student clinician’s educational journey to prepare them for their career after graduation. It provides the hands-on component that can only be learned and fully understood through performing. The literature regarding students’ experiences in clinical education is vast, but there is a shortage of literature that explores the perceptions of clinical educators (CEs). This thesis consists of three articles. The first article explores the perceptions speech-language pathologists’ have regarding the preparation they received to become CEs, and then the second article takes a look at how the requirements to becoming CEs differ across similar clinical …

Factors Influencing Former State Ffa Officers To Forego Careers In Agriculture: A Qualitative Study, Shelby R. Atwood

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the factors influencing former State FFA Officers' decisions to pursue careers outside agricultural education and the broader agricultural industry. Despite their deep engagement with the National FFA Organization and exposure to numerous agricultural career opportunities, many former officers do not transition into related professions. Guided by the expectancy-value theory, this research investigates the personal experiences, perceptions, and external factors that shape their career choices. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with former Kentucky State FFA Officers, focusing on their motivations, barriers, and overall perspectives on agricultural careers. Key findings revealed that practical considerations, personal growth, leadership …

Eagle Scouts And The Contributing Factors To Civic Engagement On The College Campus, Blaise Lukasiewicz

All Capstone Projects

The qualitative study followed a general inductive method to determine the influence the rank of Eagle Scout has on civic engagement among students in four-year public higher education institutions. The identified population for this research study was college-aged students who are currently enrolled or have attended public four-year higher education institutions. By exploring the experiences of Eagle Scouts in higher education settings, this research aimed to contribute to our understanding of how participation in the Scouting program and attainment of the Eagle Scout rank shape individuals’ engagement in civic engagement activities during their college years. Previous research suggests that participation …

Perceptions Of Implementation From Higher Education Participants In Online Course Design Professional Development, Scott B. Thesen

All Capstone Projects

Many higher education instructors treat online teaching as a modern form of correspondence, believing students learn on their own when content is placed in a learning management system, but learning also takes place through other forms of interaction beyond solely with content. To show best practices for the online modality, instructors at a Midwest regional mid-sized higher education institution participated in professional development using the Improving Your Online Course (IYOC) workshop from Quality Matters™ (QM), a globally recognized authority in best practices for online course design. Level 3 of Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation was used to evaluate the …

Proximity And Density Of Tobacco Retail Locations To Kentucky Schools And The Relationship To Youth Perceptions Of Harm And Susceptibility To E-Cigarette Use, Hannah Cardona

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Purpose: To explore the potential relationship between tobacco retailer proximity/density around Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools, and students’ perceptions, perceived norms, susceptibility to, and use of e-cigarettes. Design: A mixed-methods analysis of youth’s self-reported survey results and geographical data. Setting: 106 Kentucky elementary, middle, and high schools which participated in #iCANendthetrend’s tobacco education program between September 2023 and May 2024. Subjects: Convenience sample of students from Ky schools (N = 7,823) Measures: Items assessing e-cigarette use, susceptibility, perceptions, and perceived norms. Analysis: ANOVA tests used to compare responses of elementary, middle, and high school students. Chi-squared tests were used …

Bridging Awareness And Access: Outdoor Recreation And Physical Activity In Eastern Kentucky, Timothy Mckay

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Physical inactivity remains a pressing challenge in Appalachian Kentucky, where high obesity rates intersect with limited access to structured exercise facilities. This dissertation investigated the extent to which participation in outdoor recreation supports adherence to physical activity (PA) recommendations and explored community awareness of local public lands. Surveys from 52 adult participants in Knox County revealed strong engagement in outdoor activity, with participation significantly predicting compliance with national PA guidelines. Educational attainment was also associated with higher rates of PA compliance, pointing to the influence of literacy and awareness in health behaviors. Reliability testing of the Outdoor Physical Activity Attitude …

Exploring College Students’ Motivation For Physical Activity: Applications Of Self-Determination Theory And The Role Of Health And Wellness Education, Anne Russell Blevins

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This dissertation includes three pieces of writing that aim to show the importance of physical activity for all ages but specifically college-aged students. The first piece of writing (Chapter 2) includes a teaching tip written for the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Research has shown that dance was a subject of the past and many teachers did not feel comfortable teaching it. This practical piece was written to help show K-12 physical education teachers effective ways to involve students in physical activity specifically through teaching dance, mainly through using the “Teaching Dance for Understanding” model.

The second section …

The Effects Habitual Training Shoe Use Has On Running Economy When Transitioning To High Performance Running Shoes, Dalton C. Harris

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: The recent increase in popularity of minimal shoes in endurance running is linked to potential improvements in running economy and reduced injury risk. However, high performance running shoes, specifically designed to improve running economy remain the fastest shoe to wear when racing. Purpose: Knowing this, the aim of this paper is to examine whether or not the habitual use of minimal shoes increases the benefits of the high performance shoes. This will guide practitioners and athletes when establishing shoe rotations and training plans during race preparation. Methods: The study consisted of 4 sessions: Sessions 1 and 2 were maximal …

Examining Kentucky Agriculture Teachers’ Use Of Student Credentialing In Agricultural Education Programming, Kaycee J. Palmeri, Kevin T. Wells

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Kentucky agriculture teachers’ perceptions regarding current industry credential offerings, how they operationalize the curricula, knowledge, and skills necessary to prepare for industry credential offerings, and the perceived benefits for students who earn such credentials. The current study was undergirded by human capital theory. Using random sampling across the 12 Kentucky FFA service regions, the researcher collected data from nine current Kentucky agriculture teachers via semi-structured interviews. Further, the researcher used a Qualtrics-based instrument to collect participant demographics data. The analysis of the interview data revealed eight distinct emerging themes. The researcher …

Looking Beyond The Achievement Gap: An Inquiry Into Bridging The Divide Between Teacher Preparedness And English Learners’ Literacy Success, Sean Rhoads

Theses and Dissertations

English Learners (ELs) in early childhood and elementary settings continue to face a significant literacy achievement gap compared to their non-EL peers. A qualitative action research study was conducted in a suburban Midwest district to examine how teacher preparedness, instructional practices, and professional development influence EL literacy development. Through teacher interviews, surveys, and classroom observations, the study identified key challenges, including limited EL-specific training, minimal collaboration with EL specialists, and inadequate instructional resources. Aimsweb Plus data confirmed a widening literacy gap, reinforcing the need for culturally responsive teaching, improved collaboration, and targeted interventions. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained …

Finding The Diaspora: Understanding U.S. Central American Students’ Narratives Of Social Justice And Resistance At Four-Year Higher Education Institutions In Illinois, Sandy C. González Rivas

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of U.S. Central American students at four-year higher education institutions in Illinois. It focused specifically on how these students navigated notions of cultural, ethnic, and racial identity on campus and resisted imposed concepts of Latinidad. The study used Latino Critical Race Theory, the Community Cultural Wealth Model, and testimonio and plática methodologies to center students’ voices and experiences. Data were collected through individual narratives from eight self-identified U.S. Central American students using semi-structured interviews. The data highlighted how U.S. Central American students perceive dominant narratives of Latinidad in higher education, what aspects …

The Experiences Of Black Male Dei Administrators At Historically White Institutions, Kwame R. Patterson Jr

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the lived experiences of Black male Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) administrators at Historically White Institutions (HWIs) in higher education. Drawing from Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the Campus Racial Climate Model, this research utilized a qualitative narrative inquiry to understand how Black male DEI administrators experience and navigate their roles, as well as the support systems they rely on to overcome barriers encountered at HWIs. I conducted interviews with 11 Black male DEI administrators from various HWIs. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Limited Legacy: What am I here for?, which highlights the unique …

Cultivating Counter-Stories To Deficit Narrative Of Students: A Literacy Problem Of Practice, Amanda Brown

Theses and Dissertations

In urban schools across the United States, literacy outcomes remain inequitable, especially for BIPOC students and those living in poverty. In District 17, the mandate to rigidly implement a purchased curriculum resource reinforces deficit-oriented views of student ability and limits teachers’ professional agency to adjust instruction based on formative data. As a result, instruction becomes disconnected from student needs and identities, further exacerbating literacy inequities.

Guided by Mintrop’s cycle of inquiry, this qualitative study examined how participation in a 90-day inquiry cycle influenced the narratives teachers constructed about their students’ literacy abilities. Kindergarten through third grade teachers collaboratively planned and …

The Path From Acceptance To Adoption For Linguistic Innovations Dealing With Gender In The Language Classroom, Juan Carlos Acevedo Fontecha

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing the acceptance, rejection, or adoption of gender inclusive and gender-non-identifying forms among language users. The study draws on responses from 25 students in a linguistic class to evaluate innovations in English and from 23 instructors of Spanish to evaluate innovations in Spanish. Participants took part in a survey designed to evaluate existing forms endorsed by the United Nations, and gender-non-identifying forms, such as the -e morpheme in Spanish or singular they in English, promoted by community-generated guides. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed side by side to better understand the participants’ reasoning regarding these …

Promoting A Pedagogy Of Critical Engagement: Teaching English Grammar And Usage Through A Socio-Historical, Investigative Approach, Robin E. Cross Halsey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation introduces and explicates a novel pedagogical approach to a university course that focuses on the application of English grammar and usage for writers. This approach to the teaching of English grammar and usage is grounded in several related disciplines and fields of study, including linguistics (specifically historical linguistics and sociolinguistics), language ideologies, and inquiry-based education.

The course curriculum combines examinations of historical ideologies and attitudes that have influenced debates about language usage and the value of teaching grammar with explicit instruction of specific grammar terms and concepts. The initial phase of the course introduces rhetorical grammar, usage and …

Fueling The Fire! How Black Students Make Sense Of Their Experiences With Youth Development Programs And Their Roles In Post-Secondary Transition And Success, Erica Austin

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I used a phenomenological research design to explore how Black students make sense of their experiences with Youth Development Programs (YDPs)and how the program components contributed to their transition and success in postsecondary education. An analysis of the interview data gathered from ten black students through the lens of Social Identity Theory revealed three themes: (a) YDPs help students feel prepared and supported by equipping them with essential academic and life skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities; (b) Representation within YDPs fosters self-efficacy and aspiration, as mentors and role models who share students’ cultural backgrounds inspire confidence and …

Do You Hear It?: Perceptions Of A Vocational Calling And Retention Considerations For Student Affairs Professionals, Tim Holbrook

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examines the perceptions of student affairs professionals of their work as a job, career, or calling and how that perception corresponds to their feelings about the course of their future professional endeavors. The research subject pool included student affairs professionals employed by large research institutions who graduated from master’s degree programs between the years of 2017 and 2020.

The study suggests that while these early-career student affairs professionals exhibited a pro-social orientation that attracted them to community-oriented work and they find personal meaning in their employment, there is a risk that individuals in student affairs may be …

The Impact Of Bilingual Teacher License, And Years Of Experience On Bilingual Student Reading Achievement Across Multiple-Grade Levels, Cuauhtemoc D. Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

The body of literature had an ongoing debate of which certification or license type had a greater impact on student achievement. Nevertheless, there were insufficient studies that focused on the impact of certification type and years of experience in the Bilingual camp. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to explore the findings of the various impact Bilingual teacher license, years of experience, and both Bilingual license and years of experience had on Bilingual student reading achievement. Hence, the dissertation used a quantitative causal-comparative design and explored the research questions. The findings varied from grade levels, school years, and languages. …

From Unprepared To On Track: Closing The Kindergarten Readiness Gap By Using A Team-Based Approach To Implement A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss) Framework With Fidelity, Erica Filipiak

Theses and Dissertations

We live in a world where preschool and even kindergarten are optional years in schooling, only perpetuating the problem of incoming kindergartener students systemically lacking foundational skills necessary to successfully begin their academic careers. Access to quality preschool is an equity problem that needs to be discussed and researched. Preparing a student to enter kindergarten with the appropriate foundational academic skills does not just set them up for kindergarten success, but also for success in future grade levels. Therefore, a co-design team focused a problem of practice at an elementary school to provide the kindergarten teacher with additional support by …

Reframing Equity Gaps: A Descriptive Analysis Of Reported Spending For Underrepresented Minorities At Illinois Community Colleges, Terrance Marshall Bond

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative descriptive analysis investigates reported institutional spending and associated equity gaps for underrepresented minority (URM) students in Illinois community colleges from FY2017-FY2021. Guided by Critical Sensemaking (CSM) theory, the study examines correlations between targeted expenditures and enrollment and completion outcomes for Black and Latinx undergraduate students. Utilizing data from Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Underrepresented Groups (URG) reports, this research identifies patterns in institutional financial commitments toward equity initiatives, analyzing their relationship to enrollment and completion disparities. Key findings reveal substantial variability in institutional spending directed toward underrepresented minorities, despite statewide mandates and strategic goals focused on reducing equity …

Utilizing Information Technology And Hands-On Learning Practices To Improve Student Learning Outcomes In A High Failure Rate Introductory Programming Course, Todd Edward Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to introduce and examine the impact that two interventions have on a high failure rate introductory programing course: a pedagogical approach of introducing Live Coding instruction technique to the in-person lecture portion, and a technological approach of introducing remote collaboration software (VS Code Liveshare) to the online lab portion. This study used convergent parallel mixed methods approach for both data collection and analysis; utilizing four data collection methods: 1) online survey questionnaires 2) in-depth interviews 3) in class observations and 4) quantifiable data collection (ie., student demographic, IT experience, GPA data). The Live Coding …

From Access To Application: Exploring The Depth Of Technology Integration In Rural And Non-Rural Schools, Rebecca M. Laible

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examines how geographic disparities influence the integration of educational technology in rural Illinois high schools. Through interviews with a technology specialist from a rural district and a curriculum director from a non-rural district in Illinois, the research explores differences in access, instructional use, and systemic support. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory and DiGironimo’s (2011) Three Dimensions of Technology, findings show that while both districts value technology, rural integration tends to focus on access and functionality, while non-rural schools more often embed technology into inquiry-driven instruction. These results highlight the need for context-sensitive approaches that consider …

The Effects Of Singing In Music Therapy Sessions On Vocabulary Acquisition With Children With Asd, Yeim Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle with language acquisition and maintaining engagement during learning activities. While music therapy has shown promise in supporting communication and behavior in children with ASD, few studies have focused on its effect on vocabulary acquisition, particularly in comparing different types of music interventions like singing and non-singing approaches.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore how singing, as a method used in music therapy, affects vocabulary acquisition in a child with ASD. Three research questions guided this study: (1) How do singing and non-singing programs influence receptive vocabulary acquisition in a child with …

Transformative Social Emotional Learning Practices And Instructional Engagement In The Kindergarten Classroom, Lisa Skelly

Theses and Dissertations

The kindergarten teachers at Catalina Elementary School have identified a crucial issue: their students' inability to self-regulate is impeding their learning and classroom engagement. The kindergarten team engages in ongoing professional learning with a focus on transformative social emotional learning. The teacher team explores whether on-going professional learning based in transformative social emotional core competencies impacts their direct instruction of transformative social emotional standards. Teachers further support implementation of the transformative social emotional core competencies using structured play-based activities. Following the on-going professional learning sessions, the teacher team would craft a whole group lesson and select an activity to embed …

Language Ideologies In Coloniality Contexts: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Efl Teachers’ Experiences And Perceptions On The Use Of Learners’ Language Repertoire As Assets For Teaching And Learning, Kountiala J. Some

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I examined how dominant language ideologies in language politics and policy shape the professional identity development and pedagogical practices of five English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in Burkina Faso. The study sought to understand how these ideologies influence teachers’ beliefs and perceptions of multilingual pedagogical approaches, as well as possible pathways for deconstructing them to promote student-centered practices. The participants’ accounts revealed that their academic and professional identities were largely shaped by the belief that home languages hinder proficiency in French and English. They recalled with remorse their elementary school experiences, where speaking native languages …