Education Commons^™

Integrating Traditional Samoan Music With School-Aged Children In Fostering Culturally Appropriate Behaviors Within The Framework Of Fa'afaletui And Multimodal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Stormi Rachelle Winscot

Theses and Dissertations

Fa’aSamoa, the cultural framework shaping Samoan values, relationships, and daily life, deeply informs educational experiences in American Samoa. Music, as both cultural expression and communal practice, offers a powerful lens through which student engagement can be understood. This exploratory study employed multimodal interpretative phenomenological analysis (MMIPA), guided by the Fa’afaletui framework, to examine how Samoan and Pacific Islander students responded in embodied ways to traditional Samoan, culturally adapted Western, and other Western (folk, classical, pop) music in classroom settings. Drawing on focus group interviews and systematic observations, the study centered students’ movement, vocal expression, rhythmic participation, and peer interaction as …

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Telehealth Training For Parents Using “Help Is In Your Hands”: Joint Attention And Mands, Vivian Desiree Cortez Dominguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to compare the effects of remote parent training for parents of autistic children in Peru, ages 2-4 years old. Using the Spanish version of the digital program called “Help is in Your Hands” (Rogers & Stahmer, 2026; 3C Institute, 2026), three mothers were trained on how to support their child's ability to participate in joint attention and mand. Autism is a condition in which children present with challenges in engaging with others, such as sharing joint attention and using mands. Several evidence-based trainings target these difficulties. However, accessing these trainings can be expensive and time-consuming. In less-developed …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2026, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (URSAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to welcome you to the Thirty-Fourth SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair.

Advocacy For Access: Ot's Role In School-Based Assistive Technology, Kalena Wedemeyer-Abney, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed-methods exploratory research study analyzes the experiences of school-based occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in the implementation of assistive technology (AT). The research examines their perceptions regarding their role and the responsibilities that come with it. This study is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and seeks to understand the skill level and knowledge of practitioners, motivators to advocacy efforts, and the overall systemic environment, such as supports and barriers, that impact OTP's ability to acquire and implement assistive technology solutions. A mixed-method research survey was completed by 25 participants, with 3 participants also completing a 1-hour, optional …

Math In Melody: How Music Strikes A Chord With Memory And Learning, Aidan V. Waters

Honors Theses

As a result of personal curiosity, this thesis seeks to understand the current status of music integration within educational settings, discussing its importance and potential impact. By considering existing literature, it analyzes music’s effectiveness in K-12 education, particularly within the mathematics classroom. Based on the current body of research, the study identifies three key features of music integration: its effectiveness as an energizer, a memory tool, and a means of creating structure within the classroom. Building on these findings, a proposed ten-day, music-integrated Algebra I unit on functions is presented, applying the research in a variety of ways. The unit …

Ink (2026)

Ink, 2008-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online.

Monopsony In Academia And The Gender Pay Gap: Evidence From California, Zhanhan Yu, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

We investigate monopsony power in a highly skilled labor market made up of tenure-ranked faculty in the University of California system, and analyze differential monopsony power exposure by gender. We infer the campus-level labor supply elasticity by estimating the elasticity of separations utilizing individual-level faculty data and two instruments based on campus revenues and salary scales. We find that the “exploitation rate,” a common measure of monopsony power, is about 7% for tenure-ranked faculty. There is a statistically significant difference in the monopsony power experienced by male and female faculty that appears to account for a relatively small percentage of …

Capital Projects As Catalysts For Strategic Change And Transformation In Higher Education, Lora Strigens

Dissertations (1934 -)

University campuses and their physical environments are a visible and symbolic representation of institutions. As the higher education landscape continues to shift and faces ongoing disruption, many institutions are considering significant strategic changes or broad transformation to remain competitive and thrive. As campuses around the country contend with aging buildings and infrastructure, they also have strategic priorities related to the changing needs and expectations of students, and the nature of teaching, learning, and research. Among these complex challenges, there is an opportunity to consider how institutions can leverage investment in the physical campus as a catalyst to support the strategic …

The Effects Of Visual Supports On The Acquisition Of Guitar Chords, Cole S. Jahna

Thesis Projects

There is a current literature gap in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and music-based leisure activities. This study utilized a multiple-probe design to evaluate the effects of visual supports on the guitar fretboard combined with behavioral skills training (BST) to teach correct strumming and finger placement of three guitar chords (i.e., E, C, and G) to a neurodivergent adult. By using a task analysis, the strum and each individual finger placement were scored as correct or incorrect during each chord trial. Three chords that were under 50% accuracy in baseline were selected for the intervention. The intervention was introduced sequentially to …

Equine-Assisted Interventions For Pediatric Clients With Cerebral Palsy: A Handbook For Occupational Therapists, Draydin Ferguson, Lesley Khan-Farooqi, Phd, Otd, Otr

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines the development of an evidence-informed instructional handbook intended to guide Occupational Therapists in implementing equine-assisted interventions with pediatric clients diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Educators’ Experiences With Structured Word Inquiry For Spelling Underachievement In K–8 Students, Leah Skinner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this basic qualitative study was that K–8 students in the western United States continue to experience spelling underachievement despite structured literacy interventions. Grounded in Bowers and Kirby’s structured word inquiry (SWI) framework, the purpose of this study was to explore educators’ experiences implementing SWI for spelling instruction with K–8 students in the western United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 16 K–8 educators with SWI experience who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis using open and axial coding resulted in six themes. Findings indicated that educators perceived SWI as an effective, …

Ink (2026)

Rabble, 2014-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online.

Traditionally Certified, Second-Career Teachers’ Perceptions Of Intent To Stay In The Classroom, Tara L. Wells

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was the high teacher turnover, including traditionally certified, second-career teachers (TCSCTs), in United States classrooms, despite support and additional resources provided. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine TCSCTs’ perceptions on the reasons and their recommendations to remain in the classroom. Ingersoll's teacher turnover and retention framework was used to conceptually frame this study. Using a basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 TCSCTs. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The following themes emerged: TCSCTs remain in the profession primarily due to a sense of purpose in their …

Teachers' Perceived Impact Of Teacher-Led Committees On Agency And Morale, Sherry Wibben

Dissertations

The action research study examined how participation in teacher-led committees influenced teachers’ perceptions of agency and morale within an urban Midwestern high school. Grounded in theories of shared and distributed leadership, the study addressed a problem of practice centered on limited teacher voice, fragmented communication, and inconsistent collaborative structures. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed to evaluate changes in teacher morale and professional agency following implementation of teacher-led committees.

Quantitative data were collected using Wong’s (1991) Staff Morale Questionnaire (SMQ), measuring leadership synergy, cohesive pride, and personal challenge. Surveys were administered at baseline (N = 30) and endline ( …

Eating Vs. Competing: Comparing Pressures Of Disordered Eating In Lean And Non-Lean Sports, Brielle G. Newland, Meredith Meyer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

In the current study, I compared the risk factors of disordered eating between athletes in weight dependent and non-weight dependent sports, specifically the motivating pressures to pursue this behavior. Weight dependent or “lean athletes” participate in sports with emphasis on weight, size, or bodily appearance. Non-weight dependent or “non-lean athletes” participate in sports without emphasis on weight or aesthetics, which tend to be team sports. While there are many different disordered eating risk factors in athletics, the current study focused on sport based pressures and societal based pressures. Participants included undergraduate student athletes on female athletic teams or dance minors …

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 15, April 20, 2026, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – April 20, 2026

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Pembangunan Instrumen Literasi Pentaksiran Bilik Darjah Guru Bahasa Arab Di Sekolah Menengah, Norazida Ibrahim

Student Works (2020-2029)

Current educational transformations demand a paradigm shift from exam-oriented assessment to a more holistic Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA). However, the effectiveness of this implementation is limited by the absence of specific and validated instruments to measure CBA literacy within the context of Arabic language education in Malaysia. This gap results in the actual competency levels of teachers in this field being difficult to determine objectively, subsequently complicating the planning of precise professional development. Therefore, this study aims to develop and validate the Arabic Language Teacher’s Classroom Assessment Literacy (ALaTCAL) instrument based on Wilson’s (2005) Four-Building Blocks Model. The instrument encompasses the …

Fostering A Sense Of Belonging Through Culturally Engaging Campus Environments, Rebeca Barajas-Juarez

Masters Projects

Latinx college students are the fastest growing student population, enrolling into college at higher rates than any other group, yet their retention rates are concerningly low (Almanzar & Ruedas-Gracia, 2024). Research has shown that Latinx students disproportionately experience hostile campus climates and feel the negative effect on their sense of belonging (Hurtado & Carter, 1997). Additionally, Latinx students at predominantly white institutions regularly encounter challenges that lead to feelings of isolation and a higher likelihood of departing from college (Benavides et al., 2024). This project uses Samuel D. Museus’ (2014) Culturally Engaging Campus Environment (CECE) Model as the main framework …

Supporting First-Generation Students By Bridging The Social Capital Gap, Bailey A. Pudlowski

Masters Projects

First-generation students are an increasing presence on college campuses. First-generation students are coming to school, with a gap in social capital in comparison to their continuing- generation peers. First-generation students need support and resources to counteract this capital gap. Using self-determination theory (1985) and Astin’s theory of involvement (1984) as drivers to gauge best practices to support first year students. Using those theories, as well as taking first- generation student demographics into account, I created a workshop that has a goal of bridging the social capital gap between first-generation students and their peers. This workshop focuses on having students reflect …

Building Understanding: Developing A Mental Health Literacy Scale For Teacher Preparation Faculty, Jesse Mossholder

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study aimed to create a valid and reliable Teacher Preparation Faculty Mental Health Literacy Scale. Current literature consistently indicates that traditional undergraduate college students experience high rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Teacher preparation programs often lack systematic approaches to supporting student mental health or to preparing faculty to respond effectively. While the literature, resources, and institutional support regarding college student mental health have increased, a significant gap remains in understanding faculty mental health literacy within the context of teacher preparation programs. This mixed-methods sequential exploratory study utilized non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit preservice educators and teacher preparation …

Decolonizing The Academic Library: Examining The Successful Indigenization Of Ubc And Unm’S Library Services, Emily T. Villars

School of Information Student Research Journal

This article examines decolonization and indigenization initiatives at two academic libraries: the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of New Mexico (UNM). It asks how these institutions have implemented indigenization in their libraries and what lessons can inform broader reconciliation work across North America. Through a comparative lens, it analyzes how national and organizational frameworks, such as the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations and the American Indian Library Association’s (AILA) organizational goals, can shape these efforts. The study highlights three core strategies: decolonizing access and classification, transforming library spaces, and expanding …

Analysis Of Students’ Problem-Solving Errors Based On Newman’S Stages In Group Discussions, Ilfi Nur Diana, Nyamik Rahayu Sesanti, Sri Rahayu

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aims to analyze students’ problem-solving errors during group discussions using Newman’s Error Analysis (NEA), while also exploring how social interaction influences error formation. This research addresses a gap in previous studies that predominantly focus on individual error analysis, with limited attention to collaborative learning contexts. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed involving 29 fifth-grade students at SDN Arjowinangun 1, Malang, Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observations, written tasks, and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Data validity was ensured through triangulation and member checking. …

Development Of An Educational Book Based On The Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Dendang Lebah And Silat Pelintau As A Means Of Preserving Tamiang Malay Culture, Saiful Bahri, Rina Purnama Sari, Azrul Rizki

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aims to develop an educational book based on the intangible cultural heritage of Dendang Lebah and Silat Pelintau as an effort to preserve Tamiang Malay culture in Aceh Province. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the Borg and Gall model. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that the developed educational book, designed as a teaching material to preserve Tamiang Malay culture, was successfully validated. The book received excellent evaluations across all validation aspects. Content expert validation achieved an average score of 91.75%. Validation by design and …

Development Of A Local Wisdom-Based Educational E-Book To Enhance Social Participation Of Students With Special Needs At Sd Negeri 31 Banda Aceh, Fidawati Fidawati, Siti Mayang Sari, Zahraini Zahraini

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

Education for Children with Special Needs (ABK) continues to face persistent challenges, particularly regarding the availability of accessible and contextually appropriate teaching materials, as well as low levels of student social participation. The integration of local wisdom from Acehnese culture through digital media is regarded as an innovative approach to supporting inclusive learning. This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a local wisdom-based educational e-book designed to enhance the social participation of ABK students at SD Negeri 31 Banda Aceh. A quantitative approach was employed using the Research and Development (R&D) method, following the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, …

Developing A Gayo Culture-Based Cooperative Learning Intervention Model To Enhance The Learning Process Of Elementary School Students, Sudarni Sudarni, Siti Mayang Sari, Didi Yudha Pranata

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aims to develop a cooperative learning intervention model based on Gayo culture to improve student learning processes. This research method is Development (R&D) with a 4D model. The research subjects were 20 students. The definition stage was carried out by analyzing students' needs and characteristics, then the stage of designing cooperative learning syntax based on Gayo cultural values, the development stage included expert validation and limited trials, and dissemination was carried out on a limited basis in the school environment. Data collection techniques used expert validation sheets, questionnaires on the practicality of teachers, students, and the learning process. …

Development Of Bestari Eco-Environmental Learning Teaching Materials To Enhance Critical Thinking Skills Among Fifth-Grade Students On The Topic Of “My Earth”, Mayna Aryunita, Siti Mayang Sari, Mhd. Syafii

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This research aims to develop contextual teaching materials based on the "BESTARI" eco-environment framework to enhance the critical thinking skills of 5th-grade students on the topic "My Earth." Utilizing the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation), the study was conducted at SD Negeri 4 Aceh Tengah. Data collection involved expert validation, practicality questionnaires, and pretest-posttest instruments. Results indicate that the materials achieved a "Very Valid" status (90.6%) and "Very Practical" status (92.3%). Effectiveness tests demonstrated a significant improvement in critical thinking, with a student mastery rate of 88.7%. This study implies …

From Tradition To Transition: Evaluating Culinary Medicine As A Tool For Metabolic Health Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States And The United Kingdom, Simi Oduwole M.S.

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This scoping review examines existing publications to evaluate whether Culinary Medicine can be used as a tool for metabolic health among Nigerian immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing populations globally, with increasing migration to high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Evidence suggests that Nigerian immigrants experience a rise in diet-related chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as duration of residence increases. This phenomenon is often attributed to dietary acculturation and shifts toward Westernized eating patterns. This scoping review evaluates whether culinary medicine can mitigate …

Increase Ability Read Student Through Reading Method Pair On Learning Language Indonesia In Class Iii Sdn 40 Sungai Raya, Hayani Hayani, Mohammad Yusuf Randy

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

The low level of basic literacy at the elementary school level requires intervention with innovative and interactive learning methods. This study aims to improve the reading skills of third grade students at SDN 40 Sungai Raya through the application of the paired reading method. The type of research used is Classroom Action Research (CAR) with the Kemmis and McTaggart model which was implemented in three cycles. The research subjects consisted of 20 students. Data collection instruments included a reading aloud test (focusing on accuracy, speed, and intonation) and a reading comprehension test. The results showed a significant increase in each …

Becoming Laser-Focused On Sustainability Leadership In Higher Education Institutions, Ray F. Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This dissertation explored leadership responses to integrating sustainability into higher education institutions (HEIs). Specifically, it compared statistical differences between self-perceptions of leadership and student, staff, and faculty perceptions regarding leadership effectiveness for sustainability in two Florida based HEIs: one holding a sustainability certification and one without such certification. In response to a shortage of survey instruments regarding this topic, I produced a new instrument to assess perceptions of leadership sustainability, made statistical comparisons between these two institutions to inform others of those perceptions, and synthesized several leadership components into a proposed change process identified as the Attitude Based Cognitive Dissonance …

Publication And Social Value, J.-C. Chiao

LEAP Conference Speaker Slides

No abstract provided.