Education Commons^™

When Brian Acted His Way Out Of A Wet Paper Bag: The Transformational Qualities Of Drama Education, Christina Gray, Robin Pascoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study utilised Mezirow’s Transformative Learning framework to explore drama teachers’ and pre-service drama teachers’ perceptions of transformation in the drama space. The research specifically examined three core questions: 1. Who are transformed? 2. What is transformed? 3. How does transformation happen? Adopting a phenomenological qualitative approach, we analysed interview data from eight drama teachers and 22 pre-service drama teachers in Western Australia. Findings indicate that participation in school-based drama activities fosters transformations (and perceptions of transformation) in self-confidence, personal values, and willingness to take creative risks. Beyond teaching performance skills, drama cultivates deeper understandings of self and others, offering …

Young People Healing And Growing In Trauma-Informed Positive Music Education, Jason Goopy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Trauma-informed positive education (TIPE) is a recent approach that combines trauma-informed practices and strengths-based positive psychology. This study investigated how young people use music to heal and grow in a community music education programme informed by TIPE. A narrative inquiry was conducted at an Australian community music organisation supported by a global record label to offer a specialised programme developing music and life skills for youth experiencing adversity, such as mental illness, homelessness, abuse, and discrimination. Data were generated by participation and observation in programme sessions, and individual narrative share and tell interviews were conducted with three programme participants. Stories, …

Analyzing Challenges Women Face In Leadership Roles In Higher Education, Ashley Saingilus

Theses and Dissertations

The applied dissertation was designed to provide an analysis of the challenges women face obtaining leadership positions in higher education. History has shown an evolution of women in the workplace. Reviewing the identified challenges provided insight while giving the opportunity for recommendations to institutions to make appropriate changes. The theoretical concept for this study centered around social congruity theory, also known as role congruity theory, providing insight as to how social views have defined roles, especially those related to gender and women. The study looked at how real life experiences align with such challenges. It also looked at how higher …

Teachers’ Perceptions Towards The Impact Of Reading Plus On 10th-Grade Intensive Reading Students, Melvia Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ experiences and perceptions regarding the impact of the Reading Plus program on 10th-grade students in intensive reading courses. The research was aimed to understand how teachers perceive the program’s effectiveness in enhancing reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, as well as their reports about student engagement and the challenges and successes encountered during implementation. The data was gathered from semi structured interviews with 8 teachers with at least 2 years of experience teaching with Reading Plus in intensive reading programs. Themes for teachers' experiences were generated by inductive analysis.

Findings …

Low Early Reading Skills In Children Entering Kindergarten In An Urban K-8 Center, Shelly D. Smith-Harding

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate the preparedness of kindergarten children in early reading skills, drawing comparisons from their experiences in comparable preschool programs and to gain insight about how to address the problem of low early reading skills among children entering kindergarten. Using archival data from i-Ready reading diagnostic tests over a 4-year period (2021-2022 to 2024-2025), the researcher compared students who attended an urban K-8 Center Head Start program (n=47) with students from other preschools (n=33).

The researcher conducted an independent t-test with SPSS, version 30 software, to analyze differences at the baseline (Assessment Period 1) and …

Crisis In Care: A Qualitative Study To Understand The Factors That Influence High Turnover Among Florida’S Child Welfare Case Managers, Latasha R. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explores the factors influencing child welfare case manager turnover in Florida and how child welfare case managers are addressing those factors. National data has underscored the severity of this issue highlighting high turnover and low staff retention are attributed to work demand instability, chronic stressors and undermine the effectiveness of child welfare services.

This qualitative study investigates child welfare case managers’ perspectives on key influencing factors that determine child welfare case manager retention or influence their decision to leave. Guided by Motivation and Resiliency Theories, this qualitative descriptive study investigates child welfare case manager perspectives of why …

Exploring The Dynamics Of Strategic Plan Implementation: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Process And Metrics Of Success Through The Lens Of Nonprofit Leadership, Nicole L. Melendez

Theses and Dissertations

Nonprofit organizations invest significant time and financial resources into developing strategic plans that paint a vision for the organization’s future. However, research suggests that approximately 60–90% of strategic plans are not successfully implemented. As nonprofit organizations face increasing demands, understanding the factors that contribute to successful strategic plan implementation is essential.

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of nonprofit executives and board leadership regarding best practices for successful strategic plan implementation, providing insights that can assist with identifying and understanding the efficacy and impact of strategic plan initiatives within the …

Emotional Intelligence And Self-Efficacy In Relation To Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role Of Job Satisfaction And Organizational Commitment In Faith-Based K–12 Education, Nestor Osorio

Dissertations

Problem

Leadership turnover remains a significant challenge within faith-based K–12 educational systems, affecting organizational stability, school culture, and long-term institutional effectiveness. Although previous studies have examined turnover intention in educational leadership, limited research has explored how emotional intelligence and principal self-efficacy relate to turnover intention through organizational attitudes such as job satisfaction and organizational commitment within faith-based educational settings. Additionally, little empirical research has focused specifically on educational leaders serving within the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventist schools. This study examined the extent to which emotional intelligence, principal self- efficacy, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment are associated with …

What Must Change? Towards Gender-Equitable And Inclusive Academic Communities, Lily Kong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

University leadership has a responsibility to support gender equity that goes beyond simply holding senior roles, writes Lily Kong. Here, she calls for changes in career pathways, workload allocation and service expectations to open space for more women.

Development And Psychometric Validation Of A Short-Form Critical Thinking Scale In Generative Ai Contexts (Genai–Crt): Evidence From Vietnamese Efl Learners, Ngo Cong-Lem, Thang T. Nguyen, Khanh N. H. Nguyen, Quyen N. H. Nguyen

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education has intensified concerns about its impact on learners’ critical thinking, underscoring the need for reliable instruments to assess how students engage critically with AI-generated content. This study adapted, developed, and initially validated the Generative AI–Critical Thinking (GenAI–CrT) scale, an eight-item short-form instrument designed to capture EFL learners’ critical thinking in AI-enhanced learning contexts. Data from 233 Vietnamese undergraduates and graduates underwent exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, supporting a theoretically grounded four-factor structure comprising analytical skills, logical reasoning, evidence evaluation, and open-mindedness. The scale demonstrated excellent model fit (χ²(14) = 23.49, …

Trends And Innovations In The Development Of Immersive Technology In Science Education (2019-2024): A Literature Review, Aziz Kurniawan, Hartono Hartono, Bambang Subali

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact, including the change in learning methods from face-to-face to non-face-to-face learning. This change in method accelerates innovation in the use of technology to support non-face-to-face learning. Immersive technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Virtual laboratories, have offered authentic and interactive non-face-to-face learning experiences in science education. This study employed a systematic literature review (SLR) method to map trends and innovations in the development of immersive technology in science education from 2019 to 2024. The literature data were obtained from the Scopus database and then selected using the PRISMA …

Integrating Web-Gis And Inquiry Learning To Enhance Spatial Thinking In Geography Learning, Nyokro Mukti Wijaya, Meri Herlina, Sugeng Widodo, Suhendro Suhendro

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study investigates the impact of integrating Web-GIS with Inquiry Learning on secondary school students’ spatial thinking skills. A 2×2 factorial experimental design was employed with 116 eleventh-grade students from SMA Negeri 13 Bandar Lampung, divided into four treatment groups: direct instruction with printed maps, direct instruction with Web-GIS, inquiry learning with printed maps, and inquiry learning with Web-GIS. The Spatial Thinking Ability Test (STAT), a widely validated international instrument, was used to measure outcomes. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA. The findings indicate that the learning media had a significant effect, with Web-GIS outperforming printed maps, whereas learning strategies …

Speaking Up Online And Offline: The Effects Of Social Media-Based E-Portfolios In Empowering Efl Students' Speaking Performance, I Putu Indra Kusuma, Luh Indrayani

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Although e-portfolios are widely acknowledged for enhancing EFL students’ speaking skills, most studies assessed performances offline, leaving limited evidence of their impact across both modes. This study examined the effects of social media-based e-portfolios combined with classroom instruction on students’ speaking performance in online and offline contexts. A mixed-methods experimental design was employed, involving 46 Indonesian university students divided into an experimental and a control group. Data were collected through online and offline pre- and post-speaking tests, a speaking performance rubric, and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis using One-Way MANOVA, Univariate ANOVA, paired sample t-test, and effect size revealed significant improvements …

Case-Based Learning In Biology Education: A Systematic Literature Review, Elsje Theodora Maasawet, Jullya Christin Kolow

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Biology education often relies on content-intensive instructional materials that may encourage rote memorisation rather than conceptual understanding, potentially contributing to misconceptions. Case-Based Learning (CBL) offers an alternative by engaging students in applying biological concepts to authentic, real-life cases and promoting meaningful learning. Despite growing empirical interest in CBL, no systematic literature review has specifically synthesised its application in biology education. This study therefore examined publication trends, learning skills addressed, and conceptualisations of CBL in biology education. Relevant literature was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science using “Case-Based Learning” as the search term. Following PRISMA-guided screening, 42 articles were included …

Integrating Digital Tools To Foster Soft Skills In Vocational Education: A Flipped Classroom Approach In China, Shanshan Wu, Renee Shiun Yee Chew, Yanhua Bi, Hui Jin

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Changes in the global demand for labor have highlighted the need for vocational education and training (VET) systems to develop not only technical skills but also soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. This research investigates the use of digital technologies in a flipped classroom (FC) model and their impact on the development of soft skills in vocational students with particular attention to the growing VET ecosystem in China. With data gathered from a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 270 students from a Chinese vocational college, the research seeks to assess the impact of specific digital tools, such as video …

Are Australian Schools Becoming Less Inclusive? Changes To Class Ability Grouping Practices In Australian Secondary Schools, Olivia Johnston, Peter Palamara

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Class ability grouping does not improve overall academic results, and is inequitable because it segregates students according to their disability, race, class, gender, and other factors that already make students at risk in education. The practice is not inclusive and previous research has shown that it exacerbates social disadvantage. Despite the evidence, historical efforts to change practices in Australia have been unsuccessful and many schools still use class ability grouping. This paper presents analysis of data from the Class Ability Grouping Survey about how often schools reported changing their class ability grouping practices in Year 7–9 Mathematics, English, Science, and …

Integración De Dispositivos Móviles En El Proceso De Enseñanza En Educación Superior En Puerto Rico, Ayeisha Caraballo Caraballo

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar el tipo de relación que podría existir entre las diferentes formas y usos de dispositivos móviles como innovación educativa, el conocimiento tecnológico-pedagógico y la percepción de docentes universitarios sobre la integración de estos dispositivos en el proceso de enseñanza en educación superior en el sur de Puerto Rico.

El estudio fue de tipo cuantitativo con un diseño descriptivo-correlacional. La muestra fue no probabilística y estuvo compuesta por docentes de distintas facultades de la institución en la cual se llevó a cabo esta investigación. Se administraron instrumentos de autoforme dirigidos a medir el nivel …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Successful Instructional Strategies To Improve The Language Arts Proficiency Of Third Grade African American Boys, Kristen Elena Gregg

Theses and Dissertations

The qualitative study examined instructional strategies that supported the academic achievement of African American boys. These are needed to increase reading proficiency. The study explored how K-6 teachers describe the unique academic needs of African American boys and the instructional strategies and activities teachers used to meet those needs to influence reading growth within the United States.

The study's theoretical foundation is guided by Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory. The qualitative study explored whether teachers’ perceptions of pedagogical strategies they use when teaching reading and language arts. The qualitative study identified what instructional strategies teachers find most successful when attempting to …

Nivel De Conocimiento Del Docente En Enfermería Sobre La Gamificación Y Su Actitud Hacia La Inclusión Como Estrategia Didáctica En Una Institución De Educación Superior En Puerto Rico, Elsa Geigel Landrau

Theses and Dissertations

La gamificación es una técnica de innovación que integra elementos de juegos para transformar la enseñanza en una experiencia activa en la modalidad presencial y virtual. Por ello esta disertación aplicada fue diseñada con el propósito de determinar el nivel de conocimiento del docente en enfermería sobre la gamificación y su actitud hacia la inclusión como estrategia didáctica en una institución de educación superior en Puerto Rico. Las bases teóricas que sustento este estudio fueron la Teoría Constructivista de Piaget (1980), la Teoría Social Cognoscitiva de Bandura (1977) y la Teoría de Autodeterminación de Ryan y Deci (2017); bajo este …

Percepciones De Los Terapistas De Habla Y Lenguaje En La Colaboración Con Maestros De Sala Regular Sobre La Alfabetización De Estudiantes De Nivel Elemental En Las Escuelas Públicas De Puerto Rico, Karma Marrero Torres

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de este estudio fue conocer el entendimiento que poseen los Terapistas del Habla y Lenguaje (THL) respecto a sus roles y responsabilidades como proveedores de servicios a estudiantes con impedimentos del lenguaje. De igual forma, identificar qué nivel de experiencia y conocimiento brindan los THL durante el proceso de colaboración al establecer metas y brindar alfabetización en el salón de clases y en la terapia e indagar cuáles eran las percepciones de los terapistas del habla y lenguaje con respecto a la colaboración con los maestros al brindar alfabetización a estudiantes con desórdenes del lenguaje.

Para esta disertación …

Crisis Fiscal Y Diáspora Docente: Un Análisis De Las Políticas De Austeridad Y Su Impacto En La Emigración De Maestros Puertorriqueños A Estados Unidos (2017-2024), Melissa Lamboy Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó cómo la crisis fiscal en Puerto Rico ha influido en la emigración de maestros hacia los Estados Unidos entre 2017 y 2024. Utilizando un enfoque cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, se entrevistaron maestros puertorriqueños que migraron recientemente al continente estadounidense. Los hallazgos revelan que factores económicos, profesionales y sociales impulsaron esta diáspora educativa. Entre ellos destacan los bajos salarios, la inestabilidad laboral, la falta de desarrollo profesional, el deterioro de la infraestructura escolar y la presión de políticas de austeridad.

A través del marco teórico de los factores de empuje y atracción, se analizaron las razones detrás …

Competencias Docentes Para La Implementación De Inteligencia Artificial En La Educación, Betsy I, Berríos Zayas

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada examinó las competencias docentes necesarias para integrar de manera efectiva la inteligencia artificial (IA) en el contexto educativo del nivel primario. El estudio se llevó a cabo en una escuela Segunda Unidad del municipio de Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, donde se identificó la necesidad urgente de fortalecer las destrezas tecnológicas del profesorado para responder a los retos de la educación digital contemporánea. La investigación se enmarcó en un diseño cuantitativo, utilizando cuestionarios dirigidos a docentes para explorar su nivel de familiaridad, habilidades, actitudes y percepciones sobre el uso de IA en el currículo.

Los hallazgos revelaron brechas significativas …

Factores Del Liderazgo Y Su Incidencia En La Toma De Decisiones Del Personal De Enfermería En Organizaciones Hospitalarias En Puerto Rico, Rebecca Rosado Adorno

Theses and Dissertations

El liderazgo en enfermería ocupa un lugar central en la atención al paciente y en la organización del cuidado. En este estudio se analizó la percepción del profesional de enfermería sobre su papel como líder servidor y su vínculo con el liderazgo ejercido por administradores y supervisores. El marco teórico se sustentó en la propuesta de Robert K. Greenleaf (1977), quien considera que el liderazgo servidor surge de un deseo genuino de servir a la colectividad y no al interés individual. Desde esta perspectiva, el profesional de enfermería orienta sus decisiones a las necesidades del paciente, procurando satisfacerlas de manera …

Factores Motivacionales, De Aprendizaje Y De Enseñanza Que Median En La Elaboración De Un Rediseño Instruccional Para Un Curso Práctico A Nivel Doctoral De Evaluación Cognitiva, Carlos F. Sellas-Hernández

Theses and Dissertations

La impartición de cursos de Práctica en Evaluación Cognitiva representó un desafío pedagógico, principalmente por la amplitud y complejidad de los contenidos que deben abordarse en un marco temporal limitado. Esta investigación exploró los factores motivacionales y las estrategias de aprendizaje y enseñanza que median en el diseño instruccional del curso integrando la estrategia del Aula Invertida como enfoque metodológico.

El estudio se enmarcó en un enfoque de métodos mixtos con un diseño tipo paralelo convergente. Se condujo un análisis de necesidades con estudiantes que estuvieron o hayan tomado el curso utilizando el Cuestionario de Motivaciones y Estrategias de Aprendizaje, …

Balancing Care And Chaos: A Phenomenological Study On The Emotional And Mental Health Challenges Of Emergency Department Nurses, Shantilee Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of emergency department nurses related to emotional and mental health challenges, coping with stress, and ways to provide them with better workplace support. Emergency department nurses are required to work 12-hour shifts in a high-stress environment with a significant patient load and an inadequate patient-to-nurse ratio. Emergency department nurses are exposed daily to patient events that can be traumatic and affect their mental and emotional health, and nurses may find it challenging to cope with the resultant stress.

The researcher created an interview protocol of 14 questions to …

Impact Of Job Demands On Performance, Satisfaction, And Environment, Michelle Chin Loy

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the relationships between job resources, job demands, work engagement, perceived stress, and job satisfaction among university employees. The target participants for the study were employees at an academic institution in the South Florida area. The researcher e-mailed two surveys to the employees, and a response rate of 20% was achieved. One survey was conducted to assess the psychosocial work environment factors, and the impact on the employees’ well-being. The sub-scales used were Job Resources, Job Demands, Well-being outcomes, and Stress. The other survey measured the work engagement, the employees’ well-being, and how they experience enthusiasm, commitment, …

El Liderazgo Escolar En La Reconstrucción Educativa: Estrategias Para Mitigar El Impacto De Desastres Naturales En Escuelas Secundarias, Marisol Pardo Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Los terremotos ocurridos en Puerto Rico en enero de 2020 tuvieron un efecto devastador sobre el sistema educativo, particularmente en el municipio de Guánica, donde la destrucción de escuelas secundarias interrumpió la continuidad del aprendizaje y generó un marcado rezago académico. Este contexto crítico reveló la necesidad de explorar el papel del liderazgo escolar en la mitigación de las consecuencias de los desastres naturales sobre el rendimiento y la motivación estudiantil. El propósito de esta disertación aplicada fue analizar cómo las prácticas de liderazgo ejercidas por directores escolares influyen en la recuperación educativa de estudiantes en escuelas secundarias con ofrecimiento …

Nivel De Competencia Digital Del Profesorado De Enfermería En Puerto Rico Y Su Percepción Sobre El Impacto De La Tecnología En El Aprendizaje, Dimarys Cordero Pérez

Theses and Dissertations

Esta disertación aplicada tuvo como propósito analizar el nivel de competencia digital del profesorado de enfermería en Puerto Rico y su percepción sobre el impacto de la tecnología en el aprendizaje del estudiantado. Asimismo, se examinó la relación entre estas variables y se identificaron factores asociados con la competencia digital docente. El estudio se desarrolló bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, mediante un diseño no experimental de tipo correlacional. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 105 participantes, de los cuales 94 fueron incluidos en el análisis final tras un proceso de depuración de datos. La recolección de información se realizó mediante un instrumento …

The Continuity And Fluidity Between Emergent Literacy Skills And Literacy Acquisition, Shiesha D. Otokina

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was undertaken because emergent literacy skills are crucial in helping children develop their reading abilities. Research suggests that early intervention is a key strategy for closing the achievement gap, and that early literacy skills develop as early as when children begin to communicate verbally and nonverbally. Studies show that the larger a child's vocabulary is, the quicker they learn to read.This study examined the significance of reading development and a child’s ability to acquire reading skills across the stages of reading acquisition.

This study compared student scores in the experimental and control groups to determine whether the …

Promoting Early Literacy: Engaging Communities To Empower Young Learners, Alexis I. Dillahunt

Undergraduate Research Posters

Promoting Early Literacy: Engaging Communities to Empower Young Learners

Miles Dillahunt

Abstract

Early reading is a fundamental component of academic achievement, establishing a strong foundation for future learning outcomes. This poster examines the crucial relationship between early literacy skills and student success, supported by a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical studies. Research consistently shows that children who engage in reading before age five are more likely to excel in elementary and secondary education, demonstrating enhanced vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic performance.

A critical aspect of promoting early literacy lies in effective community engagement. Collaborative partnerships between schools, libraries, …