Adult and Continuing Education Commons^™

What Comes Before?_Student Learning Before Tertiary Education, Strutts Psyridis

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This weblog article examines how prior schooling shapes student readiness for creative arts degrees, arguing that recognising prior learning enables better scaffolding, reduces misdiagnosis of skills gaps, and improves inclusive, constructivist teaching.

Asset And Deficit Thinking: Ed.D. Students’ Perceptions And Preferences Around Their Instructors’ Feedback, Rebecca R. Simataa, Jordan O'Connell, Kateri Johnson, Christopher Dufault

Essays in Education

This study investigated cohort-based Ed.D. students’ perceptions and preferences related to deficit and asset-based instructor feedback. The researchers collected data from 28 current Ed.D. students through a survey based on Henderson et al.'s (2016) Feedback for Learning questions. While students generally perceived feedback as asset-focused, they expressed a need for more growth-oriented, individualized responses. Additionally, male participants significantly perceived more asset-based feedback than females, suggesting that demographic alignment between instructors and students may influence perceptions around feedback. Implications suggest that Ed. D. faculty can enhance feedback practices by choosing transactional or transformative approaches based on students' needs and preferences, offering …

Transgressive Body, Open Mind, And Perceptive Spirit For Nurturing Soul: A Reflection On Teaching To Transgress, Akie F. Wenk

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

In this reflection essay, I discuss my journey into the liberatory pedagogy bell hooks champions. As a foreign-born Japanese woman, who speaks English as her second language, being in the classroom itself can be seen as a transgressive act. Positioning myself as an educator who strives to creates an environment that is liberatory for me and my students, I discuss my specific experience and relationship to theories surrounding critical feminist pedagogy and how I practice these theories in my own classroom.

Empowering Excellence: Nurse-Educator Led Ccrn Study Group, Mary Judson Msn, Rn, Ccrn, Cnl

Posters

Key Takeaway:

Implementation of a nurse-educator led study group for specialty certification exams can potentially increase the number of certified nurses in a unit.

Polymathy: The Foundational Source Of Creativity And Innovation., Michael Araki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an era of mounting complexity and a growing need to transcend siloed thinking, this dissertation advances polymathy as a critical yet underexplored construct in the management and behavioral sciences. Polymathy is framed as an expansive approach to the pursuit, development, and application of knowledge, marked by the conjunction of breadth, depth, and integration. Building on a thought lineage that stretches from Ancient Greece through the Renaissance to the present day, this work shows that polymathy is neither a relic of the past nor an achievement reserved for a few—but a mode of being, thinking, and acting in the world …

Nebline, August/September 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Summertime’s Natural Light Show: Fireflies by Kait Chapman

Insect Science with Kids: Bug Collecting as a Tool to Learn

The Perfect Partnership: EFNEP and SNAP-Ed Join Forces for Lifelong Nutrition and Health by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the month by Emily Gratopp: Fruit salsa & cinnamon chips

Southeast nebraska Pasture & Acreage Expo

Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa & Wheat Expo

Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent workshop

Vegetable Gardening in the Fall by Mary Jane Frogge

GRO Big Red virtual learning series

2025 perennial plant of the year: Blue mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Garden guide: Things to do this month by …

Exploring The Relationship Between Adhd, Mood Disorders, And Motivation Among Women Studying For The Ged: A Preregistered Study, Amanda Dawn Kennedy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Adult women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, represent an understudied and underserved demographic within educational research, particularly among those pursuing nontraditional academic pathways, such as obtaining the high school equivalency diploma (i.e., GED). Despite the well-documented challenges associated with ADHD and mood disorders, including difficulties with motivation, executive functioning, and emotional regulation, little research has examined how these factors influence women’s persistence and success in adult education settings. Understanding the unique experiences of this population is essential for developing targeted support systems that enhance learning outcomes and academic achievement. This study …

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

All Dissertations

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

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

If It Walks Like A Duck: Self-Identification, Definition, And Experiences Of Non-Traditional Doctoral Students In The Communication Discipline, Laura C. Bruns, Sara V.A. Kaufman, Ana Lisa Padron Eberline, Meredith L. Pruden, Erin Perry, Elise P. Taylor, Deborah J. Danuser

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

This study aimed to understand experiences of nontraditional doctoral students pursuing their PhD in Communication. Although the term “nontraditional student” exists in the literature (Cox & Ebbers, 2010; Stone & O’Shea, 2019), there is little consensus about demographics of nontraditional doctoral students (NTDS), nor their experiences navigating these programs. Using qualitative, thematic analysis of survey responses (n = 52), this critical mixed-method study found three themes— age, experience, and education gap—as defining identity factors, barriers, and benefits. Participants described themselves as nontraditional due to different lived experiences from graduate peers, resulting in feelings of “Otherness” within their programs. These findings …

Burning The Wick At Both Ends: A Three Paper Investigation Of Burnout And Educators, Karla P. Miner

All Dissertations

Researchers in the late 20th century identified the impact of burnout on organizational and individual success. The urgency to address burnout in education has intensified following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Teacher burnout, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of inadequacy, has been a commonly discussed topic among educators internationally following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent studies highlight the alarming rates of burnout among educators, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support well-being and mitigate educator attrition. This collection of papers addresses three primary aspects of burnout and practice: a literature review of individual and organizational practice, a …

Shifting Instructional Planning Practices: Exploring High School Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions Of Integrating The Do The Math Protocol Into Collaborative Instructional Planning, Lillian M. Gordon

Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores the perceptions of high school mathematics teachers regarding the implementation of the Do the Math protocol during collaborative instructional planning. This study investigates how the use of a structured planning tool can support professional growth and instructional improvement. Over five weeks, participants engaged with the protocol to collaboratively plan instruction. Data was collected through interviews, observation of collaborative instructional planning sessions, and analysis of instructional artifacts. Findings revealed two major themes. First, the protocol contributed to building content and pedagogical knowledge by deepening teachers’ understanding of math standards, promoting intentional collaboration, and encouraging the sharing …

An Editorial Moment Of Silence In Honor Of H. Len Vacher, Nathan D. Grawe

Numeracy

H. Len Vacher, co-founding editor of Numeracy and giant in our field, passed away April 21, 2025. A brief testament to his contributions to numeracy can be found in an editorial in the previous issue of this journal. Here, we take a moment of editorial silence in Len's honor.

Exploring Giftedness And The Gifted Learner In Education And Beyond: An Autoethnographic Study With Critical Friends, Katrina Reynen-Woodward, Penny N. Round Dr, Pearl Subban, Edwin Creely

The Qualitative Report

The concept of giftedness is complex, contested and evolving and may be thus frustratingly challenging to apply in practice. One area of emerging research is understanding the personal experiences of those who identify as gifted in order to better represent the myriad culturally diverse conceptions of giftedness that evolve over a lifetime. In this article, I employ an autoethnographic approach to explore aspects of my adult identity as an atypical learner. This journey unfolds in crafted vignettes that reveal the complexities and multi-dimensionality of my learning and are analysed using Gagné’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT). As I …

Using Simulation To Teach Students Transferable Skills For Paramedic Educators In A Prehospital Clinical Setting In Urban Georgia: A Phenomenology, George Antonio Rouse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of using simulation to teach students transferable skills for paramedic educators in a prehospital clinical setting in urban Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory as it supports the use of low and high-fidelity simulation to provide students with interactive and realistic learning experiences that are transformative in nature. The central research question guiding this study was: What is the lived experience of paramedic educators using simulation to teach students transferable skills? Data was collected via qualitative surveys, individual interviews, and focus groups …

Perceptions Of Air National Guard Students’ Transformative Technology Experiences During Their Professional Military Education Courses: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Tiffany Colburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of Air National Guard students stationed in the United States about technology integration during their professional military education (PME) courses and its role in encouraging leadership perspective transformative learning in the United States. The theory guiding this study was the transformative learning theory. This study explored how technology could help students expand their views while completing their PME courses and enabled them to use their own experiences to add value to the course. The central research question was: What are the perceptions of Air National Guard students on …

Letter From Judge Gary Lumpkin, Gary L. Lumpkin

From the President’s Office

A letter from Judge Gary L. Lumpkin to SWOSU President Diana Lovell

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

July 17, 2025 Minutes, Swosu Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Impactful Programs And Initiatives For Employee Resource Groups That Promote And Sustain Positive Social Determinants Of Health, Lisa Kangas, Maureen Hall, Julie James, Gladys Peters

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders’ lack of interest in employee resource groups (ERGs) and related programs can negatively impact an organization’s culture, operational excellence, and employee retention and have detrimental implications for social determinants of health (SDOH). Prioritizing ERG programs and initiatives is essential for organizational success and can positively affect SDOH. This qualitative pragmatic inquiry study identified and explored ERG programs and initiatives that support organizational culture, operational excellence, and employee retention.The research question for this study was: What ERG programs and initiatives support organizational culture, operational excellence, and employee retention? The study included eight DEI leaders …

Exploring K-12 Teachers’ Definitions And Perspectives Of Cybersecurity, Gina Childers, Weverton Ataide Pinheiro, Oluwatosin Daramola, C Lindsay Linsky, Bryson Payne, Jack Byers, Daniel Baker

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Because K-12 teachers have access to private educational data, they are increasingly at risk of being affected by cybersecurity threats. Examining how teachers conceptualize cybersecurity is vital so that cybersecurity training can be tailored to teachers’ understanding of cybersecurity. This study examined K-12 teachers’ (n = 255) personalized definitions of cybersecurity as these perceptions may influence online behaviors. These definitions were also reviewed by teacher type (cybersecurity teacher or non-cybersecurity teacher), teacher self-identified gender, and teacher age. The cybersecurity definitions were aligned and contextualized within a modified NICE Framework Core with a specific focus on three areas: protection and monitoring, …

Expand Your Programs Through Collaboration, Bryan Brugger

Midwest Business Librarian Summit (MBLS)

It is possible to expand the reach of programming by collaborating with other libraries and community partners. Many business/finance/career development programs tend to pull small audiences. By working with other partners it is possible to offer more programs, typically virtual programs, with less effort for each library, and get a higher turnout at the same time. The Northbrook Library has engaged in 3 different partnerships since the pandemic began on a variety of topics and seen attendance reach numbers impossible for individual libraries to attain. This will look at these three partnerships and the results they have had.

Maslow Meets Healthcare: Optimizing Cna Training And Well-Being Through Hierarchical Needs During Covid-19, Jose D. Martinez Herrera

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

This study investigates the relationship between motivation, as defined by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the performance of Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) on the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Exam (INACE), with a focus on the impact of gender and motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. CNAs must meet stringent certification standards, but recent declines in enrollment and increased demands on healthcare workers, exacerbated by the pandemic, necessitate a deeper exploration of factors influencing their success. This research employs a quantitative, non-experimental correlational design, analyzing data from 411 CNA students sampled from community colleges in Illinois. The study examines motivation across …

Faculty Perceptions Of The Affective Domain In Entry-To-Practice Respiratory Therapy Education: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study, Jackie W. Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Background: The affective domain of learning is one of the three learning domains that comprise Bloom's Taxonomy of learning. The respiratory therapy profession places a great emphasis on the development and assessment of all three learning domains in entry-to-practice respiratory therapy education. While the cognitive and psychomotor domains receive significant attention, the affective domain of learning is often given less attention due to its complexity and lack of definition in the profession. Purpose: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study focused on exploring the affective domain of learning in entry-to-practice respiratory therapy education, specifically how the domain is defined, and …

Post-9/11 Navy Service Members’ Barriers To Using Military Educational Benefits, Karen D. Cross

Dissertations

There are studies explaining how many service members are using military educational benefits or the challenges service members incur after they have enrolled in school and are attending classes. There are also studies that report how many service members use military educational benefits. However, studies exploring why some service members, or some Post-9/11 service members in particular, do not use military educational benefits has been limited. The purpose of this study was to discover why many service members in the United States Navy do not or did not take advantage of military educational benefits. This study also sought to find …

What Can The Active Learning Teacher Learn From Dramatic Arts Practice?, Strutts Psyridis

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This presentation explores how active learning pedagogy can be informed by practices in the dramatic arts, particularly film editing and theatre direction. Drawing on an autobiographical lens, it argues that teaching and creative practice share a performative, interpretive, and collaborative structure. Concepts such as facilitative teaching, embodied cognition, intuition, and kinesthetic empathy are used to reframe the teacher as an active orchestrator rather than a passive facilitator. Through analysis of narrative construction, interpretive space, and audience engagement, the paper highlights parallels between editing and classroom practice. It proposes that effective teaching operates as a dynamic, multi-dimensional, and emotionally responsive creative …

Trustworthy Integration Of Ai In Online Learning: Supporting Student Agency And Inquiry Through Open Pedagogy, Paula Macdowell, Katrina Korchinski, Kristin Moskalyk, Khadijeh Ravan

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

Open pedagogy is a transformative educational approach that fosters innovative, inclusive, and sustainable instructional practices while addressing persistent challenges such as accessibility, equity, and the affordability of educational resources. This qualitative study explores how open pedagogy can develop AI literacy skills while supporting student agency and inquiry in online graduate education. The collaborative initiative involved two cohorts of graduate students (n = 39) who co-authored openly licensed textbooks: AI-Enhanced Instructional Design (ETAD 873, 2023) and Streamlined Instructional Design with AI (ETAD 873, 2024). A multi-phase data collection approach included analysis of student-authored chapters, structured peer review processes, and open-ended focus …

A Case Study In Evolving Academic Governance: Democratic Accountability And Academic Capitalism, William C. Schulz, Denise Dezolt

Higher Learning Research Communications

As the higher education market becomes both more competitive and fragmented (as well as controlled through uncertain and changing regulatory regimes), and as those whom the higher education market serves become more discerning as consumers who apply proven customer behaviors within the market, universities must re-evaluate their internal governance systems. Re-evaluation of customer behaviors and governance systems may allow universities to become more inclusive, responsive, and adaptive within an academic capitalism setting.

In this case study, we present a research-based and integrated “Shared, Informed, Stakeholder-Engaged Governance” model. We describe how a large online university developed and implemented a model that …

Mentoring Under The Light Of Ignatian Spirituality, Llorenç Puig Puig Sj, Rosa Nomen, Luis A. Martínez

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article proposes Ignatian Mentoring as a framework for enriching academic mentoring with insights from Ignatian spirituality. While mentoring traditionally supports professional and personal development, especially for early-career faculty, the Jesuit tradition offers a deeper, holistic perspective inspired by spiritual accompaniment practices such as those found in the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and the Spiritual Exercises. The framework is based on the mentoring program launched in 2021 by the International Association of Jesuit Engineering and Sciences Schools (IAJES), which connects faculty across a global network of more than 60 Schools. Based on two years of practical experience involving …

Swosu Fact Book Summer 2025, Joel Harrel Kendall, Diane Fitzsimmons, Kelsi Burghardt

Fact Books

The 2nd annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Summer Fact Book provides a ready source of information to answer frequently asked questions about the University and its operations. The Summer Fact Book is compiled annually by the Office of lnstitutional Research to assist the university with strategic planning, academic program reviews, grant writing, accreditation, and institutional information to help guide decision-making. The report uses data collected from 2016 to 2025 and is designed to help faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders better understand the student body and university trends.

Building Responsive & Sustainable Early Educator Apprenticeship Programs, Annie Schaeffing, Brooke Tucker, Liz Hartline, Lily Rosenthal, Davia Brown-Franklyn

All Faculty and Staff Papers and Presentations

This publication shares key findings and design recommendations from the Bank Street Education Center’s evaluation of Vermont’s early childhood education apprenticeship program. Drawing on excerpts from interviews and focus groups, the report explores how apprenticeship models can support early educators in earning credentials and degrees, and how program design can be adapted to better meet the needs of the early education workforce.