Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Teaching Cuba In Georgia Today, Eric Kartchner

The Coastal Review

This essay details a college professor's approach to teaching a course on Cuban history and culture. The professor's pedagogical choices were influenced by Ada Ferrer's book, Cuba: An American History, and José Antonio Bowen's work on fostering independent thinking. The syllabus covered pre-Columbian Cuba, Spanish rule, the wars of independence, the Castro era, and significant cultural aspects like music and religion. The course emphasized multiple perspectives and encouraged student-led research, challenging preconceived notions about Cuba's complex relationship with the United States. The professor aimed to promote critical thinking and understanding through student-driven inquiry.

Leer La Pintura Las Meninas: Niveles B Y C De Español L2, Nydia Jeffers

The Coastal Review

La pintura española Las meninas (1656) de Diego Velázquez ha sido examinada por especialistas de las artes y las ciencias. Esta propuesta didáctica invita a los estudiantes de español de los niveles B y C a practicar la lectura mediante las conexiones curriculares de la obra. Para ilustrar su potencial educativo, se conecta la pintura con más de veinte investigadores de distintas disciplinas. El diseño de las actividades se apoya en teóricos de la adquisición de segundas lenguas y en referentes de artes plásticas del Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (2007) y abarca las competencias lingüísticas del Marco Común Europeo …

Incorporation Of Citizen Science In Classrooms To Enrich Learning, Ryan Moellendick

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper explores the use of citizen science experiences as a method of enriching content in middle school and high school science classrooms. This article explores my own experiences working with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative and the application of available citizen science experiences in the classroom in alignment with Ohio's Learning Standard's for Science.

An Examination Of Preservice Teacher Knowledge Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Elementary Classroom, Breana K. E. Webb

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the knowledge of preservice teachers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how well prepared they might be when supporting students in elementary classrooms. ADHD is a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in children and has been increasingly diagnosed over the past several years. Teachers play a crucial role in providing effective instruction to each and every student in the classroom. Managing classroom instruction with diverse learning capabilities and behaviors requires teachers to understand the characteristics of ADHD, as well as instructional adaptations and behavioral interventions, among preservice teachers. Findings indicate that while most preservice teachers recognize the basic …

Analyzing Micrometeoroid And Orbital Debris Shield Performance For Sample Return Spacecraft, William P. Schonberg, Michael Squire

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sample-return missions typically seek to collect and return samples from extraterrestrial locations to Earth for analysis. The return of samples from certain locations in the solar system represents a potential hazard to Earth's biosphere from foreign microorganisms. One way this could occur would be a break-up of the returning capsule during entry (which would disperse the samples through the air) due to undetected damage to the capsule thermal protection system (TPS). As a result, missions that plan to return payloads from some destinations are likely to have certain design requirements for the TPS surrounding their returning capsules, which may include …

Extending The Applicability Of Thermal Protection System Ballistic Limit Equations Beyond The Testable Regime, William P. Schonberg, Michael D. Squire

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Spacecraft use thermal insulation in their design, which is usually placed on their exterior. As such, it is susceptible to high-speed impacts by meteoroids and orbital debris, which can damage it to a point where the protection it offers is below acceptable limits. It is important to be able to characterize expected levels of damage stemming from such high-speed impacts. In this paper, we extend the applicability of a previously developed ballistic limit equation (BLE) for one such thermal insulation material using the results of a series of Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics Code (SPHC) impact simulations at velocities in excess of …

Experiencing The Shift: How Experiential Blended Learning Professional Development Enhances Teacher Self-Efficacy, Shannon N. Tabaldo, Ashley L. Ireland

Journal of Catholic Education

This qualitative study examines how participation in a multi-year, experiential professional development program—the Academy of Blended Learning (ABL)—shaped teachers’ perceived self-efficacy in implementing blended learning. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, Bruner’s constructivism, and Knowles’ adult learning principles, the study drew on semi-structured interviews and instructional artifacts from eight teachers in Catholic schools serving historically marginalized communities in California. Findings suggest that ABL participation was associated with increased instructional confidence, a stronger sense of professional purpose, and greater enthusiasm for student-centered, technology-enhanced learning. Teachers attributed these shifts to ABL’s design, which emphasized active participation, collaborative inquiry, differentiated instruction, and development of …

Personalized Physics Learning Through Ai: Insights From Problem Generation, Chatbot Dialogues, And Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Atharva Dange

Physics Dissertations - Archive

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform science education, yet questions remain on how best to integrate these technologies into teaching and learning. This dissertation investigates the use of AI-driven tools in university physics courses through three complementary studies. In the first study, a generative language model (ChatGPT) was used to create novel physics homework problems aligned with course objectives. Analysis showed that, after expert vetting, AI-generated questions can foster higher-order problem-solving and reduce student reliance on solution memorization, though careful instructor oversight is required to ensure accuracy. The second study embedded an AI chatbot as a learning aid in …

Cultural Competence In Pre-Medical Education: Examining Preparedness For Cross-Cultural Care, Fiza N. Khan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As the U.S. population continues to grow more diverse, there is an urgent need for future healthcare providers to develop strong cultural competence. This study investigates undergraduate pre-medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and comfort levels toward caring for diverse patient populations, including immigrants, refugees, and individuals from varied cultural backgrounds. The goal was to assess how well students are prepared to provide culturally responsive care before entering medical school. Recognizing that the foundation for medical training begins at the undergraduate level, this study aims to identify specific gaps in readiness that may hinder equitable patient care in the future.

A modified …

How Latine College Students Experience, Maneuver, And Navigate Within The Colonizing Notion Of Smartness, Jasmine Jetton-Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how Latine college students, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college, navigate and maneuver within the dominating colonizing notion of smartness in academia. Rooted in an Anglo-centric educational framework, the American education system often marginalizes Latine students by devaluing their cultural and linguistic knowledge while upholding Eurocentric standards of intelligence. Using a qualitative critical research approach, this study employs testimonios to examine the lived experiences of Latine college graduates in Illinois. Findings reveal that Latine students frequently encounter systemic barriers that challenge their academic identity, including racialized perceptions of intelligence, institutionalized deficit …

Educational Games And Academic Self-Concept In Hard-Of-Hearing Female Secondary Students, Nourah I. Albash, Ruqayyah H. Alessa, Zahra S. Alkhulaif, Hissa M. Aljeri

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The current study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on educational games in developing the academic self-concept of hearing-impaired female students in secondary school. The sample consisted of six students who were intentionally selected. The study used the quasi-experimental approach. The tools included the standardized academic self-concept scale for the Arab environment, and the training program based on educational games - prepared by the researchers. The results showed statistically significant differences between the ranks of the pre- and post-measurements in developing the academic self-concept of the study sample, indicating the effectiveness of the training program. The …

A Reset For Virginia: Systemizing Leadership And Resource Support For Alternatively Prepared Special Education Teachers, Nicholas E. Olson Dr., Rebecca W. Harmon Dr., Elizabeth H. Morris Dr., Michael-Jon Rodney Dr., Matthew Seidita Dr.

Doctor of Education Capstones

Virginia continues to face the impacts of the national teacher shortage, particularly in special education. The scarcity of licensed special education teachers has led to an increasing number of educators entering the profession through alternative routes with limited classroom experience. These alternatively prepared special education teachers (ARSETs) require sustained, targeted support to implement high-leverage practices (HLPs) that improve student outcomes. Although numerous professional learning opportunities exist, the current system of support is fragmented, and resources are inconsistently applied. Compounding this challenge, many schools lack enough experienced educators to provide in-field mentors for every new hire.

To assist the Virginia Department …

Mapping Learning In Higher Education: The Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit, John Pierce, Mary Beades, Andrew Shields

Publications

The growing diversification of teaching roles in higher education and the siloed nature of semesterised programmes can inhibit quality teaching and learning. This paper introduces the Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit (ECAAPT), a practical model for mapping and tracking embedded content across modules, semesters, and years within higher education programmes that can ease the administrative burden of curricular mapping and change on academics teaching in the sector. Originally developed with a focus on tracking student academic literacies, this model has also been adapted and shown value in mapping and tracking other content, such as graduate attributes, feedback, assessment strategies, …

Stirring Up Foxfire: Rekindling Personal Passion For Teaching Through Storytelling, Frank E. Bird Iii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

STIRRING UP FOXFIRE: REKINDLING PERSONAL PASSION FOR TEACHING THROUGH STORYTELLING.

by

FRANK BIRD III

Under the Direction of Robert Lake

ABSTRACT

There are two guiding questions for my dissertation and research. The first question pertains to the Foxfire program, a teaching program that originated in Rabun County, Georgia. What is Foxfire? Foxfire is many things. It is a glowing fungus in the mountains of North Georgia. It is fifty-plus years of publishing the Foxfire magazine, a high school class for fifty years, an approach to teaching, a museum, an intern program for high school students, and so much more (Smith, …

Literary Homeplace As A Site Of Knowing And Healing, Shamonique Hassell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The concept of literary homeplace serves as a locus of rhetorical healing for Black women, emphasizing their lived experiences and creative expressions as forms of resistance and restoration (Collins, 1986; hooks, 1990; Nettles, 2001). The labor of Black women within families, churches, and artistic endeavors contributes to the cultivation of a collective consciousness surrounding oppression and healing (Edwards, 2010; Carey, 2016; Morrison, 1992). Building upon hooks’ (1990) notion of homeplace, this dissertation examines how Black women foster spaces characterized by care, dignity, and resilience (Hersey, 2022; Tate, 1984). Using personal narrative and articulating Black women’s voices, I position homeplace as …

Motivating Students Through Problem-Based And Project-Based Learning, Dennis J. Moore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

As educators, motivating students can be a difficult task.Sixteen eighth-grade students discuss their perceptions of what makes educational programs motivating. In teacher-centered classrooms, teachers lecture while their students take notes, quizzes, and tests and practice memorization skills in preparation for high-stakes testing. Is this a fair assessment of a student's knowledge, and does this type of instruction fulfill students’ needs for a successful future? Research for this case study focused on students' perceptions of an agricultural program that utilizes problem-based and project-based learning with a sustainability focus.

In problem-based learning (PBL) classes, students are given real-world problems and asked …

Amplifying Student Voices: A Case Study On The Writing Workshop In A 10th Grade English Classroom, Erin S. Drulis

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explores how a white, second-year 10th-grade English teacher implemented a culturally affirming version of The Writing Workshop in a private high school serving primarily Black and Latine students from working class families. Through a yearlong collaborative coaching partnership between the researcher and teacher, this study examined how writing instruction might elevate student voice in writing instruction. Grounded in a pragmatic interpretivist epistemology and supported by five intersecting theoretical lenses—democratic education (Dewey), sociocultural constructivism (Vygotsky), culturally affirming pedagogy (Ladson-Billings), critical pedagogy (Freire), and radical love (hooks)—this case study investigated how students used writing as a means of …

Teaching Under Political Influence: A Multiple Case-Study Examining The Impact Of Curricular Restriction Policy On Community-Connected Instruction (Cci) In Full-Service Community Schools (Fscs), Isaiah Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Scholars describe the political landscape as polarized, where partisanship —loyalty to a particular political party— dictates one’s beliefs. In education, this partisanship is best exhibited through conservative policy restricting curricula regarding race, racism's pervasiveness, gender identity, and how history is taught in public schools. Conversely, Community-Connected Instruction (CCI) affirms students’ culture and builds critical thinking skills in an authentic environment. While studies suggest its benefits to students, the current curricular restriction policy challenges its usage. This form of teaching is closely associated with Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS), which primarily serve underserved student populations. This study examines how FSCS educators in …

From A Child's Perspective: A Qualitative Study Of Elementary School Student Engagement, Deanna J. Springstead-Gonzalez

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract

Background and Purpose. This study sought to investigate child engagement from the children's perspective, aiming to understand better what they perceive as factors that facilitate or constrain their academic engagement in classrooms. By centering children's voices, this research challenges traditional views of students as passive recipients of education, instead recognizing them as active participants with valuable insights into their learning experiences. This work builds on the frameworks proposed by Shirley and Hargreaves (2021) and Lawson and Lawson (2013) that utilize socio-ecological theory to better understand those factors impacting children’s learning experiences.

Method. The study was conducted at an elementary …

School Contexts And The Construction Of Literacy Practices And Identities Among Middle School Students Of Color, Eugene K. Gyekye

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation investigates how middle school students of color construct and negotiate their literacy identities within an urban public school's institutional, classroom, and online contexts. The study is situated at Oakville Middle School, a culturally and linguistically diverse setting that reflects the complexities of adolescent literacy education in contemporary urban environments. The research explores how students' literacy practices are shaped by their interactions with school structures, pedagogical approaches, peer dynamics, and digital platforms and how these experiences influence their development as literate individuals.

The study responds to the persistent challenge of educational inequity, particularly the disconnect between students' cultural identities …

Author-Centered Approaches In Ela Instruction: A Multiple Case Study Of Secondary English Teachers, Jennifer M. Lockhart Mchugh

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Literary authors are often neglected in secondary ELA (English Language Arts) literary instruction. Teachers are unsure how to teach about the author and how much time to spend on establishing the context for the text when the goal is to “cover” a variety of literary texts as part of a planned curriculum during the school year. Acknowledging the role of authors’ intentions as well as their experiences and aesthetic decisions in the production of literature may provide new entry points into literary texts for students. This multiple-case study of secondary English teachers and their high school students in a “bounded …

Block Schedules In Virginia Schools: Purposes, Outcomes, And Policy Considerations, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Jamelle Simmons, Xun Liu, Martin Darby, Crystal R. Bell, Shelby Garofalo, Obed Boateng, Wendy Rodgers, Audrina Farrar, Karli Johansen, Mysia Perry, Maggie Szydlowski, Fatemah A. Khawaji, Katherine Urban

MERC Publications

When schools and divisions choose a daily schedule structure to follow, it is important to consider its purpose and potential impacts on students, educators, and families. The purpose of this MERC research and policy brief is to inform the work of school division leaders and school board members making decisions about whether to adopt or continue the use of block scheduling in middle and high schools. It explores the following questions:

1. What are block schedules and where are they used?

2. How are school schedules related to student outcomes and educator quality?

3. What policies at the federal, state, …

Supporting Students In Transition To And From Elementary School, Meleah Ellison, Jamelle Simmons, David B. Naff, Taryn G. Traylor, Meredith Dean, Sooyeon Moon, Jia Jia Liu, Latonja Y. Wright, Cameron Parkins, Jennifer Locasale-Crouch, Dana V. Yarbrough, Audrina Farrar, Obed Amoakoh Boateng

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of elementary school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from elementary school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions to …

Strategies For Success: Developing The Hero Within To Increase Persistence Of Community College Students Returning From Academic Dismissal, Angela Cavazos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students are enrolling in college at a higher rate than ever before, yet retention rates continue to be problematic for higher education institutions across the United States. Many students fail to persist beyond their first year and are often forced out due to academic difficulties. Students who return from academic dismissal are likely to be dismissed again. This quasi-experimental quantitative action research study aimed to evaluate the impact that a student success intervention course designed through an asset-based positive self-leadership framework and focused on the development of psychological capital constructs of hope, efficacy, resilience, and self-efficacy (HERO) had on the …

Relaciones De Las Competencias Docentes Con El Bienestar En Docentes De Ciencias Empresariales Bajo La Modalidad A Distancia En Una Universidad Privada En Colombia, Camilo Ernesto Aguirre Martínez

Theses and Dissertations

El propósito de esta investigación consistió en determinar las relaciones de las competencias docentes con el bienestar en docentes de Ciencias Empresariales bajo la modalidad a distancia en una Universidad privada de Colombia. El estudio buscó identificar las relaciones entre las competencias docentes y el bienestar psicológico, el bienestar subjetivo y el bienestar social, cuáles de esas relaciones predominan, así como la identificación de cuáles elementos de estos tipos de bienestar contribuyen con el desarrollo de las competencias docentes.

El enfoque de la investigación fue el empírico analítico o cuantitativo, el diseño fue no experimental y su alcance fue de …

Perspectives Of Corporate Instructional Design Experts On Effectiveness, Personal Traits And Attributes, And Technology, Thomas A. Gant

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological descriptive study explored corporate instructional design experts' perspectives on effectiveness, personal traits and attributes, and technology that enhance their expertise. Three central themes emerged: "Mastering Instructional Design: The Journey of Continuous Learning and Skill Development," highlighting the importance of mentorship, lifelong learning, and professional development; "Accessing Instructional Design Expertise Through Individual Strengths," emphasizing adaptability, problem-solving, and empathy; and "Navigating Technological Integration and Innovation in Instructional Design," showcasing the transformative role of tools such as virtual reality, learning management systems, and authoring software. Semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom with 10 corporate instructional designers with at least 10 years …

Implementation Of Competency-Based Education In East Central Illinois, Cheyenne Warman-Neal

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the effectiveness of competency-based education in a rural school district located in East Central Illinois. The researcher examined the first phase of implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in both middle and high schools of this school district through surveys of students and teachers, along with students’ Measure Academic Proficiency or Performance (MAP) Test scores in ELA and Math. MAP score data was obtained from 669 students for ELA Growth and 699 students for Math Growth. Survey data was obtained from 70 high school students and six teachers. Student survey …

First Portfolio - Alec 207: Communicating Science With Public Audiences, Heather Akin

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio investigates how collaborative group projects and structured peer reviews enhance undergraduate students’ science communication skills in ALEC 207: Communicating Science with Public Audiences. Drawing on mid-semester evaluations, peer review reflections, and overall course outcomes, the analysis highlights how group-based activities and peer critiques help students develop clarity, relevance, and confidence in their communication. ALEC 207 introduces core principles of strategic communication in food, agriculture, and natural resources contexts, and gives students opportunities to refine their writing through press releases, feature articles, visual communications, and audience-tailored messages. While the course predominantly emphasizes writing, it also leverages ongoing revisions to …

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2025-2026 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Implementing Information Literacy Practices In Curriculum, Ongelle Schroeder

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This literature review explores the value of integrating information literacy instruction into existing curricula, with a focus on collaboration between faculty and librarians. As students face an overwhelming volume of information, equipping them with the skills to navigate, evaluate, and use sources effectively is increasingly essential—especially in course that require source-based writing, research, and critical analysis. The review highlights key approaches and resources to support educators in embedding information literacy into instruction. While this literature review was written for the contexts of ENG 101 and COMM 100/102, its themes are applicable to a wide range of teaching contexts.