Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Enhancing Undergraduate Education Through Social Innovation Projects: The Experience Of A Young University In Singapore, Intan Azura Mokhtar, Yong Lim Foo

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In this paper, social innovation is used as a catch-all phrase for projects and initiatives by higher education institutions (HEIs) related to community engagement, community-based learning, and service-learning. This paper explores the concept and application of social innovation in higher education, followed by a case study of implementing social innovation projects in a young, applied learning university in Singapore, a discussion of lessons learned, and plans for the near future in enhancing and strengthening its implementation.

The Civic Minded (Post) Graduate: Examining The Long-Range Benefits Of Community-Engaged Service Learning, Catherine Wilkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This project seeks to fill gaps in the knowledge about the long-term benefits of undergraduate participation in community-engaged service learning (CESL). A mixed-methods research protocol delivered to graduates of an R1 public university three years after the completion of a CESL senior capstone course observed significant divergences in knowledge and behavioral attributes of civic mindedness. This research methodology could be employed by other scholars to determine if these findings are reproducible.

First-Year Intersections: Professional Preparation And Civic Engagement Across Four New American Colleges And Universities (Nacu) Campuses, Shereen Ilahi, Chastity Blankenship, Andy Morris, Jeffrey Thomas

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Four institutions hypothesized that civic engagement in first-year courses reinforces career readiness by helping students think critically, communicate effectively, and work well with diversity. We measured teamwork skills, the ability to synthesize and apply different perspectives, and the ability to express, listen to, and adapt ideas based on the perspective of others. We compared self-assessments to direct assessment of student-created artifacts and found a positive correlation that encourages further enquiry.

Feasibility Of A Peer-Facilitated Video-Based Mental Health And Substance Use Service-Learning Program, Mara Carmina A. Tamayo, King Filart, Maria Regina Hechanova

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study examined the feasibility of implementing a peer-facilitated mental health and substance use video-based program delivered by psychology students as part of service learning. The program was delivered on-site and online. Findings reveal improvements in knowledge, attitudes, refusal self-efficacy, and adaptive coping among on-site participants. However, there was no effect on online participants given many implementation challenges. Recommendations include delivering the program on-site, strengthening training for facilitators, increasing program duration, and shortening the videos.

The State Of The Field On Popular Culture Themed (Pct) Courses: Introducing The Journal Of Thematic Instruction, Kathy R. Doody Ph.D., Pamela Schuetze Ph.D., Jill M. Swirsky Ph.D.

Journal of Thematic Instruction

As universities adapt to meet evolving student needs, popular culture themed (PCT) courses have emerged as an innovative approach that integrates media with academic theory to foster engagement, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections. PCTs use popular culture themes that are not directly related to the course content to teach the course content. Despite their growing use across diverse disciplines, from STEM to the humanities, there is a lack of cohesive understanding, consistent terminology, and empirical research on the impacts of PCT courses in higher education.

This paper reviews existing literature on PCT courses organized by discipline, highlighting representative pedagogical strategies, …

Service Learning As A Mode To Deliver Course Learning Outcomes In A Research-Based Exercise Science College Course, Jennifer Lape Kaiser, Madison Skaggs

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The following case study presents an approach to teaching research courses in undergraduate exercise science programs. Research courses are commonly required in the curriculum for this degree. Service learning (SL) is an effective way to promote student learning outcomes (SLOs) by providing hands-on experience for the students, and should be considered in exercise science research courses. Quantitative and qualitative survey results from students over two semesters of SL in an exercise science course are presented.

Incorporating Community-Engaged Pedagogy In Online Classes: Benefits, Challenges, And Strong Practices, Emmy Price, Margaret Thomas-Evans

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community-engagement in virtual classrooms comes with unique benefits and challenges. Between 2018-2021, technical writing e-service-learning students from Indiana University East (Richmond, Indiana) raised a total of $149,239 through grant writing projects. This e-servicelearning project gave students real-world experiences and opportunity to connect with local organizations, prompting one student to choose grant writing as a career. Many students were able to successfully obtain funding for their chosen nonprofits, giving students a sense of social responsibility.

Social-Emotional Learning In A Week-Long Theatre Camp For Youth, Emily E. Virtue, Lisa C. Mann, Hannah Diener

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

Understanding how social-emotional learning develops in middle level education is important for educators and parents as they work to guide youth toward healthy relationships and responsible citizenship. Many studies demonstrate that students who participate in theatre have shown greater emotional health and more capacity to move through conflict positively. This study asks if social-emotional learning through theatre education can still happen outside of a formal educational setting. This study is a mixed methods investigation of a week-long theatre camp in the summer for upper elementary and middle school youth. Four aspects of social emotional learning were studied: task articulation, self-regulation, …

Building Community With Middle Level Preservice Teachers, Carolyn A. Weber

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

This paper addresses how community building can be implemented in a class for preservice middle level teachers. The preservice teachers connected community building to their success in the course and reported ways they could build community in their future classrooms.

"It Makes It More Real.”: Teacher Candidate Perceptions Of A Clinically-Rich Middle Grades Teacher Preparation Program, Shawn A. Faulkner, Michael Dicicco

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

The persistent divide between theory and practice in teacher education has long been a subject of concern among researchers and scholars (Darling-Hammond, 2006; Zeichner, 2010). This paper explores teacher candidate perceptions of a clinically-rich (NASUP, 2021) middle grades teacher preparation program that has worked to create a “third space” (Zeichner, 2010) through a school-university partnership with a local middle school. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teacher candidates (n=23) at the time of program completion. Findings suggest teacher candidates felt prepared and valued clinically-based activities and experiences. Teacher candidates suggest future improvements to the program should include more experiences tied to …

From Observation To Ethical Inquiry: Course Redesign In Middle Level Educator Preparation, Sarah Straub, Elizabeth Gound

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

This manuscript explores the transformative impact of ethical engagement in the course MLGE 3301: Adolescent Learning, designed for pre-field students in an educator preparation program. Focused on middle-grade education and special education, this course incorporates a significant service learning component, with undergraduate students spending 10 service hours in middle school classrooms and conducting interviews with middle school students. The purpose of the interviews is to enable pre-field students to engage with middle school students and use the insights gained to reflect on the alignment between their coursework in adolescent learning theory and real-world experiences. Two professors leading the course recognized …

Establishing An Evaluative Mechanism For Cura Personalis, Jarrod Stadnyk

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Cura personalis is an important characteristic of Jesuit education. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. helped to focus attention on the importance of cura personalis in Jesuit education. However, rather than simply being individual care for the whole person, cura personalis is an illusive concept that is easier to recite than apply in practice. This article proposes an evaluative mechanism that can be used to gauge a person’s or organization’s depth in providing cura personalis for higher education students. The Higher Education Cura Personalis Reflection Chart within this article is a new mechanism that can help guide the process of determining what …

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 58 Summer 2025), Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

A Qualitative Study Utilizing The Design Thinking Process To Structure And Organize For Small Group Reading Instruction In Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade, Ashlee Utt

Dissertations

Having educated and knowledgeable classroom teachers in reading instruction is a key tool in changing the dynamics of the struggling readers in schools. Being able to lead reading instruction in both whole and small group ensures students are able to learn and build reading strategies and skills to be implemented during whole group and independent time, where text is utilized with grade-level expectations. Utilizing explicit small group instruction can have a positive effect on student achievement and success. Research has shown that “guided reading makes it possible for students to effectively process an appropriate text every day, expanding their reading …

Underrepresentation Of Black Students In Advanced World Language Study, Megan E. Golden

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

Advanced K-12 world language (WL) courses (level three and beyond) suffer from significant underrepresentation of Black students, subsequently impacting Black students’ college and employment opportunities. This study employs a critical constructivist grounded theory framework to analyze quantitative surveys and retrospective qualitative interviews with Black college-aged individuals. The goal of this study is to center the voices of Black students and reveal how they describe their world language courses, how they perceive the impact of those courses, and what factors influence their decision on whether to continue to advanced-level world language study. Survey data found that Black students express limited feelings …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 2nd Grade - Symbol Explorers: Discovering Us And Florida Symbols, Jessica L. Elliott, Hailey Smith, Therissa Leo, Julia Cecelia, Fredrieka Clemons

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will identify essential American and Florida symbols and the symbolic meaning behind what they represent through hands on experiences, visual lectures, and exploratory projects. The students will participate in whole group and small group discussions along with actively engage in several comprehensive opportunities.

Extracting From The Extracurriculum: Using Extracurricular Composition Practices To Bring Purpose, Voice, And Engagement Back To The English Classroom, Grace N. Ellis

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores how principles and practices from extracurricular literacy spaces and the extracurriculum as a whole can inform and revitalize the secondary English classroom. In response to growing student disengagement, apathy, and disconnection, particularly within highly standardized and product-focused classrooms, this argument investigates how programs such as the Nebraska Writers Collective’s All Writes Reserved program and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Young Writer Camp model authentic engagement, identity exploration and development, and rhetorical agency through creative, student-centered writing practices. Drawing from composition theory, educational research, and experiential data from Nebraska-based writing initiatives, the thesis argues that incorporating choice, safe-risk taking, …

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Psychology 209: Human Growth And Development Course Redesign, Sarah E. Swims

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Pos 120 Introduction To Political Science Course Redesign, Dale Gardner

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Music 124: Non-Western Music Course Redesign, Matthew A. Dixon

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Criminal Justice 127: Juvenile Delinquency Course Redesign, Cristina Prestin

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Anthropology 101 Course Redesign, Lauren Anaya

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Anthropology 103 Course Redesign, Sarah Latham

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Economics 101 Course Redesign, Andrew Painter

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Communications 120: Interpersonal Communication, Sarah Benevento

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Sociology 101 Course Redesign, Dorie Geissler

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Global Studies Initiative Faculty Report: Theatre 125: Film History Course Redesign, Diana Jaher

Global Studies Initiatives in Arts and Sciences 2025

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Dealing Anxiety In Teenage, Aida Mouzoon, Emily Crisan, Emma Saito, Feeda Elahresh, Hussan Ali, Jackson Bennett, Noah Rollison, Shihabaldean Shalabi

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Hypertension And The Case Of Mrs.Dash, Brandon Brown, Charlotte Turner, Connor Mcginnis, Jacob Airas, Maria Awad, Pranav Nair, Shruthi Sunilkumar, Yusra Sannah

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Prevention And Management, Alyusuf Elnaggar, Brenna Hairston, Carly Ghanem, Fatima Bhatti, James Wairagu, Lucy Yu, Najeeb Baig, Ryan Murphy

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.