Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Toward Culturally Responsive Interpretation: Native American Histories, Lifeways, And Ways Of Knowing At The High Desert Museum, Carol Fitzsimmons, Ajena Cason Rogers

Dissertations

Many public museums and historic institutions reflect settler colonial culture and are primarily non-Native led. Although these institutions are trusted, many have perpetuated cultural harm through the theft of belongings, the misrepresentation of stories and histories, and the inaccurate portrayals of cultural content. When interpreting Native American experiences, many non-Native institutions struggle to co-create culturally responsive interpretation. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to apply the four-truth framework, developed by the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to better understand how the High Desert Museum approached the interpretation of Native American content and stories and to explore how …

Rethinking “Key-Chain Swap” And Other Decontextualized Algorithm Teaching Practices For Rational Number Learners, Connor B. Desai

Education Dissertations

Mathematical literacy is critical in an increasingly data-driven society, yet many students struggle with rational number concepts due to the prevalence of decontextualized algorithmic instruction. This study investigates the impact of targeted professional development (PD) on sixth-grade teachers’ instructional strategies and their students’ rational number achievement. The research examines whether explicit, conceptually grounded teaching of rational number operations improves student understanding compared to traditional algorithm-based instruction. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data from students at two middle schools. The intervention was statistically significant at School A, where students in the intervention group demonstrated greater achievement …

Slow Reading Course Evaluations: From Discomfort To Discovery, Brian Baldi, Colleen M. Kuusinen

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) help faculty to get feedback on their teaching, identify areas of strength and growth, and document their teaching effectiveness from the student perspective. While much has been written about whether or not student evaluations are biased (Benton & Cashin, 2012; Kogan, et al., 2010; Shorter, 2023), about the validity of student evaluations in measuring student learning (Uttl et al., 2017), and how to interpret data (Davis, 2009; Hoover-Dempsey n.d.; Lewis, 2001; Linse, 2017; Perlmutter, 2011; Petchers & Chow, 1988; Reibman, 2004), we offer a new, mindful approach to reading student evaluations that might help instructors …

2025 Nsu Graduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

• College of Psychology
• H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship
• Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
• College of Computing and Engineering
• Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center

From Classroom To Community: Why Age-Friendly Initiatives Matter For The Next Generation, Sarah Cole

D.U.Quark

No abstract provided.

Fostering Inclusion And Belonging In Virtual Learning Environments: Strategies From Faculty Members For Enhancing Online Student Engagement, Tara Franklin, Tina Patterson

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Despite the convenience and accessibility offered by online education, disparities persist in access, engagement, and success rates, disproportionately affecting all students, especially students with disabilities and neurodivergent learners. This difference highlights the barriers and challenges students with disabilities face on virtual learning platforms. Encouraging an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel comfortable disclosing their disabilities is essential for improving completion rates and fostering a sense of belonging in virtual learning environments. The study aimed to identify strategies faculty members use to foster inclusion and belonging for students enrolled in online courses. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information …

A Literature-Informed Nutrition Patient Communication Toolkit For Hashimoto’S Thyroiditis, Kieren Ritter

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

This project is intended to help bridge the gap in nutrition education and treatment for the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Current research was synthesized and converted into a communication tool for adults diagnosed with HT. The toolkit was based on 33 articles, from three databases, that passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria for analysis. The education toolkit was intended to be practical and valuable for below a high school reading level. The aforementioned articles reviewed the effects of dietary changes on HT with vitamin D, selenium, gluten removal, dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet and Autoimmune Protocol, and …

An Educational Intervention For The Care Of Older Adults, Michele Orzehoski, Dnp, Rn

Thomas Jefferson University Faculty Days

No abstract provided.

Sg-Met: Past To Present Day Evolution, Aiden Echols, Bs, Madison Via, Bs, Audrey L. Zapletal, Otd, Ms, Otr/L, Cla, Chse, Karla A. Bell, Pt, Dpt, Phd, Fnap

Thomas Jefferson University Faculty Days

Background

LGBTQ+ communities experience health care and health disparities; some reasons include:

• barriers in care,
• negative attitudes,
• lack of awareness by healthcare providers.

Studies have found healthcare professionals are not adequately trained in LGBTQ+ care

Educators benefit from professional development related to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in higher education.

Quality, Suitability, Understandability, Actionability, And Readability Of Patient Education Materials: Baseline Findings From Slp Graduate Students, Bonnie K. Slavych, Greg Williams, Lauren Siemers, Lauren E. Jones, Alana Mantie-Kozlowski

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This study evaluated graduate SLP students’ ability to communicate complex health information, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. A cross-sectional analysis of 28 first-semester graduate students enrolled in a voice disorders course examined the quality of patient education materials they created based on fictional scenarios. Quality and credibility were assessed using the DISCERN instrument, suitability with the Suitability Assessment of Materials, and understandability/actionability with the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable materials. Readability was analyzed using five formulas: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, FORCAST, New Dale-Chall, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. DISCERN scores ranged from 17 to 31 …

Dairy-To-Go: An Informal And Formal Education Model On Milking Dairy Cattle, Elizabeth Ann Marie Kostalnick

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

Within California, 360 schools have FFA programs; however, there are still over 2,000 high schools within the state. This equates to only 18% of California high schools having access to FFA. That number may be greater than 10%, however, access to agricultural curriculum is still limited. Considering US crop production is concentrated predominantly in California and the Midwest (USDA-ERS 2017), high schools in California, regardless of location and proximity to a farm, should have access to an agricultural curriculum. The purpose of this project was to create a curriculum where middle school and high school educators can show the process …

Структурно-Семантическая Модель Матричной Таблицы Глаголов Звучания: К Реконструкции Лексической Системы, Irina V. Ivliyeva

Arts, Languages and Philosophy Faculty Research & Creative Works

цель статьи – провести структурно-семантический анализ авторской таблицы веб-извлечения глагольных форм. Матричная таблица форм глаголов звучания рассматривается как инновационный лексикографический инструмент, обладающий способностью не только фиксировать уже существующие единицы, но и выявлять потенциальные формы глаголов, находящиеся за пределами кодификационных норм. Работа направлена на описание структуры, принципов построения и способов наполнения данной таблицы. Проводится сопоставление с традиционными лексикографическими источниками. Особое внимание уделяется семантическому значению незаполненных ячеек, способности таблицы к синтезу новых форм и её потенциалу как прогностического инструмента в сфере лексики, словообразования и словообразовательного синтеза.

Critical Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Claire Scoular, Daniel Duckworth, Dara Ramalingam, Ian Teo

Assessment and Reporting

The ACER critical thinking framework addresses the challenges associated with teaching and assessing critical thinking. It synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on critical thinking to provide a holistic perspective from which teachers can operationalise critical thinking in the classroom. The framework outlines critical thinking processes in three strands: Constructing knowledge; Evaluating ideas; and Making decisions.

Creative Thinking: Skill Development Framework. 2nd Edition, Jonathan Heard, Dara Ramalingam, Claire Scoular, Prue Anderson, Daniel Duckworth

Assessment and Reporting

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) has reviewed the extensive literature on creative thinking and developed both a definition and a framework that synthesises and harmonises existing theory and research on creative thinking. This framework has been developed to address the challenges associated with teaching and assessing creative thinking. It outlines creative thinking processes along prescribed strands and aspects informed by a sound evidentiary basis. The aspects contained within the framework are designed to provide foci for teaching and the basis of assessment. ACER’s creative thinking framework identifies key factors that underpin the development of creative thinking with a …

Narratives Of Latina Teacher Candidates On Subtractive Schooling Experiences And Their Language Identity, Joao Goebel

Dissertations

The subtractive nature of bilingual education in the United States has long impacted the language identities of Latinx students. Despite being raised in multilingual environments, many are schooled in systems that devalue their home languages and prioritize English-only instruction. This study explored how these dynamics influenced Latina teacher candidates’ perceptions of their own bilingualism and professional identities. The purpose of the study was to examine how Latina teacher candidates understood and constructed their language identities in the context of their K–12 and higher education experiences. The study used narrative research centered on four Latina teacher candidates enrolled in an undergraduate …

Social Media And The Effect On Student Engagement, Lara Mcelveen

Dissertations

The purpose of my study was to determine the impact of social media on student engagement and behaviors in high school classrooms. The overarching research question that guided my study was: What is the impact of social media on student engagement? I used a mixed methods approach of quantitative and qualitative data to research my topic. I collected the data using surveys of two stakeholder groups in the study: young adults and educators. The survey results showed that both educators and young adults perceived a decline in class engagement and the rise of behavior in the classroom from social media …

Nurturing The Student Voice And Its Creative Power In Mathematics Teaching And Learning: Research With Students On Emotion, Imagination, And Understanding., Luis Adolfo Zambrano

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This research in mathematics education explores the teaching and learning of mathematics at the high school and community college levels, integrating diverse research methods to examine how educators can cultivate a dynamic, collaborative, and responsive classroom climate. Framed by K. Tobin and K. Alexakos’s authentic inquiry education research framework (2020), the methodology actively engages students as co-researchers, valuing their insights and experiences as integral to the learning process. This approach fosters a meaningful dialogue on managing emotional and cognitive challenges faced by students of mathematics while identifying strategies to support and enhance students’ innate imaginative and creative capacities.

Grounded in …

California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course, Nicho Domine

Construction Management

This paper explores the development and execution of a project-based Design-Build (DB) course implemented at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The course aimed to replicate real-world DB processes in a controlled academic setting, engaging Construction Management and Architecture students in simulated but immersive industry experience. From Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Final Presentation and Closeout, the course mirrors a typical DB project lifecycle. Through collaborative exercises, students gained exposure to roles and responsibilities, submittals, cost estimating, procurement strategies, risk analysis, virtual coordination, stakeholder communication, and more. This paper describes how a sequence of weekly assignments was structured to …

The Day You Begin: A Case Study Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Early Childhood Classrooms, Kim Shelton

Dissertations

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) has garnered growing attention in early childhood education due to its potential to cultivate inclusive and equitable learning environments for increasingly diverse student populations. This qualitative case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and implement CRP in classrooms with high concentrations of immigrant and culturally diverse students. Additionally, it explores the perceived impact of these practices on instructional effectiveness, classroom climate, and teacher-student interactions.

Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis yielded four central findings: (1) teachers’ understandings of CRP varied considerably, with some demonstrating strong intentionality and others …

Rethinking Assessment In Asynchronous Learning: A Benchmark Portfolio For Mngt 301, Pedro J. Agüero Arroyo

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This teaching portfolio evaluates the instructional redesign of MNGT 301 Introduction to Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, focusing on improving student learning outcomes, addressing performance disparities across demographic groups, and enhancing assessment alignment with course goals. The redesign primarily involved modifying assessment types and implementing clearer structure and grading expectations. The analysis compares student performance data from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, disaggregated by demographic indicators including gender, race/ethnicity, parent education, neighborhood opportunity index, and rural/urban background. In addition, student perceptions were assessed through a midsemester Keep-Stop-Start survey. Findings suggest that redesign elements enhanced student engagement and equity by …

Ecen191/Robo150 Robotics Tools: Evaluating The Impact Of Project-Based Learning On Teaching Effectiveness, Nikhil Satyala

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The course selected for this study aims to introduce the skills and knowledge needed to utilize software and hardware tools used to design and operate robots. In this introductory course, undergraduate students in the Robotics Engineering major are provided with the opportunity to broaden their skill set with focus on specializing in one of three engineering disciplines (Software, Electrical and Mechanical). The primary goal of this course is to teach how develop the proficiency in basic concepts in robotics and enable the students to build and program a small-scale fully functional robotic arm. In this portfolio study, I investigated the …

Contemplative Practices Facilitating Awareness, Compassion, And Healing In Study Abroad: A Reflective And Explorative Study, Ciara C. Hoyne, Jing Lin

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This reflective essay focuses on the relationship between contemplative practices and participation in a short-term study abroad trip. The study explores how contemplative practices help facilitate self-understanding, alleviate stress, enhance connection to the host community and culture, and enable healing. We use our experiences participating in a short-term study abroad program as an example for examining the role of contemplative practices in the context of study abroad. We discuss and integrate relevant literature on the topic of meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative inquiry to offer insight into how contemplative practices can be integrated into study abroad in a way that enhances …

To Reflect & To Be Reflective: Student Experiences Of Critique In Art & Design Higher Education, Jade Seobin Yun

Masters Theses

This thesis investigated the critique process in art and design higher education, focusing specifically on student experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Through a combination of autoethnographic reflection and a campus-wide student survey, the study explored how critique was perceived, practiced, and internalized by students across disciplines. Central to this inquiry was the emotional and pedagogical complexity of critique, which was often treated as an assumed skill rather than a learned process. Drawing from personal narrative, pedagogical literature, and qualitative data, the research proposed a framework of Trust (Barrett, 2019), Courage (Brown, 2022), and Responsiveness (hooks, 1994) …

A Teacher, A Supervisor, An Undefined Self, Alexa Muse

The Qualitative Report

This article follows the experiences and reflections of an American high school English teacher while evolving a single tenth grade memoir and grammar unit into a published student-led research project over the span of 3 years. As a partner piece, this article supplements my students’ published project, titled “A Teacher, a Tutor, a Friend,” that explores ChatGPT and student perspectives through a thematic discourse analysis under the framework of Figured Worlds (Holland et al., 1998); as their teacher-turned-supervisor, I found that preparing 10th grade students—now called the Lexington Student Research and Publication Collaborative—to grapple with such complex material was a …

Constructing Portraits Of Elementary Teachers Of Ethnic Studies: Examining The Narratives Of Anti-Racist Educators In An Era Of Common Core Curriculum And Instruction, Jennifer S. Manglicmot

Dissertations

The emergence of policies requiring ethnic studies courses in California’s secondary and higher education institutions amplified calls for anti-racist pedagogy and content in all K-12 grade levels. Currently, little empirical research exists on how ethnic studies is taught in elementary school classrooms. This absence is significant because instruction in these settings tend to focus heavily on meeting state content standards (i.e. Common Core), frameworks which have been critiqued as ignoring communities of Color epistemologies and promoting color-evasive ideologies, among other concerns. Through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis, this qualitative multiple-case study explored how anti-racist and ethnic studies pedagogies are …

Healing In Relation: Honoring Post-Graduate Grief As An Opportunity For Relational Scholarship, Tanya J. Behrisch, Anna Rumjahn, Chris Yakimov

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This paper is a three-way conversation about grief that follows a graduate program. We explore our experiences with post-graduate grief in community, attending to each other’s sense of loss following separation from supervisors, theses, and graduate programs. In committing to slow scholarship, processes—such as navigating feelings and living—have been valued over producing a manuscript quickly. Slowness, including long gaps between meetings, enabled us to follow the diverse contours of quiet alchemical processes such as grieving, opening up to emptiness, self-acceptance, being enough, and letting go. After years of compression and dialogic friction with her mentor, Tanya confronts feelings akin to …

Experiential Learning In Lecture Settings For Ides 200: Programs, Codes & Standards, Emily Cerny

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In traditional lecture settings, students take notes from a lecturer’s recitations and have minimal interaction with each other and the world around them. For IDES 200: Programs, Codes & Standards, a key aspect of learning is for students to understand the connections between the concepts learned in class and the built environment. To increase this connection and get students thinking in different manners, experiential learning methodologies were introduced through in-class exercises and within the course assignments alongside typical lectures and lecture comprehension quizzes. By surveying students’ perceptions of assignments and course activities, the goal of this course portfolio is to …

From Theory To Practice: How Job-Embedded Professional Learning Labs Support Implementation And Application, Megan Kortlandt, Samantha Keesling, Asha Williams, Jay Haffner

Michigan Reading Journal

Educators in any role know that supporting application of new learning is critical. Classroom teachers ground their instruction in the gradual release of responsibility, problem-based learning, and other frameworks that support students in taking on new learning themselves. Similarly, it’s long been understood that, in order for professional learning to be effective for adults, it must support educators in transferring new learning to practice (Darling-Hammond et al, 2017). Yet most professional learning frameworks still involve large groups that often take place in settings removed from the students and settings where educators apply the learning. Though they may ask participants to …

Using Picturebooks To Promote Student Inquiry, Inferential Thinking, And Reading Comprehension In A 9th Grade Ela Classroom, William P. Bintz

Michigan Reading Journal

This article reports findings from a classroom-based, action research project that used one award-winning picturebook to promote student inquiry, inferential thinking, and reading comprehension in a 9^th grade English/Language Arts classroom. It begins by describing a read-aloud experience that sparked my interest in developing and implementing an action research project, followed by an overview of action research as a research methodology. Next, it shares samples of work that resulted from students using three interrelated, instructional strategies with the picturebook to promote inquiry, inferential thinking, and reading comprehension. Then, it discusses major findings and implications and ends with concluding thoughts.

Reclaiming Data: A Participatory Action Research Study To Empower Educators, Diana Hammond

Dissertations

Abstract

Currently, the day-to-day data collection and analysis work of teachers is often only deemed valuable if it is easily observed and quantitatively recorded. Teachers are asked to produce results with an incomplete set of tools and are then personally blamed — instead of blame being placed on the structural system — when the desired results don’t manifest. This participatory action research (PAR) study challenged the status quo by asking: What if teachers were empowered to expand their definition of data to include the rich, qualitative data at their fingertips, and what if teachers’ experience and intuition were valued instead …