Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons^™

A Neuroscience-Based Curriculum For Addiction Prevention For Fourth-Grade Students, Paola Andrea Benitez

Social Work Theses - Archive

Substance use is one of the main problems affecting adolescents and young adults. While the consumption of alcohol has decreased, the consumption of marijuana has increased rampantly due to youth's positive perception after being legalized in 24 states with no clear message of the many adverse effects this drug causes. Different approaches to prevention have been used throughout the years: scare-led tactics, socio-emotional learning skills, and neuroscience-based curriculums. Since substance use results from the conjunction of different biopsychosocial factors that lead to this relapsing brain disease, the solution should integrate different preventive solutions as well. Public policy, schools, social workers, …

The Finnish Line: An International Teacher Exchange Program, Anthony Marano

West Chester University Master’s Theses

This delve into the educational landscape of the United States and Finland uncovers areas of potential growth in the United States with the incorporation of the Finnish Model. By examining first hand experiences inside the Finnish education system, this study proposes a program that could bring international developments in academics, and overall happiness into our domestic education system. First will be presented the position and philosophy from which this thesis will be approached. This will help to prove relevance when viewed through this specific and critical lens. Next, will be a brief historical overview of the systems in question and …

“A Real Man . . .”: Deconstructing Machismo Heteronormative Standards With K–12 Latino Male Educators Through Dialogic Spaces, Mario Echeverria

Dissertations

In a K–12 educational landscape where 75% of educators are white women, recruitment of Latino male educators is crucial for diversification, yet these educators represent just 2% of the teaching workforce in the United States (NCES, 2020). These educators grapple with a layered sense of identity as they navigate expectations of hegemonic masculinity and machismo norms that dictate their roles as disciplinarians and saviors, especially for young boys of color (Brockenbrough, 2018; Lara & Fránquiz, 2015; Martino & Kehler, 2006; Mills et al., 2004; Singh, 2021). Unfortunately, Latino male educators leave the profession at twice the rate of their Latina …

An Exploration Of The Race And Gender Representations In Professional Wrestling In The United States: A Qualitative Case Study, Luther P. Lucas

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Professional Wrestling has long perpetuated stereotypical representations of race and gender through its performers and the storylines in which they participate. While the popularity of professional wrestling has varied over the years, its impact on popular culture has persisted for decades. This study focuses on the race and gender representations present in storylines and texts in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Through critical multicultural analysis, a conceptual framework built upon curriculum studies and critical media literacy, this study explored the dominant social structures in professional wrestling. Findings were that women are often relegated to secondary roles and Black males are regularly …

The Schooling Experiences Of First-Generation Afro Caribbean Women Educated (Schooled) In The Southeastern United States, Sonya Griffin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

To address the lack of culturally specific research on subgroups of Black women in the educational environment and Haitian immigrant women in U.S. educational institutions, the study documented the educational experiences of four Haitian women who immigrated to the United States and obtained degrees in U.S. universities. Using a narrative interview research design, this qualitative study collected data from four Haitian immigrant women who were first-generation college graduates through individual interviews and a focus group discussion. Data analysis involved coding to identify emerging themes. Using the two tenets of Black feminist theory, lived experiences as knowledge and intersectionality, the research …

The Regenarrative: How To Change The Story In Order To Change The Future, S. Rose Bigheart O'Leary

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Abstract

In the era of Climate Change, many are concerned that the end of the Anthropocene, or the end of the era of human life on Earth, is upon us. Western European colonialism and its subsequent systems (settler-colonialism, colonial-capitalism, and globalization - sometimes termed “neocolonialism”) have all been implicated in contributing to unsustainable behaviors linked to accelerating climate change. In searching for possible solutions, some have called for listening to Indigenous Peoples, citing ethics of sustainability found among many Indigenous cultures. However, the cultural products of settler-colonialism are still dominant in ways that do not allow for Indigenous worldviews to …

A Critical Perspective On Supporting Parents In Facilitating Informal Steam Learning On Children's Early Literacy Development, Suzanne G. Alexandre

Theses and Dissertations

Considering that parents/caregivers and home environment play an influential role in a child’s school readiness and future academic success, this study sought to support parents in using facilitation strategies to engage their child in informal learning at home. In order to examine if access to support for parents of preschoolers influenced parents’ confidence in their ability to facilitate informal learning at home, the project used informal STEAM learning, for context. The study also examines the potential impact of informal STEAM learning on children's school readiness and early literacy skills and the intersections of parent involvement, STEAM, and school readiness through …

K-5 Educators’ Perceptions Of Restorative Practices In St. Louis, Missouri, Jessica Ellen Finney

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Restoration is any form of guidance or counsel toward right decision-making. One can be restored in an emotional or psychological way. The act of restoring emotional reactions back to logical thinking are the core teachings of this paper. The objective of this study was to analyze K-5 educators’ lived experiences, opinions, and perceptions in regard to this social and emotional restoration of teaching. This study advocates teacher perspectives in the art of restorative teaching and thinking for students they teach. This qualitative research study provides insight into the perceptions, opinions, and lived experiences of 10 educators regarding the implementation of …

Mapping Literature In The Age Of Ai, Virginia Ramos

Comparative Woman

"Mapping literature in the age of AI" discusses the concept of "mapping", from its historical meaning to its technological meaning in the field of literature and AI tools developed in recent years and designed to "map literature". The article addresses ethics, biases, and the issue of human capacities vis a vis machine capacities, in support of the critical and crucial value of the humanities and their unavoidable relationship with GenAI.

A School-Wide Behavior Management Program Evaluation: Teacher Perceptions Of Gamification In The Alternative Setting, Christina J. Farnsworth

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The program evaluation provided an understanding of the effectiveness of gamification as a behavior management tool and its impact on student behaviors as perceived by teachers. The evaluation followed a sixth- through eighth-grade alternative public school whose vision is to provide a structured, safe, and motivating learning environment where students grow academically and behaviorally responsible. The two-phased mixed study allowed participants to share their perceptions and satisfaction with using gamification as an effective behavior management tool. The program evaluation took on the epistemological position that staff contributions significantly impact behaviors, dependent on the two constructs: (a) user attitude and (b) …

An Evaluation Of The Process For Assigning Standardized Testing Accommodations For Students With Autism, Lisa Ober

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation evaluated the process for assigning standardized testing accommodations for students with autism on the standard course of study. The study captured current levels of teacher understanding, their perceptions regarding how testing accommodations might increase equitable access for students with autism, and how these beliefs influence the process of assigning accommodations. The study identified key themes surrounding current processes and equity through qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with exceptional children and general education teachers and observation of professional learning communities and individualized education plan meetings. The findings revealed that inadequate teacher training and the lack of universal protocols for …

The Personal Is Political: School Board Members’ Motivation For School Governance, Andrew Lobdell

Dissertations of Practice

Understanding the motivation behind school board members' governance is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of public schools. This research aims to analyze the motivations of five newly elected board members and compare them with past research on governance and motivation. The leadership qualities of school superintendents also impact governance and can influence board members' motivations for running and serving their communities. Similarly, board members' motivations can affect how superintendents lead their districts and prioritize different topics. The research is divided into three papers. Paper 1 reviews existing literature and is organized into three distinct sections that explore school board governance, …

Honors Online: Teaching, Learning, And Building Community Virtually In Honors Education, Victoria M. Bryan, Cat Stanfield

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs

Contents

Introduction, Victoria M. Bryan and Cat Stanfield

Part I: Harnessing Virtual Connection in Program and Course Design

1. Through the Looking Glass: Honors in Virtual Reality, Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison

2. Exploring Incoming Honors Students’ Beliefs About Online Courses, Kristy Spear and Pavlo D. Antonenko

3. Reimagining Honors Curriculum—Delivered Through Technology Utilizing Our Alumni Community, Mollie Hartup, Amy Cossentino, and Lexi Rager

4. Online Faculty Professional Development and Community as Nexus, John Zubizarreta, Beata M. Jones, and Marca V. C. Wolfensberger

5. Building a Pipeline for Transfer and Scholarship Through (Virtual) Honors Research Partnerships, …

Building And Fostering Honors Communities: Lessons From Social Distancing, Anne Dotter, Kathleen King

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

While scholars of online education have been developing ways to foster a sense of belonging in online spaces for years, many of us in honors were thrown into the deep end for the first time in March 2020. As a result, we are now able to see the potential of online practices in a way we could not previously. This chapter tells the story of how we came to see the value of virtual community made possible by digital technology as an invaluable complement to the in-person work of a twenty-first-century honors program. Before the Work from Home (WFH) era, …

Transitional Course For Incoming Transfer Students At Cal Poly Humboldt, Marissa Carla Holguin

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Universities and institutions have started to create student programming to ensure their students have the support that they need to be successful at their institutions. Many of these programs center and focus on the first-year student experience, which are those who are entering the institution right after graduating High School. These students are the traditional student population that studies and universities tend to focus on, however, other populations get overlooked. One “non-traditional” population that has increased in universities over the years is the transfer student population.

[aa1] Transfer students are students who, after high school graduation, have attended another institution, …

Curriculum, Knowledge, And Power: A Critical Race Approach To Content Analysis Of Social Studies Textbooks, Eliza G. Ray

Honors Theses

This study uses Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a theoretical framework to examine the portrayal of the U.S. Revolutionary War in three 5th grade social studies textbooks approved by the state of Florida’s curriculum standards. Textbooks have been a focal point for political debate, most recently influenced more by politicians than by educators. A qualitative rubric was developed to evaluate the textbooks, examining the extent to which they include a CRT telling of the Revolutionary War. This rubric was informed by the tenets of CRT in educational research as described by Solorzano and Yosso (2002). Consistent themes arose from the …

Virtual Learning Walks Assignment Description, David Wolff

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

Learning Walks are structured walkthroughs with the purpose of professional development and growth. Learning Walks include multiple people so that immediate reflections may occur through collaboration. In higher education, model classrooms are not readily available for preservice teachers to practice and apply coursework knowledge. Virtual Learning Walks are a creative approach to resolve this challenge. This assignment asks preservice teachers to watch a recorded lesson with the mindset that they are visiting a colleague’s classroom to observe them for professional growth. Students take notes during the observation then analyze the observation for their own growth.

Catching Up To Yesterday: An Argument For A Practical Application Of Creativity For Inspiring Change From A Content-Based Course Delivery To A 21st-Century Skills-Based Delivery, Darren Chapman

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project is a creative vision for how college-level courses could be changed to deliver the most important skills students need in the 21st century—moving toward an essential employability skills-based delivery process while training vocational (content) skills. Technology is outpacing humans' ability to adapt and adopt to it, making it increasingly difficult to keep pace with technological change. This has wide-ranging effects on each of us – productively, emotionally, and perhaps physically. Colleges are at the forefront of educating citizens about the working world to improve their productivity, incomes and their sense of intrinsic motivation. However, these same colleges are …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

Can Intentional Community-Engagement Bridge The Town And Gown Divide? Creating Collaborative Partnerships Between Colleges And Local Organizations Engaged In Social Activism, Anna Wilk

Scripps Senior Theses

In higher education spaces, there tends to be a divide between on-campus and off-campus communities creating dissonance between the activism conducted by the students and faculty and that taken on by the surrounding communities; this is known as the “town and gown divide”. For the sake of each of these individual groups it is pivotal to attempt to rectify this division so that the institutions and the communities that they find themselves within can work together to strive for justice and innovation. A crucial aspect of diminishing the town and gown divide involves addressing students' preconceived notions of the community …

Exploring Cooperative Learning In High School Remedial And Test Preparation Classes, Carol Solomon-Jenkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores how utilizing cooperative learning in remedial and test preparation in high school classes affects students’ reading comprehension on traditional standardized test scores. Theoretically, my dissertation work draws upon several bodies of literature, such as constructivism including cognitive and social constructivism in relation to cooperative learning (e.g., Dewey, 1897, 1902/1932, 1910; Piaget, 1967; Vygotsky, 1978), culturally responsive/relevant/sustaining pedagogy (e.g., Gay, 2000/2010/2018; González, Moll, & Amanti, 2005; Ladson-Billings, 1994/2009; Ladson-Billings, 2021; Paris & Alim, 2017), and caring and empathy (Noddings, 1984, 1992, 2002; Katz, Noddings, & Strike, 1999; Merriam, 1991; Stake, 1995, 2005) in relation to social justice education. …

A Muse In A Minefield: Poets, Pedagogy, And The Practice Of Liberation, Fran Dundore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this poetic inquiry I share my experiences as a public educator within the contexts of aesthetics, identity, and power. Reflecting and inquiring poetically on nearly thirty years of public practice and leadership, I consider my personal experiences and conversations with current teachers and call them into action to speak up about the ramifications of this current political climate on their curriculum and their pedagogy. I focus on the works of poets and theorists such as Oliver (1986, 1992, 1998 & 2011), Whitman (1855, 1892), Hughes (1951) Counts (1932), Rosenblatt (1978 &1995), Freire (1970, 1974 & 1978), and Greene (1973, …

Always A Dreamer, Liz Walker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This is the story of my life in the form of a memoir. You might ask, why is my life a relevant subject for a dissertation? As Celeste Snowber, the scholar, author and performer recently said to me, “I think it would be wonderful to write a memoir.... You clearly have an extraordinary life, with art, soul and the depths of wisdom marinating all you do” (2023, personal communication). I was flattered by her comments and her confidence in me gave me the inspiration I needed to tell my story. There is also the meaning of ‘lived experience’ in …

Meeting The Moment: Seeking A Symbiosis Of Economic Theory And Practice In Times Of Crisis, Sallie Taylor Manning

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

By their nature, crises upset the status quo and shake apart the ways of being and doing for individuals, families, communities, nations, institutions, and governments. This research seeks to identify the ways in which times of crisis led to changes in high school economics curriculum. The Georgia Performance Standards for high school economics curriculum were examined over a 23-year period to determine the extent to which three national and international crises led to changes in economics curriculum. A historiography was created for each of three crises, September 11, 2001 (9/11), Hurricane Katrina, and the Great Recession of 2008. The Georgia …

White Woman In A Black Barbershop: Examining Racial Literacy Through Epistemic Curricula Spaces, Megan Paulk

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The following study is an autoethnography of the researcher, a White Mother of a Black Family (WMOBF). Follow her journey as she examines her racial literacy through the construction of Season Two of her podcast White Women in a Black Barbershop, where she is conversing with three other WMOBF who geographically grew up in the same small town in Maryland. The podcast analysis method is introduced as a method of data collection and analysis. The results of the study are the creation of eight epistemic curricula spaces. These spaces contain movement, are not linear, and are not accessible to all. …

Incorporating Sex-Diverse And Gender-Inclusive Perspectives In Higher Education Biology Courses, Breanne N. Harris, A Kelsey Lewis, Sam L. Sharpe, Teri J. Orr, Christopher T. Martine, Chloe C. Josefson

Faculty Journal Articles

Inclusive teaching is teaching in a way that reaches all students in the classroom; this is beneficial for everyone, particularly for those with minoritized identities. Instructors play a critical role in scaffolding how students are exposed to and learn science content in the classroom. In this manuscript, we discuss how biology instructors can make their classrooms more inclusive with regard to sex and gender diversity content. Many topics in biology are based on androcentric, heteronormative, and oppressive framing, even though those lenses are more reflective of our own history and culture than they are of the diversity we see in …

The Narratives Of Successful Conflict Resolution Entrepreneurs: Evolving Career Pathways And Determinants Of Business Success, Eileen Paige Petzold-Bradley

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the narratives and best practices of 33 Successful Conflict Resolution Entrepreneurs (SCREs) in the United States. In doing so, the study helps to fill an essential gap in the literature, where research on conflict resolution entrepreneurship with experienced practitioners is rare. Given the focus of the study on narrative inquiry and thematic analysis, this methodological approach achieved an in-depth qualitative analysis of conflict resolution entrepreneurial experiences. The narrative insights gathered from the 33 SCREs provided detailed descriptions of the career pathways, personal motivations, business challenges, and successes of running a conflict resolution business. The research illuminates the …

Does Learning About Social Policy In A Global Context Change Students’ Views On U.S. Social Policies?, Dirk De Jong, Dennis Kao

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reviews the development and implementation of a course titled “Social Policy Without Borders” and an evaluation of students’ attitudes toward social policies as a result of having taken the course. “Social Policy Without Borders” is an undergraduate social work elective and involves a cross-national analysis of social policies and an examination of the impact of neoliberalism on social policies and social welfare systems globally. This paper reports on an evaluation of outcome in terms of possible changes in students’ views on social policies in the United States as a result of learning about their global context. The evaluation …

Close To The Pain: Alternative Education And The Unheard Voices Of Young Adults’ Transformative Learning Experiences, Vicki Lynn Lock

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on amplifying the voices of marginalized students in alternative education, with an emphasis on the positive impact of resilience on their outcomes. The study addresses the challenges these students face, particularly those from BIPOC communities, in navigating educational systems that have historically marginalized them. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the experiences of BIPOC students in a Central Valley alternative education program, highlighting how nurturing relationships, resilience, and the fulfillment of basic needs contribute to their academic success and personal growth. Utilizing a framework that incorporates theories of resilience, educational equity, and transformative leadership, …

From Elementary School To Doctoral Education: An Autoethnographic Journey, Gwendolyn D. Dailey

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Every child has a right to education, and their skin color should not determine their education quality. However, since the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), it has been proven that race continues to matter in the success and failure of education (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001). The persistent achievement gaps between students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as the disparities in access to high-quality educational opportunities, demonstrate how race and ethnicity shape the educational experiences of students of color (Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis, 2012). Unfortunately, stories such as Ruby Bridges of New …