Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Video-Mediated Opportunities For Self-Directed Learning In Undergraduate Research Methodology Courses, Debra T. Bourdeau, Donna Roberts, Thomas E. Sieland, Beverly Wood

Publications

No abstract provided.

Nefdc Exchange, Volume 29, Fall 2016, New England Faculty Development Consortium

New England Faculty Development Consortium Exchange

Contents

President’s Message -Dakin Burdick, Mount Ida College

Save the date, spring conference - Student-Faculty Research Collaborations, keynote speaker, Alan November, founder of November Learning; keynote address: Helping Students Build a Global Network for Lifelong Learning

Exploring the Universe Through a Cultural Lens - Kristine Larsen, Central Connecticut State University

Scientific Literacy Skills for the 21st Century - Cynthia Brandenburg, Champlain College

Using Celebrity to Discuss Diversity - Kellie Deys, Nichols College

Reacting to the Past: Learning Diversity of Perspectives Through Role Playing - Frances Alexakos, Roger Williams University

Mindsets Matter in Education - Cheryl Williams, Salem State University

The …

A Phenomenology Of Sixth Grade Students’ Perspectives On Their Experience Using A Rubric For Criterion-Referenced Assessment, Julie Quast

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine sixth grade literacy students’ perspectives of rubric-referenced assessment at an inner-city school in central Arkansas. The theories guiding this study were Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, as rubrics scaffold students learning (Reeves & Stanford, 2009) and social cognitive theory, as rubrics help students regulate their learning (Covill, 2012) and control their actions (Bandura, 1997). The sample size included 29 students completing a questionnaire, 12 students participating in a focus group session, and two students journaling their experience. The research questions focused on the experiences, perspectives, approach to assignments, and response to …

Multicultural Leadership Characteristics Of A School Director In An Educational Setting In South Korea: A Case Study, Janelle Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to discover the multicultural leadership characteristics that are intrinsically necessary amongst a School Director at an international Christian elementary school in South Korea. The theory guiding this study was the Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura as it explains the relationship of children modeling behavior and the importance of administrators along with their staff modeling principles that encourage multicultural understanding and acceptance of others. This study addresses the following questions: 1) What themes emerge in regards to leadership and multicultural leadership characteristics in the case of a school director of a Korean …

A Phenomenological Study Of African-American Female Teacher Graduates Of Historically Black Colleges And Universities’ Perceptions Of Preparedness For The Field, Kimberly Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and explain the perceptions of African-American female teachers’ levels of preparedness for the teaching field after attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Preparedness was generally defined as one’s readiness to teach in the classroom. The main theory guiding this study was Dewey’s (1938) theory of experience and education. The central question of this study was: What are the perceptions of preparedness for African-American female teacher education graduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities? The sub-questions focused on the characteristics of Dewey’s (1938) theory of experience and education, additional helpful resources, and …

Heri Faculty Survey Fall 2016 Analysis, Uno Office Of Institutional Effectiveness

Assessment

HERI Faculty Survey Fall 2016 Analysis

An Action-Research Case Study Of Professional Development On Essential Questions In A K-8 Private Parochial School, Ronda K. Cypret-Mahach

Dissertations

The purpose of this action-research case study was the investigation of possible pedagogical transformations teachers experienced through participation in professional development training of Essential Questions and student learning; specifically student questioning, reading, and math achievement. The research in this study investigated two core focal points: the possible shift in a teacher’s transformational practices after participation in professional development on Essential Questions (McTighe & Wiggins, 2013) and whether the implemented transformational practices led to a possible difference in student questioning skills in grades two through eight on the Measure of Questioning Skills, student achievement in STAR Math, and STAR Reading in …

Appropriating Quantified Self Technologies To Support Elementary Statistical Teaching And Learning, Victor R. Lee, Joel R. Drake, Jeffrey L. Thayne

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Wearable activity tracking devices associated with the Quantified Self movement have potential benefit for educational settings because they produce authentic and granular data about activities and experiences already familiar to youth. This article explores how that potential could be realized through explicit acknowledgment of and response to tacit design assumptions about how such technologies will be used in practice and strategic design for use in a classroom. We argue that particular practical adaptations that we have identified serve to ensure that the classroom and educational use cases are appropriately considered. As an example of how those adaptations are realized in …

Faculty Employment Status And Student Characteristics As Predictors Of Student Success In Modularized Developmental Mathematics, Leonda Williams Keniston

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Approximately two-thirds of incoming community college students are considered academically unprepared for college-level work and lack adequate literacy and mathematical skills needed to learn at the postsecondary level. To address these realities, individual community colleges and state-wide systems have responded by redesigning developmental curricula and course structures into modularized programs that accelerate student progression through developmental sequences. Simultaneously, community colleges are hiring more adjunct faculty to meet the ever-growing demand to educate students in these programs.

Data were collected for a study of the Virginia Community College System 2012 developmental math redesign to primarily examine the effects of adjunct faculty …

Dental Hygiene Alternative Practice Models: Preparedness And Confidence Of 2015 Graduates, Futun Nasser Alkhalifah

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: evaluate dental hygiene graduates’ perceived preparedness and confidence to practice in alternative settings. Methods: a survey was sent through ADHA to all members who graduated within the last year (2015-2016) with a minimum of one-week work experience. The survey consisted of demographics, and two alternative practice scales. Independent variables characterized as follows: (1) graduate of a baccalaureate degree dental hygiene program within an allied health science program, (2) graduate of a baccalaureate degree dental hygiene program within a dental school, or (3) graduate of an associate degree dental hygiene program. The dependent variables were preparedness, confidence and practice management …

A Mixed-Methods Study On Student Achievement In Reading And Teacher Professional Development In A K-2 Urban Public School Setting, Michelle Chism

Dissertations

To determine if a relationship existed between teacher professional development and student reading achievement for grades K-2, the researcher conducted a mixedmethods study to examine reading achievement and teacher professional development in a Midwest urban school district. If the researcher was able to show a relationship between teacher professional development and student reading achievement, recommendations could be made on research-based professional development models proven to increase student academic achievement and improve instructional practices within an underachieving school district. To determine if a relationship existed between the above-mentioned variables, the researcher examined student standardized reading achievement scores and teacher survey responses …

Intergenerational Education Mobility Trends By Race And Gender In The United States, Joseph J. Ferrare

Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation Faculty Publications

Researchers have examined racial and gender patterns of intergenerational education mobility, but less attention has been given to the ways that race and gender interact to further shape these relationships. Based on data from the General Social Survey, this study examined the trajectories of education mobility among Blacks and Whites by gender over the past century. Ordinary least squares and logistic regression models revealed three noteworthy patterns. First, Black men and women have closed substantial gaps with their White counterparts in intergenerational education mobility. At relatively low levels of parental education, these gains have been experienced equally among Black men …

Estudio Acerca Del Apoyo Educacional Y Laboral Para Alumnos En Situación De Discapacidad Intelectual: El Caso De Cinco Instituciones De Educación Especial En Santiago, Viña Del Mar Y San Antonio / Study On Educational And Work Support For Students In Situations Of Intellectual Disability: The Case Of Five Special Education Institutions In Santiago, Viña Del Mar And San Antonio, Sophia Gomez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Research Question: How effective are special education organizations and programs in helping students with intellectual disabilities with job pursuits, education, and independence?

Objectives: The general objective of this study is to describe the support that students with intellectual disabilities receive from the special education system and how this support promotes autonomy. The specific objectives are to investigate the teachers’ roles, discover the level of autonomy students have, and identify how the education system supports labor insertion.

Antecedents: Historically, job placement has been difficult for people with disabilities. Many people are misinformed regarding their true abilities. There also exists an ignorance …

The Beliefs, Perceptions, And Strategies Of Vocabulary Instruction In Middle Grades Social Studies: A Phenomenological Study, Lisa-Renee Gilford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Content specific vocabulary instruction at the secondary level is an area that had a minimal research focus. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of 8 middle school social studies teachers in lesson delivery and instruction at Cornerstone Middle School (pseudonym), a middle school located in a major city in the southeastern United States. Data was collected from interviews, classroom observations, and artifacts from participants. The theoretical framework providing a foundation for this study centered on Vygotsky’s (1978) work on social interaction playing an integral role in cognitive development. The research questions that …

The Evolution Of A High-Achieving School: Creating A Cultural Shift Through A Schedule Change, Interventions, And Imbedded Collaboration, Beth Rapoff

Dissertations

Many research studies exist regarding high school master schedules. However, not one study could identify which schedule was “best” for high schools to implement. The researcher reviewed a variety of schedule types—traditional, drop 1, trimester, 4x4 block, A/B block, and modified block. The researcher also investigated interventions at the high school level. She also researched change and innovation. Lastly, she researched teacher collaboration. This study investigated changes a high-achieving high school made. The focus was on a master schedule change, interventions scheduled during the school day, and teacher collaboration scheduled during the school day. The purpose of this study was …

A Qualitative Exploration Of First-Generation Student Experiences At A Rural Community College, Rebecca Margrete Evans

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

First-generation students comprise 36% of U.S. community college enrollments but struggle to remain in school to earn a college credential. First-generation students are less likely to enroll in college and have a higher probability for attrition than continuing-generation students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how first-generation students attending a rural community college located in the Southeastern United States perceived that their experiences impacted their academic and nonacademic success. This study replicated and extended the Stansberry and Burnett (2014) study that explored the experiences of first-generation students attending a large, diverse research university.

This phenomenological study utilized …

An Evaluation Of Pathways To Community College Student Success In Anatomy And Physiology I, Staci Brooke Forgey

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The demand for healthcare workers is increasing nationwide. Higher education is responding by examining various interventions designed to increase completion (Abele, Penprase, & Ternes, 2011). Anatomy and Physiology is often identified as a gatekeeper course for students, since many withdraw or fail this course (Hopper, 2011). Within the VCCS, two colleges have implemented a prerequisite course, NAS 2, for Anatomy and Physiology. This study analyzed student data from before and after NAS 2 implementation, and examined General Biology to determine if it was a predictor of success in Anatomy and Physiology.

When NAS 2 was a significant predictor of grade …

The Influence Of Multimedia Production Knowledge On The Design Decisions Of The Instructional Designer, Stephen Brent Hoard

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the interaction of multimedia production competencies of expert and novice instructional designers on the design decisions made during the instructional design process / workflow. This multiple measures study used qualitative survey instruments to access and measure the production competencies of participants, then a design aloud protocol to capture and measure the instructional design decision-making process for those same participants. A follow-on interview after the initial design aloud session was conducted in order to triangulate and confirm any trends or findings uncovered during the earlier design aloud session. Ultimately, the objective of this study was to provide some …

Elaboration And Question Strategy Effect On Learning Outcomes And Cognitive Load, Julie Ann Bridges

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of instructor-created elaborations, learner-created elaborations and adjunct questions on learning outcomes in an asynchronous learning environment, using pre-recorded video. The study also investigated the effects of instructor-created elaborations, learner-created elaborations, or adjunct questions on perceived cognitive load. The effect of learning strategy on quality of elaboration was also investigated. Results showed no significant difference in learning outcomes or cognitive load or quality of elaboration, but a post-hoc analysis revealed a significant difference in intrinsic cognitive load for students who used generative strategies while having no gain in learning outcomes.

An Outcome-Based Competency Model For Systems Engineering Trainees, Vanessa J. Pietrzyk

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Dominant theories relating to outcome-based learning and workforce competency were synthesized into a singular outcome-based competency model to evaluate systems engineering training. A baseline model was developed using leading theories from the academic literature pertaining to competencies for systems engineers across three categories: cognitive, skill-based, and behavioral. The model was further refined via qualitative and quantitative analysis of formal interviews of subject matter experts in the field of systems engineering workforce management. The refined model classifies 28 critical competencies for systems engineers into three tiers of workforce functionality: foundational, specialized, and leadership. The resultant theoretical model is both grounded in …

The Impact Of High School Dual Enrollment Participation On Bachelor's Degree Attainment And Time And Cost To Degree, Thomas Earl Hughes

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Dual enrollment has become nearly ubiquitous in the U.S. with 82% of public high schools offering dual credit courses with student enrollment topping two million (Borden, Taylor, Park, & Seiler, 2013). Policymakers and proponents of dual enrollment have claimed that these programs better prepare students for college success and reduce the time and cost to a college degree. There is a growing body of empirical research showing that students who participated in dual enrollment programs completed bachelor’s degrees at higher rates than non-dual enrollment participants do. However, most of this research has focused on single institutions or states, and not …

Factors Influencing The Selection Of Academic Help Sources, Joan Giblin

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study extends the literature on academic help-seeking by identifying factors influencing undergraduate students’ selection of a source of help. Learners engage in intentional decisions to seek help from human and non-human sources to resolve gaps in knowledge. Decision making heuristics provide a theoretical lens to understand these intentional decisions. Previous research in academic help-seeking assumed learners sought only human sources of assistance, resulting in a narrow understanding of how learners resolve knowledge gaps. Methodological trends in help-seeking research consistently favor quantitative, survey based tools with pre-defined options. As a result, the factors that influence the selection of a source …

Gatton Academy Study Abroad Program Effects On Perceptions Of Community Belongingness And Personal Growth And Development, Derick Brandon Strode

Dissertations

This dissertation’s focus is at the intersection of study abroad, impact assessment, and a population of gifted and talented students at a specialized, residential high school called The Gatton Academy. A summative impact evaluation was conducted to assess effects of Gatton Academy study abroad programs on student participants’ perceptions of peer belongingness, mentor belongingness, and personal growth and development, as well as to compare differences among three different program models being employed by the school. The three program models studied included a Non-Credit program, a Faculty-led Field-Study, and a Faculty-led Traditional program. The research was conducted amidst documented calls for …

The Relationship Between Test Scores On Multiple Choice High-Stakes Tests And High-Stakes Tests That Include Constructed Responses, Natalie Hise

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the relationship between the test scores of Georgia high school students on the multiple choice End-of-Course Test (EOCT) and the Georgia Milestones End of Course (GAMEOC) test, which include constructed response. The study is a non-experimental correlational study that uses ex post facto data. Scores were examined from an urban high school in Georgia, using the Coordinate Algebra and Analytic Geometry scores from the 2013-14 EOCT tests and 2014-15 GAMEOC tests. Scores were collected from the district office of the sample school with a sample size of 2702 test scores and then analyzed using a point biserial …

Investigating The Supplemental Instruction Leader Experience: A Phenomenological Study Of Undergraduate Peer Educators, James Eller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of undergraduate students who serve as Supplemental Instruction (SI) leaders at a mid-sized, private research university in the Midwestern United States. Using Schlossberg’s transition theory as a theoretical framework, this study attempted to answer the central research question: What is the experience of students who serve as SI leaders at a mid-sized, private research university located in the Midwestern United States? Sub-questions sought to address student expectations moving into the experience, how expectations were met or not met as they moved through the SI leader experience, the expected …

Predicting Positive Education Outcomes For Emerging Adults In Mental Health Systems Of Care, Eileen M. Brennan, Peggy Nygren, Robert L. Stephens, Adrienne Croskey

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Emerging adults who receive services based on positive youth development models have shown an ability to shape their own life course to achieve positive goals. This paper reports secondary data analysis from the Longitudinal Child and Family Outcome Study including 248 culturally-diverse youth ages 17 through 22 receiving mental health services in systems of care. After 12 months of services, school performance was positively related to youth ratings of school functioning, and service participation and satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed ratings of young peoples’ perceptions of school functioning and their experience in services added to the significant prediction of satisfactory school …

When Students Don't Care: Reexamining International Differences In Achievement And Non-Cognitive Skills, Gema Zamarro, Collin Hitt, Ildefonso Mendez

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

Policy debates in education are often framed by using international test scores, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The obvious presumption is that observed differences in test scores within and across countries reflect differences in cognitive skills and general content knowledge, the things which achievement tests are designed to measure. We challenge this presumption, by studying how much of the within-country and between-country variation in PISA test scores is associated with student effort, rather than true academic content knowledge. Drawing heavily on recent literature, we posit that our measures of student effort are actually proxy measures of …

Getting To A Culture Of Assessment : Antecedents To Change Readiness., Maurini Strub, Samantha Mcclellan

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Paramount to the success of any assessment initiative is an organization that supports and welcomes the processes that will influence meaningful change. To create this culture of assessment, librarians must generate stakeholder buy-in. By synthesizing the prior research in Business Management and Organizational Psychology, we propose antecedents to buy-in to creating a culture of assessment that can provide a theoretical framework for meaningful organizational change on any scale. We situate the conceptual antecedents to buy-in, Management Needs and Employee Needs, through a familiar tool for assessment librarians: Suggestion Systems.

Perceptions Of Fidelity And Adaptation In Evidence-Informed Interventions By Women Of Color Sexuality Health Educators, Sara C. Flowers

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sexuality health educators (SHEs) adapt interventions to the participants’ needs in the dissemination and implementation of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programming. However, there is a lack of understanding of how, why and when SHEs make such adaptations. Success or failure of the transfer of prevention technology to practitioners occurs by determining community capacities and preparedness to adopt/adapt high-impact interventions to effectively manage implementation. Experts argue for evidence-informed interventions (EII), as opposed to evidence-based interventions (EBI), as the best way to incorporate research in applied settings. EBIs are solely guided by recommendations from current evidence, whereas EIIs recognize and incorporate the …

The Consequences Of The State Implementation Of A Nationally Standardized Teacher Performance Assessment As A Certification Requirement: A Mixed Methods Study, Deborah Greenblatt

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment) is a nationally distributed and scored standards-based teacher performance assessment being promoted throughout the country (AACTE, n.d.-a). This mixed methods study investigated the experiences of New York City teacher candidates and teacher educators with the elementary education edTPA portfolio. It was found that teacher candidates experienced various supports and challenges based on their personal demographics, school of education, and student teaching placements. Additionally, the edTPA affected participants' personal, professional, academic and student teaching experiences. Furthermore, the study revealed ways that implementation of the edTPA affected teacher educators and the teacher education curriculum.

Based on the …