Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Writing Across The Curriculum, Amie M. Wright

Dissertations

This research study examined the relationship between school leadership style and the use of writing across the curriculum (WAC) in secondary classrooms. Writing practices and the use of writing as a form of assessment in subject areas other than ELA is thought to be a way to better prepare students to meet the literacy expectations of the 21st century. For writing practices to be integrated across the curriculum in secondary environments, school leadership support is essential. This study aimed to answer the following questions: How can school leaders in secondary educational settings support writing across the curriculum? What are the …

Toward The Next Generation Of Research In Adult Literacy Instruction, Rebecca Clark-Stallkamp, Barbara B. Lockee

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

In November 2019, the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) from 2017 (Institute of Education Sciences [IES], 2019) depicted no significant change in the concerning status of adult literacy in the US. More than 52% of adults between 16 and 45 scored below functionally literate levels. While shortcomings are attributed to various factors such as high attrition rates in program, ill-conceived policy planning, and more, significant focus is placed on the impact of effective instruction. The study reviews core cognitive component theory experimentation and instructional intervention research in adult literacy to explain contributions and limitations in current …

Factors That Influenced Faculty Satisfaction With Transition To Online Classes During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ramaprasad M. Unni, David Ma Baker, Shantia Kerr-Sims, Mohammad Galib

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The swift transition to remote learning in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic presented substantial challenges for faculty at many universities. This study explores faculty perceptions that influenced their satisfaction with the transition to online classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges relating to teaching online classes and the supportive environment provided by the institution had the strongest effects. Other important factors were comfort with online teaching and perceived quality of interactions with students. Teaching experience, tenure status, and other demographic variables had no significant effect on satisfaction with transition to online teaching. Application of lessons learned to future …

The Impact Of Instructional Modality On Student Course Evaluations: A Comparative Analysis, Matthew R. Aldeman, Celeste M. Calkins, Theodore J. Branoff

Faculty Publications – Technology

The fall semester of 2020 brought a range of instructional modalities to university classrooms. Instructors at a large, public institution in the Midwest were allowed to choose between face-to-face, hybrid, online-synchronous, and online-asynchronous formats. The purpose of this study is to examine how students rated the effectiveness of courses using each of these different course instructional modalities. This investigation uses the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test to examine how the distribution of student ratings changed for courses in the fall 2020 semester by using the fall 2019 semester as a baseline. The results show that online-synchronous and online-asynchronous courses received lower …

Students With Learning Disabilities Lived Experiences, Barbara Wucherpfennig, Shannon Sparks, Hannah Kivalahuna-Uddin, Amanda Bentley

Journal of Critical Issues in Educational Practice

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Automated Formative Feedback In An Online Tutorial For Promoting Summarizing, Veronika Barkela, Miriam Leuchter

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

We conducted a study with the aim to investigate the effectiveness of automated formative feedback in improving students’ ability to summarize. One-hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate students in an elementary education program were asked to summarize six scientific texts, with the experimental group (N=87) receiving automated formative feedback in a computer-based learning environment (FALB). FALB provides automated feedback about content coverage, copying words avoidance, redundancy avoidance, relevance, and length. Comparing the experimental group to a control group (N=51), results implied that summarizing skills could be fostered when interacting with FALB. In particular, the automated formative feedback promoted the adherence to the …

Editor’S Message For The Series Of Educational Technology In China

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

N/A

Forging Connections In A Digital World: Are Educational Organizations Maximizing Their Position In The Twittersphere?, Ruoxi Qi, Ana-Paula Correia, Chenxi Liu, Fan Xu, Tianqi Li

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to investigate how educational organizations utilize social media, specifically Twitter, to interact and communicate with their audiences. Using text mining techniques, the researchers analyzed messages from top Twitter accounts of educational organizations in the U.S. The study sheds light on which types of messages receive more engagement on Twitter, such as likes, comments, and retweets. Furthermore, the study examines the characteristics of the most popular tweets. The findings of this research provide insights to educational organizations on how to improve their social media strategy for effective communication and audience engagement.

Performance And Perception Disparities In Blended Learning Across Varied Vocational Academic Backgrounds, Yujie Cao, Azhan Abdul Aziz, Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

With rising popularity of vocational education in China, the study investigates how academic backgrounds influence vocational students’ perceptions and learning outcomes in a blended SketchUp course, guided by Blended Learning framework and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Quantitative data from 71 undergraduate and 71 junior college interior architecture students was analyzed using statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and t-tests. The analysis showed no significant differences between academic groups in academic achievements, but differences in several perceptions, suggesting equitable learning experiences in the blended course. Tutorial videos may have contributed to personalized pacing, reducing variations among learners. Applying TAM to …

Are Assignments And Assessments Necessary? — Influence Of Micro-Course Utilization Methods On Blended Teaching Effectiveness, Jing Zhao, Astri Yulia, Mohamed Ayob Bin Sukani, Rina Abdul Shukor

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The increasing convergence of online and offline teaching methodologies necessitates a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage micro-course resources for optimal educational outcomes. This research investigated the effects of various micro-course utilization strategies on undergraduate design students’ learning outcomes through comparative experiments in blended learning. The objective was to ascertain whether structured learning tasks, assessments provided by instructors, and monitoring of student progress could augment engagement and performance compared to an unstructured approach to micro-course content. A single-factor experimental design was employed, involving two entire classes from the same major over an 119-day period. The study concentrated on the influence …

The Role Of District Superintendents In Technology Integration: A Systematic Review And Framework Synthesis, Ebrahim Azarshab, Mohammad Ghahramani, Mahmood Abolghasemi, Esmaeil Azimi

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The necessity to achieve the catalytic advantages of technology is continuously transforming the traditional roles of district superintendents to align with the digital learning environment. A meta-synthesis was undertaken to identify the roles of district superintendents in technology integration within public school districts and to compare them with traditional roles. This research followed the methodological approach outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The eligibility criteria comprised studies that explored the role of district superintendents in technology integration in public school districts. The data search was carried out in March 2023 across various databases …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Formative Assessment For Students With Disability: A Case Study From India, Anannya Chakraborty, Amit Kaushik

Assessment and Reporting

India has made significant progress in improving the enrolment of students with disability but still has a long way to go before schools can be called inclusive. Despite the widely acknowledged relevance of assessments in shaping teaching and learning practices, little research has been done in disability-inclusive assessment in the Indian setting. In this paper, we explore teachers’ perceptions of disability inclusion in formative assessments, including the use of various kinds of accommodations and adaptations, factors that affect the implementation of disability-inclusive formative assessments, and challenges. It is argued that teacher professional development and teacher–parent partnerships are essential for ensuring …

Civil Society Contributions To Improving Learning Outcomes: An Education Out Loud Global Learning Partner Report, Alexander Towne, Sladana Krstic, Desmond Bermingham, Jolanda Buter, Miriam Linder, Sam Boering

International Education Research

This report shares the findings from an action research project conducted on behalf of Global Partnership for Education’s (GPE) Education Out Loud (EOL) programme by the Management for Development Foundation (MDF) and the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) Consortium, in its capacity as global learning partner (GLP). The project involved working directly with three organisations (grantees) in receipts of EOL funds, across five GPE countries. The Consortium supported them to conduct action research projects, which tested the underlying assumptions of their programme’s theory of change, in order to validate their approaches to advocacy and policy influencing (API) and support …

Empowering Children With Special Needs (Cwsn) In Computer Science: An Interactive Hand Gestures Approach To Number Conversion Teaching, Renjith P.R., Jeeva Jose

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

It is essential for teachers to effectively address the diverse needs of students within the classroom environment, encompassing variations in IQ, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical proficiency. Ensuring the inclusion of CwSN (Children with Special Needs) is imperative to prevent social division in the classroom. While the department offers accommodations such as scribes, interpreters, or extra time for examinations, these measures may not fully address the specific needs of CwSN. This study explores the efficacy of employing hand gestures as a teaching tool for CwSN in computer science, particularly in the realm of number conversions. A machine learning-based tool …

The Co-Curriculum Of College Student Employment: Perspectives From Supervising Practitioners, Brittany Begley Wildman

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

College student employees are not only serving the overall mission of their institutions, but also developing career readiness skills through daily interactions while at work. In this study, I explore the perceptions of the supervisors of student employees as both managers and student affairs professionals. Through one-on-one interviews with supervisors, discussing their interactions with students, I explore the implicit and explicit curricula they provide to their students using a curriculum analysis framework. I then compare the resulting learning outcomes against those identified in industry standards. The supervisors described supporting student employees' personal development during the student employment experience as well …

An Evaluation Of Statistical Approaches Within A Higher Education Research Framework: How Does Online Distance Learning Impact Student Outcomes?, Nathaniel P. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

Appropriate methodology choices are of the utmost importance in research, particularly in measurement and education research. When higher education administrators and researchers study topics related to student outcomes, choosing a statistical approach that produces unbiased estimates is of primary concern. Additionally, studying student outcomes in the context of nationally representative samples provides valuable insights into the state of higher education in the U.S. When examining these data, it is critical that the nested structure be taken into consideration prior to making methodological decisions.

The purpose of the following manuscripts is to demonstrate how education researchers can develop, implement and evaluate …

De Aquí, Y De Allá: Education, Culture, And Identity Development Of Transnational Latinas, Elizabeth Harris-Medina

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

De Aquí, y De Allá: Education, Culture, and Identity Development of Transnational Latinas This ethnographic case study examines the experiences of three transnational Latina women, descendants of families from Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico, exploring how their migration history and educational backgrounds influence their life trajectories. Focusing on these three women, the study aims to better understand their challenges and inform the development of resources to support their success in the U.S. education system. Using ethnographic interviews and Ecological Systems Theory, the research highlights how places and social systems shape views and life paths, offering insights into how best to support these …

A Profile Of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2024, Rowanna L. Carpenter

University Studies Assessment Research

In order to better understand the students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) courses and identify areas where they may need support, University Studies (UNST) began collecting and compiling data on these students. This report presents a profile of FRINQ students from Fall 2024. It presents an overview of all students enrolled in FRINQ during Fall 2024 and then summarizes information from the Prior Learning Survey.

University Studies Research Brief: Winter 2024 Frinq Faculty Student Persistence Survey, Rowanna L. Carpenter

University Studies Assessment Research

Of 1285 students enrolled in First-year Inquiry (FRINQ) during fall term 2023, 161 (13%) received an F, W, or I grade in FRINQ and/or did not return to PSU during winter term. In order to better understand why these students struggled or did not return, FRINQ faculty were surveyed about the students in their courses who received an F, W, or I grade in their fall term FRINQ and/or did not return to PSU for winter term. For each student, faculty were asked to identify specific challenges the student may have faced and any support they knew the student had …

University Studies Capstone Community Partner Feedback Spring 2024, Rowanna L. Carpenter, Seanna Kerrigan

University Studies Assessment Research

Since 1995, Portland State University has offered students the opportunity to engage in the community as the culmination of their general education experience through Capstones, community-engaged courses, each of which has a community partner. For several years after the beginning of the program, community partners were asked for their feedback. However, over time, response rates declined and the collaborating office was reorganized, so the practice was discontinued. During Winter 2024, University Studies (UNST) implemented a revised survey to seek feedback from current partners. Thirty-six respondents from twenty-five community partners (representing approximately 75 Capstones and thus half of UNST 421 Capstones) …

Student Support Teams In Title I Schools, Jennifer Michael

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Student Support Teams (SST) are designed to be an innovative practice that supports the diverse needs of learners to help learners grow and be successful. This study will look at the impact that SSTs have on students in the Intermediate grades (3^rd-6^th Grade) at a Title I at-risk school. The research will analyze this question, does an SST positively impact student growth in reading and math in a highly diversified Title I School? The goal of the study is to analyze the impact of SST on the academic growth of students in specific focus groups. The study …

A Program Evaluation Of The Special Programming For Achievement Networking Of Alabama- Lauderdale County Alternative Education Program, Tara Bruce

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the perceived effectiveness of an alternative education program, specifically the structure and mission. The program focused on three groups for the evaluation: staff, students, and stakeholders. The conformity of each of the three groups thoughts and beliefs outlined the perception of the program’s effectiveness. The evaluation sought to determine the positive or negative impact of the program’s mission and core values of academics, counseling, employment, and transition services. Understanding how stakeholders perceived SPAN’s mission and students’ impacts of strategies and services allowed coherence in the program's effectiveness and allowed the opportunity to outline the program's positive impacts …

An Exploration Of Misconceptions In Introductory Physics, Christopher Mattthew Wheatley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study of student misconceptions about physics concepts has long been an important area of inquiry in physics education research (PER). The research discussed in this dissertation builds upon the developments in PER by exploring the prevalence of consistently held undergraduate student misconceptions in introductory calculus-based physics. This thesis explores the nature of student misconceptions, mistakes, and naive answering patterns in both introductory undergraduate Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism by applying a network analytic technique called module analysis to student responses to different concept inventories from institutions of various levels of incoming physics preparation. Each study applying these methods also demonstrates …

From Fixed To Growth: How A Mindset Transforms Student Learning, Andrew Fabo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Placing labels onto young learners, such as “smart” and “gifted,” impacts their brain growth and mental health tremendously; rarely in a positive manner. This way of thinking, formed by separating students into “accelerated” and “normal” categories, can instill what is known as a fixed mindset of learning. Believing that there is no room to grow, or being afraid to make mistakes, largely due to the impact of these labels, learners quickly become less likely to attempt more challenging tasks; as well as persevere through difficult obstacles. Through extensive research within the Akron-Summit County Public Library, The University of Akron’s Bierce …

Needs Assessment – National Repository For Nsf Agep Deliverables, Christie Sahley, Megan Sapp-Nelson, Donna Ferullo, Linda Mason, Hanzi Xie

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

This white paper proposes the establishment of a National Repository for NSF Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Deliverables to address the critical need for preserving and sharing a wide array of materials generated from the AGEP program. Recognizing the challenges of ephemeral storage solutions and the absence of a unified collection mechanism, the paper underscores the repository's role in promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) research. It emphasizes the importance of accommodating diverse data types, enhancing discoverability, and ensuring long-term access to educational materials, policy documents, and research outcomes. Through a comprehensive approach, the proposed repository …

Magnetic Separation Of Lunar Regolith Simulants With Applications To In Situ Resource Utilization On The Moon, Peter Bachle, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The development of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for metal extraction is imperative as a steppingstone for habitation construction in lunar and non-terrestrial environments. Separation of minerals by chemical composition is important to optimize metal and oxygen liberation from lunar ore. To this effect, devices capable of separating aluminum bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals from the lunar regolith simulants have been developed. Twenty-eight different simulants have been used in this study. A dual-belt separator was designed to reduce middling. Para-magnetic minerals were reliably separated using a neodymium N52-magnet-separator system. Effective separation of aluminum-bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals was greater than …

The Use Of Telehealth Evaluations For Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children Aged 0-7: A Literature Review, Teah L. Ruiz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The following literature review was intended to review current research studies related to diagnostic evaluation using Telehealth for young children aged 0-7 seeking a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analyzed research created a comprehensive guide on the quality, quantity, and state of Telehealth research for ASD evaluation will result. Through the synthesis of available literature, the strengths, and weaknesses of different models of Telehealth ASD evaluation were assessed. The results of this literature review found that there is evidence to support Telehealth’s use in some aspects of evaluation, but not as a stand-alone methodology. Further research is required …

Success Beyond Access: Examining Institutional Barriers To Persistence And The Supports Needed By Nontraditional Students Participating In A Tuition-Free Community College Program, Amanda K. Roeher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research study examined the experiences of nontraditional community college students attending through a tuition-free grant. The intent of the study was to explore the student identified barriers to degree persistence and the student support services nontraditional students recognize as being beneficial towards their academic journey. This qualitative case study was guided by three research questions and utilized Bean and Metzner’s (1985) Nontraditional Student Attrition Model as a guide for study design and analysis. Data collection consisted of student interviews and institutional document collection. Data analysis explored themes related to nontraditional student motivations for attendance, persistence factors, and student support …

Diverse Minds, Shared Planet: Designing, Assessing, And Adapting Curricula To Engage Diverse Learners With Their Environment And Inspire Positive Change, Mallory Rose Lampe

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The pieces that compose this portfolio together explore how environmental education can connect diverse learners to their environment through the integration of accessible curricula to inspire stewardship and action to take care of the planet we share.

Enhance Students’ Learning Outcomes By Redesigning Individual Learning Activities Into Group Activities For Introductory Level Physics Courses, Kalani Hettiarachchilage, Neel Haldolaarachchige

Publications and Research

The evolution of science education is a dynamic process driven by advances in pedagogy, technology, and especially, our understanding of how students learn. Educators are exploring innovative teaching and learning methodologies such as active learning, incorporated technology, interdisciplinary approaches, flipped classrooms, personalized teaching, and many more. The goal of all these evolving methodologies is to empower students with not only a strong foundation in scientific knowledge but also with the skills and mindset required to thrive in the future world. By adopting these innovative approaches, educators can help students become effective problem solvers, critical thinkers, and life-learning citizens. Our focus …