Educational Psychology Commons^™

The Beautiful Struggle: A Counter-Narrative Study Of African American Male School Leaders, Jamie Crosen Mr

Dissertations of Practice

This qualitative dissertation explores the lived experiences of African American male high school principals in urban and suburban schools across the Chicagoland area. Using critical race theory (CRT) and counter-narrative methodology, the study centers the voices of ten African American male principals to examine how race, systemic inequities, and social justice shape their leadership practices, professional identities, and navigation of racially charged educational environments. These leaders consistently confront institutionalized biases and racialized expectations that limit their professional advancement while reinforcing deficit narratives about African American leadership. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, three primary research questions guided this study: (1) …

Improving Onboard Training For Deck Cadets : An Analysis Through The Lens Of Learning Theories, Yusuke Mori

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

As a critical component of skill development and identity construction for prospective seafarers, onboard training has played a central role in Maritime Education and Training (MET). Each Maritime Education and Training Institution (METI) implements distinct onboard training arrangements based on its environmental, socio-cultural, and historical context, as well as the learning theories that inform its approach. However, the absence of a rigorous examination of the factors influencing national variations in onboard training creates challenges in establishing legal norms at the international level. Furthermore, the literature has identified a wide range of issues and challenges in the implementation of onboard training, …

Encouraging Self-Regulation In An Online University Course For Preservice Teachers: An Intervention Study, Karen T. Arnesen, Charles R. Graham, Heather Leary, Alison I. Mcmurry

Faculty Publications

Although self-regulation (SR) has long been seen as an important educational concept, we know little about how to foster it in higher education online student populations. This research addresses this need by introducing an SR intervention into a preservice teacher course. The 30 students who participated used an intervention consisting of weekly student goal setting and self-reflection. Using data collected from a self-regulation survey, weekly reflections, final exam reflections, and interviews, all but one student indicated that the process of setting a goal weekly and especially reflecting on their actions during the week increased their self-regulation abilities. More than half …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Self-Regulated Learning Practices In Elementary School Classrooms, Stephanie Greenquist-Marlett, Linda Bol, Courtney Hill

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is associated with adaptable, critical, lifelong thinking skills. Teachers are essential to promoting SRL in learners, yet infrequently teach these learning strategies in classrooms. We addressed three research questions: (1) How do K–5 teachers implement SRL in their teaching?, (2) How is the use of SRL strategies linked to their self-efficacy or confidence in teaching?, and (3) How do teachers differ in their use of SRL depending on school type (public vs. private)? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 primary in-service teachers, sampled equally from one public and one private school, to explore their SRL practices. They …

The Effect Of Social Media Use On Academic Procrastination, Mansi Nasair Alsmarah

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the effect of TikTok use on academic procrastination among undergraduate students, focusing on the mediating roles of academic self-efficacy and attentional control. TikTok’s popularity among young adults was driven by its short-form videos, infinite scrolling, and algorithmic recommendations, which encouraged prolonged engagement. While the general effects of social media on students had been studied, the specific mechanisms linking TikTok use to academic procrastination remained underexplored. A mixed-methods design was employed to provide a more complete understanding of the phenomenon. Quantitative data were collected from 201 survey responses using validated scales, including the TikTok Addiction Scale, Academic Self-Efficacy …

Demonstrating The Resilience Of Eportfolios In Times Of Disruption: Two International Case Studies, Shari Bowker, Amy Cicchino, Kevin Kelly, Kristina Hoeppner, Christina Mayes, Megan Mize, Christine Slade, Suzanne Schibeci, Sarah Zurhellen

English Faculty Publications

This chapter explores ePortfolios as a resilient practice in higher education during periods of disruption. Drawing on the Support principle from the Digital Ethics Principles in ePortfolios, developed by the Association for Authentic, Experiential, and Evidence-Based Learning’s (AEEBL’s) Digital Ethics Task Force, the authors argue that the student resilience fostered by ePortfolio practices can only be achieved successfully if ePortfolio programs are implemented and supported in a way that makes them resilient as well. Two case studies from Old Dominion University (ODU) in the United States and The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia demonstrate how both institutions embedded ePortfolio …

The Effect Of Need For Closure, Gender Essentialism, And Contact On Transphobia, Jacob E. Vargas

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Using a motivated social cognition framework, this study explores whether there is an indirect effect of need for closure on transphobia via gender essentialism and whether this relationship is moderated by transgender contact. Data were collected from an undergraduate sample of 405 cisgender participants (n_men = 159, n_women = 246). A simple mediation and a moderated mediation were used to examine the hypothesized relationships, controlling for participant gender. Results reinforced the positive correlation between gender essentialism and transphobia and the negative correlation between transgender contact and transphobia. However, the mediation and moderation hypotheses were not supported. Need …

Using Brief Acceptance And Commitment Training To Increase Psychological Flexibility And Reduce Stress In School-Based Professionals, Rayna Yaeger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The significant behavioral and mental health concerns of students and staff in public schools within the United States has led to an increased risk of stress and burnout in teachers, which may lead to subsequent physical and mental health related concerns for staff and negative educational outcomes for students. Due to these school-based concerns, action should be taken to meet the needs of staff and students. This study aimed to better understand the effect of brief, group-based ACTraining on teachers’ psychological flexibility, general stress, job-related burnout, and social validity by replicating and extending the findings of Gillard et al. (2021) …

Psychological Contract Breach And Institutional Trust In Higher Education: Extending The Triadic Framework, Hannah E. Blodget, Katelyn R. Raborn, Justin Travis, Susan Ruppel

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

Psychological Contract (PC) theory, originally developed in organizational contexts, has increasingly been applied to higher education to understand the expectations and obligations that students perceive in their relationships with institutions. In this context, the PC refers to the unwritten set of mutual expectations and perceived obligations that shape the student-university relationship (Rousseau, 1998). Psychological contract breaches (PCB), or perceived failures to fulfill promised obligations, can undermine student trust, engagement, and institutional commitment. Despite growing interest, research on PCBs in higher education remains sporadic, often limited to cross-sectional designs, single relational targets, and inconsistent measurement approaches. Moreover, most studies focus on …

Artificial Intelligence In Achieving Sustainable Development: Expectations Of Undergraduate Students, Jinhee Kim

STEMPS Faculty Publications

While there has been ample discussion regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI)’s contributions and challenges on the development agenda at the policy level, little is known about how students translate the potential and barriers of AI in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing upon various qualitative data, including class observation, focus group interviews, and learning activity outcomes generated by 240 students across 7 different majors, this case study explores the expected roles of AI as well as barriers to AI adoption for sustainable development perceived by undergraduate students. The study revealed that students anticipated AI to play diverse roles, including data analyst, …

Exploring Front-Line Implementers Perceptions To Inform Tier 1 Pbis Implementation Coaching, Sammi Cowger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The successful implementation of universal practices within Positive Behavior Interventions and Support systems (Tier 1 PBIS) relies on front-line implementers to deliver services through student-facing practice elements. However, schools are often limited in the implementation support they can provide (Fixsen et al., 2005). Therefore, there is a growing emphasis in educational research on the systems and resources necessary to support the individuals tasked with implementing the programming (Forman et al., 2013). One form of support commonly used to support implementers of other school-based practices is implementation coaching. While this term is not universally used within the literature, it can be …

Measuring Emotion In Education Using Gsr And Hr Data From Wearable Devices, Qian Dong, Qingyun Wang, Rong Miao

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The pivotal role of emotions in education is universally recognized, leading to a surge of interest in emotion recognition. Wearable devices that collect real-time and nuanced subjective physiological data make it possible to delve into the intricate emotional dynamics in education. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research exploring its potential role in tracking the emotional shifts among students of varying levels in response to specific pedagogical strategies in face-to-face chess classroom. By analyzing both objective GSR and HR data from wearable devices and subjective data from students and teachers in chess classrooms, students at different levels had experienced distinct …

Exploratory Study On The Influence Of Social Skills, Students' Well-Being, And Communication Skills On Smartphone Usage Among Junior Secondary School Students, Sriyanto Sriyanto, Tri Naimah, Aji Heru Muslim, Dedy Irawan, Sri Muryaningsih

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The escalating smartphone usage (SU) among Junior Secondary School (JSS) students necessitates rigorous investigation of its multifaceted impacts on social skills (SS), communication skills (CS), and student well-being (SW), particularly through the lens of mediation and moderation analysis that current studies have overlooked. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the impact of SU on SS, CS, and SW, considering the mediating and moderating roles of related variables. The research design utilized a survey and a cross-sectional approach involving JSC students in Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia (N=500). Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by adapting standardized instruments to …

Nothing Short Of Superheroic: A Quantitative Study Of Lifetime Exposure To Superhero Comic Book Media As A Predictor Of Attitudes Towards Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion, Michael Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This dissertation examined the relationship between lifetime exposure to superhero comic book media and attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Drawing on theories of identity formation—transitional objects, parasocial relationships, and cultivation theory—it investigated whether engagement with superhero narratives predicted DEI attitudes. Using quantitative methods, data from 499 U.S. adults were collected via Qualtrics. Two instruments were used: the Lifetime Superhero Comic Book Media Exposure Scale (LSES) and the Intolerant Schema Measure (ISM), which assessed prejudice across race, gender, sexuality, class, age, and religion. Multiple linear regression revealed that superhero media exposure significantly predicted ISM scores (B = 0.118, …

The Demand For Educational Functions Of Study Tour Products: From Students’ Perspectives, Yaqi Yu, Azizan Marzuki

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Few academic studies have comprehensively examined the actual demands of students regarding the educational function of study tours. This paper develops a demand index system based on three dimensions: cognitive, affective, and behavioral demands. A questionnaire survey was administered to 397 students. Initially, student demands were categorized using the Kano model. Subsequently, the “dependence” and “expectancy” characteristics were analyzed through the dissatisfaction index (DI) and satisfaction index (SI). The impact of fulfilling each demand on dissatisfaction and satisfaction levels was then determined. The results indicated that among the three dimensions, there were 7 must-be demands, 6 one-dimensional demands, 8 attractive …

Improving Dental Hygiene Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Toward Prenatal Oral Health Through Experiential Learning, Denise C. Mckinney, Sinjini Sikdar, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for maternal health as well as the health of their child. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine dental hygiene (DH) students' knowledge of prenatal oral health before and after receiving an asynchronous prenatal oral health care training (POHCT), and their attitudes and self-perceived confidence before and after receiving an experiential learning opportunity with a pregnant and/or post-partum client at a Women's Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC) clinic.

Methods A one-group pre/post-test design was used. This IRB-approved study (#2027439-4) utilized a convenience sample of DH student participants (n=37) in their …

Optimizing The Challenge: A Study On Promoting Intrinsic Motivation In Youth Physical Activity, Fan Zhang Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This study investigates the intricate relationship between intrinsic motivation and various factors within the context of physical education (PE) among high school students. Drawing upon Self-Determination Theory as a conceptual framework, the study aims to unravel the influence of perceived challenge, perceptions towards physical activity (PA) during PE, personal characteristics, gender differences, PA levels, and their interactions on students' intrinsic motivation in PE.

A quantitative approach was adopted, utilizing surveys including the Challenge Scale, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, Relatedness Scale, and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 92 high school students from Great Crossing …

“Hard To Rememeber, Then Hard To Forget:” A Qualitative Exploration Into The Attitudes And Lived Experiences Of Black People With Black Names, Destin L. Mizelle

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Naming practices within the Black American community are vibrant and deeply rooted in cultural traditions and shared values. Much like other ethnic groups, these names tell stories, reflect heritage, and connect individuals to their community, making each choice meaningful and significant. However, due to the systemic effects of anti-Blackness, Black Americans often have a complex relationship with their names. While previous research has primarily utilized quantitative methodologies focusing on the negative associations and consequences of having a Black name, this study aims to amplify the voices of Black people who possess Black names. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative study …

The Effectiveness Of Teaching With Interactive Infographic In Acquiring Scientific Concepts And Developing Visual Thinking In Science Among Fourth-Grade Students, Manal K. S. Al-Hattali, Wafaa M. M. Abd-El-Aal, Sameh S. Ismail

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of teaching with interactive infographic in acquiring scientific concepts and developing visual thinking skills in science among fourth grade students in the Sultanate of Oman. The study followed the quasi-experimental design based on the design of the treatment and control groups. The study sample consisted of (60) male and female students, and the sample was distributed in two different schools. The results of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant difference at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean scores of the treatment group and the control …

Challenges Facing Electronic Educational Supervision As Seen By Educational Supervisors In The State Of Palestine And Ways To Address Them In Light Of Some Variables, Wafa K. Abu Znaid, Nabil J. Jondi

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the challenges facing the application of electronic educational supervision as seen by educational supervisors in the State of Palestine and ways to address them in light of some variables. The study used the descriptive approach through qualitative and quantitative tools, namely the interview and questionnaire, where the quantitative approach was relied upon to measure the challenges facing electronic supervision by developing a questionnaire tool to measure those challenges, which included four areas: organizational challenges, technical challenges, material challenges, and human challenges. The questionnaire was applied to a simple random sample of (45) male and female …

Comparing Immersive And Nonimmersive Clinical Experiences In Athletic Training Education: Effects On Student Engagement And Confidence, Julie M. Cavallario, Shana Pribesh, S. E. Walker

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context

With the shift to a graduate-level professional degree in athletic training, it was hypothesized that immersive clinical experiences (ICEs) would be more effectively integrated into curricula than non-ICEs (N-ICEs) and better prepare students for practice.

Objective

To longitudinally compare clinical engagement opportunities in ICEs versus N-ICEs and assess if these opportunities are associated with changes in student confidence in performing related tasks.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal, time-diary study using a Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-three first-year, master’s-level athletic training students from 21 programs.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants reported their type of clinical experience (ICE, N-ICE, or none), the …

Secondary String Students’ Perceptions Of The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Mitigating Their Musical Performance Anxiety: A Collective Case Study, Mary E. Henton

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Musical Performance Anxiety (MPA) is a multifaceted psychological condition that arises before, during, or after musical performance and presents a significant obstacle for young musicians, particularly secondary string students. Closely linked to the spotlight effect and social anxiety, MPA has worsened among youth following the COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased social interaction, both of which have had adverse effects on students’ mental health. Despite teachers’ awareness of MPA’s prevalence, music education programs often lack instruction in specific coping mechanisms to address it, and many students do not seek support or treatment.

The purpose of this study was to describe the …

The Impact Of The Implementation Of The Interconnected Systems Framework (Isf) On Educators, Kayla Jones

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Amid growing concerns around teacher retention and educator job satisfaction, this study explored how system-level frameworks, particularly the Interconnected System Framework (ISF), could influence key teacher outcomes. While the ISF has been widely associated with improved student outcomes, this research investigated its potential to enhance educator experiences, focusing on working conditions, retention rates, and school climate. Quantitative analysis revealed that schools implementing the ISF or PBIS reported significantly more favorable working conditions and school climate compared to non-implementing schools. Although teacher retention rates did not significantly differ across implementation types, notable variability within the non-implementing group suggests a need for …

Explorations Of Social-Emotional Learning In The Arts, Lydia Boyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this Honors Research Project was to explore social-emotional learning as a practice, to find effective applications for schools, to highlight the connections between the arts and social-emotional learning, and to provide useful methods for the actual implementation. There is a focus on the five main competencies of social-emotional learning which are self- awareness, social-awareness, self-management, relationship-building, and responsible decision- making skills which are translated into various class practices and art projects. Social-emotional learning is a mindset rather than merely a practice and has been practiced latently in education. Art education and social-emotional learning share congruencies in standards, …

An Examination Of Preservice Teacher Knowledge Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Elementary Classroom, Breana K. E. Webb

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the knowledge of preservice teachers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how well prepared they might be when supporting students in elementary classrooms. ADHD is a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in children and has been increasingly diagnosed over the past several years. Teachers play a crucial role in providing effective instruction to each and every student in the classroom. Managing classroom instruction with diverse learning capabilities and behaviors requires teachers to understand the characteristics of ADHD, as well as instructional adaptations and behavioral interventions, among preservice teachers. Findings indicate that while most preservice teachers recognize the basic …

Encouraging Selection Of Effective Learning Strategies, Kaya Easley

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

College students have difficulty selecting effective learning strategies, often due to their perceptions of cost and value of these strategies. The goal of the present study was to examine ways to increase students’ perceptions of value to outweigh their perceptions of cost to help them select an effective learning strategy (generation). Students were randomly assigned to one of five conditions in an additive design: no treatment control, experience comparing generation to a less effective learning strategy, experience plus information about its application to one’s life, experience and application plus evidence of the effectiveness of generation, or experience, application, and evidence, …

Exploring The Stem Career Identity Development Of Black Women Across Their Lifespan, Veronica Hurd

Theses and Dissertations

Although STEM is the fastest-growing career sector, Black women are grossly underrepresented as they account for 2.5% of the workforce. Research highlights that this underrepresentation is due to racialized structures in K-12, postsecondary, and career settings that restrict Black girls’ and women’s STEM opportunities. While macrosystems such as hegemonic ideologies, attitudes, and social conditions shape Black girls’ and women’s opportunities in STEM, they continue to persist and achieve their career goals. To explore these barriers and Black women’s persistence in this industry, this study draws from the autobiographical memories of 10 Black women in the field or formerly in the …

Educational Games And Academic Self-Concept In Hard-Of-Hearing Female Secondary Students, Nourah I. Albash, Ruqayyah H. Alessa, Zahra S. Alkhulaif, Hissa M. Aljeri

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The current study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on educational games in developing the academic self-concept of hearing-impaired female students in secondary school. The sample consisted of six students who were intentionally selected. The study used the quasi-experimental approach. The tools included the standardized academic self-concept scale for the Arab environment, and the training program based on educational games - prepared by the researchers. The results showed statistically significant differences between the ranks of the pre- and post-measurements in developing the academic self-concept of the study sample, indicating the effectiveness of the training program. The …

Sealing The Deal: A Case Study Of A Private, Southeastern, Regional College’S Student Onboarding Practices, Alicia R. Gaston, Kristen Meyer, Tyler Ogden, Jennifer Perkinson, Casey Yocum Michaels

Doctor of Education Capstones

Each year, higher education institutions offer support to new, incoming students through an onboarding process that requires dedication and collaboration across multiple departments. Offering streamlined guidance and clear communication throughout the onboarding process is essential to ensure incoming students understand action steps without becoming overwhelmed with new terminology, processes, and environments. This explanatory case study is set to understand the current communication practices and technology use across onboarding departments at Brightside College – also referred to as Brightside or BC (pseudonym). The research team aimed to understand Brightside's onboarding staff's perspective of current processes and practices. With emphasis on the …

We Are Worthy Of Investment: Exploring Forms Of Cultural Capital Among Black American Families, Joyice Robinson Myers

Theses and Dissertations

This three-paper dissertation investigates how the cultural wealth of Black American families functions as a foundation for educational, developmental, and economic outcomes, especially for Black males, across childhood, adolescence, and the transition into adulthood. Grounded in frameworks of the Revised Cultural Wealth Model, African American Male Theory, and the Racial Stratification Model, the research repositions Black families as producers of capital rather than subjects of deficit. In Paper Paper 1, I synthesized scholarship on family structure, educational attainment, and economic standing, framing racial "achievement gaps” as long-standing education debts owed to Black males. In Paper 2, I used longitudinal data …