Educational Technology Commons^™

Assessing The Effects Of Leaderboards On Motivation And Math Achievement Of 5th And 6th Grade Students, Michele Alfieri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traditional teacher-led instructional methods are increasingly disconnected with the learning preferences of students raised in digital environments. These learners often require information to be delivered more rapidly and engagingly, prompting educators to incorporate strategies such as gamification to maintain student motivation and interest. Gamification, which involves integrating game design elements into non-game settings, has been shown to enhance engagement. A common feature of gamification is the use of leaderboards, which are visual displays that show individual and peer performance rankings. While leaderboards can foster motivation through competition, their effect on student morale and achievement outcomes is mixed. The purpose of …

An Investigation Of High School Students' Perceived Well-Being In A Flexible Blended-Learning Program Through The Lens Of Self-Determination Theory, April Burton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored how participation in a flexible blended learning (FBL) program relates to high school students’ sense of well-being, as defined by self-determination theory (SDT). SDT suggests that fulfilling three basic psychological needs is considered essential for well-being and optimal functioning. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates how an FBL program affects high school students’ perceptions of the fulfillment of psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study involved high school students enrolled in FBL courses in a midwestern school district in the USA. Data were collected through surveys adapted from the Students’ Basic Psychological Needs Survey …

Understanding Students’ Psychological Needs Satisfaction And Frustration In A Gamified Biology I Course: A Mixed Method Study, Shakiyla Huggins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how gamification impacts student motivation in higher education through the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). While previous research has linked gamification to engagement, this study addressed a gap by directly measuring students' satisfaction and frustration with their basic psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — in a gamified undergraduate Biology I course. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected using the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) from 22 students who completed both pre- and post-course surveys. Qualitative data were drawn from student reflection …

Exploring Communication, Connection, And Culture During Technology Implementation: An Autoethnography, Paula Bryant Blue

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies have been undertaken on technological innovation in the classroom; however there is a lack of study on innovation at the organizational level and there is also a lack of focus on experiences of individuals leading the transformation. Individuals who are spearheading change can gain and offer valuable insights into their behaviors during the change process by reflecting on and examining their interactions, inclinations, and objectives. Furthermore, it is crucial to take into account the organization's culture and structure in order to comprehend how leadership operates throughout periods of change. This analytical and evocative autoethnography documents the experiences of …

Non-Efl World Language Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences With Generative Ai Tools, Georgia Konstantinou

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory quantitative research study explored the perceptions and experiences of non-English as a Foreign Language (non-EFL) world language teachers who were members of online communities of practice regarding their use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools in their teaching practices. Many research studies began to explore the impact of GenAI tools in various educational settings, and some studies even investigated the perceptions of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, but research studies exploring the perceptions of non-EFL world language teachers regarding the use of GenAI tools inside and outside of the classroom remain limited. This study addressed this …

Beyond The Flow: A Critical Examination Of Engagement And Learning Outcomes In Game-Based Learning Through Bibliometric And Manual Literature Analysis, Daniel Ray Singletary

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the role of flow in game‐based learning and compares the effects of continuous flow states with those produced by structured cognitive interruptions. The research combines a bibliometric analysis of 2,466 peer‐reviewed articles (2004–2024) with a manual review of 106 studies using a custom Flow‐Impact Analysis Framework (FIAF). This framework was developed specifically for the review and may assist future investigations into flow in game‐based learning. FIAF categorizes studies based on how they define flow, the instruments used for its measurement, and the links between flow and cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning outcomes.

Findings show that most research …

Exploring Factors That Increase Self-Efficacy In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) In Elementary Student Populations, Gina Kwid

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores gender and racial-minority perceptions that enhance self-efficacy in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among elementary student populations using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 61 fifth grade students at a public charter school in Idaho through surveys. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews, observations, and field notes with 13 students, 2 teachers, and 7 parents to identify key themes. The study researches the constructs of family support, engagement and participation in STEM activities, and students’ perceived long-term value of STEM learning as key factors in developing self-efficacy. Despite increasing awareness of the need …

Secondary Public School Teachers' Perception On Professional Learning Experiences That Influence Their Beliefs And Feelings Of Ease With Integrating Technology, Daquita Pounds

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to examine secondary teachers’ perceptions on the role of others and the role of their professional learning experiences as influencing factors on their belief in their ability to and feelings of ease with integrating technology. A basic qualitative design is used for the current study. A total of six secondary, in-service teachers provided evidence for this study across a total of three semi-structured interviews that occurred during the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic school year. The teachers in this study were given the opportunity to share how they selected their learning experiences for technology integration …

Teacher Motivations To Voluntarily Participate In K-12 Microlearning Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Study, Mary-Elizabeth Lubeskie

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Professional development (PD) is crucial for improving teaching effectiveness, but state mandates and traditional models often fail to engage teachers by meeting their diverse needs, fitting into busy schedules, offering choices, or fostering meaningful instructional changes. The mixed methods study addresses this gap by investigating the specific motivations of K-12 public school teachers to voluntarily engage in microlearning professional development (mLPD) as an alternative to traditional PD approaches. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Adult Learning Theory (ALT), the research examines how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations influence participation, exploring the appeal of microlearning’s brevity, relevance, and autonomy. Quantitative data from …

Enhancing A Culture Of Stem Attitude And Learner Outcomes Through Design Thinking And Coding With Robotics: A Mixed Methods Study In Fifth Grade Education, Nicole R. Sarty

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Design Thinking (DT) is human-centered, multidisciplinary, and part of the constructivist theory of learning. Using DT in the classroom requires students to explore, collaborate, and communicate with others. Applying DT strategies to authentic real-world robotics projects can increase learner outcomes and improve the STEM attitude in a classroom. This study tested if using real-world coding projects with design thinking strategies in the general education classroom led to an increase in STEM attitude and learner outcomes. Fifth grade curriculum was integrated directly into the classroom with two authentic real-world coding projects allowing for a deeper understanding of content, making this study …

Constructing A Blueprint For A Professional Development Module On Interventions For Bullying And Self-Advocacy For Nursing Faculty, Glenn Murphy

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bullying remains a persistent issue among nursing faculty. Nursing faculty often claim they do not have the communication skills or the confidence to address bullying behaviors and to advocate for themselves. Instead, they often avoid the perpetrators or accept bullying as part of the nursing education environment. One possible solution involves creating a professional development module for nursing faculty. My Delphi study led to the creation of a blueprint for a professional development module on interventions for bullying and self-advocacy for nursing faculty. Over the three rounds of online questionnaires, an expert panel of nursing faculty suggested content areas, recommended …

Faculty Innovativeness In Higher Education: Exploring The Influence Of Demographic And Psychological Factors, Jared M. Pyles

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between innovativeness and various demographic and psychological factors among full-time faculty at a private higher education institution in the Midwest United States. The study focused on understanding how risk aversion, gender, age, years of experience, and leadership roles influence a faculty member's level of innovativeness and examined the interrelated effects of these variables. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected through a self-administered online survey with 129 full-time faculty members, achieving a response rate of 49%.

The findings revealed no significant direct relationship between innovativeness and risk aversion. However, categorical age emerged as a …

Understanding The Present And Preparing For The Future In Collegiate Esports, Marc C. Dearmond

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While esports continues to grow as a varsity sport across higher education campuses, new programs are being built focusing on esports as a field of study. However, more research is needed about how esports programs are being administered on college campuses and how these programs are being measured for success. This three-article dissertation focuses on esports at the collegiate and undergraduate levels. The first study is a literature review focused on topics of research available for reading assignments in an online program based on the esports ecosystem as defined by Anderson et al. (2018). It contains an examination of current …

Immersive Simulations In Tourism Education: A Case Study, Eric Hawkinson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This research employed a mixed-method case study approach to explore the experiences of participants in immersive tourism simulations within vocational tourism studies. Utilizing the ”My Hometown Project,” a virtual tourism platform, the study designed and deployed tourism simulations where groups of students guided guests through virtual tours, blending immersive technology with face-to-face interaction in the ”Future Hub,” an innovative immersive learning laboratory. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, collecting reports from groups post-simulation (Shared Immersive Experience Reports - SIER) for qualitative insights and administering post-simulation surveys to measure presence and motivation quantitatively. This approach aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of …

A Nudge In The Right Direction: Nudging College Students In A Flipped Class To Become More Self-Regulatory, Jilane Michelle Richardson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a multiple-case study investigating the influence of using nudges to encourage students in a flipped classroom to complete coursework in a timely manner. Using two sections of the same course, the study explored the effectiveness of reminder and self-regulation nudges in promoting on-time completion of assignments among undergraduate college students. The research questions addressed the influence of reminder nudges on coursework completion and the efficacy of self-regulation nudges in encouraging timely completion behaviors. Findings revealed that while reminder nudges initially encouraged accountability and on-time coursework submission rates, students experienced nudge fatigue over time. Self-regulation nudges prompted students …

Rural, K-12 Online Education In The United States And An Examination Of Its Relationship To Smartphone Use And Internet Connectivity, Arielle Horan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory sequential mixed methods study examines the contemporary usage of online education in rural, K-12 settings, as well as explores the relationship between Internet connectivity, smartphone use, and rural, K-12 online education in the United States. The following general research questions were explored:

1. How are rural K-12 schools using online education overall?
   

   a. How does usage vary based on school size and/or socioeconomic status?

2. What is the relationship between Internet connectivity, smartphone use, and online education in these schools?

Data collection occurred in two phases; an initial focus group provided qualitative data which was coded, analyzed, and organized into …

Extending The Technology Acceptance Model: The Experiential Educator And Virtual Learning Technologies, Michael A. Dzbenski

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) are technologies that allow users to interact with virtual environments and can create and participate in digital educational experiences and simulations. Due to the VR and VLEs being relatively new technologies in education, acceptance, use, and finally adoption in a classroom environment lies with educators. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to explore and identify factors that positively influence educator attitudes toward adopting VR and VLE technology. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was extended to determine if the experiential learning educator role profile correlates to educator attitudes toward the acceptance …

Assessing Experiential Learning In A K-12 Afterschool Makerspace: Using The Beyond Rubrics Toolkit, Stacy L. Dzbenski

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the efficacy of the Beyond Rubrics Toolkit (BRT) as an embedded assessment instrument within makerspaces. Conducted as a pilot study at two Boys & Girls Club sites during afterschool programming, the research aimed to address the following research questions: (1) What skills are Youth Development Professionals teaching and assessing through makerspace programming? (2) How is learning currently assessed in the BGCS makerspaces? (3) What is the Youth Development Professional's perception of the Beyond Rubrics toolkit as a method to assess learning in the makerspace? (4) How would the Youth Development Professionals characterize the student learning being assessed …

Preservice Teachers’ Self-Efficacy For Technology Integration And Levels Of Planned Technology Integration: A Mixed-Method Study, Marielle Portaro

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Teacher education programs have a responsibility to prepare preservice teachers for the demands of teaching, including how to integrate educational technology into lessons. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods approach study is to understand the relationship between preservice teachers’ self-efficacy for technology integration and their level of planned technology integration. Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to complete a task and self-efficacy for technology integration is specific to teacher’s beliefs in their ability to integrate technology in their lessons.

Participants in this study were 9 preservice teachers who were enrolled in a university-based preservice teacher education program …

Factors Influencing Military Instructor Technology Self-Efficacy, Gina D. Frank

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Technological self-efficacy is considered the dominant determinant of the intention to use technology to achieve learning outcomes. Researchers in the K-12 environment have utilized self-efficacy theory, and the factors influencing it, to aid teachers in integrating technology into their classrooms, yet similar research has not been conducted on military instructors. This sequential, explanatory mixed methods study sought to identify specific factors affecting military instructors’ levels of technology self-efficacy. The study was conducted on military instructors at a base in the southern United States and used the Computer Technology Integration Survey and semi-structured interview questions to find answers to three research …

Investigating The Relationship Between K-12 Online Special Education Teachers' Tpack And Teacher Level Variables: A Convergent Design Mixed-Methods Study, Brad R. Garrison

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

K-12 students with disabilities in the United States are increasingly enrolling in online schools and educational programs. Therefore, K-12 online public and charter school special education (SpecEd) teachers must be prepared to develop and implement individualized educational plans (IEPs) that meet the procedural and substantive requirements of federal and state SpecEd law. Currently, the research literature is lacking in descriptions of instructional techniques and interventions that K-12 online special education teachers (SETs) are implementing in their practice. To address this need, this convergent design mixed-methods study made use of the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content knowledge (TPACK) framework in order to …

Exploring Middle School Teacher Perceptions Of Virtual Teams As A Delivery Mechanism For Professional Learning, Shawna Jensen

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Virtual teams are composed of members who work together, transcending time and space through communication technologies to meet shared goals. Many organizations currently use virtual teams to connect employees across the globe. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic forced almost all organizations to shift their employees to hybrid and remote settings. As a result, many workers across the world found themselves shifting to virtual team models. In fact, during the pandemic, teachers found themselves working and learning through virtual teams in addition to teaching remotely. This study was designed to understand how teachers perceived virtual teams and teamwork as an effective modality …

A New Reality In Teaching Chemistry: Developing A Virtual Reality Intervention To Improve Student Understanding Of Concepts Of Chemical Equilibrium, Jason Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The subject of chemistry is a cornerstone of high school science programs and a conceptual understanding of chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle continues to be both a fundamental and paradoxically difficult subject for educators and students. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a prototype immersive virtual reality environment. The prototype was designed and built to high school support students’ understanding of the concepts of chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle. Data was collected to assess student understanding of the concepts being taught, as well as to evaluate the user experience with the prototype learning environment. Results of data analysis …

The Effect Of Group Interactions And Group Structure On Achievement In Elementary School Robotics Classrooms, Jonathan Kimei Yogi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Jung and Won's (2018) review of elementary school ER found a lack of understanding of instructional practices for ER with young children. Other researchers have called for further studies into what effective classroom orchestration and interaction look like within ER classrooms (Ioannou & Makridou, 2018; Xia & Zhong, 2019). This study was conducted to understand the effect of group interactions and group structure in terms of gender on achievement in elementary school robotics classes. Knowing the effect that interactions have on students' achievement can help inform instructional practices and pedagogies in educational robotics activities (Kucuk & Sisman, 2017). The study …

Lived Experiences Of Women In Collegiate Esports Leadership, Kim S. Johnson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

A leadership gender gap exists in politics, business, and higher education, and there appears to be one in collegiate esports. Researchers have conducted studies on some aspects of esports; however, we know little about women’s experiences leading collegiate esports programs. The purpose of this qualitative study - a descriptive (transcendental) phenomenology – was to explore and describe the essence of women’s lived experiences in leading collegiate varsity esports programs at higher education institutions. In-depth interviews were the research method. Seven women employed as collegiate varsity esports coaches or directors described their historical context, present experiences in the profession, and how …

Accessible And Inclusive Online Course Design In Higher Education, Amy Lomellini

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The growth of online learning has expanded the reach of higher education to more diverse students than ever before; however, students often face barriers to equitable access to online instructional materials, course activities, and assessments. The challenge of meeting the needs of diverse learners was both highlighted and exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote teaching and learning at many institutions. Disabled students were one group that was particularly affected. Research has explored faculty and students’ (with and without disabilities) perceptions of online learning; however, less is known about instructional designers’ and their team leaders’ roles …

Understanding Students' Experience With 1:1 Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning In A Mathematics Classroom, Oscar Antonio Perales Aguilera

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

There has been a move towards integrating educational technology into K-12 mathematics classrooms. This emphasis has been partly driven by policy, increases in technology resources available, and a need to engage students in their mathematical learning. Most studies on technology integration in mathematics education are focused on teachers’ perceptions or students’ academic achievement. However, we need to learn how students perceive their learning in this type of environment. This dissertation is a basic qualitative study aimed at understanding the experiences of students with 1:1 computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) in an Algebraic Reasoning classroom. The study used the mathematical software, Desmos, …

Game-Based Learning: Examining Factors That Influence K-12 Classroom Usage, Sean Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Video games have become a popular and accepted part of digital culture and are becoming more accepted as an engaging instructional tool in schools. Integration of games can help develop students’ intrinsic motivation for learning and are a great way for teachers to incorporate student interests and make connections to the curriculum. Classroom usage of digital games is becoming more widespread, but prior research suggests that game-based learning is underutilized as a tool in the teacher toolbox. This study seeks to understand the factors that influence teachers’ decisions to use or not use digital games in their classroom and make …

The Relationship Between Motivation, Academic Achievement, And Engagement In Mathematics Using Digital Game-Based Learning: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Amy Rose Morgan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has unique factors that can engage students in the learning process. It has been shown that incorporating DGBL into mathematics can help bridge the learning gap, differentiate instruction, and engage students (Yang et al., 2018; Hulse et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2012; Naik, 2017). This study examined how students’ prior engagements are related to their academic achievement as well as investigated students’ motivation while utilizing DGBL in mathematics. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was utilized to collect the quantitative data followed by the qualitative data. There were eighteen middle school participants in grades six …

Making In The Midst Of Pandemic: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Two Public Library Makerspaces, Stacey Woods

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on makerspaces in the United States which were subject to public health guidelines and challenged with limited/no access to facilities. This multi-case study examined two public library makerspaces, and addressed these research questions: (1) How did the pandemic affect makerspace operations and access, and the teaching and learning that occurs there? (2) How did makerspace leaders respond to the challenges of the pandemic? (3) How did makerspaces evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic? I developed the Conceptual Framework for Studying the Impact of Pandemic on Public Library Makerspaces which informed the …