Educational Technology Commons^™

Data Governance Maturity, Ai Integration, And Equity In Colorado K-12 Public Schools, John R. Curtin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colorado's 179 K-12 public school districts operate as autonomous governance units, each responsible for securing and managing student data assets that span health, financial, residential, and academic records. The accelerating integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools into administrative workflows, productivity software, and instructional platforms has fundamentally altered the risk landscape for student data, yet governance frameworks at the state, district, and school levels have not kept pace. This dissertation investigates whether Colorado's decentralized educational governance structure is institutionally capable of producing equitable, secure, and sustainable data governance outcomes in the AI era.

Drawing on Institutional Theory …

Educator Perceptions Of Human-Ai Co-Creativity: A Mixed Methods Study, Wendy L. Jensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educators play a critical role in navigating the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence in the work of teaching and learning. As frontline implementers of daily instruction and decision-makers around the use of technology tools, teachers determine, in practice, how creativity and artificial intelligence converge in learning environments. Because teachers play this central role, examining their perceptions is critical for fostering the effective use of AI in educational contexts in ways that preserve and advance creative teaching and learning. In this convergent mixed methods study, I investigated educators’ perceptions of human-AI co-creativity, with particular attention to how these perceptions inform …

Technology In Waldorf Education: Benefits, Challenges, And The Teacher's Role, Jennifer C. Larson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historically considered a screen-free education, Waldorf pedagogy has gradually begun to integrate digital technology into the middle and upper grades over the last two decades. Research on the implications of extended screen time for children has driven this pedagogical decision alongside foundational commitments to relational practices, experiential learning, and imaginative artistry.

At the same time, recent years have marked an acceleration in digital expansion in education. COVID-19 normalized teaching and learning through remote learning platforms, and digital access is now an expected feature of daily life.  As Waldorf education seeks to offer holistic education in the context of this societal …

Artificial Intelligence Adoption Among Community College Faculty: A Comparative Analysis Of Rural And Urban Institutions, Morgan A. Saunders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has created new opportunities and challenges for higher education institutions. Community colleges, which serve diverse student populations and play a significant role in workforce development, must determine. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate differences in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, usage patterns, and perceptions of importance among faculty at two rural community colleges and two urban community colleges in the United States. Specifically, the study investigated whether statistically significant differences existed in the perceived importance of AI and in the number of AI tools used by faculty across institutional contexts. In …

The Perceived Barriers Of A One-To-One Technology Implementation: A Post-Covid Case Study, Adam Howard Creasy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dominant, exploratory sequential case study aimed to identify stakeholder perceptions of technology within a one-to-one technology initiative and outline any possible barriers. The study examined the perceptions of teachers, parents, and administrators within a rural K-12 public school district in Pennsylvania. The study provided school district stakeholders with data they can use to improve existing and future initiatives by early intervention within areas of concern identified by the study. Data were collected using a two round approach which includes focus groups and targeted surveys utilizing research-backed electronic survey tools. The research questions addressed in the study were the …

How Can Learning Management Systems Positively Impact Student Engagement In Online Courses?, Jerald P. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The topic of this dissertation is learning management systems, specifically Canvas. Research has proven that student engagement is a strong factor in student achievement in both online and inperson courses. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a deficit in instructors’ ability to acquire and maintain student engagement in online courses. This study details why this problem exists and how instructors have successfully addressed it in higher-level online courses. The primary purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine how learning management systems, specifically Canvas, can increase student engagement in online courses in higher education. Qualitative research was the chosen paradigm for …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Undergraduate Stem Core Expansion Pathways, Lizzie L. Evans Martinez Alvarez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of social incongruence in the film Hidden Figures, which juxtaposed with STEM education as the most powerful in contrast with Black women as the least powerful, supported the argument for the specific problem of practice to examine the unmet need for socially and ethnically diverse student populations in U.S. STEM higher education and careers. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to identify and analyze the lived experiences of Black women regarding barriers they perceive in the STEM educational and career decision-making processes, while exploring transformational pathways to STEM academic success. The study specifically analyzed …

The Impact Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Preference On The Performance Of Distance Learning Students, Christopher A. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Distance learning is a growing part of education. The transition to distance learning was underway at higher education institutions, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced institutions of all types to rapidly transition to distance learning. The technology that was adapted during this emergency distance learning remained in the classroom once normal instruction resumed. This quantitative study examined two aspects of distance learning technology in education. The study examined student preference for either synchronous or asynchronous instruction through the framework of expectancy theory. Students who were more familiar with the course material were hypothesized to have a higher expectation of success and …

Navigating The Digital Divide: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Digital Literacy Skills Of College Students Through The Lens Of Technological Self-Efficacy, Robert M. Spisak Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative dissertation addresses the digital literacy skills gap among college students and their ability to effectively use digital technologies in higher education. While many students arrive with technical skills, gaps exist in their ability to critically assess information, ethically engage with digital content, and apply these competencies across academic and professional contexts. Grounded in the framework of technological self-efficacy, which emphasizes the belief in one’s ability to perform digital tasks, this study examines both the digital literacy skills student bring from high school and their self-perceptions of those skills during college. This study was guided by the following research …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Facilitate And Support Technology Integration In Schools: A Case Study Of Four Rural Texas Principals, Christina J. Campbell Ed.D.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School administrators face the challenge of leading technology integration that provides meaningful learning opportunities to prepare students for 21st-century skills and careers. Research has shown that administrative leadership support, behaviors, assumptions, and policies impact technology integration in the classroom. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards include guidelines for education leaders and their role in supporting educators using technology. However, leaders underestimate the impact of their leadership on effective use in the classroom. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of South Texas rural public school principals working in Chapman Independent School District …

Exploring The Role Of Christian Religiosity In The Acceptance Or Rejection Of Ai Chatbot Use Among Faculty At Church Of Christ Universities, Amos Gutierrez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are navigating the benefits and challenges of generative AI chatbot use and preparing faculty and students to engage with these tools ethically and responsibly. The problem is that there are many challenges and barriers to using these technologies in higher education, and Christian higher education institutions must also address context-specific considerations regarding mission and vision rooted in biblical faith and practice. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression through structural equation modeling was to examine faculty perceptions of AI chatbots and how Christian religiosity moderates acceptance. An online survey …

Digital Leadership: Secondary Education Principals’ Perceptions And Change Competencies Toward Implementing Digital Citizenship Curricula, Waylon M. Randolph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Secondary education public schools are increasingly being confronted with student misuse of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Students are using these technologies to engage in disruptive and harmful behaviors like cyberbullying and sexting. As a result, some public school districts have responded by banning the use of ICTs in the classroom, while others have turned to teaching digital citizenship through a dedicated digital citizenship curriculum. However, effectively implementing such a curriculum remains a significant challenge. According to the literature, the best way to implement a digital citizenship curriculum is by fostering a positive school culture where stakeholders model and support …

The Influence Of Visualization Type And Gender On Multimedia Learning Performance: An Experimental Study, Ziji Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The widespread availability of multimedia learning resources, driven by technological progress, presents both opportunities and challenges in education. While these resources, often designed with animations to aid learning, their effectiveness in learning across STEM and non-STEM fields remains controversial. Besides, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to understanding how individual learner characteristics such as gender and spatial ability influence effectiveness of multimedia learning.

This dissertation examined the impact of visualization type and gender on learning algorithms (STEM) and Chinese characters (non-STEM) after accounting for the effect of spatial ability, focusing on learning outcomes and cognitive load. The fact that males …

Effects Of A Speech-To-Text Assistive Technology Writing Accommodation For Students With Cerebral Palsy, Kirstin Franklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disability characterized by impairments in movement, muscle tone, or posture that can also include intellectual, executive functioning, language and memory skills, and academic achievement deficits in children with CP (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022; Levitt & Addison, 2019). These neurological consequences and motor impairments can impact written expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a speech-to-text assistive technology (AT) accommodation that was applied to circumvent the impaired spelling and handwriting (i.e., transcription) skills resulting from CP. Three male students (Grades ranged from 6-10) with CP participated …

Impact Of Aleks On Math Achievement For Students Who Were Socially Promoted, Jenifer Michelle Goff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the impact of ALEKS on student achievement in mathematics, specifically the correlation between mastering course concepts and preparedness for Algebra 1 as assessed by MAP RIT scores. The investigation focuses on the problem that many students lack the foundational skills necessary for success in Algebra 1 and higher-level math courses, leading to the research questions: "How does student completion in the ALEKS intervention course impact their performance on MAP?" and "How much more likely are students who completed the intervention course to be considered Algebra 1-ready based on MAP than those who did not?"

The study employed …

Overcoming Second-Order Barriers To Teachers’ Technology Integration: A Study Of Positive Impacts, Crystal Ann Hume

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored K–12 public school teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs about technology. The teachers worked in a medium-sized, semi-affluent public school district in North Texas. The study investigated second-order barriers to technology integration and what might positively impact teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs. This study used a qualitative descriptive methodology to collect qualitative data about their beliefs by interviewing and observing K–12 classroom teachers who had completed a bachelor’s degree through a traditional teacher education program. Teachers with alternative certifications or noncertified classroom instructors were omitted. Findings revealed that external factors, failure, mistakes, confidence, and professional development …

Reading Interventions In The Modern Era: Reconceptualizing The Utility Of Video Games, Senaida Mehmedovic

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Youth in the United States continue to have difficulty developing reading skills, with only 31% of fourth graders reading at a “proficient level” (NAEP Reading: National Average Scores, 2024). Youth struggling to develop reading skills often have reading anxiety (Chow et al., 2021; Martinez, 2019; Ramirez et al., 2019), which impacts their reading skill development even more (Mohammadpur & Ghafournia, 2015); the interwoven and cyclical relationship between reading anxiety and reading comprehension requires interventions to address these needs concurrently (Francis et al., 2019; Francis et al., 2021; Grills et al., 2012). The increased avoidance and paired aversion of reading-related tasks …

Exploring New Mexico 4-H Volunteers’ Acceptance And Use Of Technology: A Qualitative Approach, Kayla Dawn Hinrichs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Integrating technology into youth development programs like 4-H is increasingly vital for enhancing communication, education, and engagement. However, technology adoption among 4-H volunteers remains inconsistent. This qualitative study explored the barriers to technology adoption among New Mexico 4-H volunteers. The researcher aimed to understand the factors influencing their willingness and ability to integrate digital tools into their volunteer roles. Guided by Rogers’s (2003) diffusion of innovation theory and framed by Creswell and Poth’s (2024) qualitative research design, this study employed semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 4-H volunteers across the state. Following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six- phase approach, …

English Language Teachers’ Use Of Technology In Libya: A Qualitative Study Using The Samr Model, Tasnem Alarbi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increasing dominance of technology in almost every aspect of our life and the evidence-based potential of technology to support learning, it becomes important to integrate technology in language instruction. Although there is a huge body of research on the effectiveness of technology in transforming learning in the field of language learning, there is little research reflecting on current teachers’ practices of instructional technology in language learning environments. Guided by the student-centered learning theory and the SAMR framework, this qualitative study explored the current practices of English as a Foreign language (EFL) teachers as related to technology integration in …

The Influence Of Smartphone Usage On Students’ Academic Performance, Sense Of Belonging, And Self-Efficacy, Zachary Ross Weinstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, U.S. postsecondary students' smartphone usage has increased. Smartphone usage has become more embedded into campuses and affects the lives of students pursuing postsecondary education. This study sought to explore whether three specific measures of smartphone usage can predict students' academic performance, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging. These measures included daily average screen time, daily average social screen time, and problematic smartphone usage.

First-time freshman (FTF) participants (n = 154) were sampled from four institutions of higher education in the Southeastern region of the United States. This study followed a cross-sectional design to distribute a survey …

Generative Ai In The Workplace: Adoption Patterns, Innovation Attributes, And Equity Implications At Bhssc, Andrew Ley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study explores generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) adoption patterns, innovation attributes, and equity implications within a diverse educational cooperative in western South Dakota. A mixed methods approach was employed to analyze adoption trends, perceived productivity differentials, and the significance of key innovation characteristics to 40 employees representing a range of divisions, roles, and levels of digital competence. Employees with lower self-reported digital competence and higher average age reported disproportionately higher perceived productivity gains from GenAI tools. This may suggest GenAI may level the playing field for aging individuals who have previously felt marginalized by rapid technological change in the …

Barriers Principals Face Integrating Blended Learning In Secondary Schools, Lacey Tremaine Ajibola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the barriers secondary principals encounter integrating instructional technology as a part of a blended learning model. Existing research investigating the barriers principals face is limited and fractured and is mostly examined from the perspective of teachers. Therefore, this study provided data on the perspective and experiences of principals as technology leaders and their perceived barriers to implementing blended learning models. The researcher aligned the research questions to the International Society for Technology in Education Standard for Educational Leaders as a conceptual framework. Interviews with 11 secondary principals from the same …

College Instructors’ Experiences Of Online English As Second Language (Esl) Teaching And Learning Environments, Jianan Zhou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates college ESL instructors' experiences in teaching online ESL courses. It explores the differences in teaching focus and online modes for teaching speaking, listening, reading, and writing courses. It also investigates how ESL instructors' perceived level of technology competence varies across different online teaching modes and examines how teaching and learner engagement strategies differ depending on the instructional modality. Key findings include the observation that both BICS and CALP were prevalent in online reading courses. Although no significant difference in technology competence between asynchronous and synchronous modes was found, it was shown that instructors used more synchronous modes …

Saudi And American Students’ Motivation And Anxiety In Online Collaborative Learning In The United States, Nawal Alqarni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study aims to explore motivation and anxiety Saudi and American students in online collaborative learning environments through online courses in U.S. universities and how they relate to their academic performance.

The study utilized a quantitative approach for data collection through an online survey of 99 Saudi students and 39 American students who were enrolled in U.S. universities. The results showed that there was no significant difference in motivation scores between undergraduate Saudi students and their American counterparts. Nor was a significant difference observed in motivation scores between graduate Saudi students and graduate American students. The data also indicated …

Stem Teacher Perceptions In East Tennessee About Using Artificial Intelligence In Classroom Operations, David Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the perceptions of Secondary STEM Teachers in rural East Tennessee about Artificial Intelligence instructional use. The researcher examined secondary STEM teachers' positive attitudes toward AI, challenges of using AI in the classroom, educators' confidence in using AI, and perceived benefits of AI. The participants of this study were located throughout East Tennessee, and had to self-identify as a 6-12 STEM teacher teaching in a rural district. The data were collected through Google Forms and the link to respond was posted in two different Facebook groups for distribution. The survey included 16 …

Understanding How Social Media Influences Student Engagement Within The Classroom: Middle Grades Students' Perspectives., Anthony Dawyne Myrks-Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the concept of student engagement and participation through the lens of middle school students. Studies and research show that overall student engagement amongst middle school-aged students is the most unengaged period throughout students' K-12 educational journey. Today's students live in a completely different generation from their guardians and parents due to the technology component, including smartphones making the element of social media more accessible. Social media is a platform that helps people communicate through various applications, and middle school students engage and participate in various social media applications daily. Student engagement is a critical component within education …

The Perceptions Of Teachers’ Beliefs And Attitudes On Technology Integration: A Suburban Middle School Case Study In The South-Central United States, Trina Lashell Valdez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schools have been increasingly challenged with preparing students via technology based on changing standards for students achieving academic success. However, technology integration has barriers, often including teachers’ beliefs and attitudes associated with integrating technology in their classrooms. Therefore, in this qualitative case study, I attempted to understand better the perceptions of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School about teachers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding technology integration and how to use this knowledge to inform teacher professional development. Data collection consisted of semistructured interviews of teachers, administrators, and professional support staff at Model Middle School via the Zoom …

Investigating Mixed Effects Random Forest Models In Predicting Satisfaction With Online Learning In Higher Education, Jiaqi (Jackie) Shi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increasing prevalence and accessibility of online education. This trend has also introduced challenges for students, instructors, and institutions. This study examines factors affecting online course satisfaction, focusing on individual, instructor, and institutional level characteristics with clustered, separated train and test datasets across two terms. This study compares Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM), Non-clustered and Clustered Random Forest (RF & MERF) models to understand these impacts. This intention is to provide a comprehensive framework comparing traditional HLM with the latest developed MERF models while delving into the effectiveness of RF …

Integrating Authentication Schemes In Augmented And Virtual Reality Classrooms, Naheem Noah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technologies are revolutionizing educational experiences, but their widespread adoption hinges on addressing critical security and usability challenges, particularly in the domain of user authentication. This research presents an investigation into the security landscape of AR/VR and explores a graphical authentication scheme called “Things” that enhances both security and usability in immersive learning environments. Through a systematic evaluation of popular AR/VR devices and applications, potential vulnerabilities and limitations were identified, such as high usage of pin/passwords which are susceptible to shoulder-surfing attacks, lack of multi-factor authentication, and unclear data-sharing practices. A review of existing knowledge-based …

Designing An Educational Robotics Curriculum To Teach Mathematical Concepts While Fostering A Growth Mindset: A Self-Study, Lauren Harter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the development and implementation of a five-day curriculum designed to enhance students' understanding of algebraic concepts through the integration of educational robotics and growth mindset principles. The study is structured around three research questions that investigate influences on decision-making in curriculum design, the alignment of teaching intents with practices, and the impact of self-study on integrating algebra, robotics, and growth mindset principles. Findings reveal themes focused on the importance of research and collaboration, using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, intentional curriculum creation, starting somewhere, personal growth and self-reflection, and experiencing and embodying constructivism in action. The …