Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Shifting To Using Desmos Or Geogebra Graphing Calculators In High School Mathematics Classrooms, Nancy Lin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Most high school math classrooms in Long Island use the Texas Instruments TI-84+ CE graphing calculator in the three Regents math courses. Texas Instruments holds approximately 80% of the market share of the international graphing calculator market. At a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $150 per TI-84+ CE, an inequitable situation exists for math learning, as underfunded schools and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds cannot afford to purchase one for home use. Such students have less experience using the handheld graphing calculator when they take high-stakes math exams. Through case studies of four suburban school districts in New York that …

Parental Engagement For Students With Disabilities In Online Learning, Misty A. Benson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Parental engagement for online students with disabilities is critical for their learning success (Tundle et al., 2016). When parents are actively engaged in online learning, their children experience positive learner outcomes (Smith et. al., 2016). Research indicates that students with disabilities are rapidly transitioning to fully online learning, with parents playing an active role as their learning instructors.The implication for parents who choose to enroll their children with disabilities in online learning is greater parental engagement in their child's learning.

The Perception Of Students Toward Post-Pandemic Online Graduate Programs At A Historically Black College & University (Hbcu) In The South, April Ivery

Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of online graduate students regarding the accessibility and usefulness of support services (Online Academic Advising, Online Technical Support, Online Counseling Services, Online Library Resources, and Online Career Services) at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the southern United States. The study aimed to examine the attitudes of online students towards these support systems and to determine whether these attitudes played a role in their learning process. The primary research question was: What is the relationship between the accessibility of support systems and students' perceptions of those support systems in online graduate programs at …

Generative Ai And Student Engagement, Motivation, And Learning: Exploring The Use Of Generative Ai In Higher Education Online Courses, Jeffrey L. Simmons

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The rapid emergence of Generative AI (GenAI) large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in higher education has left many institutions unprepared to assess their potential benefits and risks. This mixed-methods study examined how ChatGPT and Google’s NotebookLM were integrated into online course development and delivery at a small private nonprofit university in California, and assessed their perceived impact on student engagement, motivation, and learning.

Data were collected from post-course Likert-scale surveys completed by students across three online master’s-level courses and from pre-course prediction surveys by instructors in the two NotebookLM courses. Quantitative analyses included one-sample t-tests against a …

A.I. And Education: The Relationship Between Policy And A.I. Implementation In Louisiana K-12 Schools, Johnny R. Moore Jr

Honors Theses

This research focuses on A.I. policies in Louisiana K-12 education, trying to figure out what the best possible policies would be to ensure that students are using A.I. as a tool rather than a crutch to rely on. This goes through the history and background of technology implementation and educational policies in Louisiana. The research focuses on current A.I. policies in the state, if any, and then evaluates other states policies around the country. Teachers and administrators from around the state were surveyed on this and were also asked on their opinions on A.I. in the classroom.

A Case Study Of Doctoral Students' Perspectives Of The Drastic Move From An In-Person To Virtual Environment During Covid-19, Martha Patricia Cias

Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative case research study investigated the students’ perspectives during the drastic transition from an in-person to a virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) at the doctoral level. The findings were grouped into six themes and revealed (a) the loss of structure and increased isolation, (b) development of online literacy and increased flexibility, (c) social movements stress and peer/professor support, (d) emotional resilience and resource use, (e) recognition of hybrid and mentorship models, and (f) the need for institutional preparedness considering students as stakeholders/customers. Concluding with the acknowledgement of the capacity of doctoral students to adapt in an unforeseen …

The Experience Of South Asian International Students In Online Classes, Ashima Sitaula

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a widespread shift to online education, compelling higher education institutions to reassess their delivery methods. South Asian international students, a significant global demographic, were particularly affected. This qualitative study examines how South Asian international graduate students experience online learning at U.S. universities and the strategies they use to succeed. Guided by the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, the research addresses two questions: (1) What are the experiences faced by South Asian international students in online classes? and (2) What tools and strategies do they use to enhance their online learning experience? Participants were ten graduate students …

Turning Me Into We: A Workbook To Improve Relational Communication, Megan N. Charchenko

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Communication is a key factor that contributes to relational satisfaction, yet many couples struggle with communication. I wrote a set of workbooks for couples intended to teach healthy communication skills to help couples overcome their communication barriers. The workbooks cover topics of identity, expectations, boundaries, and physical intimacy. Each chapter utilizes theories and research to educate individuals on communication skills and then guides them through the application of the skills. I wrote a workbook for the individuals and one for the couple to work on together. Together, the workbooks will help couples improve communication and implement healthy communication behaviors regarding …

Creative Problem Solving In A Coffee Mug: Designing A Self-Guided Cps Toolkit For Small Business Owners In Latin America, Maria Mujica

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This Master’s Project designs CPS in a Coffee Mug Toolkit: a six-day ritualized, self-guided, habit-building micro-learning experience that equips small business owners in Latin America with the essential skills of Creative Problem Solving (CPS) to address their everyday business challenges in a highly resource-constrained context. The toolkit integrates the essentials of CPS with behavior change and experiential learning models functioning both as a training and as a behavioral adoption system. It is a frugal solution designed to meet small business owners where they are and to embed CPS as a daily habit to support their progress. In the future, it …

Navigating The Shift: Supporting Health Sciences Faculty Transitioning From Industry To Asynchronous Online Education, Joshua D. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative exploratory study examined how new online instructors in the health sciences division of a North Texas community college experienced institutional onboarding and professional development as they transitioned from industry roles into asynchronous online teaching. As community colleges expand online instruction to meet the needs of nontraditional learners, many health sciences faculty enter academic roles with strong clinical expertise but limited preparation in online pedagogy. Guided by the community of inquiry framework and self-efficacy theory, this study explored instructors’ perceptions of their preparedness for asynchronous teaching; the instructional challenges they encountered, particularly related to student engagement; and the types …

Academic And Demographic Predictors Of Retention And Persistence In Business Programs: Post-Covid Cohorts Of Traditional And Ncccs Transfer Students, Matthew K. Crump

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined academic and demographic predictors of first-year retention and major persistence among traditional first-year and North Carolina community college transfer students enrolled in undergraduate business programs. Guided by Tinto’s 1993 Model of Student Retention and Astin’s 1984 Theory of Student Involvement, the research focused on students who entered two AACSB-accredited institutions within the UNC System during Fall 2021, Fall 2022, and Fall 2023 as traditional first-year students or as transfer students from North Carolina community colleges.

Institutional data from the Banner Student Information System provided the basis for logistic regression analyses that examined predictors including high school …

The Impact Of Social Isolation On Community College Students' Learning Modality Preferences, Melinda F. Walker

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Melinda F. Walker on April 8, 2026.

The Relationship Between Online Course Content Design And Student Satisfaction In Asynchronous University Courses, Scott Dillingham

Education Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation draws on five years of research examining course design and student satisfaction in asynchronous online courses. The study investigated the relationship between course content and student satisfaction in asynchronous online courses at The University of Texas at Tyler. A mixed-methods design combined qualitative inductive coding of online course content with quantitative analysis of student evaluation data across 20 asynchronous online courses taught by nine faculty experienced in online instruction. Results indicated measurable relationships between instructional content variables and student evaluation scores. Dialogue and Ordinary Conversation, content categories identified through emergent coding of course materials, demonstrated positive predictive relationships …

What Keeps Teachers: A Systematic Review Of Induction And Early-Career Teacher Retention In Rural Schools, Bobbie Jean Mcdonough

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Teacher retention remains a persistent challenge in United States education, particularly in rural K–12 public schools. This systematic review synthesized empirical research on induction and early-career teacher retention in rural United States settings published between 2000 and 2025. Guided by a postpositivist framework and aligned with PRISMA 2020 standards, 56 studies met inclusion criteria following structured database searches and multi-stage screening. Findings across the included studies indicate that retention was most consistently associated with induction, mentoring, professional learning, responsive leadership, collegial relationships, and teachers’ integration into their school and community, with no single support appearing sufficient in isolation. Across research …

Conservation Communication In Web 2.0: A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Alveus Sanctuary's Strategies On Twitch.Tv, Hope Denison

Senior Theses

This thesis examines how environmental creators can effectively transmit conservation messages in the evolving Web 2.0 media environment. The case of Alveus Sanctuary, a virtual sanctuary and education center on Twitch.TV, is used to explore the strategies currently used to engage audiences and raise ecological awareness online. Thematic analysis of interviews with the sanctuary’s founder revealed that Alveus combines traditional environmental education with an influencer business model to engage online audiences, leveraging parasocial behavior, interactivity, and collaboration to garner support. A quantitative content analysis of social media posts revealed that these strategies effectively induce parasocial engagement in online spaces. These …

Bridging The Divide: Exploring Stigma And Enhancing Belonging For Online Faculty In Higher Education, Stephanie L. Wanamaker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Online faculty in higher education experience stigma and negative perceptions regarding online education in academia. Despite the rapid growth and success of online education, negative perceptions and stigma have not evolved at the same pace as the success of online institutions. Many online faculty members frequently experience skepticism, criticism, and marginalization from their residential counterparts within their academic communities. As a result of these experiences, online faculty are experiencing a reduced level of belonging, contributing to increased levels of burnout, poor satisfaction, and struggles with professional identity. Despite these experiences, little is known about the problem or how online faculty …

Comparing Student Performance And Perceived Learning Between In-Person And Online Sections Of An Undergraduate Human Anatomy And Physiology Laboratory Course, Madeline M. Knox

Honors Thesis

Online laboratory courses are increasingly common in undergraduate science education, but their effectiveness relative to in-person laboratories remains unclear. This study compared students’ academic performance and perceived learning outcomes between online and in-person anatomy and physiology laboratory sections at the University of South Dakota. Final course grade distribution between the two modalities across three semesters (n = 158 in-person and n = 312 online) was analyzed, and student perceptions of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning were assessed using the CAP Perceived Learning Scale instrument in post-course surveys (n = 81 in-person and n = 37 online). Grade distributions …

Hear & Now: Culturally Responsive Music Education Through Digital Audio Workstations & Musique Concrète, Benjamin T. Connolly

Pitzer Senior Theses

Hear & Now: Culturally Responsive Music Education Through Digital Audio Workstations & Musique Concrète is a two-part ethnomusicological study of how the capacities and affordability of modern electronic instruments could be utilized within school curricula as an affordable alternative to traditional music classes. I explore the musique concrète movement from mid-20th century France, aiming my examination towards the movement’s emphasis on the materiality of sound production and utilization of modern technology during the composition process. From there, the paper transitions into a study on the affordances of contemporary music technologies through a series of interviews with electronic composers, tracing the …

Virtual High School Classes And The Impact On Rural Students And Teachers, Ashley M. Storck

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review examines the impacts, advantages, and disadvantages of virtual high school classes on rural teachers and students. The review examines research on academic outcomes, instructional models, funding structures, stakeholder dynamics, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual learning can expand access to courses and provide flexibility to students, especially in the case of credit recovery. Full-time virtual schooling is frequently associated with weaker long-term outcomes in comparison to traditional brick-and-mortar education. These findings are often intensified in rural settings where there are broadband insufficiencies as well as existing deficiencies in institutional capacity and student support systems. The …

Institutional Retention And Graduation Outcomes Before And During Covid-19: A Comparison Of Online-Experienced And Online-Inexperienced Four-Year Institutions, Nicholas J. Finnessey

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether student success outcomes and their trajectories over time differed across higher education institutions before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic based on prior experience with online education. Guided by Astin’s (1993) Input-Environment-Output (I-E-O) framework, pre-pandemic participation in online coursework was conceptualized as an institutional-level environmental condition. A quantitative, causal-comparative research design was employed, using secondary data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), to examine longitudinal differences in institutional retention and graduation rates across institutions classified by their pre-pandemic participation in online education. The sample included 528 Title IV-eligible, degree-granting, four-year institutions observed across five …

Reawakening Waⁿdat: Community Research & Reclamation, Darcy Allred

Theses and Dissertations

The Wyandot(te) have undergone language dormancy due to settler colonial impacts of warfare, refugee relocation, forced removals, and U.S. assimilation projects. One of the most pressing priorities among our people today is reawakening our ancestral language, Waⁿdat. The common follow-up question is: how? Through the conduit of Waⁿdat language reclamation, this project grapples with the above question in collaboration with the Wyandot(te) community, and in adherence to the tribal sovereignty of the Wyandotte Nation. The project engages with diasporic perspectives, community-based pedagogy design, and tribally specific research protocols and policies. The living collective knowledgebase with which I engage in this …

A Qualitative Study Of Undergraduate Underrepresented Minoritized Students’ Online Learning Experiences, Susanne Morris

Theses and Dissertations--Curriculum and Instruction

This dissertation reports a qualitative secondary analysis of 37 semi-structured interviews with 40 undergraduate underrepresented minoritized (URM) students. Guided by social constructionism and intersectionality, the study explores how students make sense of online learning as a sociomaterial environment, attending to perceptions of constraints, affordances, and missing or misaligned signifiers. Interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis to examine how institutional norms and course design shape what students experience as doable, safe, and meaningful. The study offers insight relevant to research and practice in equity and online learning.

Problem-Based And Practice-Driven: Designing For Engagement In An Online Educational Leadership Program, Owens G. Saylor

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

Virtual professional learning has emerged as a flexible and scalable solution for developing educational leaders, particularly those navigating demanding roles and geographic barriers. However, these benefits often come at the cost of diminished engagement, interaction, and practical application to real-world leadership challenges. Without intentional design, virtual sessions risk becoming passive and disconnected, undermining their professional development value. This study responds to these challenges by exploring how a problem-based learning (PBL) approach can improve engagement in the virtual component of the Kentucky Leadership Rising (KLR) Aspiring Superintendent Workshop Series.

This mixed methods action research (MMAR) study examined participants’ perceptions of engagement …

Moral Distress Of The Professional Adn Gatekeeper During Early Covid-19: An Interpretivist Qualitative Study, Kimberly Triche

Dissertations of Practice

MORAL DISTRESS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ADN GATEKEEPER DURING EARLY COVID-19: AN INTERPRETIVIST QUALITATIVE STUDY

This interpretivist qualitative study examines the experiences of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) faculty at two-year institutions in Illinois navigating the “Regulatory Pincer,” the intersection of state-mandated lockdowns and rigid licensure requirements, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research illustrates how the sudden transition to online modality and the abrupt dismantling of the traditional “gatekeeper” model forced faculty to navigate high stress environments with negligible preparation. The findings reveal that the necessity of maintaining instructional continuity while stripped of tactile verification tools created a profound state of “moral …

The Relationship Between Participants In The Certificate Of Educational Technology And Information Literacy (Coetail) Program And Professional Capital, Benjamin J. Sheridan

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

This study aimed to explore how educators involved in the Certificate of Educational Technology and Information Literacy (COETAIL) program perceived the development of their professional capital within an online, cohort-based professional learning community. Based on Hargreaves and Fullan’s (2012) concept of professional capital, which includes human, social, and decisional capital, and guided by social learning theories, the study examined participants’ perceptions of professional capital development, the program features related to that development, and how participation influenced their professional paths. The research focused on international school settings, where educators often rely on networked professional learning because of geographic mobility and limited …

The Influence Of First-Year Seminar Course Modality On The Academic Outcomes Of First-Generation College Students, Keia Dodd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

When universities effectively implement first-year seminars, a popular type of support designed to assist students during their initial year of college, they can meaningfully boost the academic performance of first-generation college students. This study examined whether first-year seminars influenced the academic outcomes of first-generation college students at a specific institution compared with those of their continuing-generation peers. Specifically, it investigated the extent to which course modality (face-to-face, online, or hybrid) influenced variation in first-semester grade point average (GPA) and first-to-second-year retention after controlling for race, sex, and first-generation status. The sample included 7,848 first-time undergraduate students. Multiple linear regression was …

Investigating The Impacts Of Facial Gestures On Global Participants’ Perception Of The Speaker, Perception Of The Message, Emotional Responses, And Engagement During Video Conferencing, Hanan Mohammed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Facial expressions play a crucial role in shaping communication and emotional understanding during virtual interactions. This study investigated how facial expressions influence participants’ perceptions of the speaker, perceptions of the message, emotional responses, and engagement during video conferencing across diverse cultural contexts. A hybrid experimental design was implemented using self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data and examine cause-and-effect relationships. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three facial-expression conditions Positive (smiling and joyful), Negative (angry or nervous), or Neutral (expressionless) and viewed speakers representing three ethnic backgrounds: White American, Black American, and Middle Eastern. Using a seven-point semantic differential scale, …

How Secondary Online Teachers Perceive And Implement Executive Function Strategies In Online Classrooms: A Qualitative Case Study, Erin M. Hall

Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored how secondary online teachers perceive and implement executive function (EF) strategies in fully asynchronous online learning environment. Grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework and the Unity and Diversity Model of Executive Function, the study examined how instructional practices support cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Data were collected through interviews, a focus group, and artifacts submitted by eleven secondary online teachers. Using iterative thematic analysis, four key findings emerged: (1) teachers used intentional scaffolding strategies- such as modeling, pacing tools, and checklists to support EF development; (2) they emphasized shifting cognitive responsibility …

Navigating The Landscape Of Online Higher Education: Faculty Challenges, Opportunities, And Strategies For Student Engagement, Nicole T. Kaszubinski Ed.D.

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Faculty in higher education recognize the importance of enhancing student engagement in online courses (Hollister et al., 2022; Richards, 2023), yet challenges like lack of confidence, difficulty understanding students, and managing workload often hinder prioritization (Kellen & Kumar, 2021). This qualitative phenomenological study explored eight university instructors' and faculty members' perceptions of student engagement in online courses, examining strategies, challenges, and successes in fostering a sense of community through individual interviews. Findings revealed various strategies to enhance engagement, such as integrating multimedia for interactive discussions. Despite available resources like the CTEL department, participants identified ongoing challenges, particularly a gap in …

Learning In Virtual Environments With Varying Levels Of Sensory Information, Maryam Derayati Far

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

The sensory environment plays a critical role in shaping learners’ attention, engagement, and retention. This thesis investigates how varying levels of sensory input in virtual reality (VR) classrooms influence learning for two age groups—children and young adults—and explores how individual differences in sensory processing moderate these effects. Using immersive VR technology to simulate classroom settings, two experimental studies were conducted. Study One involved 60 children aged 6–15 years, recruited primarily through a university-run summer camp. Study Two included 57 undergraduate students aged 18–36 years, recruited through a research participation pool. In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to either a …