Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Vol 18 Issue 3 List Of Reviewers

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Vol 18 Issue 3 List of reviewers

Vol 16 Issue 2 List Of Reviewers

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

List of reviewers of Vol 16, Issue 2

Financial Aid Matters: The Relationship Among Financial Aid, Retention, And Graduation Rates In Online Students, Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, Dane Skinner, Naomi R. Aguiar, Greta R. Underhill

Journal of Student Financial Aid

A wealth of evidence indicates that financial aid is positively associated with retention and graduation rates among college students attending in-person courses. However, limited research exists on the relation between financial aid, retention and graduation rates among undergraduate students earning online degrees. The purpose of this study was to examine these relationships among five cohorts of students (AY2014-2018; ns = 305 - 495) seeking online degrees. Using multinomial logistic regression models, the results indicated students who received more total financial aid had a higher probability of graduating and a lower probability of stopping out, with some variations by cohort. The …

Embedding Social And Emotional Learning Into Educator Preparation Programs: An Alternative Certification Perspective, Valerie Flanagan, Lisa Fulks, Wanetta Morrow

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study discusses the impact of integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum into alternative certification educator preparation programs (EPPs), in response to prior research indicating the lack of SEL strategies in schools. It offers a review of educator preparation students’ thoughts concerning SEL implementation, as well as their selection of and reflection upon embedding SEL skills into lessons. Participants serving as teachers of record during their coursework reported positive outcomes in the classroom resulting from lessons including SEL content. Given the increasing importance of SEL in addressing students’ diverse developmental, behavioral, and academic needs, preparation for educators must go …

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Open Distance Learning’S Transformative Potential To Bridge Educational Disparities While Fostering Inclusive Growth, Khalid Ghoulam

Higher Learning Research Communications

In recent years—during and after COVID-19—the demand for flexible and accessible education surged across the continent, prompting numerous institutions to adopt and expand their Open Distance Learning (ODL) initiatives. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of ODL programs in African universities while exploring the state of ODLs and examining institutional strategies, technological advancements, and ODL’s impact on student accessibility and success. Using case study analyses, which contain data from African universities from various regions, this paper highlights current ODL insights and future directions. This paper also discusses ODL best practices and implementation challenges, and delves into the socioeconomic and cultural …

Revisiting The Spin–Lattice Relaxation Of Homonuclear In-Phase And Antiphase Nmr Magnetization, Lauren M. Kehoe, Zachary G. Mayes, Kelsey E. Brakensiek, Emma L. Ellis, Adam J. Alderfer, Lingyu Chi, Klaus Woelk

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hyperpolarization techniques such as dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP), and parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) enhance the sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy and MRI, but the associated antiphase magnetization patterns often relax faster than those of conventional in-phase signals. This study analyzes the spin–lattice relaxation matrix for single-quantum transitions in an isolated, weakly coupled two-spin AX system to identify eigenvectors and eigenvalues that govern the time evolution of in-phase and antiphase longitudinal magnetization. The analysis predicts that AX antiphase magnetization, such as that generated by PHIP hydrogenations in high magnetic field, can relax up to twice as fast …

Comparing Massed And Distributed Course Formats: Effects On Outcomes In A Graduate Augmentative And Alternative Communication Course, Brandon Scott Eddy, Alli Sauerwein, Leah Meloy, Eric Sanders

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The effects of massed versus distributed learning have been well studied in the verbal and motor learning literature, with findings suggesting enhanced outcomes from distributing learning over time. However, some studies have found limited evidence to support enhanced outcomes from distributed learning when applied to an entire academic course. The effects of course scheduling on student learning in speech-language pathology graduate coursework have received limited attention. This study compared learning outcomes between a one-week massed format and an eight-week distributed format in an online two-credit augmentative and alternative communication graduate-level course. Learning outcomes were assessed before students enrolled, immediately after …

Integrating Ai And Generative Ai Across The Curriculum: A Look At Three Subject Areas, Angie Su, Victoria Brenes, Stephanie L. Nelson

FDLA Journal

This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) models, such as ChatGPT and other GenAI tools, can effectively integrate into mathematics, computer science, and English classrooms. Students must understand foundational AI concepts and how these technologies function to facilitate meaningful engagement with AI and GenAI. This paper provides practical strategies for math educators to introduce AI algorithms that connect with students' existing knowledge and real-life experiences. Furthermore, it examines how GenAI can enhance learning, supporting students at each stage of coding, reading, and writing. The ethical considerations of GenAI usage, including potential overuse by students, are discussed. …

Building Financial Resilience In Utah: The Outcomes Of The Empowering Financial Wellness Program, Amanda H. Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Lendel K. Narine

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah State University Extension Empowering Financial Wellness (EFW) program demonstrated improvement in Utahns’ financial behaviors and understanding while creating a positive impact on participants’ quality of life and financial confidence. Through research-based education and ongoing evaluation, EFW continues to deliver measurable, meaningful outcomes to improve the lives of Utahns.

Effective Practices In Working With Academic Coaches, Tracia M. Forman, Jessica M. Sanchez

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

As online education grows, instructional teams with academic coaches have become increasingly valuable in higher education. Coaches play crucial roles in fostering student engagement, supporting active learning, and delivering timely feedback, particularly in large online courses. Recent mixed-method research examined effective coach integration into online instructional teams by analyzing faculty characteristics, behaviors, preferences, attitudes, and knowledge. The study identified successful strategies and best practices for faculty-coach collaboration, providing actionable insights for instructors. This research expands our understanding of how team-based approaches can enhance educational quality in virtual environments, contributing meaningfully to ongoing discussions about online teaching effectiveness and the strategic …

Student, Faculty, And Coaches’ Perceptions And Experience Of Academic Coaching In Online Courses, Jessica M. Sanchez, Harriet E. Watkins, Francisco Garcia, Claudia Vela

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This chapter explores student, faculty, and online academic coaches' perceptions of academic coaching in large online courses at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), one of the nation's largest Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs). Our goal was to examine their experiences to gain insights into the effectiveness of academic coaching and identify areas for improvement. The results have implications for institutions looking to enhance student support services and promote student success in online learning environments.

Tutoring Online During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Use Of Critical Incidents To Improve Practice, A.E. Dreyfuss, Jose Armando Sanchez Diaz, Barakat Adigun, Helen Baraki, Thalyia Thompson

Publications and Research

Developing expertise in the practice of online tutoring is presented by peer tutors who provided support to students with synchronous sessions with the onset of COVID-19. The experiences and learning of peer tutors were probed through the use of critical incidents (Flanagan, 1954), and how weekly training meetings provided support to them, creating a collaboration among the tutors and the training manager.

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 …

Integrating Ai And Generative Ai Across The Curriculum: A Look At Three Subject Areas, Angie Su, Victoria Brenes, Stephanie L. Nelson

FDLA Journal

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) models, such as ChatGPT and other GenAI tools, can be effectively integrated into mathematics, computer science, and English classrooms. Students must understand foundational AI concepts and how these technologies function to facilitate meaningful engagement with AI and GenAI. This paper provides practical strategies for math educators to introduce AI algorithms in a way that connects with students' existing knowledge and real-life experiences. Furthermore, it examines how GenAI can enhance learning, supporting students at each stage of coding, reading, and writing. The ethical considerations of GenAI usage, including potential overuse …

The Impact Of A Major Educational Shift On Cognitive Load: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Uae University Students, Yousef Aljawarneh, Hasan Al-Omari

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The shift to remote learning has significantly influenced cognitive load among university students, impacting their ability to learn and comprehend effectively. In this study, we assessed cognitive load among students at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, we collected data from 2,085 students via self-administered questionnaires between February and May of 2021. The sample was predominantly female (78.5%) and single (91.3%). The Cognitive Load Scale (subscale range: 0-40) revealed moderate mean scores of 19.59 for intrinsic load (ICL) and 16.69 for extraneous load (ECL), with …

Framework Integration In Academia: Moving From Theory To Practice, Lori B. Doyle, Kara S. Bratton, Timothy Young, Catherine Webb, Cari A. Chittick, Heather L. Vezner, Rebecca A. Stanton, Tanya M. Tarbutton

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Character education has been a point of focus and research in K-12 education dating back to the 1990s. The work of integrating a character-forward framework in higher education is now considered a beneficial and impactful practice. One university has successfully completed the initial work of integrating a servant leadership framework in the School of Education using an approach in line with the community of practice model. The authors of this paper work together and have each played a key role in not only the early stages but the ongoing phases associated with maintaining and improving. This theory-to-practice article begins with …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their University departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

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 …

New Instructor Orientation: Preparing Faculty To Facilitate Online Courses, Heather J. Leslie Phd, Elizabeth Morgan, Ashley Kovacs

Learning Design Center: Staff Scholarship

This case study of a new instructor orientation describes a course to prepare faculty to facilitate courses in a university’s online programs. This case study provides a detailed description of the course, rationale for design decisions, theoretical and pedagogical frameworks that guided the design, and results from course participant and Academic Director surveys. Overall, course participants and Academic Directors rated this orientation highly and provided constructive comments for improvement. This case may provide ideas for other online learning design teams or institutions looking for an illustrative example of new instructor orientations to prepare faculty for facilitating online courses.

Exploring Design-Based Research: Enhancing Methodologies For Educational Innovation, Awang Najib Awang Mohamad, Zaimuariffudin Nordin, Mohd Hafizan Hashim

Journal of Research Initiatives

Design-based research (DBR) has proven to be a robust methodology for transforming educational practice through a systematic cycle of analysis, design, development, and real-world implementation. Its distinctive strength lies in fostering close collaboration between researchers and educators within authentic learning contexts, producing design principles and theories that are deeply responsive to local needs. This paper presents a critical and comprehensive examination of the three core phases of the McKenney and Reeves (2012) generic DBR model, illustrating how it integrates rigorous inquiry with practical problem-solving. It also introduces Sandoval's (2014) concept of conjecture mapping as a strategic tool for aligning theoretical …

Examining The Evolution Of The Community College, Marian E. Truehill

Journal of Research Initiatives

Community colleges created opportunities for expansion to feed into four-year institutions in the United States. Community colleges served high school students, military veterans, and diverse student populations in U.S. communities. In the twenty-first century, various educational needs and rebuilding processes existed for many community colleges in the United States. Community colleges serve as educational hospitals, assisting four-year institutions in higher education.

Teachers' Perceptions And Readiness For Ai Integration In Under-Resourced K-12 Classrooms, Valerie Riggs

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study explores how educators from under-resourced schools, who participated in an AI Summer Research Institute hosted by a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), perceive the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their classrooms. Using both quantitative data from post-survey responses and qualitative reflections from virtual interviews, the study examines how teachers anticipate AI will influence their teaching strategies and student engagement, and what long-term benefits or concerns they associate with AI integration. The findings indicate that while teachers are optimistic about AI's potential to enhance engagement and personalization learning, they also express uncertainty regarding its long-term impact and …

Engaging Students And Stakeholders In Times Of Crisis: Hbcus Bridging Social Capital On Facebook While Navigating Physical Distancing, Pamela Peters

Journal of Research Initiatives

COVID-19 placed a strain on colleges that tend to rely on tuition, especially small HBCUs, which traditionally serve a high percentage of underrepresented students. Being away from campus, many stakeholders were experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety. Social media offers an outlet for schools and stakeholders to stay connected during a crisis. Using social capital, this study examined how small HBCUs bridged social capital on Facebook during the year before and the first two years of the pandemic. A comparative analysis of Facebook posts of 30 HBCUs with a student population of under 2000 was conducted to determine post …

Virtual Music Education: An Examination Of Experiences Of A Post-Covid Virtual Elementary Music Program, Julia Federico-Youngs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study focused on a three-year phenomenon that occurred at five Title I California elementary schools that took part in a post-COVID-19 virtual music program where the teacher was remote and third- through fifth-grade students were together in their classrooms. This event occurred as an attempt to provide music education to students who had no access to music education. The participants were the general classroom teachers who were physically in the classroom with the students. The participants’ experiences provided the results of this transcendental phenomenological study via interviews. These interviews offered valuable insight into the perspectives and experiences of the …

Toward Secure And Inclusive Educational Metaverse: Insights For African Countries, Nkosikhona T. Msweli

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The rapid growth of immersive learning platforms has introduced critical identity security challenges. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of over 200 publications (2005–2025) on AI and security issues in virtual educational environments, using Scopus as the primary source. Findings reveal a surge in research after 2022, with China, the U.S., and India as leading contributors, while African representation remains limited. Key concerns include cross-platform vulnerabilities, deepfake threats, and challenges in implementing blockchain-based identity verification. The study also highlights algorithmic bias and ethical issues in identity authentication, emphasizing the need for inclusive, transparent AI systems. The paper provides insights to …

Facilitating Farmer-To-Farmer Elearning: An Evaluation Of Climate And Wildfires Online Courses In California, Natalia Pinzon, Caitlin Brimm

Journal of Extension

This study assesses the effectiveness of two online courses tailored for farmers and ranchers in California, with a particular focus on the role of farmer-to-farmer pedagogies. Utilizing live sessions, a social-learning platform, and multimedia content, we draw insights from engagement metrics, lesson and end-of-course survey evaluations, and course outcomes. Key findings highlight the pivotal role of peer interactions, featuring farmers and completion incentives. Based on the findings, we advocate for the integration of farmer-to-farmer education methods within online learning environments to cultivate regional learning networks, and promote the timely exchange and co-creation of agricultural knowledge amid environmental change.

Unlocking Reading Success: Addressing The Literacy Crisis In The United States, Jennifer Kaczrowski-Taylor

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper addresses the literacy crisis in the United States. Currently, in the educational system, millions of children lack access to research-based reading instruction and, as a result, struggle to become proficient readers. Despite decades of academic and reform efforts, national reading achievement has been declining. This literacy crisis can be traced back to outdated or inconsistent instructional practices, socioeconomic background, lack of research-based instructional curricula, as well as inconsistent and ineffective implementation of these approaches. Based on recent research and national data, this white paper advocates for aligning teacher education and professional development with the Science of Reading. …

Implications Of The Pending Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling On Act 10, Carl J. Bryan

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper examines the potential implications of the pending Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, a landmark labor law that significantly restricted collective bargaining rights for public sector employees, including teachers and university professors. The ruling stands to reshape the landscape of public sector labor relations in Wisconsin, impacting public educators’ bargaining power, labor-management dynamics, and ultimately, the quality of public education. Drawing on scholarly research, this paper outlines the key challenges posed by the potential legal uncertainty and proposes a multi-pronged approach centered on collaborative labor-management frameworks, contingency planning, inclusive policymaking, capacity …

Developing Cross-Cultural Competence And Media Literacy Through Multi-Modal Instruction And Projects, Michelle Verbitskaya, Alla Kourova, Irina Pidberejna

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We explore the integration of Media Literacy in the 2-year Russian language STARTALK program, “How Words Shape People: Understanding Business Russian Through Proverbs.” Given the current geopolitical climate, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, fostering critical engagement with media has become more essential than ever. By encouraging students to interact with multimedia resources—including animated videos, podcasts, news articles, and the Russian National Corpora—the curriculum aims to enhance both language and media literacy skills. Media Literacy’s Five Key Framework is applied to guide students in analyzing media critically while producing academic projects and cultural responses. We present a curriculum that fosters …