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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Caregiver Training Program For Optimal Recovery Of Neuro Accidents: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Bennie L. Huitt Jr., Jennifer Featheringham, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Caregivers of individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or experiencing onset of dementia often are provided limited education and support after discharge, negatively impacting confidence and recovery outcomes. The Caremaster program was designed to bridge the educational gap between occupational therapists in the clinical setting and caregivers in the home settings through accessible online modules, support groups, and in-person demonstrations. Module topics included understanding neuro accidents and role of the caregiver, returning home (transition and adaptation), ADLs and Mobility, returning to roles, and social reintegration. This program aims to guide future development of scalable, community-based caregiver education that …

Digital Transformation In Jamaica's Education Sector, Grace Willis

Capstone Collection

Digital transformation in Jamaica’s education sector, significantly spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, represented a seismic shift on this small Caribbean island I call home. This transformation was central to national education reform and involved multiple projects aimed at modernizing educational delivery, infrastructure, and the supporting ecosystem. This study explored the multifaceted implications of these initiatives through qualitative research conducted with ten key stakeholders, complemented by a review of publicly available materials. Interviewees included school administrators, Information Technology (IT) teachers, funding sponsors, representatives from national education bodies, and international development agencies engaged in domestic strategic efforts. Participants were recruited through cold …

A Comparison Of School Index Score And Per-Pupil Spending Of Four School Environments, Elizabeth Ann Springer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationship between school environment and both school index scores and per-pupil spending across four distinct public school types in Michigan: in-person district schools, in-person charter schools, virtual district schools, and virtual charter schools. The primary purpose was to explore whether significant differences exist in the school index scores and per-pupil expenditures among these school environments, with particular attention to virtual schools, which remain underrepresented within educational policy research. Initial analysis using MANOVA was supplemented with non-parametric testing due to violations of normality assumptions. Findings indicate significant differences in both spending and school index scores across …

Journal Of Communication Pedagogy, Complete Volume, 2025

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Impact Of Instructor Presence In Lecture Videos On Learning Experiences: A Comparative Study, Keone K. Fuqua

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

As online learning continues to grow, understanding how instructional design features influence student experience becomes increasingly important. One critical feature in video-based instruction in instructor presence - the degree to which the instructor is visually or vocally present in the lesson. The purpose of this study was to investigate how varying levels of instructor presence in asynchronous lector videos affect students' perceived relatedness, satisfaction, engagement, content retention, and cognitive effort.

A mixed methods experimental design was employed, with 93 undergraduate and graduate students from a public university randomly assigned to one of three video lesson conditions: Full Presence (instructor visible …

The Evolution Of Schooling: From Industrial Obedience To Techno-Autonomy, Seb Taylor, Ron Roberts Ii

Digital Laboratory: Publisher of Internet Journal

This paper examines the enduring architecture of the American education system as a mechanism designed for compliance, not creativity. Rooted in 19th-century industrial logic, the structure of schooling, its physical design, time constraints, and assessment methods, has remained largely static despite seismic cultural and technological shifts. Through historical analysis and contemporary critique, this work interrogates the persistence of standardized methods, institutional prestige, and top-down instruction as barriers to meaningful learning and value creation. Drawing from interdisciplinary research and live case studies, including Alpha School’s AI-powered, mastery-based model, the paper advances the concept of techno-education: a student-centered paradigm informed by feedback …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Book Review: Building A God, Carl Lee Tolbert

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Increasing Understanding With Multiple Means Of Representation: Interactive Workshop For Teaching Staff, Cathy Stephens

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework aimed at optimising knowledge acquisition for all types of learners, recognising the uniqueness of each.
Within this framework, Multiple Means of Representation (MMR)—providing resources in varieties of forms—maximises access to content processing.
This forum presentation gave an overview of Universal Design for Learning concepts to lecturing staff at SAE University College, exploring some strategies used to diversify content and engage learning. It also used Padlet to engage attendees in a set of active learning exercises to examine manageable ways of incorporating multiple resources.

This National Forum workshop included collaborative, eLearning, active …

Enhancing Rural Teacher Training Using The Internet Backpack: Broadband Policy Implications, Jane Appiah-Okyere, Danielle Smith, Lee W. Mcknight

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This article examines how the Internet Backpack can enhance rural teacher training, with a focus on the broadband policy frameworks required to sustain its adoption. It highlights education policy in the context of digital equity.

Incorporating Community-Engaged Pedagogy In Online Classes: Benefits, Challenges, And Strong Practices, Emmy Price, Margaret Thomas-Evans

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Community-engagement in virtual classrooms comes with unique benefits and challenges. Between 2018-2021, technical writing e-service-learning students from Indiana University East (Richmond, Indiana) raised a total of $149,239 through grant writing projects. This e-servicelearning project gave students real-world experiences and opportunity to connect with local organizations, prompting one student to choose grant writing as a career. Many students were able to successfully obtain funding for their chosen nonprofits, giving students a sense of social responsibility.

Conversations In Isolation: A Mixed-Methods, Multi-Perspective Evaluation Of Extreme Electronic Service Learning During Covid-19, Lauren M. Dinour, Jennifer Y. Daclan

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Due to physical proximity constraints imposed by COVID-19, extreme electronic service learning (e-service-learning)—instruction and service offered completely online—allowed for the safe continuation of service-learning experiences. Using a combination of surveys and an autoethnographic approach, this study describes findings of an intergenerational extreme e-service-learning project from four perspectives: students, assisted living facility residents, community partner, and course instructor. Positive impacts were noted on personal, social, and learning contexts among each of the four perspectives.

Spotlight: Russian Aspect In Conversation And Russian Grammar Youtube Channel, Margaret Godwin-Jones

Russian Language Journal

The Digital Resources Corner (DRC) offers reviews of new digital resources that could be beneficial in the teaching and/or learning of Slavic languages. It is intended for instructors looking for or evaluating different materials to use in the classroom.

Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Neurodiversity In Legal Education, Katherine Silver Kelly

Arkansas Law Review

This Article takes the position that the curiosity associated with legal education is limited to those who are neurotypical. For students who are neurodivergent, law school is a place of judgment, not curiosity. The number of neurodiverse law students is increasing, yet they are not sufficiently supported in law school. This Article will seek to show how the current structures of legal education, although fundamentally sound, have become overly rigid. Instead of providing students with intellectual foundations of legal doctrine that prepare them for the challenges of practicing law, the existing status quo stifles those goals. By limiting our practices …

Digital Infrastructure For The Regenerative Movement: A Case Study Of The Mycelium Learning Network, Abigail Karparis

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

The regenerative movement is gaining momentum worldwide, driven by communities working to restore ecological and social systems through place-based, culturally rooted action. Yet many of the groups leading this work, especially in the Global South or in hyper-local contexts, remain digitally invisible due to structural barriers, including limited access to appropriate technology, funding constraints, and misalignment between available tools and local values. Conventional digital infrastructures often exclude or marginalize these efforts, leaving regenerative practitioners disconnected from each other and from potential sources of support.

This article explores these challenges and presents a case study response: the co-creation of accessible, relational …

Fostering Belonging: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Nontraditional Students In Higher Education, Gina M. Bolin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the sense of belonging for nontraditional students in online higher education environments. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the CoI, which emphasized the importance of social, cognitive, and teaching presence to foster a supportive and positive student experience. The central research question was: How do online nontraditional students in higher education describe their experiences of academic and social belonging within their learning communities? This study employed a transcendental phenomenological design. Participants included 15 nontraditional students enrolled in fully online degree programs at various U.S. institutions. Data collected through …

Ai Avatars In Hospitality Employee Training: Transforming Learning Through Innovation, Eulanda A. Sanders, Nikol K. Lopez Llantuy, Li Jiang

ICHRIE Research Reports

The hospitality industry faces challenges in delivering consistent, engaging, and scalable training. Traditional training often fails to address cost, efficiency, and learner engagement. Organizations are turning to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance employee development, including AI-driven avatars. Drawing on recent literature in microlearning, avatar-mediated education, and technological adoption models, this study examines the potential of AI avatars to personalize instruction, enhance accessibility, reduce costs, and enhance learning outcomes. Content analysis of fifteen YouTube videos reveals ten themes associated with the use of AI avatars in real-world hospitality settings. The report includes implementation guidelines for integrating AI avatars into …

Learning Management Systems Special Needs Support In K-12 Schools: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Eric Ryan Levels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the use of learning management systems to improve student learning outcomes for K-12 special education teachers at Aldridge Independent School District in the United States. This study followed Moustakas's (1994) transcendental phenomenological research methodology to describe the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems. Moustakas explores the techniques and principles involved in describing human experiences to uncover their underlying essence and meaning. The central research question aims to explore the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems in K-12 schools within the Aldridge Independent School …