External support, such as that provided by parents, plays an important role in helping students in K-12 online education engage in their education and obtain academic success. The Academic Communities of Engagement (ACE) framework has been proposed as one way of conceptualizing the communities that support students, including the roles that parents and guardians play. Research studying parental support in online education could benefit from the structure offered from the ACE framework, but, due to the framework's novelty, it has not been widely applied in research. The first article in this thesis sought to use the ACE framework to synthesize past research on the roles parents take when they become involved in their students' online education. Results indicated that the framework has strong potential for understanding research on parental roles but that there are some roles discovered in the literature that do not fit cleanly in the framework. The second article further explored the ACE Framework's application in studying parental roles by interviewing parents in another context to understand their reported roles in supporting their students. Findings for this study further validated the usefulness of the ACE framework, but also exposed patterns in the roles not covered by the ACE framework. These patterns suggest looking at the ACE framework through a systems approach rather than an egocentric model.

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Women in general have been historically overlooked in society and, more recently, in research females with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) have been unnoticed (Rice, Merves, & Srsic, 2008). The purpose of the current study is to build a foundation of knowledge and practices for educators and researchers to better support and education this unique population of females. To better understand females with EBD, the researcher imposed a three-phase study, situated in two frameworks-the Culturally Responsive Theory Framework (Wlodkowski & Ginsberg, 1995) and the Participation-Identification Model (Finn, 1989), to look into the predictors of school engagement for females with EBD. In the first phase the researcher utilized quantitative data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 to build three structural equation models (SEM) on the predictors of school engagement for students with EBD. Results and procedures are discussed for each SEM created. During phase two the researcher shifted the focus to females with EBD and interviewed six current females with EBD, ages 14-17. The participants were engaged in separate interviews that allowed the researcher to uncover additional variables necessary for females with EBD to engage in the school setting. The third phase consisted of an intersection of phases one and two to create a newly developed SEM model for females with EBD merging the interviews and the SEM built in phase one. The newly developed SEM is provided for future research, as well as are the provision of recommendations and implications of the results from the study.

This study examined the engagement of male, college basketball players within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The literature review shows a connection between engaging in educationally purposeful activities and student retention. Because some student athletes, male collegiate basketball players in particular, struggle to graduate at the same rate as their fellow student athletes, student engagement offers one lens to examine the educational experiences of basketball players. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was used to collect levels of engagement along four identified variables. These four variables, part of Chickering and Gamson’s Seven Principles for Good Undergraduate Education, were relevant to the study as they were factors student athletes could control. These factors included: active learning, cooperation among students, interaction with faculty, and time on task. Student athlete responses were analyzed by three factors including NCAA athletic division, race, and highest level of parental education. This study found no significant difference in levels of engagement among the NCAA’s three athletic divisions. Additionally, no significant differences in engagement were found based on the highest level of education reached by the student athlete’s parents. Last, ethnic background presented only one significant difference within the active learning variable. The other three variables showed no significant difference based on race. The lack of statistical differences is iv meaningful as it signifies the strength of the basketball culture. The culture of this sport permeates all divisions of college basketball and transcends the background of its players. Thus, players who should display different levels of engagement based on institutional or background characteristics display similar levels of engagement

Parental support roles in K-12 online learning differ from traditional schools. Since K-12 students typically have not developed the self-regulation skills necessary for academic engagement, parents partner with schools to provide the affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement support necessary for academic success. Through 21 semistructured interviews with parents supporting K-12 students in varied online contexts, this study delineates how parents provided support in each of these dimensions of engagement. The participants felt that in online education, parents should take the primary responsibility for behavioral engagement support, and that teachers were primarily responsible for cognitive support. Parents believed they shared affective engagement responsibilities with teachers, but that teachers should make content more interesting and engaging while parents provided for the emotional needs of their student. The findings also describe additional parental support roles, including helping students move to an online school, increasing personal availability, leveraging resources, teaching themselves, and encouraging students to develop independent engagement skills. The themes reveal how parents strengthen both themselves and other community actors to ensure their students receive sufficient engagement support. Given the importance of parental support in K-12 online education and the inequity of parental support across online learners, online schools should consider how to provide targeted help to parents in their support roles, including assuming a dual-support role for both students and parents.

This multiple-article dissertation explores institutional support for student academic engagement through the lens of the Academic Communities of Engagement (ACE) framework. A literature synthesis explores the current research on teaching assistant (TA) support in online and blended environments in higher education, with a special emphasis on their role in providing support for affective engagement, in addition to supporting cognitive and behavioral engagement. The review suggests that additional research needs to be done in this area to better understand the role of TAs in online environments and how institutions can prepare them for this role through meaningful training. The second article provides insight into students' barriers to learning online and how the institution can support these students. Researchers gathered survey results of 1295 university students regarding the barriers they experience and the support they receive from the institution to support their academic engagement. Descriptive statistics and thematic coding revealed specific practices institutions could implement to help students overcome barriers to fully engaging in their learning. The third article presents how online teaching assistants (OLTAs) interact with students to support their engagement in online and blended learning courses and how a training course may influence their interactions. Researchers gathered data from a tracking instrument that documented OLTA-student interactions over a 2-week period and conducted interviews with 10 OLTAs. Descriptive statistics and thematic coding indicated that TAs supported students in several ways and that their training program most likely influenced how they approached these interactions.

There is a large demand for the use of e-learning tools to support student learning, in the form of distance or blended learning. The need for e-learning environment that encourages learners to learn independently or in groups in virtual settings is crucial. Some e-learning environments provide repositories of `resources¿. They neither facilitate a strategy for learning or teaching, nor they guide students through the resources, and tutors in constructing their courses. E-learning environments need to incorporate pedagogical practices which support and allow students to learn by removing any barriers that might inhibit their learning. Therefore, one of the most important aspects in developing e-learning environments is defining appropriate models where technology and pedagogy are integrated. This thesis provides such a framework for developing e-learning applications; it aims to make it easier for tutors to implement their lesson content and engage learners to achieve the course objectives. The proposed model incorporates constructive alignment, assessment and feedback and unlike other e-learning environments guides the tutor to construct lessons and help learners to use effective learning environment. Furthermore, the thesis investigates on how supported learning can help students adapt to the different approaches to learning. The empirical work undertaken investigates the role of constructing a well designed self-assessment and feedback unit within a learning environment.

In this study, the topic of K-12 public school online learning is addressed in the context of the pandemic-related circumstances of 2020 and 2021. The study used a qualitative analysis of data sources in the form of one-on-one interviews. The study examined teachers' input regarding factors they believe impacted academic outcomes for students in the online learning environment in 2020-2021. A total of 15 K-12 public school teachers who volunteered to provide instruction in the online learning environment during the 2020-2021 school year participated in a one-on-one semi-structured interview. The questions asked during the interview were organized in sections according to themes that were reviewed in the review of literature and existing research components of this study: professional development, pedagogy, learner engagement, and equity in the K-12 online learning environment. Findings and conclusions from this study offer multiple considerations for future planning and implementation of K-12 public school instruction in the fully online learning environment. Instructors need adequate and advanced preparation and professional development that is intentionally focused on the fully online learning environment. Parents and students need to have an understanding of the expectations of active engagement in the fully online learning environment. Consistent and clear communication about expectations of learners is a predominant factor in ensuring increased student achievement in the K-12 public school fully online learning environment. / Doctor of Education / In this study, the topic of K-12 public school online learning is addressed in the context of the pandemic-related circumstances of 2020 and 2021. The study examined teachers' input regarding factors they believe impacted academic outcomes for students in the online learning environment in 2020-2021. A total of 15 K-12 public school teachers who volunteered to provide instruction in the online learning environment during the 2020-2021 school year participated in a one-on-one interviews. The topics of professional development, pedagogy, learner engagement, and equity in the K-12 online learning environment were addressed by the interview questions. The results of this study offer multiple considerations for future planning and implementation of K-12 public school instruction in the fully online learning environment. Instructors need adequate and advanced preparation and professional development that is intentionally focused on the fully online learning environment. Parents and students need to have an understanding of the expectations of active engagement in the fully online learning environment. Consistent and clear communication about expectations of learners is a predominant factor in ensuring increased student achievement in the K-12 public school fully online learning environment.

The main focus of this thesis is on the effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL) in engineering design. The literature review has shown that there is much confusion and ongoing arguments concerning the implementation of PBL in engineering design, and there lacks consensus on its effectiveness. Little research has been done on providing measurable metrics of PBL effectiveness, not to mention discovering the optimal PBL and its underlying mechanisms based on solid educational theories and rigorous research methodology. In this thesis, the measurement of the optimal PBL effectiveness (effect) is studied and a theoretical model of PBL is built in order to identify parameters (cause) controlling the effectiveness and to study the interplay between effectiveness and the parameters. The model is built through three main phases, with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. In phase one, the effectiveness of PBL is studied from the perspectives of the engineering design lecturers and engineering graduates by interviews, which is used to represent effect (Y axis) of the model. In phase two, on the basis of self-directed learning theory (SDL) and learner engagement theory,two key parameters of PBL, i.e. SDL and learner engagement, are identified and quantified respectively to represent cause (X axis) of the model. With the key parameters of PBL (X axis) and PBL effectiveness (Y axis) obtained, a theoretical model of PBL is proposed. The model is verified by means of experiments (student self-reported surveys). A specified Moving Average Method (MAM) is used for data analysis and findings demonstrate different trends of the relations between SDL and PBL effectiveness, and between learner engagement and PBL effectiveness. Consequently, a 3D model of PBL is built by combining the data in aforementioned 2D models,through which the optimal PBL effectiveness in 3D are identified and measured and the interplay between different parameters are found. In phase three, in order to find out more delicate features in PBL ignored by MAM, the dynamic interaction of individual differences in PBL teamwork is explored by the ethnological method (including participant observations and interviews), which is conducted as a supplement to the model of PBL. The theoretical model of PBL effectiveness proposed in this thesis is novel and groundbreaking. Firstly, a series of 2D and 3D models are presented and the relations between SDL, learner engagement and PBL effectiveness are revealed for the first time, which provides guidance for the optimal PBL measurement and implementation. Secondly, a qualitatively-quantitatively-combined strategy is used to discover the mechanisms controlling optimal PBL at different scales. Thirdly, the experiments verifying the model provide fresh quantitative insight into optimal PBL. In summary, the research in this thesis opens up a new research methodology for studying PBL effectiveness, which makes contribution to the educational field as well. Keywords: Project-based learning, Self-directed learning, Learner engagement, Optimal PBL effectiveness, 3D model, Individual differences, Engineering design, Pedagogy.

A la différence de l'apprentissage par mémorisation (rote learning), l'apprentissage significatif (meaningful learning) vise à associer de nouvelles connaissances à des connaissances déjà acquises. La construction de cartes mentales exige et supporte la mise en place de stratégies d'apprentissage significatif, et permet de rendre visible la structure de connaissances de l'apprenant. Cependant, les enseignants qui intègrent la construction de cartes mentales dans leurs activités pédagogiques doivent se contenter du rendu final des cartes mentales, et risquent de faire de mauvaises interprétations et évaluations de celles-ci par manque d'information sur leur processus de construction. Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à l'observation a posteriori de l'engagement de l'apprenant dans ses dimensions comportementale et cognitive, afin de proposer des indicateurs orientés processus qui permettent de comprendre ses actions et ses choix de construction de carte mentale. Nous avons suivi la méthodologie de recherche orientée par la conception (Design Based Research), qui nous a permis de proposer 3 niveaux de contributions : 1) un modèle théorique d'engagement (comportemental et cognitive) pour les activités de construction de cartes mentales, 2) un ensemble d'indicateurs d'engagement de l'apprenant à partir de traces capturées automatiquement lors de la construction de cartes mentales, et 3) un tableau de bord appelé MindMap Monitor présentant différents indicateurs à l'enseignant pour le suivi de la classe et des apprenants. Le modèle a été obtenu à partir d'une étude de littérature sur les théories de l'engagement de l'apprenant issues notamment de la recherche en psychologie de l'éducation. Les indicateurs ont été définis en croisant le modèle avec les résultats de plusieurs études de terrain avec les enseignants. Le tableau de bord implémentant les indicateurs a été construit en trois itérations. Son interface présente des vues synthétiques permettant de comparer les élèves de la classe et d'identifier ceux en difficulté lors de la construction de leur carte, et des vues détaillées décrivant l'activité de construction d'une carte pour chaque élève. Notre tableau de bord a été évalué au cours d'une expérimentation avec 12 enseignants en comparant son utilisation avec celle des cartes mentales finales associées aux vidéos de leur processus de construction. Les résultats montrent que nos indicateurs sur MindMap Monitor permettent de mieux identifier les élèves en difficulté, les difficultés partagées, ainsi que les difficultés pour un élève. Les résultats concernant la compréhension du processus de construction de la carte mentale sont plus nuancés. Nous avons également pu identifier plusieurs pistes d'amélioration sur le contenu du tableau de bord et sa présentation. Les perspectives de notre travail concernent principalement le suivi de l'engagement des apprenants en temps réel pour l'intervention et l'adaptation de la stratégie pédagogique / In contrast to rote learning, meaningful learning aims to associate new knowledge with knowledge already acquired. Mind mapping activities require and support the implementation of meaningful learning strategies and enlighten the knowledge structure of the learner. However, teachers who integrate mind mapping into their educational activities have to deal with the final rendering of maps, and risk to misinterpret and wrongly evaluate them due to the lack of information about their construction process. In this thesis, we are interested in a posteriori observation of the engagement of learners along its behavioral and cognitive dimensions, in order to propose processoriented indicators that help to understand actions and construction choices of mind maps. We followed the Design Based Research methodology, that allowed us to propose three levels of contributions : 1) a theoretical model of engagement (behavioral and cognitive) for mind mapping activities, 2) a set of indicators of learner engagement constructed from automatically captured map building traces, and 3) a dashboard called MindMap Monitor presenting various indicators to teachers for class and learners monitoring. The model was obtained from a literature review on theories of engagement, including research in educational psychology. The indicators have been defined by comparing the model with the results of several field studies with teachers. The dashboard implementing the indicators was developed following three iterations. Its interface presents synthetic views allowing the comparison of students in the class, the identification of those in difficulty, and detailed views describing the mind mapping activity for each student. Our dashboard was evaluated with an experiment involving 12 teachers. We compared its use with that of final mind maps associated with videos of their construction process. Results show that our indicators on MindMap Monitor are useful to better identify students in difficulty, shared difficulties, as well as difficulties for individual students. Results concerning the understanding of the mind maps construction process are more balanced. We were also able to identify several ways to improve both the content and the visualizations of the dashboard. The perspectives of our work are mainly related to monitoring learners’ engagement in real time for the intervention and adaptation of the teachers’ educational strategies