abstract: In these three pieces, I expand my thoughts about the functional relationships that sociocultural notions of identity and belonging, and economic development (nation building) of Isleta Pueblo have to citizenship. The journal article, "Sociocultural perspectives on sovereignty, citizenship, identity, and economic development with implications for Isleta Pueblo," builds a framework for understating the current social dynamic of a United States Indigenous community in this present time. In the journal article, I draw from Western philosophers and activist scholars including Indigenous authors, to problematize notions of citizenship and full-participation with its emphasis on rights, and reflections from the filed about my personal upbringing to further the argument about identity. For the book chapter, "Isleta Pueblo Economic Development and Citizenship," I expand on the relationship of Isleta Pueblo citizenship, notions of sovereignty, and economic development. The book chapter will discuss the theory of nation building using some comparative examples taken from other countries in order to broaden the conversation on Indigenous economic development and what it currently does and might entail, especially as related to citizenship. The policy paper brief will provide a summary, findings, history, and recommendations for the identity crisis Tribal Youth are experiencing with regard to a blood quantum policy. The policy paper brief is intended for the tribal leadership of my community to consider. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Justice Studies 2015

abstract: The current research examines the influence of disciplines, advisors, committees, language, culture, and previous experiences in students' search and selection of dissertation topics, as well as whether and how students react to those influences during this process. Invention has been an area of research for rhetoricians for centuries, but most modern research focuses exclusively on the pre-writing process in first composition classrooms (Young, 1976). The current research collected survey and interview data from second- and third-year Ph.D. students in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities at a large research university in the United States. 80 second- and third-year Ph.D. students completed an online survey; 11 students and four of their advisors participated in a semi-structured interview. The results demonstrate that the majority of students spent over three months in the selection of dissertation topics, and the humanities students tended to spend longer time in this process than social sciences or humanities students. Additionally, students have much in common in their perception of the criteria they would use in the selection of dissertation topics, and those criteria are similar to what previous researchers (Isaac, Koenigsknecht, Malaney, & Karras, 1989; Kozma, 1997; Sessions, 1971) have identified. However, when it comes to the actual selection experiences, the interviews show that students do not necessarily apply those criteria rationally. Moreover, disciplines appear to have an overarching effect on students' topic selection. Natural sciences advisors appeared to have more direct involvement in students' topic choice than advisors in social sciences or humanities. The linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the eleven doctoral participants were not found influential in their selection of dissertation topics. Finally, although Ph.D. advisors generally have a good understanding of students' academic progress, their knowledge of the students' personal and professional concerns may differ, and the latter knowledge is crucial in their advising on students' dissertation topic choice. The current study suggests invention in the scholar and researcher level is significantly different from that of first-year composition classrooms. The successful invention of dissertation topics is indispensable of the influence of disciplines, programs as well as the intellectual and practical support students can receive. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Applied Linguistics 2013

<p> The purpose of this study was to explore the instructional strategies used by experienced elementary social studies teachers to enhance students&rsquo; achievements of social studies and critical thinking skills. The definition of critical thinking skills is an ability that one uses to take control of his/her thinking and action by using different methods to arrive at the same results. Students could learn content in a unique and diverse manner. Ten elementary social studies teachers participated in this study. Through face-to-face interviews, observations, and note taking methods, the researcher recorded and analyzed elementary teachers&rsquo; experiences of using instructional strategies for teaching social studies and fostering critical thinking. This study explored and identified what, if any, constructivist teaching strategies in elementary social studies classes enhanced students&rsquo; critical thinking skills. The teachers expressed that engaging students in self-learning strategies could help students develop self-evaluation skills, and small group class projects allowed students to advance in social studies learning. Teachers also believed that students could benefit from utilizing technologies and involve cross-curriculum disciplines. The evidence of critical thinking skills consisted of self-selecting projects, self-evaluation, collaborating with peers, and asking the how and why questions. This study also discovered some barriers when social studies teachers implemented critical thinking promotion strategies in their classrooms.</p>

abstract: This research aims to serve as a starting point to the exploration of the current status of autism in Sudan and how to best utilize available Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to educate and support parents and educators. Currently, there is no official published data on the prevalence of autism in Sudan or the related available services and facilities. To attempt to expand upon the limited existing knowledge, the researcher collected all available data and information through Sudanese Facebook groups and pages. The research was observational in nature. Findings indicated that raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Sudan can be rather challenging, particularly for parents who do not have easy access to ASD treatment. In general, parents in this study expressed minimal satisfaction with the available treatments and services that their children were receiving. Parents repeatedly addressed problems regarding a lack of access, the overwhelming expense, and the need for more awareness and acceptance of autism within Sudanese society. In response to these issues, some of the parents formed small support groups and met regularly to share experiences and discuss solutions. Additionally, some parents are creating discrete Facebook pages to help normalize autism and combat misinformation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Global Technology and Development 2019

In this study, I examined the presentation of the Civil War within U.S. history textbooks and primary sources. The textbook has been a significant element of the history curriculum (Apple, 2009; Apple & Christian-Smith, 1991). However, it is problematic to expect that these books alone are enough to achieve educational goals. Primary source use in classrooms has become increasingly important. When used properly, these sources engage students and help them develop critical thinking skills and historical empathy. I used a research design that relied upon a combination of materials to attain a representative sample, using major history textbooks and primary sources produced by and for eight demographics of people. The end goal was to determine if the “lived” experiences of primary source subjects aligned with the portrayal of experiences of similar demographics in the textbooks. This study included the creation of an evaluation instrument (Appendix A) to analyze and interpret narrative features and themes. From my analysis, there was evidence that Civil War primary source documents and U.S. history textbooks’ chapters on the Civil War represent the nature of war differently. Although primary source sets and textbooks contained some of the same content, the textbooks were organized chronologically around major themes that emphasized shallow content coverage and generally, authors neglected or only superficially addressed events or people that might have been relevant to students. The problem of covering a large, complex topic in a small space was evident throughout. War was presented chiefly through battles, impacted or noticed mostly by well-known men. Few paragraphs prompted questions about the morality, conduct, or nature of war. Although they presented many facts, they did not engage students with content in a lively way or through multiple and complex perspectives. The textbooks were relentlessly neutral in that they rarely made any value judgements that weren’t obvious. The primary source documents humanized the war in a way the textbooks did not, and conveyed details about gender, race, and social and economic positions of regular people, including charming anecdotes and relatable circumstances. They contained often-overlooked perspectives about conflicts and demonstrated that the war greatly impacted all segments of society. They showed there were profound and complicated social, economic, and political repercussions to the Civil War.

<p> Girls in early adolescence today face numerous challenges to their positive and successful growth into happy, productive, and powerful women. These challenges may include peer pressure, racism, family issues, school navigation, and poor self-image. The purpose of this action research study was to examine the potential of a weekly wellness program for girls in the 5th through 8th grades. Research was conducted with 13 early adolescent girls utilizing interviews, observations, and participant journal reflections and incorporating interactive lessons and physical activity. In particular, the research examined how lessons with a focus on the effects of healthy behavior positively affected the participants. Participants were encouraged to reflect on experiences and individual challenges, and were taught strategies that allowed them to connect the mitigation of those challenges to the physical activities they participated in. Results indicated 3 areas of importance among all participants: having connections with individuals in their life, understanding a sense of wellness and maintaining that wellness through the challenges presented to them, and creating and reaching new goals in life. Classroom educators, social workers, recreation managers, and planners are encouraged to foster and implement wellness programs that include physical, nutritional, social, and emotional education for early adolescent girls in all communities.</p>

<p> Serious games are games, whose primary goal is not entertainment, but instead education (Michael &amp; Chen, 2005). They have the capability of presenting the educational material into a way that is more engaging than traditional classroom instruction. The researcher has decided to develop a serious game called National Pastime. National Pastime is an online role playing game with the main goal of motivating high school students to learn about the Japanese internment camps that were established in the United States during World War II. The game intends to improve the students' motivation with its engaging story and gameplay.</p>

<p> This study is the result of the researcher&rsquo;s 25-year tenure in public education. That tenure developed a passion for disrupting racism and modeling social justice pedagogies to dismantle the barriers to educational equity in classrooms. The researcher wants to enact a vision of denouncing oppressive structures for students by positioning teachers to play a critical role in transforming society. The researcher contextualizes multicultural education, critical race theory, and social justice education to develop an overview of anti-bias teaching. Moreover, the researcher suggests the theoretical frames from multicultural education, critical race theory, and social justice education represent the underpinnings of anti-bias education. </p><p> Prejudice, bias, and stereotypes continue to exist in schools. For this reason, multicultural education and social justice education equip teachers with the strategies to recognize prejudice, bias, and stereotypes that create barriers to equitable education. This study will add to the growing field of educational research for equity-oriented teaching practices so school systems have the tools to dismantle inequities. The researcher&rsquo;s study focuses on equity-centered approach through anti-bias teaching patterns of the 2016 Teaching Tolerance award-winning teachers. </p><p> What are the best practices and skills necessary for an anti-bias classroom setting? A study of the identified anti-bias 2016 award-winning educators from Teaching Tolerance program are the subjects of this research. The researcher&rsquo;s goal is to identify patterns of teaching, and then compare these practices to Marilyn Cochran-Smith&rsquo;s Six Principles of Social Justice. The outcome of the research will add to the growing educational equity work and provide teachers support needed to act in their classrooms for anti-bias education. Educators can transform and provide equitable teaching and learning for all students. </p><p> The design of the work is the case study. The researcher chose case study research because it allows the researcher to ask how and why questions. For the investigation, the case study method is the best fit for data collection and analysis. Moreover, case study design allows for description and narration in the research. This format will allow the reader to immerse him/herself in the lives of the teachers so they gain a better understanding of anti-bias educators.</p><p>

Cette recherche porte sur les utilisations de la visioconférence dans l'enseignement supérieur français, dans les années 90. Ces utilisations, généralement mises en œuvre grâce à des<br />partenariats entre des acteurs de l'offre technique et des acteurs éducatifs, participent à la fois à un processus d'innovation technique et à un processus d'innovation éducative. Nous montrons que le processus d'innovation technique, allant de la conception et de l'expérimentation de prototypes aux utilisations de réseaux techniques et de terminaux en série, se caractérise par la recherche de modalités de convergence multimédia selon les logiques sociales des filières dominantes (les télécommunications et l'informatique). En revanche, le processus d'innovation éducative, allant des expérimentations éducatives (visant le changement pédagogique, organisationnel ou institutionnel) aux usages, se caractérise par l'emprise de la communication comme idéologie et technique de gestion du social. Nous notons, dans le champ éducatif, l'émergence d'usages isolés et la généralisation des expérimentations – à la fois éducatives et techniques. Cherchant à expliquer cette généralisation, nous observons l'institutionnalisation de l'innovation éducative et la<br />professionnalisation de l'expérimentation technique. Celle-ci est due à des acteurs éducatifs, usagers-concepteurs participant directement au processus d'innovation technique.<br />Les utilisations auto-référentielles, dont le contenu porte sur le dispositif technique utilisé, sont symptomatiques de ces tendances. Leur essor témoigne de l'émergence d'une nouvelle<br />configuration éducative définie par la prévalence de la formation professionnalisante et de la recherche technologique, dans une optique de développement économique et d'aménagement du territoire. Ce sont d'ailleurs les collectivités locales qui ont rendu possibles les premières expérimentations techniques et éducatives de la visioconférence.

Constatant l'apparente contradiction entre l'affirmation régulièrement réitérée dans les textes officiels d'un enseignement de la physique proche de la science (en particulier dans sa dimension expérimentale) et les pratiques dans les classes (qu'elles soient classiques ou innovantes en matière d'introduction des instruments informatisés), nous avons élaboré notre projet de recherche en le centrant sur l'enseignant, notre objectif étant de comprendre quelle logique, quelle cohérence, est à la base de l'élaboration des activités quantitatives proposées aux élèves dans les travaux pratiques.