The project discusses how evolving technologies used to create digital portfolios can demonstrate student achievement in virtually unlimited ways. Evidence of student growth and achievement can be documented digitally. Such evidence can take the form of text, graphics, photos, sound, video data, and can even include database records of standardized or course-end test scores and grades.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of using the mobile computer classroom for increasing the parental involvement via technology with the intent of alleviating both the problems of downward trending performance of students as well as bridging the "digital divide" among parents and other adults.

This thesis is designed for teachers in early elementary education. It focuses on how and if, these teachers are integrating technology while meeting the many State Standards required by the State of California.

This is a study of the impacts of the incorporation, into certain points of the Computer Science degree program at the University of New Orleans, of Course Management software with an Autograding component. The software in question, developed at Carnegie Mellon University, is called “Autolab.” We begin by dissecting Autolab in order to gain an understanding of its inner workings. We can then take out understanding of its functionality and apply that to an examination of fundamental changes to courses in the time since they incorporated the software. With that, we then compare Drop, Failure, Withdrawal rate data from before and after the introduction of Autolab. With this collection of data, we can conclude, to a certain extent, that Autolab has had a negligible impact on course outcomes, but a measurable impact on course structure and pedagogy as well as improved quality of life for students and professors, alike.

The motivation for this thesis stems from my own personal decade long struggle learning Mandarin Chinese. The inherent difficulty of mastering this intricate language too often will leave students feeling bewildered, confused, frustrated, and even hopeless. Having walked down this path myself, I was inspired me to investigate how the Chinese language educational landscape could be improved. What are its shortcomings? What are its strengths? How can the journeys of future Chinese language learners be made easier? The research investigates the ongoing discussion of native and non-native speaking teachers. Teacher surveys, student surveys, student classwork, and classroom observations are utilized to glean up close and firsthand insight into the advantages and disadvantages of a native Chinese speaking teacher versus a native English speaking teacher. The research involves native and non-native speaking Chinese language teachers in an effort to elicit organic, accurate data about teachers’ classroom habits. The results of the experiments are not intended to “reveal the better teacher” among native and non-native speakers, rather they aim to contribute to an important discourse on the roles a native tongue plays in a foreign language classroom; a discourse that is still in its infancy. This contribution could be used by those who employ, evaluate, and administer Chinese language teachers and programs, and in turn improve the quality of Mandarin Chinese academic programs.

Due to the high rates of burnout and compassion fatigue in many of the helping professions, it’s becoming increasingly important for students and professionals to better understand theories and strategies that will help them build resiliency and protect themselves from the negative effects of burnout and fatigue. This session focuses on how we as a department assist family studies students in developing a broad understanding of self-care and in helping them establish practical habits that promote resiliency in their respective professions. This presentation provides participants with practical examples of self-care.

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 placed constraints on several aspects of normal life, especially those of higher level education. While many programs moved to teaching in a strictly online format, there are some courses in which this structure was not appropriate. This study observed the outcome of the adapted course structure employed at Quillen College of Medicine during their Gross Human Anatomy course. Through a voluntary survey and multiple independent t-tests, it was demonstrated that the students who took the adapted course performed, on average, 2 points lower on each exam than previous classes. Also, this study showed that there was no statistically significant impact on student performance caused by the instituted safety measures, specifically quarantining. Finally, students had no distinct preference in regards to the structure of the course as it related to their learning experience. The overall conclusion of this study was that this course, despite its modified structure and additional safety measures, taught students effectively and maintained the safety of all individuals involved.

As a result of low student scores on math assessments and teachers' seeming inability to raise those scores, professional development (PD) interventions were developed to address teachers' knowledge and understanding of math instruction. The purpose of this case study was to gain a deeper understanding of teachers' experiences with the math staff development training and how those experiences influence their teaching and students' learning. Guided by constructivist theory, the key research questions addressed the math teachers' experiences with the math PD and what teachers perceive to be their needs for effective math PD. Data for this case study were collected through interviews and observations of 25 secondary math teachers at 3 high schools. The data were coded using an analytic method to discern themes and patterns. The findings indicated that PD should have a focus on strategies that are relevant, include team collaboration and time to observe demonstration lessons. As a result, a 3-day PD was designed to focus on specific course content taught by teachers, opportunities to observe lessons, and team collaboration to design lessons. This project study affects positive social change via a PD training program with consistent, pertinent and content-specific support for math teachers in the classroom. Teachers will be more engaged in the process, students will be more engaged in their learning, and the community will benefit from increased student success. Effective PD has the potential to improve teacher practice, thus student learning, enabling student success in school and beyond. Successful students make successful adults who live independent, constructive and fulfilled lives.

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine and 2010 Affordable Care Act addressed the need to use technology in nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to understand faculty perceptions of technology use and integration into the nursing curriculum at a college located in Texas. Lewin’s change theory acted as the theoretical framework to explore organizational dynamics involved in effective strategies. The guiding research questions explored faculty perceptions of technology use, types of technology used, and correlation to teaching experience using a convergent mixed-method approach. Thirty faculty members completed the Teacher’s Intention to Use Technology survey and 15 faculty members participated in interview sessions. Faculty with fewer years of experience were compared to faculty with more years of experience and differed on ease of use (p = .010), embracing technology (p = .011), enjoying technology (p = .026), available assistance (p = .020), classroom preparation (p = .043), and ease of learning (p = .047). The qualitative data analysis used an open coding scheme and resulted in themes indicating the need for training, especially for faculty with less experience. Record review indicated scattered use of technological tools. A professional development workshop promoting teaching strategies using technology to help achieve learning outcomes, an online orientation to available technology, and a hands-on interactive workshop was created. Implications for positive social change include improving faculty members’ knowledge and application of technology in order to positively affect and enhance teaching/learning strategies, student learning environment, and ultimately the lives of patients they serve.

Teacher implementation of school reforms varies widely and often results in inconsistent student outcomes. Teachers adopt or resist change for complex reasons that are not fully understood. This qualitative study explored how veteran teachers described their experiences with school reform and changes in classroom practices that occurred over the course of their careers; it also examined factors that teachers identified as having positive and negative influences on their adoptions of change. The conceptual framework was based on Senge's systems theory as applied to learning organizations and Goleman's emotional intelligence theory. The research questions focused on: (a) How veteran teachers described their experiences with various school reforms and changes in classroom practices that have occurred over the course of their careers, and (b) What internal and external factors veteran teachers identified as having a positive or negative influence on their adoptions of change. Eight veteran K-12 public school teachers from a northeastern state were interviewed using a semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire. Data were analyzed using first and second level coding in order to identify emerging patterns and themes and discrepant data. Key findings indicated that the teachers who reported successful implementation of school reforms also reported that the internal factors of self-assessment, self-confidence, initiative, adaptability, and empathy, and the external factors of shared vision, team learning, and systems thinking were important to implementing change. When administrators supported teachers through quality professional development, adequate collaboration time, and respect for their professional judgment, participants embraced school reforms and changed their classroom practices.