Teachers are subject to multiple stressors in their profession and often experience significant distress, which has been found to be linked with harsh and punitive behaviors. These behaviors have been found to influence students negatively, particularly those with vulnerable temperaments. Prior research has also found such negative teacher…

The purpose of this study was to analyze modes of professional development that prepare educators to deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) based instruction at the elementary school level through the integration of technology. The study demonstrates the complexity and advantages of STEM centered learning which utilize…

This study was designed to identify the impact of virtual reality (VR) and the virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) on the assessment outcomes of students in a middle school life sciences unit of study. The experiment was a quantitative 2 x 3 repeated measure mixed group quasi-experimental design with three variables. The two independent…

This action research study aimed to find ways to adjust my practice by incorporating inquiry-based, science activities and virtual simulations to improve student conceptual understanding of physical and chemical changes. A multi-lesson, curricular intervention combining inquiry-based activities and virtual simulations was developed using…

Statement of Purpose and Method of Study: Oculus Rift immersive virtual reality includes a headset and a computer and immerses the user into a three-dimensional experience. Immersive virtual reality learning experiences with classroom discussions are emergent, novel instructional methods. This standard exploratory study investigated an…

This study investigated the understudied area of virtual reality (VR) creation among elementary-aged youth, exploring their engagement in VR creation and the ways in which educators can facilitate this creative process. Using an embedded case study, the researcher examined how the youth visualize writing using the VR creation tool, CoSpaces. To…

The purpose of this study was to explore students' mathematical practices while working on modeling problems using 3 interactive computer simulations. Three fifth grade students' interactions with computer-based modeling simulation were examined to identify how children defined and prioritized and coordinated variables and parameters in…

Social studies instructional experts have called for a move from a knowledge-based curriculum to conceptually-driven inquiry, though tools for educators in meeting this challenge are lacking. Simulations are potentially a powerful inquiry tool to transform students' ways of seeing the world through realistic interactions with complex social…

Students with learning disabilities (LD's) in inclusion classrooms often face both academic and social difficulties (Alesi, Rappo, & Pepi, 2014; Clever, Bear, & Jovonen, 1992; Lavoie, 2005; Madge, Affleck, & Lowenbraun, 1990; McIntosh, Vaughn, Schumm, Haager, & Lee, 1993; Mercer & Pullen, 2009; Nowicki, 2003). Research on…

Analyzing examinees' responses using cognitive diagnostic models (CDMs) have the advantages of providing richer diagnostic information. To ensure the validity of the results from these models, differential item functioning (DIF) in CDMs needs to be investigated. In this dissertation, the model-based DIF detection method, Wald-CDM procedure is…

Astronomy is becoming a forgotten science, which is evident by its relatively low enrollment figures compared to biology, chemistry, and physics. A portable inflatable planetarium brings relevance back to astronomy and offers support to students and educators by simulating realistic astronomical environments. This study sought to determine if…

This study reports findings from a teaching experiment in which 4th grade children engaged in solving multiplication tasks with rectangular arrays in a computer environment. The environment provided flexible task-solving through dynamic virtual manipulatives (VMs) so children could use their existing knowledge of multiplication to complete array…

The ability and to make good estimates is essential, as is the ability to assess the reasonableness of estimates. These abilities are becoming increasingly important as digital technologies transform the ways in which people work. To estimate is to provide an approximation to a problem that is mathematical in nature, and the ability to estimate is…

Computational thinking aims to outline fundamental skills from computer science that everyone should learn. As currently defined, with help from the National Science Foundation (NSF), these skills include problem formulation, logically organizing data, automating solutions through algorithmic thinking, and representing data through abstraction.…