The primary purpose of this study was to compare academic variables from students participating in mixed teaching methods/course revitalization biology courses to those in traditional courses at two community colleges in Tennessee. A two-group comparison design using archived data was used, which evaluated differences in final grades, exam scores,…

First-generation students, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, have low persistence rates. Research shows that one of the barriers to their low persistence is a need for a student-centered pedagogical approach. Research has shown that if an instructor incorporates a pause technique during a standard lecture,…

In the United States, traditional lecture-based teaching methods have not effectively met the needs of diverse learners in higher education (HE). This is particularly problematic as diversity is increasing amongst learners, including those with diverse racial, ethnic, gender, academic, and emotional backgrounds. The predominance of the two-tiered…

Engineering leaders around the world are concerned about the decrease in skilled professionals in engineering fields. This concern led to the exploration of active learning in two undergraduate civil engineering courses. The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to investigate the impact of active learning on engineering students' motivation to…

Team-based learning is an instructional method of specifically structured in class team activities that has been proposed as an alternative to traditional lecture methods. Proponents of TBL claim that it promotes aspects of learning that traditional lecture methods do not. There have been numerous studies examining the benefits of TBL; however,…

This dissertation looks at the effects of the flipped classroom model on foreign language learners at the introductory level. Specifically, the project examined students' learning outcomes in reading, writing, speaking, and listening when exposed to the flipped classroom format for one or two semesters of introductory German classes at the college…

Currently, 92% of community colleges offer courses online, yet only 13% offer online mathematics developmental courses. Little research has been conducted to verify the effectiveness of such courses. This study attempted to answer: Are online developmental mathematics courses addressing the academic requirements (retention, success, and…

Undergraduate engineering institutions are currently seeking to improve recruiting practices and to retain engineering majors particularly by addressing what many studies document as a major challenge of poor instruction. There is an undisputed need for instructional practices that motivate students in addition to facilitating the transfer of…