Many things can influence a student's success in a course. Previous research has shown that students are more successful when they complete the course reading, but students may not always comply with reading requirements for multiple reasons, such as other time pressures or financial costs. Issues with reading requirements may be compounded if an…

This dissertation project began with the development of a Design-Focused Approach (DFA) to First-Year Composition (FYC) curriculum largely informed by multimodal pedagogical theory. In the DFA to FYC curriculum, I highlighted the importance of multiliteracy and the demand for multiple modalities for students to effectively communicate in various…

The purpose of this case study was to explore elementary school teachers' perspectives and experiences on the implementation of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in their classrooms. The study utilized a qualitative research approach, focusing on an elementary charter school located in the State of New York. This study addressed the following…

Generation Z members are our future leaders. They are eventually going to run the world and are starting to make their unique characteristics known. Due to the current generational transitions, they will assume leadership roles earlier than previous generations, mainly owing to the increased migration of Baby Boomers out of the workforce.…

Despite the widely recognized effectiveness of place-based education (PBE) by researchers in the science education community, there is a lack of resources and curriculum appropriate for the environment of urban schools. Unequal access to quality science curriculum materials is an ongoing issue facing urban schools in the United States. This basic…

Rapidly increasing demand for online graduate education in our globalized, post-pandemic, "flat" (Freidman 2007), digital age has coalesced globally dispersed and culturally diverse learners into virtual classrooms, amplifying a multiplicity of voices. Social learning theory (Bandura 1977) emphasizes that knowledge is constructed between…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a valuable open educational resource for people around the world. Although they have been published for over a decade, there has not been a consistent means by which to evaluate their quality or establish whether they are meeting the needs of learners. This action research study sought to understand…

Artificial intelligence (AI), as emerging technology, is being pursued by our peer and near-peer adversaries to gain an asymmetric warfighting advantage which poses a direct and existential threat to our national security. The purpose of this action research study is to investigate curriculum design to implement AI literacy education at the senior…

The purpose of this study was to explore the need for an individualized curriculum within special education for students living with autism spectrum disorder. Previously conducted research disclosed a need for further research to understand the differentiation of curriculum for students living with autism spectrum disorder. The research question…

This study explores the development and implementation of a five-day curriculum designed to enhance students' understanding of algebraic concepts through the integration of educational robotics and growth mindset principles. The study is structured around three research questions that investigate influences on decision-making in curriculum design,…

Today's youth are growing up in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) technologies shape how we live, work, play, socialize, and navigate our world. This rapid technological change is already significantly shifting individuals' lives and the opportunities they can obtain. Thus, researchers, educators, and government leaders must consider how…

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how students develop cultural competency through participation in an experiential learning-embedded college course. Existing literature often addresses career readiness, student success, cultural competency, and faculty-student affairs collaboration as distinct areas of research. However,…

Critical thinking is one of the most desired skills in the workplace, as it assists an individual in solving complex problems and making informed decisions, resulting in their workplace success. Argumentation is one instructional approach that provides students an opportunity to engage in higher-order thinking and improve their communication…

The field of Cryptography is rapidly evolving, and the development of quantum computers is on the rise. Lattice-based cryptosystems are promising candidates for quantum resistance, and it is the responsibility of institutions to prepare students for related careers. Undergraduate students in mathematics and mathematics-adjacent fields can -- and…

"Designing Our Own Support: Grassroots Course Design Efforts for Social Justice in Technical and Professional Communication" is a multi-stage participatory project that focuses on supporting instructors who emphasize social justice in their TPC courses. Working cross-institutionally with five instructors, I developed a prototype tool for…