In educational contexts, students often self-select into specific interventions (e.g., courses, majors, extracurricular programming). When students self-select into an intervention, systematic group differences may impact the validity of inferences made regarding the effect of the intervention. Propensity score methods are commonly used to reduce…

Addition of fractions is an important foundation for students to experience success in mathematics. This mixed-methods study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of robotics as a mathematics manipulative with seventh grade students. Two groups of students were established: control and treatment. The control group received teacher-centered…

Bullying is one of the most common yet tolerated forms of violence. "BREAKAWAY" is an educational game purposefully designed to use entertainment-education and digital gaming to help youth around the world to learn about different types of bullying and coping strategies. This dissertation reports the design and results of a pilot study…

Proficient reading comprehension provides an academic advantage for 21st century learners. However, students at the upper elementary level face increasingly challenging texts that require use of metacomprehension skills. Yet, there is a lack of formal instruction that assists students in practicing these metacomprehension skills in classrooms.…

For students performing below grade level, additional support may be required beyond the general classroom instruction. Response to Intervention is a three-tiered process that enables schools to support students performing below grade level. Individuals that need more support are placed in either Tier II or III for intervention support (McDaniel,…

To identify a possible relationship between cyberbullying in the elementary school setting with increasing feelings of empathy and prosocial behaviors a mixed-method, quasi-experimental study was conducted. Lessons centered on prosocial behaviors, feelings of empathy and cyberbullying were conducted weekly in the classroom's morning meetings. The…

The developing synergy of legislation and research throughout recent history points to the current momentum behind college and career readiness for every student. Researchers have found that embedding academic content into career education improves student learning. Integrated learning can vary in approach and style and can be adjusted to fit into…

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…

For nearly four decades, research has documented positive correlations between metacognitive abilities and student growth. Teachers who wish to cultivate metacognitive thinking should encourage their students to plan, investigate, and expand on the concepts they learn in class (Fisher, Frey, & Hattie, 2016; Flavell, 1979). This mixed-methods…

Thailand's education has not succeeded in meeting the Ministry of Education Thailand's goals for Thai language. The problem manifests in students' substandard Thai reading comprehension. Results of the Thailand's standardized national test showed that students, especially those with economical disadvantages, have performed poorly in Thai reading…

Although national interest has been focused on increasing STEM graduates, calculus courses still pose a challenge for most STEM major students. As recent statistics show, only half of the students are successful in calculus courses. Many times, students in these courses do not see the relevancy of the material to their future careers and this…

The purpose of this study explored alternative teaching methods to improve student outcomes in the classroom. The researcher investigated the effects of the active learning strategies, Process Oriented Guided Inquiry learning and Peer Instruction on student achievement, conceptual understanding, and students' self-efficacy in an honors biology…

Post-secondary education attainment results in higher salaries (Pew Research Center, 2014) and an increase in positive societal benefits (Baum, Ma, & Payea, 2013). Nevertheless, only 31% of U.S. citizens over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). While tradition would dictate the preparation for going to college…

A mixed methods study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of a flipped classroom in a high school discrete mathematics course. In the flipped classroom, students watched videos of the teacher's lesson for homework while completing problems during class. Two sections of the course were involved in the study, with one group receiving the…

Test anxiety is problem that affects college students. Explanatory mixed methods research was completed with the objective of understanding the interrelationship of prayer and test anxiety as well as the potential therapeutic effects of Christian prayer on test anxiety. It was hypothesized that Christian prayer would have significant effects on…