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The Influence of Homework on the Learning and Achievement of Middle School Students in Southern Maryland: A Multiple-Case Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore middle school teachers’ perceptions of how homework influenced academic achievement and student learning in Southern Maryland. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of social knowledge. Bandura suggests that observation, modeling, and role-play are significant in how individuals learn because these direct experiences shift one’s environment. In this study, 14 middle school teachers in Southern Maryland were interviewed, seven of whom were employed at a school with the standard practice of homework, and seven worked at a school with a “No Homework” policy. Data collection, interviews, and questionnaires were analyzed, and conclusions were developed on homework’s influence on learning and achievement. Findings reveal the need for a balance between homework policies and classroom alignment, that homework is a tool for academic success and skill reinforcement, and that homework is a diagnostic and collaborative tool
A Comparison of Sight-Reading Methods For Instrumental Ensembles with The Consideration of Engagement
Get PDFDespite the fact that nearly all band programs competing in festivals are evaluated on sight-reading ability, minimal research exists regarding specific pedagogical sight-reading methods and their effectiveness. Traditionally, music educators have used scales, rhythm books, method books, and technical exercises as warm-ups in order to improve overall music reading skills. Employing these methods is also known as the Music Fundamentals Approach. However, researchers have challenged this as the best method for development. To evaluate potential advantages among different approaches, a quantitative study will compare success rates of three sight-reading acquisition methods across separate high school band classes: one employing a music literacy method , another using a music fundamentals approach, and a third combining both strategies. Students will be given a pre-test and post-test to evaluate their sight-reading abilities and improvement over the course of two months. Surveys tracking students’ hours of additional practice will be given throughout the study to evaluate if this variable could significantly impact the evaluation of the methods utilized in class. Findings may benefit and advance the pedagogical methods and sight-reading abilities in preparation for festivals, as well as improve engagement and the overall experience of music educators and music students in the classroom. Results may show which method will yield the greatest benefits for sight-reading advancement. Furthermore, this study could encourage additional examination by fellow researchers to apply the exploration of lesser-documented sight-reading strategies to the classroom
California Community College Chief Executive Officer Turnover: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the turnover causes of chief executive officers (CEOs) within the California community college system. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences California community college CEOs experience that led to CEO departure?” The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci’s (2017) self-determination theory, which helps to explain the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic factors of basic psychological needs. The research design was a transcendental phenomenology study, which is a form of qualitative design. Three methods of data collection were used. This study focused on participants who are district-level CEOs, and the participants and settings were limited to 10 out of the 73 college districts within the California community college system. Semi-structured individual interviews, focus group interviews, and document analysis were conducted on the board meeting minutes to triangulate the data. Once each of the three methods of data collection were completed, they were synthesized together using qualitative data analysis software and arranged into four themes, 18 subthemes, and 17 nested subthemes. The findings identified the district CEO’s biggest sources of challenges and stress, what makes them want to stay in or leave their positions, describes their relationships with stakeholders, their advice or warnings for the next generation of leaders, and explained the ramifications of short district CEO tenure. The study concluded there are personal factors, like preparedness that determine success but also institutional factors such as the board of trustees they work for or the personnel constituency groups they work with, including academic senates and unions, that can be barriers for district CEOs to maximize their sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness
Impoverished People: A Phenomenological Study of the Effects of Organizational Culture and Corruption on Class Poverty
Get PDFResearchers have established that corruption adversely affects economic growth and development and deters resources from the most vulnerable. When viewed through the lens of public administration, corruption can create financial burdens and hinder the delivery of essential services, such as criminal justice, healthcare, education, and social programs. However, the dynamic effects of organizational culture and corruption on class poverty are still unknown. This phenomenological study fills this gap. The researcher employed a case study methodology to achieve this goal, using a semi-structured interview format, a focus group, and a document analysis of an administrative court. The population for the interview consisted of public sector employees with at least ten years of experience and a college degree. Five of the participants were invited to the focus group. The study results indicate that low salaries, poverty, and lack of ethics are significant economic factors contributing to corruption in public administration; social factors, including social behavior and culture, significantly contribute to public sector corruption as they breed skepticism and erode trust, generating a social problem; and organizational behavior, lack of leadership, and dysfunction are significant organizational factors influencing corruption in Haiti’s public administration
The Impacts of Incremental Tax Rates on the Sustainability and Growth Possibilities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sierra Leone
Get PDFThis study investigated the challenges confronting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Sierra Leone, with a particular focus on the impacts of rising tax rates. These increasing tax burdens restrict investment opportunities and impede growth, resulting in cash flow issues that jeopardize the sustainability of many SMEs. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved in-depth interviews and structured surveys with SME owners, representatives, and officials from the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The findings indicated that escalating tax rates, along with other issues such as corruption and political connections, significantly hindered SMEs growth, underscoring critical implications for their development
Resilient Personalities: Exploring the Psychological Resilience of Young Adults Through the HEXACO Model of Personality
Get PDFThis study explores the intricate relationship between personality traits and psychological resilience in young adults aged 18-25. Personality traits are conceptualized and assessed using the HEXACO model of personality, which includes six factors: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. Resilience is assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Employing a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental design, the study compared personality profiles of individuals with low and high resilience to examine how personality factors interact with an individual\u27s capacity to adapt and cope with adversity. The results indicate that Extraversion and Conscientiousness are the strongest positive predictors of resilience, while Emotionality is negatively associated with resilience. Openness to Experience and Agreeableness showed weaker but significant positive correlations, whereas Honesty-Humility did not significantly predict resilience or account for additional variance beyond the traits traditionally associated with the Big Five model. Furthermore, young adults in this study exhibited lower resilience levels than the general population, with a majority falling within the lowest quartile of CD-RISC scores. These findings highlight the substantial role personality traits play in resilience. While personality traits are deeply engrained, they can be changed with intentional effort; this may be a focus of personal development or psychotherapy. Additionally, the notably low resilience levels observed in the young adult sample suggests a need for further research into generational differences and the environmental factors contributing to these patterns
Elementary School Teacher Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education in Liberia: A Phenomenological Qualitative Research Approach
Get PDFThe purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand Liberian elementary school teachers\u27 attitudes and their perceptions toward inclusive education for children with disabilities in mainstream classrooms in Monrovia City, Liberia. The participants were ten elementary school teachers. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura\u27s social learning theory, which relates to social interactions and learning. The social learning theory surmises that learning and socialization occur in four phases. These stages are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. The central research question is: What are the perceptions and attitudes of Liberian elementary school educators implementing inclusive education for students with disabilities? I used a qualitative transcendental research design to understand the views and perceptions of the participants. This study used the triangulation method for data analysis. The data collection methods were individual interviews, focus group sessions, and observations. This qualitative study used Moustakas’ data analysis techniques. The results showed that nine out of ten participants were not trained in special or inclusive education and were unfamiliar with developing individualized educational plans. The results also suggested that seven out of 10 of the participants\u27 attitudes were favorable towards teaching students with disabilities
Extended Reality Technology & the Integration of the Paramedic Academic Learning Disability Student into Inclusive Learning Platforms: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this phenomenological hermeneutic study was to discover the learning experience of augmented reality or virtual reality and extended reality technology for current and former paramedic academic students with learning disabilities in a regional Mid-Atlantic paramedic program located in the rural, mountainous Appalachian region. The theories guiding this study were Sweller’s cognitive load and Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of paramedic academic students with learning disabilities (LDs) using XR (AR/VR) technology as a pedagogical learning tool? The sample of 12 research participants consisted of LD students who identified as having an LD and utilized XR (AR/VR) technology in paramedic education. Qualitative research inquiry methods of one-on-one interviews, letter writing, and expressive photos/images were adopted for data collection. A hermeneutic content analysis (HCA) was employed to engage in the hermeneutic loop until no new information emerged during the analysis process. Research findings brought four primary themes: cognitive retention, confidence booster, realistic learning and time management and six sub-themes socially interactive learning, fear of failure, leadership development, visual learning and application learning. XR(AR/VR) can be a useful pedagogical tool in inclusive paramedic education and can meet the learning needs of the paramedic academic students with learning disabilities
Exploring Higher Education Shared Governance Constitutional Documents as Potential Culture Building Contributors to Friction Between Faculty and Administration Through a Qualitative Analysis of Foundational Institution Documents
Get PDFThis qualitative research project investigates the role shared governance documents in higher education institutions play in communicating the guiding principles and expectations used to create, sustain, and challenge culture through a content analysis of foundational institutional documents. Colleges and universities face challenges driven by technology, globalization, the capitalization of education, and shifting expectations regarding diversity, equity, and sustainability. These changes require institutions to adapt their organizational models for more competitive decision-making while navigating evolving governance issues. In some instances, these changes have been cited as one cause for friction between institutional stakeholders, particularly faculty and administration. Previous studies have more often focused on communication patterns and power dynamics in higher education. This research examines foundational documents that communicate shared governance measures, specifically governing guidelines for higher education institutions. The study aims to determine whether or not these documents facilitate creating, sustaining, or challenging a culture that may lend itself to stakeholder friction as framed within the socio-cultural theory and, if so, to investigate how. Governing documents from forty higher education institutions divided into four size categories, including public and private institutions, were collected and analyzed for themes, similarities, and differences. The goal was to investigate if these works lack clarity within roles and responsibilities, use overly general language, perhaps intentionally left to interpretation, or have conflicting provisions that may indirectly or directly communicate a culture that undermines or contributes to strained stakeholder relationships
Exploring Elementary Mathematics Teachers’ Use of Learning Analytics for Educating Black and Hispanic Students in Low Socioeconomic Schools: A Multiple-Case Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this case study was to understand the role of learning analytics with teachers who develop the mathematics skills of Black and Hispanic elementary students in Title I schools. The theory that guided this study was Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, as it provides a framework for how new information can transform adults\u27 thinking and actions. The central research question that guided the study was: How do elementary teachers in Title I schools use learning analytics to develop the mathematics skills of Black and Hispanic students? The study was conducted using a multiple-case study design. Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were used to select 10 participants from a pool of general elementary teachers of kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Teacher participants from Title I schools in Illinois were recruited through Facebook from Illinois teacher-focused pages. Data were collected using interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. Data was analyzed using coding and thematic synthesis. Eight themes emerged from data analysis: learning analytics strengths, issues and challenges, common data collection tools, limitations of data, instructional planning, teachers’ confidence in their learning and teaching abilities, teacher training and support, and racial impact on data and instruction. The findings of the study revealed that most teachers are confident and skilled in the use of learning analytics for mathematics instruction. Furthermore, students’ race is not a factor when teachers use learning analytics