This dissertation uses practitioner inquiry (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1999, 2009), narrative inquiry (Clandinin & Connelly, 1990; Rolling & Bey, 2016; Schaafsma & Vinz, 2011; Toliver, 2020a), composite character counter storytelling (Baker-Bell, 2020), and critical discourse analysis (Bloome et al., 2008; Bloome & Power-Carter,…

Feedback (FB) literacy refers to both student capacity to find, create, interpret, and implement FB as well as teacher capacity to use FB to guide their instructional decisions, plan FB opportunities within formative learning cycles, and offer appropriate types and levels of FB that satisfy diverse learning needs. The problem that was investigated…

This research seeks to better understand the attitudes and dispositions of advanced-level English Language Arts students toward the activities of academic research and writing, and to explore the ways that critical pedagogies focused on authentic inquiry and composition interact with these attitudes. The project draws upon research in student…

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore to get an understanding of a social studies teacher's approach to media literacy including factors that inform her teaching and the students' understanding of her instructional practices. The participants of the study were one social studies' teacher and six students from her U.S. History…

This work applies to Computer Science (CS) K12 Education through a user experience and human-centered design and research approach. Due to the increase in use of technology, CS courses are important opportunities for K12 students to explore. In order to support the courses added to K12, in-service teachers lacking CS background are stepping up and…

This qualitative, analytical study at an International Baccalaureate school explored third grade teachers' perceptions of three specific innovative teaching strategies: innovation skills needed by third grade students; barriers and challenges that exist when teaching 21st Century skills; and skills needed by teachers to teach innovation skills.…

The main focus of this dissertation is the literacy practices of students in a high school International Baccalaureate (IB) English classroom. The students demonstrated their meaning of texts that were studied as part of the curriculum in order to prepare them for their Formal Oral Commentaries. This was a mandated assessment of the IB English…

Although the United States resettles more refugee students than any other country, little research examines the ways that schools in the United States prepare these students to participate in their political community. At the same time, a growing number of schools serving refugee students are adopting curricula with a global focus. This research…

Helping teachers to effectively use culturally relevant instructional practices can help the educational community close the literacy gap for African American males. This study examines effective secondary English teachers and their high achieving African American male students. Using critical race and sociocultural theories as a conceptual…