I conducted a set of four studies to catalogue and examine course elements, including active learning strategies and evidence-based teaching practices, and their influence on student experiences and performance in college biology classes. In the first study, I defined the term "active learning" and catalogued the 300[plus] strategies…

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand "What are the lived experiences of online professional graduate students who utilize metacognitive study strategies for course success?". This study used Heidegger's hermeneutic approach to examine metacognitive study strategies in a graduate online master's level course.…

Spatial skills, which represent the ability to mentally manipulate objects (Schneider & McGrew, 2012; Atit et al., 2020) have been shown to be correlated with entrance, persistence and success in STEM (Shea et al., 2001; Wai et al., 2009). Specifically, these skills have been shown to be necessary to geologists and geoscientists (Hegarty,…

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine if and to what extent a correlation exists between the stress and resilience of graduate students enrolled in an online master's degree program and their intent to persist at a large university in New England. The theoretical foundation for this study was the metatheory of…

During the past several years, the federal and state governments have adopted a college completion agenda using graduation rates as evidence of student success. With the demand for increased accountability on colleges and universities to ensure student success, institutions of higher education are searching for more effective ways to help students…

The study investigated the relationship between self-rated servant leadership among post-secondary faculty and perceived student engagement in online educational environments. While existing literature has demonstrated a positive effect of servant leadership on student engagement, it has primarily centered on student perspectives and often…

This quantitative study examines how support facilitation instruction affects high school students without disabilities end-of-course assessment scores and Algebra l-B grades using descriptive statistics, t-test two-sample assuming equal variances, F-test two-sample for variances, and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) analysis. The two-sample…

Most Americans will experience a form of trauma before adulthood, resulting in hindered learning and emotional regulation. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational-predictive study was to examine if and to what extent the two facets of Emotional Regulation, Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression, considered collectively, and…

The purpose of this study was to explore how student behaviors, while using an adaptive courseware system, influenced performance in a gateway biology course. This study used a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected from the course's learning management system (LMS) and the adaptive courseware. This data was analyzed using…

Previous studies on advanced middle and high school mathematics course enrollment have focused on the correlation of successful course completion and post-secondary outcomes for students. This instrumental case study examined how school related factors such as personnel and policy influenced equitable enrollment in middle and high school honors…

This exploratory, mixed-method study investigated how strength-based approach to mathematics instruction (SBAMI) influences the academic optimism of general education and special education pre-service teachers (PSTs). Academic optimism, linked to student achievement in previous research, was used as the theoretical framework. Data included…

The implementation of California Assembly Bill (CAB) 705 has impacted how students enroll into Physics courses. This paralleled anecdotal evidence of a decline in student mathematical abilities. The goal of this research study was to determine the existence of a relationship between CAB 705 and student success in specific Physics courses. This…

This quantitative study focused on the Algebra 1 End-Of-Course Exam Program (EOCEP) exam that students must complete if they are enrolled in beginning algebra classes. The research focused on one school, the high schools within this school's district, and South Carolina. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a relationship between…

The rise in demand for computer programming jobs has created a significant need for computer programming training. Online learning can be an effective tool for meeting the needs of these job demands. The challenge for universities is that computer programming is perceived as a difficult course by many students (Askar & Davenport, 2009; Baser,…

Neuroimaging research has transformed understanding of how the brain responds to instructional methods, with active instruction demonstrating exceptional learner benefits. This is valuable information for educators across learning formats in higher education, including in-person, hybrid, and online classrooms. Calibrating pedagogical practices to…