Integrating technology in education has shown to revolutionize the teaching and learning process in STEM education. It therefore becomes imperative that STEM teachers are skilled and well equipped to use technology in their classrooms. Professional development programs can serve as great channels for teachers to develop their technological…

Educators feel overwhelmed by managing challenging behaviors which often leads to burnout and turnover (Clotfelter et al., 2006; Kokkinos, 2007; Simon & Johnson, 2015). However, professional development (PD) in evidenced-based behavior management practices (EBMPs) is sparse with current PD models yielding varied outcomes (Darling-Hammond et…

Virtual Reality is an emerging technology that has not been widely adapted to teach science concepts to students with significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) in part due to teachers' lack of understanding and technical competence. This narrative case study aimed to recount the experiences of teachers of students with SCD as they engage in…

Digital media and advancements in learning technologies have dramatically reshaped the landscape of K-12 education. By 2018, 96% of public schools had the infrastructure required for digital learning. This dissertation evaluates how augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are integrated into K-12 education, focusing on…

This research study focuses on providing professional development for teachers using virtual reality in secondary social studies classrooms. Literature surrounding virtual reality for education focuses on the effects of virtual reality on student motivation and engagement. However, there are no current studies available to help instructional…

The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to examine the current pedagogical use of high-fidelity patient simulation (HFPS) by nursing and simulation faculty in the northeastern part of the United States, as reported by those faculty members. The National League of Nursing/Jeffries Theory (Jeffries, 2021) was the conceptual framework for…

The quality of teachers is crucial for students' learning and human development, particularly in modern multicultural classrooms and rapidly evolving environments. A key focus of teacher preparation is to transform classroom discourse and promote problem-solving skills and critical thinking. In order to foster critical thinking and facilitate…

Professional development (PD) is crucial for teachers to learn about new practices, technology, and improve self-efficacy to apply these skills. This sequential explanatory mixed-method study served to explore teachers' experiences with PD and using virtual labs in the classroom. First, in the quantitative phase of the study, a survey was…

This qualitative descriptive study explored nursing faculty perceptions and experiences using vSim for Nursing computer-based virtual simulation. The research questions guiding this study were: 1) What are nurse educators' perceptions and experiences utilizing vSim for Nursing computer-based virtual simulation? 2) What are the best practices nurse…

This mixed methods study examined whether participation in a virtual community of practice (vCoP) could impact the implementation of new skills learned in a professional development session and help to close the research to implementation gap. Six participants attended a common professional development session and completed pre- , mid- , and…

In this study, the researcher explored the perceptions of adjunct distance education faculty working at a for-profit higher education institution related to their sense of engagement and job satisfaction. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to illustrate the perceived advantages, disadvantages, and areas of consideration for managing…

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and the subsequent shutdown of all of the schools in the United States thrust teachers into distance learning environments with little or no preparation. This mixed methods exploratory study of teachers' perceptions of the role of professional learning in reducing transactional distance in a virtual environment…

This mixed method study investigated the impact of various levels of professional development (PD) on middle school educators' knowledge of second language acquisition (SLA) and the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). This study also investigated participants' reasons for choosing their selected level of participation and their feelings…

This dissertation is the product of several individual multi-disciplinary investigations that cover a variety of topics in mathematics, physics, geology, and geoscience education. The first chapter formulates a better understanding of the timings, magma source, and relationships between dikes and associated magmatic bodies of the Red Bluff…

Research shows that use of high fidelity simulation (HFS) as a teaching strategy requires extensive amounts of faculty time and financial resources for faculty development and equipment. This project study addressed the challenges encountered in the integration of HFS into a Midwestern metropolitan baccalaureate nursing program. The purpose of…