The Human-focused Facilitation (HFF) program was evaluated to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the processes used to build facilitator knowledge, skills, and dispositions. This study used an explanatory sequential, mixed-methods design to analyze data from Human-focused Facilitation participants and a focus group that did not participate…

This study investigated how three fifth-grade students' understanding of fraction and decimal magnitude evolved over the course of a five-week teaching experiment. Students participated in teaching and learning sessions focused on developing concepts of fraction and decimal magnitude. The following questions guided this study: (1) How do fifth…

This study uses a qualitative research design, a phenomenological approach, and a narrative inquiry component to delve into the past and present experiences of six Black women who engaged in the talk, a colloquial expression for conversations that Black parents have with their children about the dangers they face due to racism or unjust treatment.…

Statistics on the success of transformational change efforts within and across organizations consistently indicate a high level of failure, something we can little afford in today's complex world. Transformative learning offers potential for improvement through the practice of intentional dialogue. The purpose of this research study was to develop…

The problem that this action research study addressed was the ineffective facilitation strategies used in professional development for teachers. The purpose of the study was to determine whether reflective practices impact teachers' instructional decisions. The study used Cognitive Coaching, a reflective coaching model, as its intervention. To…

This dissertation investigates how collective process-oriented documentation tools, combined with Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, can enhance knowledge construction in hands-on, open-ended learning environments, such as makerspaces. Through a three-year design-based research, the study developed and tested a collective documentation…

While Americans gave $471 billion to nonprofits in 2020, according to Giving USA, little is understood about the factors that contribute to the learning of philanthropy. The study's purpose was to examine how donors to institutions of higher education (IHE) acquire a philanthropic disposition, by asking the following research question: How do…

This qualitative study sought to understand how social media, as a site of public pedagogy, influences how adults use reflection to learn from political news content. The theoretical frameworks of public pedagogy and social cognitive theory informed the analysis of results. The study focused on the experiences of ten social media users between the…

This action research project occurred to assess the effectiveness of the continual learning process, a philosophy described by W. Edwards Deming. The study took place at a small, U.S. Midwest Lutheran school, conducted as a positive response to a teacher survey indicating the study's need. Five of the central concepts of this philosophy were that…

This three-article dissertation explores Learning by Evaluating (LbE), an educational approach that enhances student learning through the process of assessing and providing feedback on peer work. Leveraging principles of comparative judgement, students evaluate pairs of exemplars side-by-side to determine which is better and provide a rational for…

Recent reforms in science education call for efforts to engage students in authentic and sustained science practices. In order to engage students in authentic science practices, students need to enact epistemic agency over the processes of inquiry in line with how knowledge is constructed and practiced in the real world. A critical research…

Incorporating small-group discussions in classrooms has shown promising benefits in improving 4th grade students' thinking and social skills; however, the practice remains challenging. Although teachers are motivated to try to incorporate small-group discussions, studies examining the shift from teacher-dominated classroom practice towards a more…

This qualitative, phenomenological study addressed the research question: What is the nature of the learning experiences of leadership coaches that lead to coaching competency? With the increasing recognition of leadership coaching as a meaningful leadership development experience (Allen & Hartman, 2008; Maltbia, Marsick, & Ghosh, 2014;…

Graduate student travel continues to reflect the desire for more intentional and immersive ways to engage in travel experiences for the purpose of learning. This basic qualitative study explored how graduate students made meaning of their cultural immersion experiences. The study invited twenty-three graduate students enrolled in three Christian…

The study is about exploring the influence of basic and secondary education on selected learning skills from the perspectives of post-secondary students in Sri Lanka. The learning skills selected were: critical thinking, reflective judgment, higher-order thinking, and self-directed learning. This study explored the ways in which Sri Lankan…