Within the broad, interdisciplinary field of adult education, affective aspects of experience and the roles they play in learning have, thus far, not been properly theorized or researched. This dissertation first explores how John Heron's whole person theory (WPT) conceptualizes feeling as an expansive affective capacity at the root of all human…

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of global health educators and their students on the use of critical reflective journaling as a pedagogical tool to promote cultural humility in learners. Rooted in critical qualitative research methodology, this study is framed by transformative learning theory, conceptual understandings…

In the instructional design field untrained instructional designers are creating educational content. In these instances, the content is created by subject matter experts. This growing subset of experts is known as instructional designers-by-assignment (DBAs). DBAs are prevalent in the equestrian education field. Unfortunately, in equestrian…

Medical school faculty often lack formal training in effective teaching methods, posing a challenge to their ability to deliver high-quality education. To facilitate high-quality teaching and help medical faculty grow professionally, academically, and scholarly, the burden for training faculty was placed on each medical school's faculty…

The purpose of the current study was to illuminate the lived experiences of K-12 teachers who attended teacher professional development sessions hosted by informal education institutions for consecutive or multiple years. The current study was a hermeneutic phenomenological study. The data collection and analysis process was conducted in three…

Virtual reality (VR) provides significant opportunities for students to experience immersive education. In VR, students can travel to the international space station, or go through a science experiment at home. However, the current tactile feedback provided by these systems do not feel real. Controllers do not provide the same tactile feedback…

This study sought to understand the benefits of using experiential learning methods (such as outdoor activities) for executive leader development from the perspective of senior corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders. Increasingly, executive development programs are embracing "learning by doing" by incorporating experiential…

This study aims to examine Black educators' experiences within cultural heritage institutions that are documenting topics that include the long arc of the American Civil Rights Movement. Black educators are powerful conduits of the African American story because they align with African American cultural heritage institution's goals to foster…

In this phenomenological study, seven research participants shared their memories, experiences, and the durability of what they learned as university student ambassadors who participated in a unique philanthropic initiative. Through this philanthropy-university-community partnership, participants traveled on site visits to three global locations…

Despite decades of passing civic initiatives to revitalize civic education, youth citizen participation, and young adult voter registration is low--most youth cannot even name one member of U.S. Congress. It also cannot be assumed youth will naturally become civically engaged and aware through their family and community. In addition, people of…

This generic qualitative inquiry (GQI) explores experiential learning in higher education for students interested in law enforcement careers. Through interviews and focus group discussions, the study aimed to uncover insights into the perceptions and experiences of students engaging in a university student security program (USSP). The USSP allows…

The relationship between teacher and student is instrumental to learning (Davenport & Davenport, 1985; Holmes & Abington-Cooper, 2000; Houle, 1996; Knowles, 1980; Knowles et al., 1998; McGrath, 2009). This essential partnership supports instruction and student achievement (Bernstein-Yamashiro & Noam, 2013; Hen & Goroshit, 2016;…

The purpose of this exploratory study of adult learning was to investigate the lived experience of 15 employees who encountered a significant job loss event (an unplanned loss of employment with no immediate replacement of employment--coupled with an unintentional and tangibly significant reduction in income), and how the resultant fear(s) from…

As globalized industries evolve, leaders of today and tomorrow will need multifaceted skills for multilayered engagement in an international environment. One method to develop competencies built for a global setting is study abroad, where U.S. colleges embed students in a travel context beyond classroom walls and borders. Study abroad is made up…

Research in the field of agriculture education suggests that students who participate in agriculture education lessons are likely to benefit in knowledge and comprehension of the topic. It was not known how 4th grade students from a Utah public school district envisioned agricultural concepts after being exposed to a four-lesson classroom unit.…