In this randomized controlled trial with controls for student characteristics, the authors used a loss-aversion strategy to test whether students achieve greater learning gains from combining research-based instructional strategies with loss aversion. Students in the control group began the class with no grades and built their course average by…

Background: Most students rely on ineffective study habits to learn material instead of using evidence-based strategies known to improve learning. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a novel in-class quizzing strategy (i.e., Make & Take Quizzes) that was intentionally designed to engage students in…

This dissertation comprises three complementary studies that aim to advance the understanding and practice of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) development in special education. In the first study, we systematically reviewed empirical research measuring IEP…

Students often report using ineffective study techniques. This project encouraged practice testing, distributed practice, interleaved practice, and metacognitive accuracy to increase learning in an undergraduate general chemistry course. Overall, the purpose of this project was to use text messaging to support evidence-based study practices.…

In this study, we compare the academic performance and perceptions of two student groups. The control group includes students that receive traditional accounting instruction (TA) during the totality of a lecture. The experimental group receives a research-informed teaching (RIT) intervention for the final 10 minutes of TA delivery (PER sample).…

This chapter describes three members of a college of education, all working in different roles to prepare teachers. In response to various external and internal pressures to improve and demonstrate program quality (such as accreditation and a Gates-funded reform agenda), the three chose to collaborate on the idea of a "culture of…

Today, we revisit our initial stance of eliminating standardized test scores from the college admissions process to improve equity and student diversity. With refreshed data about test-optional admissions, we address the import of institutional responsiveness to redress persistent equity gaps that impact our state's workforce diversity and hiring…

Poor college readiness is a persistent challenge today in the United States that may be overcome in part with the help of a learning model from the past. The purpose and of this quantitative comparative study focused on determining if a statistically significant difference existed in the 2018 SAT Total, Mathematics and Evidenced-Based Reading and…

Translational research--a bridge between research in more controlled settings and application in more complex contexts--is an essential step in developing effective evidence-based practices. Yet, it is rare. Previous lab-based research has recommended wakeful rest (WR)--a relaxed state of mind in the absence of activity--as a classroom…

The integration of evidence-informed practices in social work education can be difficult given the crowded curricula of most Master of Social Work programs, particularly for advanced standing MSW students who launch directly into advanced concentration year coursework after obtaining their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Several factors impact…

The assessment of oral proficiency in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) contexts remains a central challenge for researchers, test developers, and classroom teachers (Knoch & Macqueen, 2020). This problem is apparent especially in Tourism and Hotel Management (THM) programs, where students are tested mostly based on grammar, vocabulary, and…

General chemistry are key gateway courses for many Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors. To improve student outcomes, it is critical both to identify at-risk students and implement evidence-based instructional strategies and interventions. These remain active areas of investigation, with recent literature showing that…

This paper presents an innovative method to tackle the automatic evaluation of programming assignments with an approach based on well-founded assessment theories (Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT)) instead of heuristic assessment as in other systems. CTT and/or IRT are used to grade the results of different items of…

Large-scale online learning environments such as MOOCs provide an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of learning strategies in an informal learning context with a diverse learner population. Here, we evaluate the extent to which retrieval practice -- recognized as one of the most effective learning strategies -- facilitates long-term knowledge…

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical activity participation and stress among undergraduate students at a private East Coast Catholic and Jesuit university. Specifically, the relationship between physical activity participation and stress was investigated using secondary data collected from the 2017 American…