The dissertation consists of three studies that are the process of designing, developing, and evaluating generative-AI-powered story-authoring platforms for children. The first study focuses on the formative study on how stakeholders in education (i.e., teachers, parents, and students) perceive and leverage generative AI platforms (i.e., ChatGPT…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceived ease of use and usefulness of an assistive robot educator tool. The theoretical foundation for this study was the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM), which explore perceptions around the utility of technological systems. The…

This study served to enhance STEM education in rural areas elementary classrooms, where schools often contend with limited resources. The literature called attention to a gap in students not exposed to STEM instruction until they reached secondary school. This gap was revealed in the literature to show a decline in students pursuing a career in…

This study investigated how Mississippi teachers perceive the effectiveness of student engagement in elementary classrooms. A descriptive statistical study was conducted using a web-based survey sent to elementary school teachers in central and delta school districts in Mississippi. Quantitative methods were used, and data were collected and…

Artificial intelligence in education (AIED) is an exigent topic of concern across educational settings. While artificial intelligence (AI) is not new, integrating it into K-12 schools has created a mix of positive and negative perceptions regarding how to do so effectively. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine teachers'…

This qualitative study explores parents' perceptions and satisfaction with schools' test preparation materials and the effects and challenges of district-mandated test preparation materials on teachers. Parents attempt to assist their students in getting into the best schools by spending money on commercial test preparation materials and private…

A now-common question regarding whether or not individuals should pursue college degrees is whether college is worth the cost. One of the ways that institutions of higher learning may help students reduce cost of attending college, thereby reducing the financial stresses, is to reduce expenses where possible. One place where institutions of higher…

This study examined the lived experiences of teachers and administrators as reflected in their responses regarding instructional materials, instructional delivery, social and emotional well-being of students, and access to critical school services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants shared their experiences about how the instructional…

There has been a growing emphasis on integrating green and sustainable chemistry (GSC) into the curriculum. Unfortunately, there is yet to be a nationwide, uniform decision of which aspects should be included or how, leaving individual instructors or institutions to decide whether--and how--to address GSC knowledge. Furthermore, faculty nationwide…

Traditional commercial textbooks used in postsecondary courses are often problematic due to their rigidity, tendency to mirror the dominant culture, and the substantial cost imposed upon students (Junkala et al., 2022; Lambert & Funk, 2022; Wu, 2022). Although replacing these texts with open educational resources (OER) can facilitate more…

This quantitative causal-comparative study discusses the effectiveness of eLearning tools in Higher Educational Institutions (HEI). Technology acceptance by the teaching faculty and administrative staff plays a vital role in implementing an effective education using eLearning platforms in HEI. The topic focuses on the perspective of a faculty and…

This non-experimental qualitative bounded case study (Yin, 2014) examined how secondary school instructors and learners perceive smartphones' impact on learning in the GED classroom in an urban school in New York City (NYC). The study assessed how GED learners and instructors in an urban NYC government-funded high school equivalency program…

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) represent between 5% and 10% of the total number of students in public schools in Saudi Arabia (Abu Nayyan, 2015). Further, 80-90% of students with SLD exhibit reading difficulties including difficulties in reading comprehension (Mercer & Pullen, 2009). Although there is a large number of…

Many studies have been conducted to determine if graphic organizers are effective instructional tools. However, extensive research has not focused on teachers' perceptions and usage of graphic organizers in the content areas of English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Therefore, this study investigates how middle school…

Special education teachers who provide educational opportunities for students in low-incidence programs within a Southern urban public school system in the United States faced challenges when trying to promote independence. The purpose of this project study was to understand the perceptions of teachers and the approaches they seek to best support…