This study examined prospective teachers' lived experiences of assisting peers with instructional technology issues. The study built upon one of ISTE's (2003) essential conditions for integrating technology in education: technical assistance for using technology. Through a review of relevant literature, an argument was made for the study based on…

Organizations, regardless of industry/sector, should consistently evaluate and improve organizational performance. Higher education institutions have come under increasing pressures to control costs while improving outcomes and would benefit from strategies that improve the performance of their employees leading to improved organizational…

The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of working alliance theory (Bordin, 1979; Castonguay, Constantino, & Grosse Holtforth, 2006) and interpersonal influence theory (Strong, 1968) as ways to articulate an empirically informed model of student-teacher relationships in order to extend the current body of knowledge on effective…

The field of composition studies has benefitted from applications of feminist, materialist, postcolonial and similar critical theories to the teaching and study of written texts. In addition, critical theories continue to make a significant impact on the teaching and study of writing and other co-fields of inquiry such as writing center and…

This study examined the networking and mentoring practices of female superintendents in California. Through a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data was collected from a survey using electronic questionnaires, and qualitative data was collected from open-ended questions on the survey and interviews. The survey response rate was 50%. Of the…

This study demonstrates that institutional agents at the community college make a significant difference in the lives of students by supporting them during the transfer process. This study brings a critical perspective to the education field by giving a voice to institutional agents at the community college level. Utilizing the social capital…

Since September 11, 2001, Western readers have been turning to bestselling texts written by or about Muslims in their need to learn more about Muslims. These texts promise an insider's view of predominantly Muslim countries and peoples and are informally influencing and educating many Western readers in their perceptions of Muslims because…

More than ever, students with disabilities are enrolling in higher education, yet despite their growth, they still underperform compared to their nondisabled peers in grades and graduation rates. The Americans with Disabilities Act grants students with disabilities access to special accommodations and services in postsecondary institutions, and…

The juxtaposition of classic sociological theory and the, relatively, young discipline of human-computer interaction (HCI) serves as a powerful mechanism for both exploring the theoretical impacts of technology on human interactions as well as the application of technological systems to moderate interactions. It is the intent of this dissertation…

The dissertation study described here examines Algebra 1 students' use of print and digital mathematics textbooks within the classroom setting. Following the emergence of digital textbooks in U.S. schools, the study responds to a critical need to understand not only the potential of innovative digital instructional materials, but also the actual…

Drawing from Cultural-Historical Activity Theory, this research analyzed the structural contradictions existing in the variety of educational activities and resistance among a group of alienated adult students in Korea National Open University (KNOU). Despite KNOU's quantitative development in student number, the students' resistance shed light on…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between media influence and ethnic identity among low-income African American and White adolescent girls. According to the U.S. Census (2008), 98% of Americans have a television in their home. Prior research suggests that low-income African American adolescents are exposed to more media…

A lack of breastfeeding has negative consequences on mother and infant by creating health disparities with a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality. Nationwide, fewer than 60% of mothers younger than age 20 years breastfed exclusively, while fewer than 20% did so in the community being studied. The purpose of this qualitative case study was…

The two studies in this dissertation identify and address two related research gaps in literature on healthcare virtual support communities. Study one suggested that the exclusive emphasis on social support behavior and its impacts on individual well-being in virtual support communities has led to the neglect of another type of social interaction…

Numerous studies have addressed science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and their relation to education and gender ranging from elementary school pedagogy to career choices for traditional-aged college students. Little research has addressed nontraditional female students returning to the university to in the STEM fields. This…