The purpose of this comparative study was to determine if and to what extent there was a statistically significance difference in college students' motivation--amotivation, external regulation, introjection, identification, intrinsic motivation--to learn Algebra I between in-person instruction and online instruction in Central Arizona. The theory…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational associative study was to examine if, and to what extent, there was a significant relationship between the flourishing and technology readiness of doctoral learners across the United States. This study utilized the Well-being Theory or PERMA model and Technology Readiness Theory as the theoretical…

This research study analyzed Reddit social media posts and comments in response to questions based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) linking early childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with the use of social media. This study researched the impacts that these experiences have had on learning in higher education for…

This study aims to analyze the factors that keep economically disadvantaged Hispanic students motivated when attaining their higher education degree. This study included 10 Hispanic students who have completed at least two academic years at an accredited four-year university in central or north New Jersey and were currently enrolled in one.…

The emphasis on testing within the curriculum in high schools in the United States has led to fewer opportunities for students to participate in elective courses. Federal and state testing mandates have contributed to the trend of students taking higher-level courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) and College in the High School (CHS) at the…

This dissertation study explores a young Japanese heritage language speaker's learning process of formal writing in Japanese. With a rapid increase in immigrants into the U.S. and growing importance of diversity, many researchers have shown interest in immigrant children, i.e., heritage speakers, from educational and research perspectives and have…

Since 2010, gamification, a concept and practice, gained attention in academic research. Results of its effectiveness were mixed and often lacked the use of grounded models or frameworks. Dichev et al. (2019b) proposed the existence of demotivational factors and highlighted two distinct sets of motivational drivers--one linked to game elements and…

The purpose of my study was to document the leadership development of students enrolled in a college leadership development program. Specifically, I was interested in documenting their preconceptions of leadership, leader identity development, motivation to lead, perceptions of effective leadership, and program takeaways that positively impacted…

Military experience alone is no longer enough to replace a college degree for many civilian jobs, leaving nearly 15% of transitioning veterans at a disadvantage without higher education credentials. This study explored how active-duty Marines decide whether to pursue postsecondary education and assessed the role of the voluntary education (VolED)…

The purpose of this study was to investigate high school educators' perspectives on obstacles and motivational factors to student pleasure reading. The study explains aspects of students' desires to read as a pleasure activity along with which aspects serve as obstacles to pleasure reading as perceived by English teachers and librarians. Through a…

The focus of this study was the construct of undermining motivation, specifically for reading. Because motivation plays an important role in a student's academic performance, it is important for schools and teachers to be aware of the experiences of students experiencing undermining motivations. Research has not only shown that many actions…

Educational systems are to prepare students for future success in our ever-changing world. Administrators must realize that before a student is willing to learn, crucial needs must be met, especially in low-socioeconomic areas such as the Rio Grande Valley. Some basic needs consist of food and shelter, which are vital for survival. Other needs…

This research study examined the experiences of nontraditional community college students attending through a tuition-free grant. The intent of the study was to explore the student identified barriers to degree persistence and the student support services nontraditional students recognize as being beneficial towards their academic journey. This…

The benefits of postsecondary degrees are striking for populations who have experienced incarceration, yet little is understood about how this population succeeds with educational attainment upon release from incarceration. This qualitative collective case study examined to what extent and how six formerly incarcerated individuals who started…

In the secondary school setting, student engagement with mathematics has been declining for various reasons and for a significant amount of time. Gamification and standards-based grading are strategies that have the potential to improve student engagement with mathematics. The problem was poor student engagement with classroom activities in…