Teacher preparation programs have been under scrutiny for years. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (2010) identified a gap between the preparation of teachers and the needs of schools and consequently formed a Blue Ribbon Panel to closely examine and generate recommendations on ways institutions could improve…

This qualitative study examines the use of in a one-to-one initiative at an elementary school. Digital Didactical Design serves as the framework for this research which seeks to identify the ways in which teachers are using iPads[TM], the attributes of meaningful learning present in their instruction, and the benefits, challenges, and outcomes of…

The U.S. government, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), makes significant investments in the upcoming generation of scientists and researchers through undergraduate research programs (UR) and internships. These programs are thought to motivate students to finish STEM degrees and provide authentic training under the mentorship of…

The aim of this applied dissertation was to examine changes in the self-efficacy of preservice teachers on completion of a special needs course and to determine whether there is a correlation between self-efficacy and several demographic variables. Studies conducted in several countries revealed that, despite participation in a special needs…

Learner autonomy is a fundamental phenomenon in the teaching and learning of languages. The growth of digital technology and the Internet appears to have changed the manifestation of learner autonomy, particularly in Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs). The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to examine the experiences of LCTL…

There is difficulty in defining the profile of a Heritage Language Learner (HLL) due to the experiences with language that individuals face in their social and academic world. There are questions centered on whether a categorical distinction between the native speaker and the native user can be upheld; this is inherently problematic when there is…