Student underachievement in math and social-emotional difficulties represent two urgent problems in our schools which have only been exacerbated since COVID-19. The reciprocal relationship between academic challenges and social-emotional problems, along with limited time and resources, suggest that a combined academic and growth mindset…

The systematic review in this study focuses on questionnaire-based quantitative and qualitative studies that focus on the role of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in teacher professional development, with a concentration on the COVID-19 lockdown period. Sixteen studies were selected to be included in this systematic review based on the…

Teachers need access to quality professional development (PD) to navigate the complexities of the teaching profession. An important aspect of this PD is that it is differentiated to meet the needs of teacher-learners with varying ability levels, teaching experiences, content knowledge, and teaching contexts. Stakeholders need access to…

This thematic literature review examines technology stakeholders' perceptions regarding gamification use in contact centers. The study identifies and analyzes existing literature, drawing on various academic research sources, industry articles, and stakeholder opinions. The review highlights the potential benefits and challenges of gamification in…

This dissertation focuses on disruptions to international education activities within higher education institutions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first chapter of this project highlights the crisis that faced international education administrators as a result of the near cessation of global mobility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I…

Adolescent girls face increased pressure to conform to societal standards. As social beings, adolescent girls gravitate to social media as an outlet for peer interaction, community, and validation. Research has found that at the critical age of adolescence, 12-18, girls experience appearance comparison on social media, which can lead to…

Success in first-year mathematics has been linked to students' success in college and graduation rates, which is critical for first generation-college students because they enter college facing many challenges their peers may not experience. This literature review explores previous research related to the relationship between first-generation…

Research indicates that positive reinforcement can improve student achievement and increase positive student behavior. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways public schools in New Jersey communicate the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practice to their staff and students. This document analysis reviewed the themes…

This dissertation contains three essays that examine the influence of state policies on transfer enrollment at 4-year institutions. The first essay is a systematic review of 16 studies that provide an understanding of the literature on state policies and transfer enrollment at 4-year institutions. In the review I provide an understanding of who…

The current study examined educators' perceptions of liberatory spaces in higher education. The literature review delves into an analysis of power and oppression in higher education, a description of liberatory spaces in the academy, and outcomes of those spaces, specifically self-empowerment. The methodological approach for the current study was…

This study introduces a novel approach for conducting Systematic Literature Reviews(SLRs) by incorporating a unique mixed-methods design into the well-established SLR process. The proposed approach, identified as Mixed-Methods Based Systematic Literature Review (MMB-SLR), not only provides researchers with a broader perspective on their research…

A quantitative studies systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted to explore the risk and protective factors among Latinx college students' mental health. This systematic review also aimed to identify the relevant demographic variability to the mental health of Latinx college students, and the relationship between mental health and…

At a young age, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit restrictive/repetitive or stereotypical behaviors that hinder their participation in the general community. The play activities of children with ASD often lack creativity, diversity, and flexibility due to deficits in social and communication abilities. Play activities for…

This systematic literature review concerns the impact of experiential learning and creative thinking on artistic growth and self-efficacy of preservice education majors; and reveals connections and gaps in cross-disciplinary theory, research, and practices of teaching creativity. Observing preservice education majors' hesitancy toward art making,…

This dissertation comprises two articles. In the first article, I review and synthesize literature on how prospective teachers (PTs) might evaluate students' mathematical thinking as manifested in written work. After defining evaluation, I argue that evaluating students' thinking in productive ways is both necessary and desirable within the…