School of Education

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/100405

These digital collections include theses, dissertations, faculty presentations, student publications, and datasets from the School of Education. Due to departmental name changes, materials from the following historical departments are also included here: Educational Administration; Extension Education; Trade and Industrial Education; Vocational Agricultural Education; Vocational Education.

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Open Access
Adventure-based education: a quantitative evaluation of the impact of program participation in high school on youth development
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Palmer, Sally Owens, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Gloeckner, Gene, committee member; MacPhee, David, committee member; Frederiksen, Heidi, committee member
Adventure-based physical-education (ABPE) classes have become a more prevalent class offering in many middle and high schools throughout the United States. Several studies have researched the outcomes and benefits of adventure-based programs (e.g., Cason & Gillis, 1994; Gillis & Speelman, 2008; Hans, 2000; Hattie, Marsh, Neill, & Richards, 1997), and links have been made between youth-development constructs and adventure programming (e.g., Henderson, Powell, & Scanlin, 2005; Sibthorp & Morgan, 2011). To date, limited research has focused on the progression of positive-youth development (PYD) constructs in high-school students participating in a semester-long ABPE course. This research study examined the progression of PYD of students throughout the course of a semester who were enrolled in an ABPE class compared to that progress for those who were not enrolled in any adventure classes at all. Results suggested that there were no significant differences in PYD throughout the semester for students who were enrolled in adventure classes compared to the PYD of those students who were not in any adventure classes at all. There were, however, significant differences in connection for students who were in the Adventure Leader class compared to connection for those who were not in any adventure classes at all. The findings of this research study highlight the need for more studies that examine different types of adventure classes or activities, as opposed to adventure classes or activities as a whole.
Open Access
An examiniation of the relationship between perceived level of synergistic supervision received and key job performance indicators within midlevel student affairs administrators
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Morgan, Derek, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; McKelfresh, David, committee member; Saunders, Sue, committee member; Hall, Bruce, committee member
Midlevel administrators working at colleges and universities in the United States and holding membership in NASPA rated the degree to which they perceived their supervisor to exhibit behaviors. They also responded to questions regarding their self-concept and commitment to their supervisors. The relationship between perceived Synergistic Supervision and key performance indicators were examined and indicated that a significant positive correlation existed. Several demographic characteristics were also examined to identify if differences existed related to the perceived level of synergistic supervision received.
Open Access
Experiences of a merger: the perspective of mid-level administrators in merged Kansas community and technical colleges
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Ohman, Jessica, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Banning, James, committee member; Kuk, Linda, committee member; Hall, Bruce, committee member
This study was conducted to better understand the phenomenology of mid-level administrators employed at Kansas community or technical colleges/schools who experienced the merger process. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to examine individual life experiences. Eight mid-level administrators were interviewed for this study. The findings from this research confirm merger literature stressing the importance of leadership, communication, culture, collaboration and integration and how these factors impact the mid-level administrators' throughout the merger.
Open Access
Hispanic-serving institution lobbyists: the influence of formative experiences on college-access policy discussions
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Heredia-Griego, Meriah E., author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Davies, Timothy, committee member; Sagás, Ernesto, committee member; Sierra, Christine, committee member
Lobbyists are increasingly a central part of the administration at higher-education institutions. The purpose of this study was to explore the formative life experiences, regarding race and racism, of lobbyists for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)-institutions with 25% or more Hispanic student enrollment-and how those lobbyists discussed access to higher education for undocumented students. The study describes how the participants constructed identities for themselves and undocumented students in a policy discussion, and it describes the role of HSIs in this timely policy discussion. To accomplish these goals, I used a qualitative research design that integrates elements of narrative inquiry and case study. I used holistic content analysis and dialogic/performance analysis to understand the relationship between formative life experiences and policy discussions. Additionally, descriptive and substantive representation theories provide a framework for critiquing the representation of undocumented students in HSI lobbying efforts. This first-of-its-kind case study informs lobbyist hiring practices, lobbying behaviors, policy discussions, and alignment of institutional values with lobbying initiatives at HSIs.
Open Access
How students experience their Christian faith in the public high school: a narrative study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Moreno-Knittel, Bernadine Marie, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Davies, Timothy, advisor; Makela, Carole, committee member; Poplin, Mary, committee member; Swaim, Randall, committee member
This study was a result of professional experience working with Christian students in a public high school and how they integrated their Christian faith into the academic, social/emotional, and career domains identified in the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) model. In addition the researcher's personal reflection about her Christian worldview influenced her professionally and personally as well as enabled her to gain knowledge and understanding of her beliefs and values. With narrative inquiry it is imperative that the researcher possesses the same background knowledge in order to fully understand the experiences of the interviewees and in return write their story with fidelity by keeping their voice central to the research. In the school counseling literature spirituality is considered important and worthy of exploration; however, researchers encourage school counselors to view it as "meaning making" rather than in a religious context. That said, counselors are encouraged to incorporate spirituality into a Comprehensive School Counseling Program as long as religion is kept separate. The researcher chose narrative inquiry to share the stories of four Christian students' experiences in a public high school. These students share their Christian upbringing and how a variety of micro-systems including family, church, youth camps and other religious activities, and peers influenced their faith. The students share how they integrated their faith into the classroom; relationships with faculty, peers, boyfriend or girlfriend; extracurricular activities; decision making; and coping. In addition three of the four students shared their experiences transitioning into higher education. Their individual stories are presented in letter format with a composite interpretation of the four stories. The researcher shares her findings with three audiences including the research community, professional colleagues, and the students' parents. The researcher's hope is these audiences will listen to these four students' experiences related to their Christian walk in a public high school and gain an understanding and appreciation for their Christian worldview. Equally important is that readers engage in personal reflection of their own worldview and how this impacts how they work and relate to the students they teach, counsel, and or raise.
Open Access
Jordanian social studies teachers' attitudes and their perceptions of competency needed for implementing technology in their classrooms
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Al-Bataineh, Mohammad, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Lindsay, James, advisor; Gloeckner, Gene W., committee member; Quick, Don, committee member; Scott, Malcolm, committee member
This study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the attitudes of Jordanian seventh to twelfth-grade social studies teachers toward technology, and their perceptions of the competency needed for implementing technology in their classrooms. It also explored the relationship between teachers' attitudes and their perceptions of competency for implementing technology. The convenience sample of Jordanian social studies teachers (n = 221) was a blend of male (n = 135) and female teachers (n = 86). Results indicated that teachers with relatively high positive attitudes toward implementing technology were far more likely to have high perceptions of competency needed for implementing technology in social studies classrooms in the country of Jordan. Furthermore, the youngest male teachers had higher attitudes towards implementing technology than the youngest female teachers, while the oldest male teachers had less positive attitudes than the oldest female teachers. The result of the study provides information that is useful to social studies educators, professional development leaders, national policy makers and teachers of social studies who are interested in understanding the factors that affect technology use in social studies classrooms in Jordan.
Open Access
Lived experiences of students in the online learning environment as it relates to acts of academic dishonesty: a Western United States community college study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Heiser, Eric A., author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Hall, Bruce, committee member; Kaiser, Leann, committee member; McKelfresh, David, committee member
Academic dishonesty has been an issue in education for many years (McCabe, 2001). As online education becomes more prevalent, the belief among faculty is that more acts of academic dishonesty are occurring in online courses rather than in face to face or on campus courses (Burke, 1997). However, little is known about how students understand and discuss acts of academic dishonesty in the online learning environment.
Open Access
Paul Mills Ireland III: portrait of a soldier
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Dolan, John P., author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Davies, Timothy, advisor; Hall, Bruce, committee member; Quick, Don, committee member
This dissertation explores the life and identity of Paul Mills Ireland, III. The qualitative study was conducted using the portraiture approach and was further developed by incorporating the holistic content approach of analysis in narrative research. This fifth generation soldier was the product of a strong military lineage, most of whom were senior military officers serving as career professionals. Despite early road blocks and personal struggles, Paul established his own military career and defined success on his own terms. A decorated Green Beret and Vietnam Veteran, Paul explored life, returned to his roots, and experienced struggles with his personal health, moral choices, and tragic loss. Regardless of his problems or the mistakes he made, Paul was almost universally loved and admired. He continued to serve his country, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army. With his health failing him, Paul refused to retire. In November, 2006, he died while on active duty.
Open Access
Physical activity and mental health among undergraduate students
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Elliot, Catherine, author; Anderson, Sharon, advisor; Kennedy, Catherine, advisor; Morgan, George, committee member; Butki, Brian, committee member
This study was conducted to analyze possible influences of physical activity level, student group, and/or gender on seven mental health variables related to depression in undergraduate students. A campus health initiative. Healthy Campus 2010, set goals of increasing the number of students who are physically active three days per week to 55% and decreasing suicide attempts by 2010. Focusing on undergraduate students, the goal of this research was to replicate previous research efforts that linked physical activity levels with mental health related to depression. The national sample included a random selection of 2,146 students from the reference group of 61,758 college students enrolled as undergraduate students who completed the spring 2007 National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Colorado State University (CSU) participants served as a comparison group to the NCHA reference group. The analysis included seven 4 x 2 x 2 three-way ANOVAs to discover relationships between the seven mental health variables that related to depression (felt hopeless, felt overwhelmed, felt exhausted, felt very sad, felt depressed, considered attempting suicide, and attempted suicide) and the three independent variables, physical activity level (0 days, 1-2 days, 3-4 days, and 5-7 days), student group (NCHA reference group and CSU), and gender. There were relationships between the five variables that reflected mild mental health issues and physical activity levels, with small effect sizes. As the physical activity levels increased, students reported better mental health related to depression. There was one significant interaction between student group and physical activity level on the felt exhausted variable. There was a relationship between variables reflecting mild mental health and gender. Males reported better depression related mental health, with small to typical effect sizes {d = .20-.49). However, the contemplating suicide and attempting suicide variables were not significantly related to gender or physical activity levels. Overall, these data support current research by showing similarities between college students and other demographic groups. Physical activity and gender have shown correlations with mental health. These implications may influence college health services to use an integrated care system, merging mental health with medical services.

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Browsing School of Education by Author "Anderson, Sharon, advisor"