Aura Wharton-Beck

This study aims to examine participants' experiences with adopting a virtual reality (VR)-based curriculum and their perceptions of the curriculum's effectiveness. Recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of VR-based curricula for educational training. However, research on utilizing VR to promote understanding of educational inclusion remains understudied. We conducted a mixed-methods case study to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) survey, in-depth interviews, and a focus group. We identified several themes that pose challenges and create opportunities for the participants. The challenges include access, physical adjustment, avatar design, pacing, and human connection. We examined the promises from three additional categories: technology affordances, impacts, and human-centered design strategies. Overall, VR-based inclusive curriculum could contribute to positive learning and boost engagement. The research findings can contribute to an understanding of participant acceptance and perceptions of VR as a platform for learning about sensitive and inclusive topics.

Applied Research for Contemporary Educational Leaders: Solving Practical Problems demonstrates the practical applications of research in addressing real-world problems related to educational leadership and environments. Rather than focusing on basic research, which is generally more centered on theoretical concerns, the book identifies specific issues and how to confront them with data-driven solutions. The textbook covers topics such as early career researcher impact, media influences on research approaches, qualitative and survey methodologies, observational and experimental research designs, and brand research. Subsequent chapters examine fieldwork research methods, narrative inquiry, the mechanics of doing research sampling, and the art of research writing. The book concludes with a discussion on research design that outlines descriptive and causal strategies and guides readers on how to compile and present a research report. Additionally, it includes a chapter on using SPSS (Statistical Packet for Social Sciences) for statistics in social work. Applied Research for Contemporary Educational Leaders is ideal for courses in applied research, educational research methodology, statistics for educational leadership, applied research seminar, and dissertation research. It serves as an excellent foundational tool for students embarking on applied research in education, as well as those aiming to strengthen their quantitative and qualitative research skills.

The 2020 global pandemic ushered in an unparalleled call to dramatically shift the focus of how school administrators responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition needed to ensure the continuity of instruction in a distance learning environment demanded a new level of urgency. The long-term impact of COVID-19 presents new leadership challenges and continues to amplify the need for change during the global health crisis. This study aimed to understand the preparedness of school administrators in the United States of America as they responded to the worldwide pandemic and their perceived opportunities and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case study collected data from a survey and interviews to investigate how school leaders rose to the occasion while working through unprecedented challenges. The findings revealed several new opportunities: visionary leadership, resources to address disparities, increased community partnerships, and innovative instructional models. The challenges faced by school leaders encompassed the digital divide, staffing shortages, online instructional practices, communication with families, and staff professional development. This study offers specific implications for school leaders and educational leadership preparation programs.

The present historical case study was conducted in order to examine the unspoken narratives of six African American Government Girls who worked for the federal government during World War II. The present study documented the lives and experiences of six women employed by the U.S. federal government. Their deliberate decision to become civil service employees interrupted the expectation for Black women to work in domestic service positions. The story of African American Government Girls offers a counter-narrative of Black women in the diaspora. Results indicated a dramatic shift in the personal lives and professional careers of African American Government Girls. Federal employment allowed Black women to achieve financial emancipation, upward social mobility, and ultimately, a shift in the formation of their identity--no longer burdened by the limited vocational role imposed on them by society. These findings provide a more accurate and truthful account of the historical role and contribution of African American Government Girls to World War II.

Historically, tutoring has been considered an effective way of assisting academically challenged students. After-school digital tutoring programs that foster the development of social capital could provide academic and social support for struggling students in remote areas. However, research on how after-school digital tutoring programs can foster social capital development is sparse. In this study, we used the perspective of social capital theory to examine the factors that shaped student-learning experiences in an E-Tutor Program. Specific attention was given to the types of and the strategies for developing social capital. The study utilized a case study approach to analyze data collected from interviews, documents, and observations. The findings carry programmatic implications that emphasize the importance of care pedagogy and adult connection to support student growth in similar programs.