VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Errorless Academic Compliance Training: A School-based Application for Young Students with Autism

Errorless academic compliance training is a proactive, noncoercive approach to treating oppositional behavior in children. Three teaching staff in a special education classroom were trained to conduct this intervention with three male students diagnosed with autism. During baseline, staff delivered a range of classroom requests and recorded student compliance with these requests. A hierarchy (of 4 levels) of compliance probabilities for requests was then calculated. Requests ranged from Level 1, those yielding high compliance, to Level 4, those leading to oppositional responding. At the beginning of intervention, teaching staff delivered Level 1 requests, providing praise and other reinforcement for compliance. Subsequent levels were faded in gradually over time. By the end of intervention, students demonstrated substantially improved compliance to requests that had yielded high levels of noncompliance before intervention. Follow-up at 4 weeks indicated that treatment gains were maintained. Covariant improvement in academic on-task skills was also evident.

Keywords: autism
teacher training
noncompliance
errorless approaches
Advisor: Ducharme, Joseph
Perceptions of Postsecondary Education in a Northern Ontario Community

From my position as ally to an Anishnawbe community in Northern Ontario, I explored the relationships of community members to postsecondary education. Eight current and former students, a teacher at the school and a band councilor, shared with me their experiences and their knowledge about the Community and its school system. The data revealed that in Northern Ontario, the transition from the on-reserve school system to whitestream education at any level is very difficult for Community members, and is exacerbated by family violence and tensions and a perception of lower quality teaching and resources in the community schools. Participants also chose more college programs when first entering postsecondary education, and attended the college in the nearby town most frequently. Suspicion of and isolation from the whitestream school system as a result of the impact of residential schools still exists, and continues to have an effect on community participation in education.

Keywords: Aboriginal
Postsecondary Education
Northern Ontario
First Nations
Education
Advisor: Muzzin, Linda
Restoule, Jean-Paul
Knowledge And Learning Strategies In Principal MentoringCoaching Relationships

This qualitative study investigates the relationship between the principal MentorCoach and the principal Mentee in terms of the learning that is taking place between these two individuals. This study addresses a gap in the Mentoring/Coaching literature as little is known about how the professional knowledge of participants is influenced through participation in educational leadership Mentoring/Coaching programs. This study also links to current interest in knowledge mobilization and the interaction between research and practitioner knowledge. In broad terms, the research will investigate what kind of knowledge is being incorporated in principal MentoringCoaching relationships in the programs sampled. With its deeper analysis of the knowledge and learning strategies that are being used in the MentoringCoaching experience, this research is of particular interest to future participating administrators and school districts developing MentoringCoaching programs as a vehicle for supporting and enriching the experience of new principals as school leaders.

Keywords: Mentoring
Coaching
Principal
MentoringCoaching
Knowledge
Learning Strategies
Educational Leadership
Relationships
Advisor: Anderson, Stephen
Levin, Ben
Experiences in Critical Literacy: Students Deemed “At Risk” in Canadian Schools

Recently Ontario included critical literacy in the Language Arts curriculum. I plan to investigate what impact critical literacy will have on Canadian schools. I will present ideas in a critical narrative framework; drawing on pre-existing data-sets of experiences I gathered teaching in an urban Ontario school board for the last six years. I will also review research by other academics working in critical literacy, student engagement, and democratic education. I plan to investigate the effectiveness of using critical literacy-based activities with students deemed “at risk” in our school system. I will also explore the impact of critical literacy on the relationships between students, teachers and administrators. I believe this process will allow me to reflect, interpret and explore my experiences, as well as encourage others to draw their own opinions about the impact of teaching critical literacy in Ontario schools.

Keywords: Critical Literacy
students "at risk"
Advisor: Cooper, Karyn
A Critical Exploration of Parent Involvement in Latin American Parents in Toronto

This study explores the conceptions and practices of parent involvement in education that exist among Latin American families with students in Toronto Schools. The individual and collective life histories of 3 immigrant families from Latin America were collected in order to understand how parents and students conceive of parents’ role the education of their children. The findings of this research demonstrate that families’ conceptions are much broader and expansive than what is currently defined as parent involvement within policy and practice in Ontario and are informed by their educational trajectory in their home country and throughout the migration process and their ideas on education. This research serves to shed light on the experiences of Latin American families in their interactions with educational institutions and gives voice to their experiences, ideas and aspirations in their new home.

Keywords: Parent Involvement
Latin American
Toronto
Education
Advisor: Gérin-Lajoie, Diane
Understanding the Self-efficacy for Learning Beliefs of Adolescents with ADHD

This study examined the self-efficacy for learning beliefs of male and female youth with ADHD, and explored whether symptoms of inattention predict self-efficacy beliefs beyond internalizing symptoms and academic achievement. Thirty-one youth with ADHD (18 males, 13 females) and 31 youth without ADHD (17 males, 14 females) between the ages of 13 and 18 completed self-report questionnaires examining self-efficacy for learning, ADHD symptomatology, academic achievement, and internalizing problems. Results indicated that female youth with ADHD felt less confident in their ability to regulate their learning effectively. In addition, regression analyses with the full sample revealed that inattention predicted self-efficacy for learning beliefs beyond internalizing difficulties and academic achievement. These results suggest that youth reporting high levels of inattention may also have lower perceptions of their ability to accomplish many academic tasks that require self-regulation.

Keywords: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
self-efficacy for learning
inattention
gender differences
Advisor: Martinussen, Rhonda
Schooling In Little Portugal: The Portuguese Experience

This thesis examines the problem of low educational attainment rates of Portuguese- Canadian students in the areas of “Little Portugal” and West Toronto. Interviews were conducted with former students, teachers, administrators, and community leaders who have all experienced or are linked to the public education system in those areas of Toronto. The question, “why has there been a low educational attainment rate among Portuguese-Canadian students in Toronto?” was asked of the interviewees. The first three chapters provide background information regarding the struggles of the Portuguese in their homeland as well as Portuguese immigrants in Toronto in order to contextualize the information garnered through the interviews. The final two chapters present the thoughts of the interviewees, regarding the subject matter, which were collected during the study.

Keywords: low educational attainment rates
portuguese-canadian students in toronto
little portugal
portuguese immigrants
Advisor: Troper, Harold M.
Deoli Camp: An Oral History of the Chinese Indians from 1962 to 1966

China and India claimed two territories along their borders on the Himalayas: Aksai Chin in the west and the North-East Frontier Agency in the east. The border dispute escalated and, on October 20, 1962, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened fire on the two fronts and advanced into the disputed territories. One month later, on November 21, China declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew behind its disputed line of control. In response, the Indian government arrested over 2,000 Chinese living in India and interned them in Deoli, Rajasthan. When the Chinese were released between 1964 and 1966, they found their properties sold off by the Indian government. Many left India and immigrated to Canada. I interviewed four Indian-born Chinese who were interned and who now live in the Greater Toronto Area. I recorded their accounts of life in Deoli Detention Camp in Rajasthan.

Keywords: Oral history
Interview method
translation
transcription
1962 Sino-Indian Incident
Chinese-Indians
China-India border war
Hakka Chinese
Aksai Chin
North-East Frontier agency (NEFA)
McMahon Line
Johnson and Macartney-McDonald Lines
Chou En-Lai
Jawaharlal Nehru
Indian Enemy Property Law of 1968
1962 Defence of India Rule
Tibet
China
India
British India
Deoli detention Camp, Rajasthan
Deoli Concentration Camp
Calcutta Chinatown
Chinese Diaspora in India
Advisor: Allen, Guy
Educating For Global Citizenship: An Exploration of Two Curricular Methods

This mixed-methods study contributes to the limited literature on global citizenship by comparing the impacts of two curricular methods used to educate for global citizenship: international education experiences and a school-wide approach. Using Round Square as the case study, an international association of secondary schools that incorporate both methods to foster global citizenship, and an adapted version of Hartman’s (2008) Global Citizenship Survey, this study examines the global citizenship qualities of 185 graduates from Canadian Round Square schools. Findings reveal that not only is the pursuit of global citizenship within schools valuable and possible, but that a school-wide approach is as effective a method to educate for global citizenship as international education experiences. Results are valuable as many schools lack the resources, capacity, and motivation for global citizenship programming, particularly if programming relies on international education activities. Results also question the necessity of international opportunities to foster global citizenship.

Keywords: global citizen
global citizenship
secondary education
high school
international education experiences
Round Square
education
study abroad
international service
Advisor: Quarter, Jack
Study Abroad and Spirituality: The Journeys of Undergraduate Students in Developing Nations.

This thesis examines the spiritual development of students participating in international study programs. A baseline questionnaire was administered to 64 students traveling to Kenya, Ecuador and Jordan for four to six weeks during the summer of 2010. Fifteen students were then selected to participate in pre-travel and post-travel interviews. Using Fowler’s (1981) theory of faith development, students’ international experiences were analysed for dissonance and new beginnings as an extension of their pre-travel spiritual journeys. Students’ observations and perceptions of their host country’s religion are shown to be filtered through their program curriculum. While the majority of student participants in this study did not adhere to any formal system of beliefs, the narratives of some students suggest that their academic field of study and a related passion to help the world provide a unifying narrative for their ultimate environment.

Keywords: Study Abroad
Spirituality
Developing Nations
Faith Development
Internationalization
Advisor: Chambers, Anthony
An Examination of the Characteristics of High Achieving Black Students and Practical Recommendations to Help Support All Educational Stakeholders

The aim is to empower all students to achieve academic success by overcoming the educational barriers that exist within the school system. This thesis examines what sociological factors are at play that encourages the academic success of Black students. The emphasis will be to identify how other Black students can replicate the success of their high achieving peers. Another theme in this thesis focuses around the idea of success and who it belongs to versus which groups of learners are ignored. Other related themes look at the power of educators to transform the lives of students where schooling is viewed as a family approach offering hope for all stakeholders. Furthermore, the resiliency of Black learners and their ability to rise above racial pressures and adversity is an important theme that addresses the need for policy to change and the implementation of anti-racist strategies.

Keywords: High Achieving Black Students
Academic Success
Advisor: Wane, Njoki
Feuerverger, Grace
Restoring Awareness: Stories of Childhood Experience and Ecological Identity

In trying to understand ecological identity within adult environmental education, I embarked on an arts-informed exploration of my life history. I realized that everything I know about the environment grew from what I experienced as a child. My childhood experiences are most vivid in my memories of the natural world. I wanted to know more about the relationship between childhood experiences and ecological identity. Based on a personal transformation, and journey toward restoring awareness of the senses and how we know as human beings, I chose my life as the focus of this research. Had my childhood experiences influenced how I relate to the environment? How had they done that? What was it about those childhood experiences? This thesis is the culmination of my inquiry. It is my story and an offering to travel with me to my childhood and make sense of your own experiences in the natural world.

Keywords: Ecological Identity
Spiritual Identity
Childhood Experience
Experiential Learning
Advisor: Knowles, J. Gary
Beyond 40 Hours: Meaningful Community Service and High School Student Volunteerism in Ontario

This study explores whether students in the mandated Ontario high school community service program consider their service requirement to be meaningful; the relationship between meaningful service and subsequent service; and other factors related to a meaningful experience and future service. A secondary analysis was conducted using a survey of 1,341 first-year university students, collected by a research team led by Steven Brown of Wilfrid Laurier University. The main finding is that meaningful service is a predictor for subsequent service and can contribute to individual and social change. Meaningful service opportunities help address a gap in service learning literature, which is the impact of service on communities, perhaps by underestimating the capacity of youth to contribute to social change. Three policy recommendations emerge: curriculum should be created to enable students to serve more effectively; program structure is necessary for reflection; and nonprofit agencies can meet both of the above needs.

Keywords: community service
mandatory volunteering
service learning
youth development
social change
meaningful service
Advisor: Quarter, Jack
Exploring Indigenous and Western therapeutic integration: Perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Elders

The purpose of this study was to document the perspectives and experiences of five Indigenous Elders on the potential for Indigenous and Western healing paradigms and practices to be integrated in mental health service delivery for Indigenous peoples. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with each participant, and a narrative analysis was used to generate research themes and findings. Results indicated that all five Elders perceived a potential for Indigenous and Western approaches and practitioners to work collaboratively together in the future, and Elders reported varying levels of experience with integrated healthcare delivery. However, all five Elders identified numerous issues requiring attention and steps to be taken prior to integrated practice taking place. These included the need to reclaim Indigenous knowledge, an acceptance and respect for Indigenous knowledge and practices by the Western healthcare system, and the need for increased and formalized education related to Indigenous knowledge and healing approaches.

Keywords: Indigenous mental health
Integrated healthcare
Advisor: Stewart, Suzanne
Development of English and French Literacy among Language Minority Children in French Immersion

This study examined English and French literacy skills among language minority children in French immersion. Forty children with a first language other than English (non-English L1) and forty-one native English-speaking (EL1) children were examined on phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, word reading, and English vocabulary at the beginning and end of Grade 1. They were also examined on phonological awareness, word reading, and French vocabulary at the end of the year. Non-English L1children experienced greater growth in English expressive vocabulary, and similar growth in English receptive vocabulary, to that of EL1 children. There was a cross-language transfer of phonological awareness and word reading from English to French, and cross-language relationship between English receptive vocabulary and French receptive vocabulary for both groups. Non-English L1 children do not lag behind in early English skills, even when their English exposure is limited in a French immersion setting.

Keywords: French immersion
language minority
phonological awareness
word reading
vocabulary
Advisor: Chen, Xi
The Prevalence of Thiamin Deficiency in Ambulatory Patients with Heart Failure

Thiamin is a required coenzyme in the production of energy to fuel myocardial contraction. Therefore, thiamin deficiency (TD) may contribute to myocardial weakness by limiting the available energy for myocyte contraction. Previous studies report a wide range for the prevalence of TD in patients with heart failure (HF) (3% to 91%). These trials are limited by their small sample size, indirect measurement of thiamin status, exclusion criteria, and their focus on hospitalized patients. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence of TD in a large (n=100) group of ambulatory patients with HF, using high performance liquid chromotography. The prevalence of TD ([thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP)] ≤ 180 nM/l erythrocytes) was found to be 7%. TD was not related to furosemide use, dietary thiamin intake, severity of the HF, or age. More investigation into the factors that may influence development of TD in ambulatory patients with HF is warranted.

Keywords: Thiamin, Heart failure
Advisor: Keith, Mary E.
Three-dimensional Transparent Conducting Oxide Based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Electron transport and recombination are two competing factors within Dye-Sensitized Solar-Cells (DSSCs) which have a great influence on their performance. By drastically increasing the speed of electron transport to the electrode, it is believed that these cells could reach new record efficiencies. To achieve this result, an all-in-one integrated DSSC was attempted, in which the electrode material is extended into the active area of the solar cell material. The research conducted can be separated into two stages. The first stage is the production of a three-dimensional macroporous electrode. The second stage is the production of an all-in-one DSSC by a simplified co-casting technique. The structures and materials presented were examined using electron microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, 4-point and 2-point probe electrical measurements as well as experimentally by the testing of solar cells. The methods of fabrication, characterization, experimental results and future directions are also presented.

Keywords: Nanotechnology
Solar
Advisor: Ozin, Geoffrey Alan
Sensitization to Death Receptor Stimuli and Anchorage-dependent Cell Death through Induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Activation of the unfolded protein response follows induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in widespread inhibition of protein expression. FLIP protein is particularly sensitive to stresses that perturb protein translation; as such, a reduction in FLIP is likely an early outcome of ER stress. Due to the anti-apoptotic role of FLIP, it is anticipated that potential decreases in FLIP would bring about an increase in sensitivity to death receptor stimuli and anoikis, a form of anchorage-dependent cell death. It was hypothesized that induction of ER stress results in downregulation of FLIP expression, resulting in sensitization of resistant tumour cells to death receptor stimuli and anoikis. From this hypothesis, it was determined that induction of ER stress through treatment of cells with brefeldin sensitized tumour cells to Fas-mediated cell death and anoikis. Moreover, over-expression of FLIP appeared to protect against ER stress-induced sensitization to cell death.

Keywords: ER stress
death receptor stimuli
FLIP
Advisor: Schimmer, Aaron D.
An Investigation of the Suitability of Using AISI 1117 Carbon Steel in a Quench and Self-tempering Process to Satisfy ASTM A 706 Standard of Rebar

Experiments were conducted to investigate the potential of using a quench and self-tempering heat treatment process with AISI 1117 steel to satisfy the mechanical properties of ASTM A 706 rebar. A series of quenching tests were performed and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties studied using optical microscopy, microhardness measurement, and tensile tests. The presence of martensite throughout the samples contributed to the enhanced strength and strain-hardening ratio (tensile to yield strength) of the material. The experimental results showed that AISI 1117 is capable of meeting the ASTM standard. In addition to the experiments, a computer model using the finite difference method and incorporating heat transfer and microstructure evolution was developed to assist in future optimization of the heat treatment process.

Keywords: AISI 1117
reinforcing steel
rebar
QST
microstructure
quench and self-tempering
tempered martensite
Advisor: Wang, Zhirui
Power Grid Correction Using Sensitivity Analysis Under An RC Model

Verifying the power grid requires checking if the voltage drops on all the nodes do not exceed the threshold. We aim to correct an RC model of the grid when some voltage drops violate the threshold condition, by making minor changes to the original design. We first propose an accurate approach to correct the grid which turns out to be too slow. We therefore propose another approach, more suitable for large grids and which can be summarized as follows. The voltage drop is estimated as a function of the metal widths on the grid. A non-linear optimization problem is then formulated and the required metal line width changes that reduce the voltage drops by a sufficient amount are determined. There is a tradeoff between accuracy and speed of the algorithm. However the results show that the gain in speed achieved by the second method, outweighs greatly the loss in accuracy.

Keywords: Power Grid Correction
Advisor: Najm, Farid N.