Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Vassa Grichko
Abstract
Students play a crucial role in shaping support systems and instructional practices in higher education. This sentiment governed the significance of this dissertation, amplifying students’ voices and perspectives to enhance student experience in higher education, including support the integration of emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, study one acknowledged the growing presence of international students in rural higher education institutions and the role culture played in shaping communication and meanings. To assist the adjustment of international students, the researchers examined the cultural nuances of support for international students at a rural institution, using speech code theory as the theoretical framework. Findings contributed insights on practices and initiatives tailored to meet international students’ expectations and help their adjustment in rural institutions like establishing community to foster feelings of inclusion and understanding. Study two highlighted the growing adoption of AI in higher education institutions and limited attention to graduate students’ acceptance of instructional innovations like AI. The researcher adopted the technology acceptance model (TAM) to investigate graduate students’ perception of AI’s acceptability for instructors in instruction and assessment. The findings provided helpful insight to shape instructors’ integration of AI in college classrooms such as students’ approval for AI use in course preparation and disapproval for constructing feedback. Jointly, by amplifying student voices, both studies contributed knowledge to inform practices and behaviors that positively impact students’ experience and attitudes.
Subject Categories
Adult and Continuing Education | Higher Education
Keywords
Support and Artificial Intelligence Use, Adult education, Higher education, amplifying student voices
Number of Pages
72
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Hall, Shanice Merlene, "Amplified Voices of Students in Higher Education: Support and Artificial Intelligence Use" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. 321.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/321