Education Commons^™

How Principals Learn To Be Technology Leaders: A Critical Incident Qualitative Study, Leon R. Edwards Ii

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate how principals learn to be technology leaders by examining the different ways principals learn and exploring the skills principals perceive are needed. The study also examines what principals do differently to develop a successful technology integration (or not). Using the critical incident method, 18 principals were interviewed from across the state. The in-depth interviews were transcribed for all participants interviewed and then analyzed using coding and theming with the aid of memos. From this, three predominant categories emerged: learning, skills, and challenges.

The findings from the study reveal that principals learn primarily …

Online Learning And Effective Leadership: The Importance Of Relationship Building And Culture, Nadine K. Rupp

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

Online and blended learning are becoming more important in k-12 public schools because of their flexibility and increased opportunity for students in urban as well as rural environments. Implementing and sustaining technology-based learning is a complex process that requires educational leaders to have a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills which are critical to the success of online programs. This case study research used in-depth interviews to gather data on how one district was able to provide a successful program using effective leadership skills. Three areas critical to success were identified in the data: clear vision and achievable goals, appropriate …

Counselors’ Perceived Preparedness For Technology-Mediated Distance Counseling: A Phenomenological Examination, Daniel C. Holland

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined counselors’ perceptions of their formal preparation for engaging in technology-mediated distance counseling with the intent of gaining an understanding of their lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven seasoned counselors who regularly engage in technology-mediated distance counseling. The results highlighted two categories emerging: the counselor and training/education. Themes related to motivation and counselor attributes emerged from the first category and themes of availability, inadequacy, and modality emerged from the second. The implications from this study suggest a lack of availability of effective training on technology-mediated distance counseling. The implications also suggest areas of potential future …

Engineering Design: A Cognitive Process Approach, Greg Joseph Strimel

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The intent of this dissertation was to identify the cognitive processes used by advanced pre-engineering students to solve complex engineering design problems. Students in technology and engineering education classrooms are often taught to use an ideal engineering design process that has been generated mostly by educators and curriculum developers. However, the review of literature showed that it is unclear as to how advanced pre-engineering students cognitively navigate solving a complex and multifaceted problem from beginning to end. Additionally, it was unclear how a student thinks and acts throughout their design process and how this affects the viability of their solution. …

Using Two Formats Of A Social Story To Increase The Social-Communication Skills Of Three Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nicole A. Anthony

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

An alternating treatment design was used to compare the effects of two interventions on the initiations and on-topic responses of three adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The interventions were participant specific social stories on an iPad and in paper format, both of which occurred in an after-school setting. Results indicated two participants increased the number of initiations and on-topic responses during gaming sessions over baseline levels. In addition, all three children generalized targeted skills to another typical peer while playing the same game introduced during baseline. Implications for current educational practices are addressed and directions for future research are discussed.

Technology Education Teacher Supply And Demand In The United States, Johnny J. Moye

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This research investigated the supply and demand of technology education teachers in each of the United States. The research goals guiding this study were to determine (1) the number of technology education teachers produced in the United States, (2) the number of technology education teachers employed in the United States public schools during the spring of 2009, (3) the number of vacant technology education teacher positions in United States public schools during the spring of 2009, and (4) the projected number of technology education teacher vacancies for the fall semesters of 2009, 2012, and 2014. The 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and …

Effects Of Technology Based Interactive Multimedia On Training Of Laminators At General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products Manufacturing, Jeffrey D. Brough

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To guide this study, the following hypothesis was established: For skin laminators working in the clean room at General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products, traditional methods of training, in conjunction with technology based interactive multimedia, will result in an increase in retention over a longer period of time with less direct human training needed.

A Study To Determine The Relationships Between A Local School Division's Middle School System's Technology, Science, And Mathematics Course Curricula And The Accommodation Of State And National Goals, Standards Or Objectives, William C. Reed

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of the study were to determine if: A state's learning standards, for this study the Virginia Standards of Learning, acknowledged, accommendations for technology, science, and mathematics curricula at the middle school level as set forth in a published, national level coordination/integration standard; A local school division's curricula, for this study the Virginia Beach City public School's middle school technology, science and mathematics curricula, complied with the established state standards; and The Virginia Beach City Public School's middle school technology, science and mathematics curricula were related, associated, coordinated or integrated in any fashion.

A Study To Determine The Attitudes And Practices Teachers Possess Relating To Computers, The Internet And The World Wide Web And Their Application To Education, James A. Williams

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The research objectives used to guide this problem were: 1. Determine teacher's attitudes toward the utilization of computers in support of their work; 2. Determine teacher's perspectives regarding their training to encourage and promote the use of computers by students; 3. Determine to what degree teachers utilize the Internet, World Wide Web and the Virginia Pen in their work; 4. Determine teacher's attitudes toward the use of computers and online services by students to complete assignments.