Digital Commons Network^™

A Model For Transforming Engineering Education Through Group Learning, Shannon Chance, Gavin Duffy, Brian Bowe, Mike Murphy, Tony Duggan

Conference papers

Electrical engineering educators at Technological University Dublin (DIT) have successfully implemented pedagogical change. They now use group-based, student-centered and inquiry-driven approaches to teach emerging engineers. The objective of this was to foster students’ personal as well as professional skills (i.e., teamwork, communication, self-directed learning, etc.). This paper explores how such change was achieved and provides graphic models that draw from prior phenomenological studies and incorporates aspects of Rogers’ (1962) product adoption curve and Lowe’s (2012) interpretations of it.

The Relationship Between Perceived Organizational Support And Teachers' Sense Of Efficacy In Regular And Alternative Schools, Jonathan Kyle Knight

Theses and Dissertations

The investigator in the study compared traditional middle and high school teachers to alterative teachers regarding the perceived organizational support, self-efficacy, and retention. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference in the level of self-efficacy between alternative school teachers and traditional school teachers. The researcher also examined the relationships between Perceived Organization Support and teacher self-efficacy between alternative school teachers and traditional school teachers. It was also examined whether alternative teachers perceived their own self-efficacy the same as traditional teachers. The research design was a quantitative approach, using one survey for traditional and alternative …

Implementing A One-To-One Ipad Program In A Secondary School, Donald P. Johnson

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the necessary data and use it to determine the degree of success of the implementation process used to initiate a 1:1 iPad program in a senior high school. Use of this data enabled the district to more effectively infuse the use of the iPad into the delivery of instruction designed to improve student achievement. This study utilized a developmental evaluation model to assess the implementation of the processes used as the 1:1 iPad initiative was designed and implemented. Developmental evaluation is a suitable evaluation model as it supports the process …

Entrepreneurial Transformation Of The School Of Education At One Midwestern Public University: A Case Study, Inna Molitoris

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Globalization and the rapidly changing market cause universities to seek new and creative ways to survive and succeed. The term entrepreneurial university is an ideological umbrella for those higher education institutions that are attempting to fully participate in the social and economic life of society. This qualitative study was aimed to investigate the entrepreneurial transformation at the departments of the School of Education at one Midwestern large public comprehensive university. The researcher sought to better understand the growth of the programs and services at the organization and how entrepreneurial concepts such as entrepreneurial behavior, culture, entrepreneurial products, creativity, innovations, and …

An Educational Approach: Increasing College Freshmen's Knowledge Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, Jennie Mcclain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

According to the Centers for Disease Control (2009), young adults account for only 25% o fsexually active persons in the United States, but account for 50% of the newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some young adults may not have received appropriate or credible information on sexual health by which to make knowledgeable decisions that may influence the rest of their lives. High schools are not required to offer comprehensive sex education. Therefore, some students may have received abstinence-only sex education. Risk reduction and disease prevention are important in college health. This evidenced-based practice project included the creation, …

Addressing Uncertainty During Workplace Change: Communication And Sense-Making, Richard Parsells

Administrative Issues Journal

Change is a commonplace occurrence in today’s organizations. In order to survive in an extremely competitive marketplace, organizations and their employees undergo change frequently. The ability to manage change and to learn from this experience is now viewed as a key competency for sustainable competitiveness in most business markets. However, while change management processes are employed and followed, a high percentage of change efforts are judged to be unsuccessful by upper management. Moreover, a number of scholars suggest that communication strategies during organizational change are an important element to the success of a change initiative, yet such strategies are not …

The Journey To Teaching Online: A Case Study Of Faculty Preparation And Experiences In Online Teaching, Angel Chi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When Bill Gates published his book "The Road Ahead" (1995), he summarized the transformative implications of the personal computing revolution and described a future profoundly changed by the arrival of a global information super highway. Almost twenty years later, the tsunami of online programs and the MOOCs (massive online open courses) is impacting the structural integrity of postsecondary institutions and changing the competitive landscape of higher learning at an unprecedented pace. When Allen and Seaman (2013) asked the question of whether faculty acceptance of online education increased in their Sloan Consortium annual report, only 30.2% of chief academic …

Has Safeer Improved Sacm's Work And Helped Saudi Students In The Usa Resolve Their Needs Quickly, Faisal M. Alzomily

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examined efficiency of the Safeer by gathering and analyzing the perception of 131 Saudi students from Bowling Green, KY. The purpose of the study was to ensure that the system is able to perform its function as the bridge between different institutions and Saudi students studying in the US who require assistance in processing their academic requirements. A self-administered survey using five scale points was employed. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics at 95% confidence level. The result confirmed the hypothesis that the use of the Safeer program provides quality service delivery within SACM, which in turn benefits …

The Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation And Organizational Effectiveness: An Analysis Of How Entrepreneurial Orientation Is Manifested In The Nonprofit Context, Philip C. Uncapher

Education Doctoral

In today’s 24/7 globally interconnected world, effective leaders are needed more than ever. As organizations face new economic and competitive challenges, leadership qualities, characteristics, and behaviors may need to adapt to the new reality. This study examined the entrepreneurial behavior of leaders in nonprofit membership associations and analyzed how an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is manifested in these organizations. Using an emergent mixed-methods methodology, this study surveyed nonprofit CEOs and board chairs to collect data on the viability and application of the three-part framework of an entrepreneurial orientation: innovativeness, ability to accept risk, and being proactive. Findings indicate that nonprofit leaders …

The Community College Baccalaureate: A Mixed Methods Study Of Implementation And Best Practices, Stan E. Essink

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Community colleges have a number of missions ranging from developmental education through academic transfer. They are obligated to provide higher education opportunities in a manner that is affordable, accessible, and adaptable to the changing needs of their constituents. As the mission of community colleges continues to evolve, several states have interpreted this mission to include baccalaureate programming.

This study employed a mixed methods approach to understanding the best practices of implementing and offering bachelor’s degrees through community colleges. The objectives of the research were to determine the influences affecting implementation of bachelor’s degrees, to examine resulting institutional change, and to …

Unveiling A Path To Head Start Turnaround: Investigating How Head Start Directors Transform Low-Performing Programs Into High-Performing Programs, Seanelle Tracy

Education Doctoral

The 2009 Report to Congress on Head Start Monitoring indicated that Head Start grantee non-compliance findings have increased since 2008, implying that grantee non-compliance is an issue for the Head Start field. The poor performance of grantees during Federal Monitoring Reviews demonstrates the critical need to investigate turnaround practices of Head Start directors who have successfully improved their low-performing programs to high-performing in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards (HSPS) and successfully achieved a Federal Monitoring Review with no findings. The investigation of Head Start turnaround practices is not reflected in the current literature. However, business and K-12 settings …

Assessment Of Organizational Culture In Chiropractic Education And Its Influence On The Implementation Of Revised Accreditation Standards, Karen A. Bobak

Education Doctoral

Developing and implementing a change process to demonstrate alignment with updated accreditation standards is a challenge that is currently facing all chiropractic colleges across the United States. The purpose of this study was to identify the current organizational cultures of the 18 CCE accredited doctor of chiropractic educational institutions within the United States and to assess if there are characteristics of the organizational cultures that support or resist the implementation of change. Using a mixed method sequential explanatory design, this study gathered quantitative data from the faculty and administrators of these institutions through the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) (Cameron …

Learning To Adapt: Online Social Science Instruction In Higher Education, Patrick Steven Smith

Dissertations and Theses

Online learning is a rapidly growing phenomenon in post-secondary education. Institutions of higher learning have embraced online learning for its perceived merits, but without the consideration of how instructors deal with this different learning medium. Little is known of the extent to which different disciplines are suited to the online medium; this is pertinent to disciplines that rely on spontaneous in-person discussion. Furthermore, as colleges continue to invest heavily in online learning, instructors who only possess face-to-face teaching experience may begin teaching online. This poses a pedagogical challenge for instructors who are unfamiliar with the medium. This qualitative, in-depth interview …

A Winning Combination! Leadership Skills And Formation For Catholic School Leaders, Louise Moore, Alana Campion, David Alan Dolph

Catholic Education Summit

This session emphasizes the importance of balancing personal and spiritual growth with leadership skills. Some practical tips and a model that illustrates this approach to leadership development will be shared via an interactive format.

Action Items, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Overview of action items handled by the Graduate Council.

Miguel A. Nevárez: A Life History Of Educational Leadership, Rolando Avila

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze Miguel A. Nevárez’s educational leadership style by focusing on his notable contributions to The University of Texas-Pan American. The researcher defined leadership style as actions by the leader. After examining Nevárez’s background to place his motivations and actions in proper context, this study analyzed what Nevárez did, how he perceived his actions, and how others perceived his actions. The life history written by the researcher was primarily based on data collected through 25 interviews; however, the researcher also utilized other available published and unpublished sources to supplement the interview data. The …

Undoing The Factory Model: A Practical Field Test In Blended Learning, Adam Holden

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The successful implementation of e-learning strategies into the learning process is not a new idea. Education was first introduced to the concept of digital natives using technological tools to learn over a decade ago now, and yet we remain a nation struggling to come to terms with the educational potential of technology. It is true, that the past ten years has seen a significant integration of hardware into the classroom; the question must be asked however, whether this has been wastefully accomplished by many schools, without predetermined planning or the development of strategic outcomes for its use. Merely, introducing these …

Leading The Charge: A Multiple Case Study Of Presidential Perceptions Of Essential Leadership Characteristics For The 21st Century Community College, B Jeanne Bonner

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Leadership of 21^st century community colleges is more demanding today than at any other time. Community colleges are faced with an array of challenges previously unimagined, generally resulting from the impact of concurrent socio-economic changes, competing demands from various college constituencies, growing complexity of the leadership role of the community college president, and increasing competition for scarce resources in the face of the continuing decline of funding support. Thus, the leadership role of the community college president has never been more difficult, nor more critical.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership skills and …

Impact Of The Global Economic Crisis On Higher Education: Leadership And Management Challenges Preliminary Findings, Ellen Hazelkorn

Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

School Psychologists Involvement With Response-To-Intervention And Students With Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Difficulties, Katelyn Hickman-Poloney

Theses and Dissertations

The current school reform is being driven by shifts in thinking about school improvements, including a willingness to consider prevention versus remediation. Response-to-Intervention is a buzz word in education right now as it is the framework by which this shift in thinking is to be implemented. Preventatively addressing the mental health needs of students is a pressing issue for educational professionals as the population of students who exhibit social, emotional, and behavioral problems continues to be underserved. Since school psychologists are trained in Response-to-Intervention procedures, the purpose of this study was to determine if school psychologists are involved in Response-to-Intervention …

Designing Innovative Alternatives To Traditional High Schools: What Leaders Need To Know, Chester Roy Edwards

Dissertations and Theses

The need for new and innovative alternatives to traditional high schools has never been greater. Never designed to graduate all students on time, traditional high schools and their high dropout rates have remained unchanged for the last 30 years. Improving secondary schooling for all young people is a worthwhile social and educational objective. Many school leaders want to create alternative high schools but may lack the knowledge of what to do, nor may they have a comprehensive design process to follow.

The research question explored in this dissertation is: What do leaders in education need to know to design innovative …

Seeing The Bigger Picture: Investigating The State Of The Arts In Teacher Education Programs In Australia, Georgina M. Barton, Margaret Baguley, Abbey Macdonald

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

There is extensive research that shows how the arts provide many benefits for all students yet there is evidence that arts education offerings and experiences are decreasing across both university and school sectors. It is important that we recognize the essential role of teacher educators in preparing pre-service teachers to be aware of the ‘bigger picture’ of arts education before beginning their work with students. Drawing on interview data from eight tertiary arts educators, this paper will provide a timely national snapshot view of their perceptions. It explores their experiences as arts educators in higher education contexts in regards to …

Graduate School Commencement Exercises Program, May 16, 2013

Bryant University Commencements

Graduate School Commencement Exercises Program, May 16, 2013.

Making Power Visible For Museum Educators : A Theoretical Framework For Multicultural Museum Education, Sehr Karim-Jaffer

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The central guiding question of this study is how can museum educators (and volunteers) effectively engage multicultural audiences, who may face langauge and socioeconomic barriers, with objects of art in museum galleries?.

A Study Of The Leadership Styles Of Campus Based Women's Centers In Higher Education In The Southeast United States, Nikkia Deluz

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This study examined the organizational and institutional variables that influence the leadership styles of directors of campus-based women's centers at public and private four-year universities in the southeast United States. The researcher examined the leadership frame (or frames), as measured by Bolman and Deal's (1990) Leadership Orientations Instrument (Self), used by the organizational leaders of campus-based women's centers. This non-experimental descriptive study utilized both quantitative and descriptive methods of analysis. The quantitative component relied on the chi- square statistical test to measure the relationships between a director's leadership preferences and five institutional variables. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the …

The Effect Of Leadership On Job Morale For Graduate Students, Nicole Rose Terrell

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Leadership techniques have a vast effect on job morale and intentions to remain with an organization. Studies often base their inquiries on how to apply leadership strategies in a versatile, hierarchical format to situations that require astute leadership practices (Maslow, 1954), but do not assess the opinions of graduate students with some degree of workforce experience. Given the lack of research on the graduate student population with workforce experience, the current study sought to understand which leadership techniques have positive and negative impacts on their job morale and employee satisfaction utilizing a web-based survey. The following research questions were addressed: …

Evaluating Resources Available To Transitioning Military Service Members, Marissa Kaeli Bamford

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Personnel separating from the military following the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to those forced out as a result of recent Department of Defense downsizing measures, have heightened demand for an effective means to transition personnel into the civilian workforce and educational system. This study investigated the opinions of service members towards the overall transition process. Data collection consisting of primarily quantitative methods followed by qualitative analysis of a final open-ended question was used. Fifty-two service members who had separated in the previous five years and four service members who were in the process of separating completed a …

Development And Validation Of A Scale To Measure An Adaptive Culture Profile Using Student Affairs Divisions In Higher Education, Tammy Lynne Fowler

Student Theses and Dissertations

The landscape of higher education in the United States shifts and moves in response to environmental challenges often hard to predict or measure. A joint taskforce of the American College Personnel Association and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators taskforce expressed the concern that no other time in history has the incentive for real change been more powerful or the consequences for not changing more significant. How institutions, particularly Divisions of Student Affairs assess and respond to these changes has far reaching effects. Student affairs professionals must possess the skill set necessary to effectively assess the challenges facing their …

A Case Study On Pharmacy To Explore The Perceptions Of Pharmacy Leaders And Policy Makers On The Benefits, Risks, And Alternatives Of The Doctorate As The Entry Level Degree In Health Professions, Heidi Marie Crocker

Dissertations

The clinical doctorate is an emergent trend in many health profession disciplines. Collier (2008) projects continued momentum toward higher degrees for entry into practice and advancing the field in health professions. There has been minimal research on how the trend of doctoral education in health professions will affect health professions education, delivery of services, and interdisciplinary relationship among health care providers, or the wider society (Freburger, King, & Slifkin, 2008). This research focused on the transition to the clinical doctorate in one profession, Pharmacy, retrospectively examining the inception and enactment phase of the Pharm.D. The study provides important insight into …

Qualities Of Effective Transition Leadership In A Changing School Landscape, Eric Christensen

Education Masters

This paper seeks to uncover which key personality traits are thought to be the most important for effective leadership during a period of transition by exploring and researching a variety of popular leadership models. An effort was made to distill as many traits as possible in order to determine which traits were most agreed upon to be necessary for an individual to possess to be an effective leader. A survey based in this research was then created and given to the staff of educational facility in Upstate New York, asking administrators, teachers of record, and para-educators to rank the top …