Digital Commons Network^™

Transformation Of Rural Teachers Earning Graduate Degrees, Susan A. Santo

The Qualitative Report

This study tells the stories of four successful graduate students within a cohort of learners who were earning graduate degrees in technology for education and training by distance. The students were practicing teachers in the Dakota Interactive Academic Link (DIAL) consortium. Courses were offered by the University of South Dakota, using videoconferencing through the statewide Digital Distance Network (DDN) and WebCT asynchronous discussions. Mezirows 1991 theory of transformative learning suggests that adult learners may experience a transformational experience. Results showed that the four study participants experienced major changes in their way of thinking about learning and themselves. Conducting longitudinal studies …

The Examination Of Change Management Using Qualitative Methods: A Case Industry Approach, Aaron C.T. Smith, Daniel M. Evans, Hans M. Westerbeek

The Qualitative Report

Despite the number of theories explaining the nature and antecedents of change, there is no consensus on a universally applicable model. Competing theories have been tested using deductive methods focusing on hypothesis testing. This study has utilized qualitative methods for collecting data within the sport industry to provide an initial understanding of change within that case industry Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 sport managers across Australian National and State Sporting Organizations and clubs participating in national league competitions. Interviews were transcribed and coded in a grounded interpretation culminating in a typology of change types. Results highlighted that Australian sport …

A Study Of The Relationships Between End-User Information Systems Problems And Helpdesk Critical Success Factors In Higher Education, Richard Dale Parrott

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

In the last fifteen years, information technology (IT) customer support has increased in importance within higher education. The pervasiveness of computers and technology on the campus has allowed students, staff, and faculty to perform a multitude of tasks by controlling their own environments and setting their own priorities. Qualified professional system and user support services have lagged demand. The problem investigated in this study was end-users' satisfaction levels of the higher education helpdesk and how end-users' satisfaction levels affected a helpdesk manager's critical success factors performance and goals. In this study, the first goal was to identify the critical success …

Studying Human-Centered It Innovation Using A Grounded Action Learning Approach, David J. Pauleen, Pak Yoong

The Qualitative Report

This paper describes how two research methodologies, grounded theory and action learning, were combined to produce a rigorous yet creative and flexible method for field study of a recent IT-based innovation, virtual teams. Essentially, an action learning program was used to train facilitators of virtual teams and generate research data while grounded theory techniques were used to analyze and interpret the data. This paper shows how this combined method can be used to develop local and practical theory for complex, human-centered areas of information technology. The implications of this grounded action learning approach for practice and research in IS will …

Implementation Of An Individual Professional Development System Using A Web-Accessible Database, Edward R. Lovitt

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Higher education is looking for ways to encourage new careers in education and retain current faculty working in the field. A successful working relationship between supervisors and faculty is crucial to continued attractiveness of a career in education. These shared relationships exist in "learning organization" models, which are used in professional development offerings that stress the importance of learning by individuals, as a way to benefit the entire institution.

This developmental study focused on building partnerships with supervisors and faculty. These partnerships require contracts or individual development plans that can be reviewed for progress and modified for future needs. The …

The Development Of An Instructional Leadership Training Seminar For Elementary Assistant Principals, Lisa R. Buffaloe

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to supply first or second year elementary assistant principals with a school-based training seminar that would strengthen their instructional leadership skills and provide a network of professional support to beginning administrators. The product was a human resource development activity. The goal of the seminar, while providing leadership theory and practical strategies, was to advance the understanding of the connection between effective leadership and improved student learning.

A nonexperimental, descriptive research design that incorporated survey methodology to collect the data needed to identify common areas of concern and to develop the curriculum for a seminar …

An Intervention Model To Improve Overall Learning For Rural At-Risk Kindergartners, Vivian S. Burke

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation investigated whether at-risk kindergarten students who were taught with the 5 standards of effective pedagogy over an 8-month period would score higher on achievement measures. The 5 pedagogy standards are (a) joint productive activity, (b) language and literacy development, (c) meaning making, (d) complex thinking, and (e) instructional conversation. These standards emerged from principles of practice that have proven successful with majority and minority at-risk students in a variety of teaching and learning settings over several decades (R. G. Tharpe, 1988).

The researcher developed indicators for each standard, revealing action components of the standards and their functions …

Increasing The Active Participation Of Caregivers In The Implementation Of The Individualized Family Service Plan In An Early Intervention Program, Jennifer Cave

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the implementation of early intervention therapy services in natural environments. Active caregiver participation during therapy is vital to the success of early intervention. However, the caregivers of infants and toddlers with developmental delays who were receiving early intervention therapy from an agency that served three counties in the southeastern United States were not actively participating in the implementation of the Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).

In order to increase the level of active caregiver participation during therapy sessions, six solution strategies were implemented. The researcher provided information to the caregivers by creating a …

Affect Of Increasing Team-Planning Time And Improving Team Classroom Proximity On Student Achievement, John Deuber John Deuber

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase the amount of team-planning time and classroom proximity provided to teaching teams at 1 middle school. The amount of time provided within the school day to each team for team planning was inadequate to meet the needs of effective teams. Additionally, teachers had been assigned to classrooms with little concern for team member proximity.

Student achievement as measured by the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills 5, a nationally recognized standardized test, had shown a slight downward trend for 3 preceding years. The interventions were meant to address and correct this problem. Teachers completed …

A National Survey Of Civil Rights Training Programs For Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of Civil Rights Training For Wic Employees, Beverley Demetrius

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was that the state of Georgia Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program was noncompliant with antidiscrimination laws and therefore, risked the loss of federal funds to operate the WIC Program. The purpose of this applied dissertation was to conduct a national survey of civil rights training programs with plans for development, implementation, and evaluation of training for Georgia WIC Program employees.

A combination of the development and evaluation methodologies was used to complete this study. The development methodology was used to develop the civil rights training program for Georgia WIC employees. The evaluation methodology that included process and …

The Researcher As Autobiographer: Analysing Data Written About Oneself, Colleen Tenni, Anne Smith, Carlene Boucher

The Qualitative Report

This paper explores some of the issues that arise when one is dealing with data that has been produced by the researcher about their own experience. In particular, we are interested in exploring the ways that researchers can go about analyzing autobiographical data. Many researchers produce data that is autobiographical. Ethnographers produce field notes. Action Researchers often write about their own practice. Phenomenologists, sociologists and historians may write narratives that are autobiographical. There is a growing trend for researchers working in a range of settings to view themselves simultaneously being both a subject (or the subject) and a researcher. Data …

A Comparative Analysis Of Design Techniques For The Construction Of An Expert System For Aircraft Engine Diagnostics, Mitch Raton

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The lack of knowledge and understanding of diagnostic aircraft propulsion systems causes inappropriate problem diagnosis. Because of increasing complexity, technicians are incapable of performing the necessary tasks in accordance with standard regulations. More sophisticated systems are needed today to "assist" the user technician in decision-making. This work provided a study of rule-based and frame-based expert system techniques to determine the most appropriate solution in the domain of complex diagnosis using large amounts of deterministic data. The study produced a framework that facilitates the diagnosing of faults on aircraft engines, thus reducing the burden on the aircraft mechanic regardless of experience …

Building Leadership Capacity: A Case Study Of Standards-Based Staff Development, Geraldine M. Harge

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A qualitative case study approach was implemented to examine the perception of 13 principals regarding the efficacy and utility of skills using the California Standards of the Teaching Profession (CSTP; California Teaching Commission, 1997) in the supervision and evaluation process. The results of this study showed that the principals had consistent participation and found the skills and tools for observation and evaluation very useful for (a) awareness and understanding of the CSTP for informal observation, (b) commitment to continued use of the CSTP, (c) continued support from the district for sustained implementation, (d) improved teacher capacity at a beginning stage …

Leading The District-Mandated Technology Focus At Twin Lakes Elementary Through The Development, Validation, And Implementation Of A Technology Training Program, Kristen E. Bazley

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Twin Lakes Elementary will be emphasizing the areas of math and technology beginning in the school year 2003-2004. The school’s infrastructure and curriculum had to be completely revised in order for technology integration to occur. Moreover, most of the teaching faculty possessed few, if any, of the computer skills they needed to function in this new environment and there was a significant degree of skepticism and resistance in adopting this new way of teaching.

The purpose of this project was twofold: (1) to develop and present a training program that would enable faculty members to utilize technology instruction methods in …

Development Of A Comprehensive Professional Education, Implementation, And Evaluation Plan For Part-Time Faculty At South Puget Sound Community College, Lee Paavola

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was the lack of a process to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of parttime faculty at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC). The purpose of this study was to produce a comprehensive professional education, implementation, and evaluation plan for part-time faculty.

The following five research questions were investigated as part of this study: (a) What is the current status of faculty development at SPSCC? (b) At the national level, are there models for part-time development programs that could establish a benchmark for the SPSCC program? (c) What are the essential elements of a professional development …

An Evaluation Of An Alternative High School As A Learning Organization, David K. Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem that was addressed by this evaluation study was the failure of a majority of the students who entered the Alternative Program at Miami-Douglas MacArthur Senior High School South (MDMS) to return to their schools of residence. Of those who did return, over 60% were unsuccessful. The systemic changes that were needed to resolve this problem required the faculty to function as an effective learning organization as described in the research of P. Senge. Evaluation research was conducted to determine to what extent MDMS staff was functioning within each of the 5 disciplines of a learning organization.

The data …

Developing And Using A Welfare Reform Model Of Social Work To Increase The Role Of Social Workers In Assisting Welfare Customers To Self-Sufficiency Through Employment, Jessie Jordan-Parker

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to increase and enhance the role of the Welfare Social Workers in providing case management services to Welfare customers. Welfare Reform (WR) Social Work positions were being eliminated because some thought that traditional social work models could not be adapted to the requirements of employment centered WR programs. This was thought because no research had been carried out and no data was available to indicate the efficacy of social workers or social work models in assisting those welfare customers to self-sufficiency through employment.

The writer developed a WR model of social work intervention. The model …

The Development Of A Specialization In Student Services For The Graduate Leadership Studies Of Nova Southeastern University, Sandrine Lavallee

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this project was to give students an opportunity to select and thoroughly explore student services as an area of academic and professional interest by developing a doctoral specialization in student services. There were seven questions prepared, researched, and answered for this project:

1. What does the literature indicate as the current trends in student affairs?

2. What specific courses are offered in existing student affairs doctoral programs?

3. What are the established criteria for study guides in GLS?

4. What are the critical elements of a doctoral specialization in student services?

5. How should the critical elements …

Examining And Influencing The School Climate And Culture Of A Medium–Sized Magnet And Choice Technical High School, Gary W. Mccutcheon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to examine the current climate and culture at a medium-sized high school and to influence that climate positively. The current climate was evaluated using multiple data collection instruments including the venerable National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) School Climate Survey (C. Halderson, E. A. Kelley, J. W. Keefe, & P. S. Berge, 1989), a district-created Whole School Effectiveness Survey, and a qualitative school-created survey that allowed parental input. The strong reliability and validity of the NASSP School Climate Survey is well documented with descending levels of confidence placed in the Whole School Effectiveness Survey …

Meeting The Psychological Needs Of School-Aged Native Students In An Extreme Geographic Region, Deborah Diette Wilson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to meet the psychological needs of a unique Native population through a continuum of services and the utilization of technological platforms. The host community has experienced significant historical events including the exclusion in full participation education and the provision of educational curricula by individuals lacking the cultural competency base to provide appropriate educational experiences sensitive to Native learning styles. Psychological services were dictated by Federal and State mandates and consisted solely of educational and ability testing for the purpose of special education eligibility determination. As a result, school-aged Native students experienced significant social and emotional …

Development Of A Fee-Based Service Delivery Model For The Department Of Career Services At The University Of Connecticut, Cynthia F. Jones

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation project provided a partial solution to the problem of reduced state government budget support for the Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut. A reduction in fiscal resources will hinder the operation of the Department of Career Services at the University of Connecticut and prevent the department from providing adequate career development services to help students reach career goals. The creation of a model for fee-based service delivery to users, using a development methodology, was the product of this project.

The research questions addressed and answered in this project explored following issues related to developing …

Evaluating An Advisory Program In A Community School District, Lydia C. Alvarado

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes the results of a formative evaluation of the implementation of instructional techniques in an advisory program and the staff’s commitment to the program. The question that this study addressed was, Are the faculty members implementing instructional techniques (group dynamics techniques, group discussion techniques and critical thinking questioning techniques) during the advisor-advisee period?

To address the above concern, the advisers received staff development on instructional techniques that would assist them in conducting their advisory lessons. The instructional techniques consisted of (a) group dynamics techniques, (b) questioning techniques in discussion groups, and (c) critical thinking questioning techniques. Informal …

Success Through Access: A Plan To Serve Students With Disabilities In The Liberty Central School District, Barbara Hackett Blakey

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate the current education program for students with disabilities. The key performance indicators established by the state education department indicated that the program was weak. Specific areas of weakness were the lack of success of students with disabilities on state tests at Grades 4 and 8, lack of passing scores on the high school level exams, high incidence of dropout rate, and low percentage of students with disabilities earning a high school diploma and lack of integration into the regular education classroom. A specific assessment was needed to determine the root causes of these …

The Impact Of Technology Workshops And Technology Integration In An Elementary School, Jill L. Carr

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Effects of technology workshops on the implementation and integration of technology in the elementary level course curriculum was studied. The technology facilitator, who is also a member of the elementary school faculty, participated in the study as the implementer and writer. Participants completed a presurvey that measured their prior knowledge, skills, current attitudes, and expectations regarding the infusion of technology into their course curriculum. All teachers participated in a series of small group workshops given by this writer in their workplace at a time convenient to all participants.

Implementing and restructuring technology training development into an effective staff development plan …

Developing Block Schedule Instructional Methods In A Learning Organization At Theodore High School, Tammy D. Dennis

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a developmental model of staff development for Theodore High School. Currently, the school employs the block scheduling format, and has failed to provide teacher with training in instructional methods most appropriate for the restructured curriculum. It was initially discovered that several teachers did not know how to use various instructional methods better suited for block scheduling. This project explores using a teacher mentorship program as a part of staff development to increase the use of instructional methods in the block scheduling curriculum format. The teachers will be trained in various block scheduling methods …

Improving Reading Instruction Through Staff Development At Putnam County Elementary School, Kirk D. Mallette

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem addressed was low reading achievement for Grade 2 students at Putnam County Elementary School. Reading comprehension and vocabulary skills were not being demonstrated by Grade 2 students to a satisfactory level according to the test data. Teachers in the school expressed frustration about how to help students achieve higher levels. One variable that impacts reading achievement is teacher instruction. This study addresses that variable.

The intervention was a staff development training program to help Grade 2 teachers at Putnam County Elementary School learn to implement a balanced approach to literacy through guided reading and guided writing. The quasi-experimental …

Leadership Development Program Emphasizing Accessibility, Accountability, And Responsibility Through A Training Component For Faculty, Clair D. Hart

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate a student character development program. Also addressed was how teachers could ally this module. Education can be viewed as a puzzle. A piece of the puzzle that is missing bridges the gap between academia, work, and adulthood. Many students are ill prepared for the transition from high school to the real world. The leap from public education to adulthood has become a struggle. Students believe they are ready to take on the world, but the world has been taking on the students for a much longer time. Teachers need to assist students in …

Prevention Programs For Reducing At-Risk Behaviors Involving Alcohol Abuse, Substance Usage, And Violence In High School Students Ages 14 To 17, Ismail Z. Jihad

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem addressed in the applied dissertation was that high school teenagers enrolled in prevention programs are not decreasing at-risk behaviors. This problem can be answered by focusing on distinct characteristics of teenagers who are enrolled in the after-school mental health and substance abuse prevention program. The at-risk behaviors demonstrated by the teenagers in the prevention program included substance abuse, crime, violence, poor academics, truancy, mental health issues, inappropriate sexual behavior, and teenage pregnancy.

The primary solutions for prevention programs to combat the causes of alcohol and substance usage in adolescents is to offer life skills such as: emotional management; …

Case Study Project: A Professional Development Approach Linked To Student Achievement, Martha Adam Colwell

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Woodland, a 3rd- and 4th-grade elementary school in Milford, Massachusetts, implemented a multiyear professional development program in order to improve student achievement in reading. The need for improvement became obvious after 3 years of low scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests and a failure to meet state expectations for the school. This project involved training all teachers to use the Case Study of an individual student to illustrate how to assess and guide reading instruction for all students in the classroom.

Every regular education teacher, special education teacher, bilingual teacher, English-as-a-second language teacher, and reading teacher selected a …

A Personal Leadership Appraisal And Development Plan For A School Superintendent’S Position, Lawrence T. Rainey

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to appraise the personal leadership attributes of educators and to provide a framework to help them prepare a personal development plan toward the attainment of a public school superintendent’s position. A literature review of effective educational leadership characteristics was conducted. The review included a search for available instruments for assessment of leadership characteristics, potential, and style, and preparatory programs available to improve leadership ability. In addition, the search yielded an increased awareness of associated stressors that have been known to affect superintendent leadership and position tenure.

The literature review was comprehensive and yielded relative information. …