Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of The Online Curriculum For The State Exam Review Course At The Southeastern Public Safety Institute Of St. Petersburg Junior College, Carlene M. Peterson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was the curriculum for the online delivery of the State Exam Review Course has not been evaluated in its current format to see that the student is provided the same learning outcomes in the distance delivery as in the on-campus delivery. The purpose of the study was to conduct an evaluation of the online curriculum for the State Exam Review Course at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute of St. Petersburg Junior College to determine whether the present curriculum meets the goals and objectives of the Commission law enforcement curriculum. There was only one research question related to this …

Development Of An Antiviolence Policy For Faculty Of Medcentral Hospital School Of Nursing, Nancy Martin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The faculty at MedCentral Hospital School of Nursing did not know how to handle incidences of hostility and violent behavior involving students. While some of the faculty ignored or minimized threats, some took them as a danger to their safety. A protocol did not 2 exist that would give direction to the faculty and the director of the school of nursing. The purpose of the study was to develop an antiviolence policy for faculty of MedCentral Hospital School of Nursing. The research question was: "What is the appropriate form and content for an antiviolence policy for faculty of MedCentral Hospital …

Evaluation Of Peerless Insurance Company’S Commercial Underwriting Knowledge Management Initiative And Development Of A Training Program To Address Performance Gaps, Kenneth John Swymer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

As a result of a recent knowledge management initiative, Peerless Insurance Company's (PIC) commercial underwriters {n=45) were provided access to the Internet and a company-wide intranet. The problem addressed was that incorrect underwriting decisions were being made due to the fact that information available was not being utilized, and there was no training program in place to address the shortcomings of this knowledge management initiative. Based upon an evaluation of this initiative, a training program was developed to address identified knowledge management performance gaps, with a plan for implementation and evaluation. The following five research questions were developed to address …

Development Of A Performance Checklist For Paramedic Education At Crafton Hills College With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, James Holbrook

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Changes in the regulations for paramedic education have recently been adopted (DOT HS 808 862 National Standard Paramedic Curriculum, 1998). The Crafton Hills College Paramedic program is required to meet these regulations, and as a requirement of the regulations, document the attainment of the required competencies to achieve paramedic course completion. No performance checklist existed within the Crafton Hills College paramedic program that tracks and documents the clinical and field exposures of the graduates that includes national, state, and local requirements. The purpose of this study was to develop, with plans to implement and evaluate, a performance checklist specific to …

Development And Implementation Of An Occupational Safety And Health Administration Education Program For Healthcare Organizations Including A Plan For Evaluation, Anita L. Huse

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Today's healthcare organizations must comply with a myriad of laws, regulations, and other requirements governing the organization, delivery, and reimbursement of health care services (Ziel, 1998, p. 1032). The problem is that loss of educational support in the institutions as a result of cut backs often results in non-compliance with federal regulations. Many healthcare institutions are no longer meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) educational requirements (Peck, 1997, p. 20). These healthcare institutions must now outsource to educational consultants to provide programs to address this compliance issue.

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement an …

Assessing The Inservice Needs Of Instructors At Sheridan And Atlantic Technical Centers, Tripat Pal Kaur

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study was conducted to determine the inservice training needs of the teachers at two of the technical centers in Broward County, Atlantic Technical Center, and Sheridan Technical Center. There were two research questions for the study. First, how have instructors rated their need for inservice training on specific competencies? Second, how important was the instructional behavior related to inservice training needs?

Six procedures were employed in this study. First, a literature review was conducted to determine the current condition of teacher preparation and the views on professional development to meet the changing needs of teachers. The next steps involved …

A Comparison Of Student Learning Outcomes In A Web-Based And Face-To-Face Applied Research Methods Course, Trula Morehead Nicholas

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem of focus in this study related to student learning outcomes in the Human Services Department, Bellingham campus at Western Washington University. The purpose of this study was to compare learning outcomes of students in a web-based applied research methods course to those of students in a face to- face applied research methods course.

The research question was "Do students who take the face-to face applied research methods class have higher quiz scores than students who take the web-based applied research methods class?" Using the research methodology literature focusing on distance education and web-based learning was reviewed.

A total …

The Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of The Current Student Orientation At Herzing College, Atlanta, Sondra L. Savage

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem investigated was that an analysis of exit interviews of students dropping out of Herzing College suggested that the current student orientation program was not providing them with sufficient information about the college in which they needed to become well-informed about the school's policies, procedures, and services offered. Not being adequately informed was 2 a factor in students' decisions to withdraw from the program. Exit interviews are required when the students decide to withdraw from the program. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current student orientation through the administration of a needs assessment instrument to analyze …

Evaluation Of The Revised Personal Training Certificate Program At Camden County College, Nicholas J. Dicicco

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The success of programs at Camden County College is determined using an outcome-based evaluation process. Revisions were made to the Personal Training Certificate program over 18 months ago and no evaluation had been performed since that time.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the revised certificate program to determine if the revisions have resulted in achieving program objectives. There was one research question: Have the revisions made to the certificate program resulted in the attainment of the program objectives as described in the Camden County College Academic Program Review document?

The evaluation was performed based on a review …

Development Of An Online Medical/Surgical Course For Selected Students At Aurora University, Vi Wilkes

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem was that several students in the baccalaureate nursing program at Aurora University (AU) experienced problems fitting required courses into their schedules. These students requested an alternative to class attendance in the course, Nursing Care of Person with Acute Health Problems (NUR 380). The purpose of this practicum was to develop an online version of NUR 380 for selected students enrolled in the nursing program at AU. Two research questions for this study were (a) what is the best design for the online course? And (b) can this method of delivery be partially integrated into the traditional classroom?

.Six …

Development Of The Content And Format For The Resort Recreation Management/Tourism Practicum Handbook At At Slippery Rock University, Phyllise Wilkins-Church

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem addressed in this project was that the practicum handbook available for resort recreation management/tourism students and the site supervisor was not specific to their needs. The purpose of this study was to delineate the requirements, expectations, and format appropriate in an option specific practicum handbook. The research question for this study was: "What is the appropriate content information and format for the resort recreation management/tourism practicum handbook?"

Results from the literature review and input from the formative and summative committees supported the need for a practicum handbook specific to resort recreation management/tourism. The professional literature assisted in identifying …

Development Of A Curriculum For Mercyhurst North East Students Enrolled In Technology Crime Classes, Art Amann

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was that adult students engaged in law enforcement work were not receiving adequate education and training regarding technology crime. Information received by way of input from regional police chiefs and other criminal justice administrators supported this premise. The purpose of this study was to develop a curriculum for technology crime that would be available to criminal justice students at Mercyhurst College North East. The two research questions were: "What are the appropriate and valid criteria for the development of a curriculum for criminal justice technology training?", and "What are the valid and appropriate components and delivery …

Evaluation Of An Outreach Packet For Clinicians On Smoking Cessation, Patricia L. Harper

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Clinical practice guidelines are designed to assist clinicians in making the transition from research findings to evidence based practice and treatment. Many busy clinicians, however, do not have the time to read the many clinical practice guidelines available for a variety of disease and preventive Interventions. An easily accessible packet of information to promote implementation of the PHS Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence was piloted In the fall of 2001. These packets were introduced to clinicians in Wisconsin clinics using an academic detailing model by the University of Wisconsin Medical School's Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention …

Comparison Of Grade Equivalents Of Participants And Non-Participants In The Summer Bridge Program, Burchell Love

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was that a large percentage of eighth grade students in the Chicago Public Schools System were unsuccessful in scoring the minimum required score of7.0 on their year-end standardized achievement tests. A new promotion policy with pre-established criteria for promotion, required students that failed to meet the minimum requirements to attend a summer remediation program. At the end of the summer program, test scores would determine if a student is promoted to high school. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a summer remediation program and to compare year-end grade equivalents of participants …

Analyzing Participant Confidence Levels To Deliver Brief Tobacco Cessation Interventions Post Training At The University Of Arizona, Louise J. Strayer

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Pregnant, postpartum and lactating women who are clients of the Arizona Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program have a 22% rate of tobacco use. This is 8% above the national average for this population. The purpose of this study was to measure changes in training curriculum participants' reported levels of self-confidence to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions before and immediately after participation in the WIC tobacco cessation training curriculum. The research question investigated was: Does participation in a one day, six hour training curriculum designed to teach the skills necessary to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions increase the participant' s …

Development Of A Handbook For Implementing Distance Learning Programs At Mcintosh College, James K. Dowding

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

As the world of higher education is abuzz with the concept of distance education and online courses, many colleges see the Internet as the goose that lays the golden egg. McIntosh College and the Career Education Corporation would also like to develop on-line and distance education programs. The key to developing a successful program requires a comprehensive process model to follow. The problem is that McIntosh College does not have a procedure to develop online courses or online supplements.

The need for distance education comes from several factors. First is the changing profile of students. As McIntosh College has grown, …

A Comparison Of Knowledge Levels Of Diabetic Patients In A Hospital Environment To Those At An Alternate Site, Maudia L. Gentry

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The Dallas County Hospital District currently provides diabetic health education 2 classes to anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. The Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) clinics also provide health education classes to anyone diagnosed with diabetes. Health education is offered to all diabetic patients. Furthermore, many patients who are admitted to the hospital for the treatment of diabetes are provided more in-depth health education on the prevention of the disease. The COPC division has seven clinics that operate in the Dallas sector, and all clinics offer diabetic health education classes to Dallas County citizens who have been diagnosed with …

Comparison Of The Quality Of Curriculum Written By Faculty Who Have Participated In Training To Curriculum Written By Faculty Who Have Not Participated In Training, Sue Salter

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem for this study was that it was unknown whether faculty participation in an IPD curriculum-writing workshop resulted in higher IPD curriculum module overall quality assessment scores (OQAS) when compared to the OQAS scores of modules written by faculty who did not participate in the curriculum-writing workshop.

There was one research question for this study: Will there be a significant difference in the mean IPD curriculum module OQAS scores of modules written by faculty who have participated in an IPD curriculum-writing workshop and by faculty who have not participated in an IPD curriculum-writing workshop?

IPD records of curriculum modules …

An Evaluation Of The Availability Of Courses At Bevill State Community College, Teresa L. Johnson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to determine whether courses are offered at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) to allow a student to complete an associate degree within two years. The problem was that a significant number of students transfer to four-year institutions without completing an associate degree at BSCC.

There was one research question for this study: "Does the schedule of courses at BSCC allow students to complete an associate degree within two years?''

The procedures consisted of a literature review, establishment of criteria, selection and validation of evaluation model, selection and administration of a needs assessment instrument to …

Development Of Adapted Yoga Program For Symptom Relief Of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Wendy Lou Gross

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to develop an adapted yoga program for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and to plan for the implementation and evaluation at the Community Wellness Center of the Palm Beaches. The problem is that a significant number of men a re suffering from CPPS.

Five research questions were addressed. What are the appropriate contents of an adapted yoga program for relief of symptoms associated with CPPS? What is the appropriate design? What are effective methods to raise awareness? How should the proposed program be implemented? What are the appropriate criteria for an evaluation of the …

Evaluation Of Adventure-Based Training Programs For Adult Learners, Jean Mee

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The nature of the problem was a lack of data supporting the validity of the adventure education movement; it was not known whether various adventure-based programs and experiences are teaching what they claim to be teaching. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of adventure-based training programs for adult learners. The study addressed several research questions. First, "Are existing adventure-based training programs utilizing adult learning principles?" Second, "Are existing adventure-based training programs 3 for adult learners effective in meeting the learning needs of program participants?" Third, "What are the goals of adventure-based training programs, and are those …

Development Of A Marketing Plan To Increase Enrollment At Windward Islands School Of Evangelism, With Plans For Implementation And Evaluation, Simeon Norton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem under investigation was the low enrollment at the Windward Islands School of Evangelism (WISE), although WISE offers full scholarship to all applicants who are accepted. After 21 years of existence in the Caribbean, and offering a program with assistance that no other institution in the region offers, the student enrollment at WISE ought to be higher than what it has been. The purpose of this project was to develop a marketing plan that will render assistance to the alleviation of the problem of low student enrollment at WISE.

Five research questions guided this Applied Dissertation. First, "What are …

An Historical Study Of The Governance Of Vermont’S 16 Regional Technical Centers, Mary Beth Moore

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This dissertation is written as a historical study to examine the effects of equalized funding of education in Vermont and a governance proposal for legislative revisions for Vermont's 16 regional technical centers. Governance became a controversial topic in the Vermont General Assembly in August 1996 after the reconstruction of the Career Development Center in Bennington, Vermont.

An outcome of the Construction Act was the moratorium placed on all construction projects in May 1996. Requested by Senator Illuzzi of Newport, Vermont, a study was conducted to decide the impact of the recent legislation and reconstruction of Vermont's technical centers. A series …

Fostering Deep Connection: Emotional Learning, Spiritual Education, And Peer Mentoring For Adolescents, Johh A. Venturella

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes an intervention in a Catholic, college preparatory junior-senior high school of 700 students designed to help students connect with other members of the school community and with God.

A survey of the 553 students in Grades 7 through 11 was administered in May 2000 to determine whether students were experiencing a lack of connection to the school community and to God that would warrant intervention. Participating in the student survey were the following groups: (a) 110 Grade 7 students, (b) 121 Grade 8 students, (c) 119 Grade 9 students, (d) 126 Grade 10 students, and (e) 77 …

Reducing Course Development Times By Subject Matter Experts In An Online Veterinary Community, Margi Sirois

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to provide mechanisms to reduce time required for online course development. The project involved several components, including preparation and implementation of an online training course for instructor new to online teaching. The course was designed to allow instructors to iv experience online learning from the perspective of a student. The course focused on identifying and improving skills related to online course authoring and teaching. Additional activities related to this project included measurement of the impact of instructor training on student success.

As a result of this project, course development times were greatly reduced. Course developers …

Improving The School Climate: Ventura Elementary School, Mike Smith

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum studied the dissatisfaction of the school staff with the front office and the subsequent loss of a significant number of instructional personnel. This study took place at Ventura Elementary School.

A change in the principalship and corresponding leadership style, a constant turnover of assistant principals, and a new office staff brought in by the new administration were some causes of the dissatisfaction.

This practicum identified sources of dissatisfaction through the use of a school climate survey. Research-based strategies that have been credited with improving school climate were implemented. The principal played a significant role in the implementation. The …

Design And Implementation Of A Foreign Language In The Elementary Schools Program, Stephanie M. Pappagianopoulos

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes a program that was initiated to promote the sequential study of foreign language beginning in the elementary schools. The program involved 78 third grade students from an urban elementary school. Approximately 10% of the students had some knowledge of the language before the program. The planned strategies included (a) distribution of a survey to parents and teachers within the pilot school; (b) tallying the responses; (c) adopting Spanish as the second language based on parent and teacher responses; (d) hiring an elementary school teacher with Spanish certification; (e) obtaining grant money for professional development . of the …

Glass Transition Behavior Of Thin Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Films On Silica, Moses T. Kabomo

Masters Theses

"Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) was used to study the glass transition behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) adsorbed onto silica substrates from toluene. Untreated fumed amorphous silica and silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane were used for the adsorption to probe the effect of polymer- substrate interactions. To test the effect of molecular weight on the T_g of adsorbed polymers, low polydispersity PMMA samples of varying molecular weights were used. The results revealed a broadening of the glass transition towards high temperatures. The observed increase in the glass transition breadth varied with adsorbed amount and the type of silica used for …

Narratives Of Workers On The Crisis Line: Dialogic Conversations About Domestic Violence, Elizabeth A. Curry

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

This paper is my exploratory study of the interpersonal communication between domestic violence workers who answer crisis calls and the callers who seek help. I am focusing on the perception of those who answer the crisis lines. This is part of my on-going research into the meaning and experiences of the women who work against domestic violence. There are approximately 1,900 local domestic violence programs and state coalitions in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This paper is based on the experiences of women working in one local program, CASA. I will briefly compare the CASA advocates …

Demonstrating Collegiality: A Co-Constructed Narrative Inquiry, Elizabeth A. Curry, Deborah Cunningham Walker

Library Faculty Presentations & Publications

“Demonstrating Collegiality: A Co-Constructed Narrative Inquiry” seeks to define a collegial relationship through the experiences of two first year doctoral students at a large state-supported university. The techniques used to develop the co-constructed narrative parallel the authors’ development of a collaborative relationship. Using autoethnographic essays and interactive interviews, the authors co-construct several narratives that describe the process of moving from a friendly, social relationship to a scholarly, collaborative relationship, as well as the process of moving from peer reviewers to co-authors. An introductory narrative frames the paper; each of the “interior” narratives is accompanied by an extensive analytic introduction and …