Education Commons^™

The Front Lines Of Student Success: A Phenomenography Exploring The Background And Knowledge Of Primary Role Academic Advisors In Higher Education, Alicia N. Abney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenographic study was to understand the experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives of new, primary role academic advisors at four-year public institutions in the United States. Research on advising has provided insight into advising best practices and the student perceptions of academic advising; however, there is little research illustrating current primary role academic advisors and their experience, or perhaps lack thereof.

To receive highly coveted federal and state funding, higher education institutions must show growth in student success. Academic advisors are on the front lines of student success because they are tasked with the responsibility of retaining …

Effect Of Single Vs Accumulated Bouts Of Exercise On Body Composition, Fitness, And Resting Metabolic Rate, Alexander Alvara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity and physical inactivity are two factors that have been shown to be correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. As people have increasingly busier schedules, they have less time to commit to exercise. Accumulating exercise in small bouts is a schedule-friendly alternative to longer continuous bouts of exercise and may protect against CVD and diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of accumulated exercise compared to continuous exercise on body composition, fitness, and resting metabolic rate. Nine healthy male (n=4) and female (n = 5) volunteers were randomized into either an accumulated intervention group …

Attrition In A Holistic Job Skills Training Program: A Qualitative Study, Jeaniece Silas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today thousands of individuals and families are unemployed or underemployed and are seeking ways to combat poverty and become employed. One way that individuals seek to gain employment is by attending job skills training and adult education programs. However, there are barriers that hinder those individuals from successfully completing the programs. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of applicants of a nonprofit job skills training program called FaithWorks and explore the reasons why applicants were not able to continue and, or complete the program. This study was conducted, through qualitative interviewing of four participants (N=4) utilizing …

Implementing And Assessing The Use Of A New Strategy For Training Chemistry Graduate Teaching Assistants, Amanda Hyett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) largely contribute to undergraduate education but are often underprepared for their role as educators. Most graduate students attend graduate school to perform research and are then asked to teach for the first time without sufficient pedagogy training. To assist in increasing the GTAs pedagogical knowledge, a scenario-based activity series was developed and implemented for first- and second-year GTAs. Developing scenario-based scenarios from actual laboratory events provided GTAs with the opportunity to practice prior to engaging in the laboratory classroom. The Teaching Assistant Intervention Activities (TAIAs) included topics such as interpersonal skills and behaviors, group process, working …

Substance Use Helpers: An Exploration Into The Relationship Between Professional Quality Of Life And Posttraumatic Growth, Denise Haggerty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been limited research on the potential for substance use helpers to have positive experiences as a result of their therapeutic work, previous research on the field of substance use treatment and the impact of working with individuals whom struggle with substance use disorders has been explored. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between substance use helpers’ professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout) with posttraumatic growth. In addition, this study also sought to determine if a relationship exists between personal and professional characteristics of substance use helpers and …

Technology For The 21st Century Workforce: A Case Study Of A Rural East Tennessee Workforce Community, Kim Bolton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess technology use, on-the-job technology training, education levels, and salary ranges of employees in low-, middle-, and high- skill jobs in a rural county in East Tennessee to create an example of a small town workforce. For this study, technology included computers, robotics, and mobile technology. A survey determined the technology used, training provided, salaries, and job skill levels based on education obtained and required by major employers. The study identified the level of jobs requiring more technology skills and salaries or training related to these job skill levels. Participants included 336 persons …

Kentucky's Superintendent Induction Program : Participants' Perceptions Of Competency And Longevity., Robert L. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The position of the school superintendent in the United States, at both the state and local level, has evolved over the past 200 years in response to the needs of the profession, ever-changing communities, and political mandates (Kowalski et al., 2011). The role of superintendent has shifted in focus from teacher-scholar to manager to democratic leader to social scientist and, finally, to communicator (Callahan, 1966; Bjork, Browne-Ferrigno, & Kowalski, 2018). Generalizing the problems facing superintendents can be a challenging proposition. However, no two situations are the same. A number of factors, including school board size, district demographics, financial position, state …

Staffing Practices Of Elementary School Principals For Teachers In Primary Grades And Implications For The Prek-3rd Continuum, Laura Albers-Biddle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Principals are considered the educational leaders of their schools and face pressure to improve the quality of education across all levels and disciplines. Principals were interviewed to understand their beliefs, knowledge, and dispositions on staffing teachers in the primary grades. A purposive sample of elementary school principals was drawn from one mid-size suburban district in Florida. Data were analyzed using Bolman and Deal's four-frame organizational theory framework, Cohen's cognitive frame, and Boote's theory of professional discretion. The data strongly suggest that principals do not understand the foundations of early childhood practice. In addition, they do not understand the differences between …

Peak Performance Training, Matthew Gabriel Hallett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peak performance is defined as an “episode of superior functioning” where an individual performs up to (and sometimes exceeds) their full potential (Privette, 1983, p. 1361). Most individuals do not consistently experience episodes of peak performance. After accounting for biological factors, motivation, and external constraints, the inability to achieve peak performance consistently is due to the challenge of successfully selecting and accessing knowledge and skills on demand while under pressure (Brown, 2009). This thesis describes the psychology of peak performance and skill training for peak performance. A peak performance training program is designed specifically for business professionals. The program was …

Designing An Experiential Web-Based Learning Model To Deliver The Acquisition And Application Of Knowledge To Hospitality Event, James Hogg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most hospitality institutions have increasingly moved classes online but are concerned about migrating classes and instructional content online. The concern is most Web-based models are designed to deliver the acquisition of knowledge but lack the ability to transform that knowledge into applied career skills for practical use in the industry. The purpose of this study was to test a new Web-based instructional model. The model supported delivering both the acquisition and application of knowledge. Educators, researchers, and practitioners can utilize the new model to enhance the application of career skills and enhance organizational objectives by providing just-in-time training. The new …

Educational Handheld Video: Examining Shot Composition, Graphic Design, And Their Impact On Learning, Jason Hutchens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Formal features of video such as shot composition and graphic design can weigh heavily on the success or failure of educational videos. Many studies have assessed the proper use of these techniques given the psychological expectations that viewers have for video programming (Hawkins et al., 2002; Kenny, 2002; Lang, Zhou, Schwardtz, Bolls, & Potter, 2000; McCain, Chilberg, & Wakshlag, 1977; McCain & Repensky, 1972; Miller, 2005; Morris, 1984; Roe, 1998; Schmitt, Anderson, & Collins, 1999; Sherman & Etling, 1991; Tannenbaum & Fosdick, 1960; Wagner, 1953). This study examined formal features within the context of the newly emerging distribution method of …

Factors That Influence Transfer Of Hazardous Material Training: The Perception Of Selected Fire-Fighter Trainees And Supervisors, Divya Bhati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of factors on transfer of training and was based on the work of Broad and Newstrom (1992). For the purpose of this study the Broad and Newstrom (1992) transfer of training barriers are rephrased into positive statements. The nine transfer of training factors are: (1) reinforcement on the job; (2) little interference from immediate (work) environment; (3) supportive organizational culture; (4) trainees' perception of training programs being practical; (5) trainees' perception of relevant training content; (6) trainees' being comfortable with change and associated effort; (7) trainer being supportive and inspiring; (8) trainees' perception of training …

The Relationship Between The Basic Skills Proficiency Of Counselor Education Master's Level Students And Client Outcome, Lorie Welsh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A review of literature on the history of psychology and counseling revealed a limited amount of research on counselor education training programs, specifically basic skills versus client outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between counselor educator student's basic skills and the effects these skills had on client outcome. By way of a multiple regression, two independent variables, the Global Scale for Rating Helper Responses (GSRR) and the Counselor Skills and Professional Behavior Scale (CSPBS) were analyzed in relation to the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2). Results indicated that there was no statistical significance between basic skills and …

A Study Of The Impact Of The Associate Of Applied Science Degree On The Region Served By Walters State Community College., Michael Stephen Helmick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact a community college associate of applied science degree from a rural college in east Tennessee has on the area served by the college. Variables explored in this study included residence location, employment status, employment location, salary range, and advanced degree persistence.

The population for this study included all Summer 1999, Fall 1999, Spring 2000, and Summer 2000 Associate of Applied Science graduates from Walters State Community College. Data for this study were collected via a student survey and information gathered from the student information system database at the college. All hypotheses were analyzed using descriptive …