Education Commons^™

The Importance Of Instructor-Student And Student-Student Interactions Of The Satisfaction Of Graduate Students Taking Distance Learning Courses, Donna J. Thompson

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The research goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. What level of interaction with the instructor do students need in order to be satisfied with their experience in the course? 2. What level of interaction with other students do students need in order to be satisfied with their experience in the course? 3. Can a student successfully complete a TELETECHNET course without being satisfied with their personal interactions in the course?

Adult Education Teacher Empowerment And The Likelihood Of Education System Reform, Susan Flowers

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between adult educators who identify themselves as being empowered within their teaching environment and adult educators who are in favor of using the National Institute for Literacy's Equipped for the Future Content Standards: What Adults Need to Know in the 21st Century.

A Study To Determine The Opinions Of Information Technology Professionals Related To The Value Of "Soft Skills" In Technical Work Environments, Jan Walker

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Do information technology professionals consider "soft skills" vital to their ability to perform successfully in their careers? 2. How important do soft skills rate today as compared to five years ago in the workplace? 3. What types of soft skills do information technology professionals need to develop to enhance their careers?

A Study To Compare The Supervisor's Perception Of Their Supervisory Skills At Friendship Manor Nursing Home After Participating In A Supervisory Skills Training Program To Those Of The Supervisors At Guggenheimer Nursing Home Who Have Not Participated In The Supervisory Skills Training Program, Kay S. Davis

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were designed to guide this study: 1. Determine the supervisor's perception of their role as a supervisor; 2. Determine the supervisor's perception of their ability to effectively communicate with their employees

The Success Of Students In Keyboarding Class Using Grade Point Average As A Predictor, Theresa James

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To answer this problem the following hypothesis was established: There is a direct correlation between students' GPA and keyboarding success.

A Study To Determine Whether Residential Or Non-Residential Students At Blue Ridge Job Corps Were More Likely To Complete The Job Corps Program, Jenny Buchanan

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were designed to guide this study: 1. Determine the number of non-residential and residential students that were enrolled in Blue Ridge Job Corps in 1998 and 1999; 2. Determine the number of non-residential and residential students that completed the Job Corps program in 1998 and 1999; 3. Determine the number of non-residential and residential students that were placed in jobs, school or the military after graduating from the program.

Smoking And Drug Policy For The Appalachian School Of Law, Alicia Lee O'Quin

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals identified to guide this study were: 1. To identify the guidelines for grant funding from the Appalachian Regional commission and the standards for the accreditation from the American Bar Association; 2. to review State and Federal Regulations governing the use of tobacco and drugs in the workplace; 3. To identify smoking and drug policies available at the accredited law schools in Virginia; 4. To prepare a smoking and drug policy for the Appalachian School of Law

Prototype Development For A Leak-Preventive Toilet Flush System- An Met Senior Design (Capstone) Project, Cheng Y. Lin

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

A senior design (Capstone) project for three mechanical engineering technology students at Old Dominion University is described. A prototype design is presented to perform the functional test of a leak-preventive toilet system. There are two major leaks in the toilet water tank. In the first case, leaking occurs when the seal in the water tank becomes aged. The leak is very easy to detect visually, since the outside of the tank and the floor becomes wet. In the second case, leak occurs when the flapper valve can't complete shut off the water, due to corrosion or damage of the rubber …

The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2000, James V. Koch, Aditi Agarwal, Vinod Agarwal, Rebecca Bowers, Steve Daniel, Michele Darby, John Gawne, Beth Herders, Jeffrey Harlow, Tatiana Isakovski, Sharon Lomax, Helen Madden, Stephen Medvic, Deborah L. Miller, Wayne Talley, Gilbert Yochum

Economics Faculty Books

Those who know and love the region of Hampton Roads wish to make it an even better place to live than it is currently. In order for us to achieve that end, we must know literally "where we are" in critical areas. This first "State of the Region" Report is designed to provide citizens with a detailed, though not burdensome, look at several critical aspects of the lives we live in Hampton Roads. The Report focuses on topics such as the regional economy (including the tourist and military sectors), the workforce, K-12 education, technology, and of course, government and regional …

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Language Attitudes And Academic Performance In Northampton County, Virginia, Public Schools, Glenda L. Rose

English Theses & Dissertations

This language attitude study targets third grade, fifth grade, eighth grade and high school students in the Northampton County, Virginia, Public School System. Two hypotheses were proposed. First, students exhibiting negative attitudes toward their own dialect have a lower performance level in language arts classes than students expressing positive attitudes. Second, factors such as sex, race, grade level, and level of exposure to other dialects are reflected in language attitudes. In order to determine the validity of these hypotheses, school officials were asked to identify five students performing well and five students having difficulty in the language arts. Ten third …

A Study Of Faculty Attitudes At Old Dominion University Toward The Use Of Technology In Higher Education, Charles R. Gray

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to uncover and analyze the attitudes, perceptions, and possible concerns of the faculty at Old Dominion University toward the use of new computer technologies in education. Level of experience with the use of new technologies is also examined. This project utilizes a sample of 207 full-time faculty members employed at Old Dominion University during the Spring 2000 semester.

Faculty members between the ages of 24 and 34 had significantly more experience with the use of new computer technologies than did those faculty members who were 50 or more years of age. Faculty members who …

Site-Based Dropout Identification And Prescription Process For Alternative Education In A Diverse School System, William P. Krupp

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study developed a school site-based dropout identification and prescription process for student placement in alternative education programs in a school system with diverse residential environments—urban, rural, and suburban. The dropout performance-based and measurable predictor variables selected through discriminate function analysis were total retentions, yearly average of absences, total out-of-school suspensions, the state competency tests passed on time, total administrative hearings, and yearly average of poor grades. The combination and nature of these variables allow for early detection of potential dropouts.

While subtle differences existed between the urban, suburban, and rural prediction formulas, the variables selected produced prediction formulas with …

The Role Of Campus Surroundings In Student Retention: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Campus Surroundings Construct, Laura E. Kellard

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study developed and examined a new construct, Campus Surroundings, in the college student retention process. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that different aspects of the campus environment might affect student retention. The three major aspects analyzed in the questionnaire included the students' satisfaction with (1) the appearance or impression of the campus, (2) the safety of the campus, and (3) specific aspects of campus life. The twenty-nine-item scale was administered by mail to 1,195 traditional freshmen at a large urban institution. Results from the 307 respondents were examined using confirmatory factor analysis and measurement model assessment. …

Implementation Theory And Determinants For Success: A Case Study Of Televised Distance Learning Implementation In An Urban University, Deanne Shuman

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Management

The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation process of a distance learning initiative using televised instruction in an urban university. The scope and complexity of problems faced by colleges and universities today are growing, and public institutions are being asked to do more with less. Despite limited budgets and stretched resources, institutions are expected to be responsive to the challenges of change. Distance learning using televised instruction, which brings the classroom to the learner, is an available technology that can be responsive to students' diverse needs.

This study explores factors that facilitated or served as barriers in …

A Power Structure Study Of An Urban Superintendent's Tenure In The City Of Virginia Beach, 1967–1986, Sophia V. Stubblefield

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study examined the 19-year tenure of Dr. E. E. Brickell, superintendent of the Virginia Beach City School System. Specifically, the study has further developed an understanding of the role, expectations, and challenges of the position to identify factors that contributed to Dr. Brickell's tenure longevity.

The literature review conducted in this study revealed that specific factors contributing to a long tenure (more than 2.5 years) for a superintendent is inconclusive. The available data suggest that an interaction of political, environmental, and individual factors could effect the length of a superintendent's tenure.

A qualitative research design was used in this …

Strategies For Maintaining Positive Behavior Change Stemming From Functional Behavioral Assessment In Schools, Robert A. Gable, Jo M. Hendrickson

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Nationwide, schools are struggling to prepare IEP teams and other school personnel to conduct functional behavioral assessment and develop positive behavioral intervention plans and supports. While there is a growing evidence that functional behavioral assessment is effective in identifying the reason(s) behind student misbehavior, less is known about producing positive, long-term changes that are both functionally and socially relevant. Drawing upon the available research, we explore an emerging technology for promoting maintenance and generalization of behavior change. We discuss various strategies and procedures and offer recommendations to IEP teams regarding maintaining positive changes in student behavior that stem from functional …

International Student-Athlete Adjustment To College: A Preliminary Analysis, Lynn L. Ridinger, Donna L. Pastore

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This preliminary investigation was undertaken to determine how well international student–athletes adjusted to college relative to their domestic teammates and the general student body. The results revealed that international student-athletes were significantly more well-adjusted to college than international nonathletes. International student–athletes adjusted to college as well as students and student–athletes from the United States. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. The effects of gender and ethnicity on adjustment to college were also examined.

Identification Of Noncognitive Factors As Predictors Of Freshman Academic Performance And Retention In A Community College Setting, Mark Fallon Freeze

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study identified noncognitive factors (via the use of discriminant analysis) that impact freshmen academic performance and retention in a community college setting. The study used a modified version of the Freshman Survey, that had been validated for use at an urban four-year institution, to determine the predictive validity of the instrument for use with first semester freshmen in a two-year college setting. Existing research suggests that cognitive factors can, at most, explain 10 to 20 percent of the variance in student retention and academic performance. The remainder (approximately 80 percent) of the variance in student academic performance and …

America Calling: A Social History Of The Telephone To 1940. (Book Review), Philip A. Reed

STEMPS Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Selection Of Curricular Topics Using Extensions Of Quality Function Deployment, Paul Kauffmann, Abel Fernandez, Charles Keating, Derya Jacobs, Resit Unal

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Decision science can be an effective tool for enhancing organizational participation during strategic and complex decision making. This involvement develops a group consensus for relating organizational goals and the methods to achieve them. This paper describes an application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to define curricular topics that meet program objectives. Based on the ability of QFD to establish relationships, the model identifies the most important topics and quantifies their impact on meeting program goals. The model was developed to support restructuring of a Masters of Engineering Management degree program. The model supported decisions in selecting and prioritizing the required …

Challenges In Delivering Library Services For Distance Learning, Cynthia Wright Swaine

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The first section of this paper on library services for distance education discusses the status of distance learning in higher education. What distance learning means for libraries is addressed in the second section, including considerations related to diverse locations, agreements with participating institutions, delivery limitations, librarian commitment, and awareness of new ways to deliver services. The third section summarizes requirements for libraries and provides World Wide Web addresses for American Library Association and Canadian Library Association guidelines. The fourth section describes the challenges and impact of distance learning on library service units related to administration, collection management, acquisitions, cataloging, collection …

Teaching Prayer: Pilot Survey Of Academic Courses On Personal Prayer, E. James Baesler

Communication & Theatre Arts Faculty Publications

The practical concerns of an individual interested in learning about prayer in an academic context are interconnected with the practical concerns about teaching an academic course on prayer. A pilot study proposed to investigate and evaluate the context and content of academic courses on personal prayer from the perspective of teaching prayer, asking what proportion of institutions of higher education offer courses on prayer, in which department, and on what level. The search was limited to the Christian faith, and in particular to private colleges and universities of the Catholic denomination. An online Internet search yielded a sample of 126 …

A Study To Determine The Relationship Between Formal Tac-3/Tac-4 Computer Operations Training And Tac-3/Tac-4 Computer System Trouble Calls, Thomas B. Meehan Jr.

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were established to guide this problem: 1. Identify the types of computer problems that are called into the trouble desk by the five aircraft carriers home ported in Norfolk, Virginia; 2. Identify if the operator having the computer problem had attended the formal TAC-3/TAC-4 operator course; 3. Identify if the trouble call is related to the subject matter taught in the formal TAC-3/TAC-4 operator course; 4. Determine if there is any relationship between the training and the trouble calls.

Community Social Disorganization Theory Applied To Adolescent Academic Achievement, Spencer Ross Baker

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Over the years, the public education system has been transformed by outside political and societal forces to provide an equal opportunity for all students. Investigations of the public education system were not consistent and yielded divergent results on how to improve adolescent academic achievement. These divergent results were caused by different operationalizations of variables, data analytical procedures that possibly provided biased parameter estimates, and a failure to use a comprehensive theory. Although these results were inconsistent, the latest transformation of the public education system currently involves holding schools, administrators, parents, and students accountable for learning.

The measurement of success in …

The Influence Of Selected Noncognitive Variables On The Academic Success Of Urban Black High School Males In An Enrichment Pre-College Program, Leon Rouson

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The thrust of this study was to examine the influence of selected noncognitive variables on the academic success of urban Black high school males in an enrichment Pre-College Program. The major research question was: Which of the selected noncognitive variables are most useful in predicting academic success for urban Black high school males?

This study reinvestigated Sedlacek and Brooks' (1976) proposed set of seven noncognitive variables related to academic success: (a) self-concept; (b) realistic self-appraisal; (c) understanding of and ability to deal with racism; (d) preference for long-term goals over more immediate, short-term needs; (e) availability of a strong support …

Primary Health Care Service In Saudi Arabia Old Dominion University Saudi Students Prospectives, Khalid Abdullah Alzamel

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The main goal of this study was to answer the following objectives: 1. To examine the level of satisfaction including accessibility, quality of care, doctor's treatment, and health information provided with the Primary Health Care Services in Saudi Arabia; 2. To find how the Old Dominion University Saudi students compared these services with U.S. health care services; 3. To determine Old Dominion University Saudi student's views and recommendations for changes that would be helpful to generate other ways for improving current practices of Primary Health Care in Saudi Arabia.

The Willingness Of Technology Teachers To Support The Standards Of Learning (Sol) Objectives, James W. Lambert

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To answer this problem the following goals were developed: 1. Determine whether technology teachers were willing to establish a goal of improving SOL competency scores both locally and regionally? 2. Determine if teachers stress the competencies identified in the Technology Education Course Competencies Related to Academic Standards of Learning publication in support of the program objectives at their schools? 3. Make recommendations on how teachers can better support the teaching of academic SOL through technology education

A Study To Compare The Grades Of Algebra I Students That Participated In Tutoring Sessions With The Grades Of Students Who Did Not Receive Tutoring, James W. Wilkerson

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The hypothesis of this study was: 1. Tutoring students for an Algebra I class at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College will improve students' abilities to successfully complete the class.

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Using Volunteer Tutors In A Corrective Reading Program, Jay R. White

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following hypothesis was used to evaluate this study: 1. Students in the corrective reading program who engage in a volunteer tutoring approach to reading skill improvement will show greater reading skill improvement than those students only exposed to the academic classroom.

Technically Competent Employees For The New Millenium: Recommendations By American Think Tanks, Carolyn L. Tebault

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To solve this problem, the following research goals will be answered: 1. What methods do American think tank companies use to keep their technical employees up-to-date on computer-related technologies? 2. Which recommendations are the most common ones cited by American think tanks?