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1
Bridges, Vicki Mashelle. "Mathematics Teacher Perceptions of Lesson Design, Data Reflection, and Achievement in Professional Learning Communities." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6529.
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In a north Texas school district, district administrators were concerned that mathematics scores at the target middle school have fallen below the state average since 2010. Despite professional development (PD) provided by the district, administrators believed that teachers were not using professional learning community (PLC) data reflection practices to improve mathematics performance. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore middle school teachers' as well as the administrative dean's perceptions of the levels of depth regarding teacher dialogue and collaboration related to mathematics instruction, classroom delivery strategies, data analysis of student performance, and lesson design within PLCs. The conceptual framework for this study centered on the characteristics of Senge's learning organization theory, Hord's PLC characteristics, and DuFour's model of collaboration for improving student achievement within PLCs. Six participants from the target school included 5 Grade 7 mathematics teachers and 1 administrative dean. Data were triangulated from interviews, observations, and archival documents and analyzed using comparative and inductive analyses. Themes supporting the findings indicated the teacher need for additional PD in the areas studied. Recommendations in the position paper include the evaluation of PLCs. The resulting project may deepen understanding of PLC needs related to data discussion, lesson planning, and may contribute to PLC or PD policy-related changes in the district. Enactment of the recommendations will improve PLC implementation strengthening teachers' collaboration and instructional skills resulting in positive social change and increased student mathematics performance.
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McLelland-Crawley, Rebecca. "Program evaluation of a high school science professional learning community." Thesis, Walden University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3615014.
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Teachers may benefit more from a professional learning community (PLC) than from professional development initiatives presented in single day workshops. The purpose of this program evaluation study was to identify characteristics of an effective PLC and to determine how the members of the PLC have benefitted from the program. Fullan's educational change theory provided the framework for the study, which refers to learning experiences of teachers when collaborating with peers. The sample consisted of 9 biology teachers during the 2012-2013 school year. Data were collected through online surveys and face-to-face interviews regarding effective PLCs. The online survey questions were asked to identify the characteristics of PLCs. Interviews were conducted to examine how biology teachers benefited from PLCs. Survey data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis for emergent themes. According to study findings, PLCs are used for shared teaching vision and practices. Sustained use of PLCs in schools could help create supportive professional learning environments for teachers to improve their teaching practices through purposeful collaboration.
3
McLelland-Crawley, Rebecca. "Program evaluation of a high school science professional learning community." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1121.
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Teachers may benefit more from a professional learning community (PLC) than from professional development initiatives presented in single day workshops. The purpose of this program evaluation study was to identify characteristics of an effective PLC and to determine how the members of the PLC have benefitted from the program. Fullan's educational change theory provided the framework for the study, which refers to learning experiences of teachers when collaborating with peers. The sample consisted of 9 biology teachers during the 2012-2013 school year. Data were collected through online surveys and face-to-face interviews regarding effective PLCs. The online survey questions were asked to identify the characteristics of PLCs. Interviews were conducted to examine how biology teachers benefited from PLCs. Survey data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis for emergent themes. According to study findings, PLCs are used for shared teaching vision and practices. Sustained use of PLCs in schools could help create supportive professional learning environments for teachers to improve their teaching practices through purposeful collaboration.
4
Abdullah, Umar. "Learning through Teacher Professional Training: English Teacher Certification Program in Indonesia." The Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1427720572.
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Donoghue, Eileen Frances. "The origins of a professional mathematics education program at Teachers College /." Access Digital Full Text version, 1987. http://pocketknowledge.tc.columbia.edu/home.php/bybib/10779140.
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Farrow, Soyna Hester, and Donna Marie Monroe. "Social work students: The learning of professional values in a graduate program." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1843.
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Zhen, Shuyi. "Learning in a pre-service teacher residency program." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1749.
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Teacher educators worldwide are seeking ways to develop stronger links with schools, to improve the quality of initial teacher preparation. In this study the researcher investigated a residency approach to initial teacher education (ITE) in a one-year Graduate Diploma of Education course designed to prepare primary school teachers at a university in Western Australia. A mixed methods inquiry approach was employed to examine the nature and quality of the professional learning experiences of the pre-service teacher participants.
The Teacher Residency Program (TRP) was based on a medical residency model, with residents given a semester-length placement in two schools. Each placement provided a continuous two-day per week placement and concluded with a five-week fulltime block teaching experience. University course work complemented the in-school practical experience during each of the placement periods. The researcher used concurrent nested research design with quantitative data embedded in the qualitative data to explore the professional learning of the residents; Specifically, the researcher sought evidence of perspective transformation in the residents’ learning process, and a determination of how particular elements of the TRP supported or hindered residents’ professional development.
The findings indicate that the residents perceived their professional learning as one of continuous growth. The data confirm that the TRP provided a professionally oriented study of teaching that provided time and opportunity for cumulative learning from both course work and practical teaching. Through the lens of a transformative learning paradigm, the study found that individual development in the TRP varies considerably. Further the residents experienced perspective transformation relating to a range of aspects about learning to teach. The process of transforming perspectives about teaching and learning was multidimensional, individualistic and contextually dependent. Elements of the TRP that assisted residents’ professional development were the concurrent university course work integrated with extended clinical school placement; the opportunities for continuous two-day per week school placement; the block practicum and the two different school placement learning experiences. Aspects that appeared to hinder residents’ professional development were related to the quantity and quality of the university course work offered; the discrepancies that the residents experienced between what they studied about teaching and what they experienced in schools; differences between mentor teachers, and the length of the course. The findings of this study have implications relevant to other ITE programs for improving the learning outcomes of pre-service teachers.
8
Baroway, Cynthia A. "Adult learning, continuing professional education, and constructivism applied to an insurance education program." [Denver, Colo.] : Regis University, 2007. http://165.236.235.140/lib/CBaroway2007.pdf.
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Kiehl, Melissa Lynn. "An examination of science teachers' learning in a laboratory-based professional development program." College Park, Md.: University of Maryland, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/8109.
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Thesis (Ed. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2008.Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
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Ameyaw, Cherie Laverne. "Formative Program Evaluation of a Professional Learning Community in an Urban Elementary School." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1638.
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In a professional learning community (PLC), school personnel participate in focused collaboration to improve adult learning and facilitate student achievement. Implementation of a PLC is often haphazard and not evaluated for effectiveness, resulting in poor implementation. This study, a PLC-specific qualitative formative program evaluation, addressed a lack of documented PLC effectiveness at a local urban elementary school in the southern United States. The purpose of this project was to determine how teachers described the functioning of their PLC. The conceptual framework for the study was Hord and Tobia's 6 characteristics of a PLC. The research questions focused on how teachers described their PLC in terms of: supportive and shared leadership; shared beliefs, values, and vision; intentional collective learning; shared practice; physical or structural conditions; and collegial or relational conditions. The qualitative design consisted of semi-structured interviews with 10 teachers. The findings from the typological data analysis revealed that the research school was not functioning as a true PLC, with lack of collegial-relational conditions being a primary concern. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for school personnel to participate in team building exercises, adopt an educational change model to strengthen their PLC, participate in PLC training, and develop a continuous evaluation cycle for their PLC. The recommendations will help the research school more effectively build trust as they improve their PLC. Implications for positive social change include an improved school culture and delivery system of education, which fosters an educational environment more conducive for improved learning for teachers and students.
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McKinney, Shaune LaSheane. "Implementing Assistive Technology through Program Planning." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1448.
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Special education (SPED) service providers in the military are often underprepared to use the needed assistive technology (AT) in the classroom. This concurrent mixed-method study sought to explore the attitudes, skills, and quality indicators of assistive technology (QIAT) among 19 currently employed military SPED certified multidisciplinary team members. The conceptual framework of this study was based on the professional learning community model, which holds that the team members work collaboratively to educate the families it serves. All team members completed a quantitative QIAT survey and open-ended questionnaire, and individual qualitative interviews were conducted with a subsample of 8 volunteer staff. QIAT survey data were descriptively analyzed, while questionnaire data were transcribed, open coded, and thematically analyzed. All data were triangulated and member checking and peer debriefing were used to strengthen validity and credibility of the findings. Survey data revealed teachers' willingness to utilize AT in the classroom, although qualitative data suggested that the multidisciplinary team lacked the knowledge to consistently and confidently utilize AT within their classes daily. Additional emergent themes included collaboration, viable resources, unifying guidelines, AT support, training, and guidance. Administrators at the local site can use these findings as guidance in the development of in-service and district AT trainings and support. Through consistent usage of these interventions, the military community can impact positive change in the lived experiences of SPED service providers and the families that it serves.
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Ateskan, Armagan. "Online Professional Development Program For Science Teachers: A Case Study." Phd thesis, METU, 2008. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12609557/index.pdf.
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The aim of this study was to investigate science teachers&rsquoperceptions about the online teacher professional development (oTPD) program. The research study included two consecutive steps. The first step was related to the design of the oTPD program. With the help of related literature, examples of oTPD programs and expert opinions, an oTPD program was designed. In the second step, ten of the alumni of Bilkent University Graduate School of Education Biology Teacher Education Program participated in a ten week oTPD program. The program consisted of instructional activities such as reading case studies, self reflection, forum discussions, watching videos of a sample lesson, hands-on activity and WebQuest. The study was mainly a qualitative study. The case was a professional development program for in-service science teachers that was offered online via learning management systems (LMS). The data were collected through pre- and post- interviews, online questionnaire, observations and documentation that include weekly assignments, forum discussions, e-mail correspondence, weekly e-journals, detailed notes of phone calls and the researcher&rsquo
s journal. The data were analyzed according to qualitative data analysis techniques with the assistance of Weft QDA software. Data gathered from the participants demonstrated that they were not satisfied with professional development programs that they got before this oTPD program because of the problems about content, process and organization connected with them. They preferred oTPD program, because of its flexibility and versatility, sharing information among colleagues from different parts of the country, and self-paced learning. Some obstacles were also identified, such as technical problems, not having face-to-face sessions and the timing of the program.
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Hirsch, Ellen Riina. "The Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Professional Development Program." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1701.
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Ineffective professional development is a longstanding problem in education. Locally, the school district in the study lacked a comprehensive system for evaluating their secondary level professional development programs. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the district's professional development program, specifically examining its perceived strengths and weaknesses. The conceptual framework of the study was systems theory and the adaptive schools reform model. The research questions examined the perceptions of various school personnel on their experiences with the current professional development program at the study district's high school. Individual interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 3 teachers, 4 teacher-facilitators, 1 professional development committee member, and 1 school administrator. Interview data were concurrently analyzed using inductive analysis and typologies derived from the literature. The results were used to create a project consisting of a comprehensive policy proposal that provides detailed guidance and procedures for every stage of the school's professional development program cycle. The study project was designed to assist educators, administrators, and school districts in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing professional development programs that are tailored to meet the needs of local educators. This study promotes positive social change through facilitating the development of improved professional development programs that increase teacher quality and student achievement.
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Napper, Elondra D. "A Program Evaluation of Teacher Perceptions on the Fidelity of Implementation of Professional Learning Communities." W&M ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1593092100.
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Davis, Brian. "Investigating the Experience: A Case Study of a Science Professional Development Program Based on Kolb's Experiential Learning Model." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2008. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/msit_diss/33.
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Professional development for educators has been defined as the process or processes by which teachers achieve higher levels of professional competence and expand their understanding of self, role, context and career (Duke and Stiggins, 1990). Currently, there is limited research literature that examines the effect a professional development course, which uses David Kolb’s experiential learning model, has on the professional growth and teaching practice of middle school science teachers. The purpose of this interpretive case study is to investigate how three science teachers who participated in the Rivers to Reef professional development course interpreted the learning experience and integrated the experience into their teaching practice. The questions guiding this research are 1. What is the relationship between a professional development course that uses an experiential learning model and science teaching practice? 2. How do the Rivers to Reef participants reflect on and describe the course as a professional growth experience? The creation of the professional development course and the framework for the study were established using David Kolb’s (1975) experiential learning theory and the reflection process model designed by David Boud (1985). The participants in the study are three middle school science teachers from schools representing varied settings and socioeconomic levels in the southeastern United States. Data collected used the three-interview series interview format designed by Dolbere and Schuman (Seidman, 1998). Data was analyzed for the identification of common categories related to impact on science teaching practice and professional growth. The major finding of this study indicates the years of teaching experience of middle school science teachers significantly influences how they approach professional development, what and how they learn from the experience, and the ways in which the experience influences their teaching practices.
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Davis, Brian L. "Investigating the experience a case study of a science professional development program based on Kolb's experiential learning model /." unrestricted, 2008. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-02242008-014259/.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008.Title from file title page. Lisa Martin-Hansen, committee chair; Geeta Verma, Christine Thomas, Mike Dias, committee members. Electronic text (122 p. ; ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed August 22, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 195-210).
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Brashear, Taylor. "TRANSFORMING TEACHERS: EXPLORING CHANGING PERCEPTIONS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM." UKnowledge, 2015. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/comm_etds/35.
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Communication across the curriculum (CXC) programs are becoming increasingly common as institutions of higher learning recognize the need for improving communication skills in college students. Consequently, the University of Kentucky (UK) is piloting Presentation U, a multimodal communication across the curriculum (MCXC) program. This study examines the degree to which the Faculty Fellows program succeeds in helping faculty across the university integrate effective communication instruction and assignments into their courses. For this study, all faculty members participating in cohort #2 of the program responded to surveys and wrote reflection papers regarding their experiences. Their responses were analyzed and conclusions drawn. The study, grounded in the adult theory of transformative learning, found evidence of worldview transformation among faculty fellows as a result of their participation in the program.
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Ray, Sherry Rene. "Issues Related to Implementing High-Fidelity Simulation in a Nursing Program." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4753.
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Due to the shortage of clinical sites, nursing educators, deans, and directors are compelled to implement alternative clinical solutions such as high-fidelity simulation (HFS). The problem is that nursing educators are often not prepared to implement HFS as a teaching strategy. Faculty readiness is imperative for a successful simulation program and student outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions and practices of faculty, deans, and directors on the implementation of HFS across the nursing curriculum. Kolb's experiential learning theory provided the theoretical support for both the teaching and learning required by faculty for a successful simulation program. The key research question was to investigate how nursing educators perceived the implementation of HFS across the curriculum and how nursing deans and directors provided support for integrating HFS throughout the curriculum. The study population included 13 nursing faculty and 7 deans using simulation at prelicensure programs. Data collection included interviews, observations of simulation labs, and document analysis. Data were analyzed using open and priori coding. Five themes emerged relating to need for faculty development, need for time, need for resources, need for space, and need for support. These findings were consistent with the literature. Based on the findings, a professional development program in simulation pedagogy was developed. The faculty development program could lead to a positive social change by reducing barriers and increasing the use of simulation. Increasing the use of simulation allows nursing students to practice clinical reasoning skills and gain confidence and competence with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
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Francis, Christine M. "The Impact of a "Response to Intervention" Initiative on Teachers' Efficacy with Students of Color in a Voluntary Desegregation Program." Thesis, Boston College, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/715.
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Thesis advisor: Elizabeth A. TwomeyThesis advisor: James Marini
This qualitative case study focused on a Response to Intervention (RTI) literacy initiative in a suburban elementary school near an urban area in New England. The initiative incorporated professional development about RTI and implementation of components of an RTI model. The participant-researcher analyzed teachers' feedback regarding the professional development and the RTI model, as the initiative developed, with a specific focus on the teachers' perceptions about the impact of the initiative on the school's capacity to effectively instruct urban students of color who are participants in a voluntary desegregation program. The professional development about RTI incorporated three features which are recommended for professional learning communities: content which is research-based, process which includes reflection and dialogue, and context which is job-embedded. The RTI model utilized the "problem-solving" approach, and incorporated progress-monitoring and interventions. The findings from the study indicated that the combination of three elements (sustained professional development about RTI, implementation of RTI in the school setting, and conversations and questions about addressing the needs of urban students of color) resulted in increased teacher confidence in their ability to provide effective instruction to this population of students. Further, the interaction of these three elements resulted in identification of next steps which the teachers believe will specifically address these students' needs. However, several teachers questioned whether RTI was adequate to address the complex issues of students of color in a voluntary desegregation program. They recognized that they needed more information about effective instructional strategies to match the learning profiles of this population of students. Combining the results of this case study with the recommendations of the professional literature about culturally responsive teaching, it appears that Response to Intervention has the potential to address the learning needs of urban students of color, but only if practitioners incorporate some basic principles of culturally responsive teaching. Integrating the results of this study with the professional literature about Response to Intervention, culturally responsive teaching, and effective professional development, the participant-researcher recommends that policymakers and educators should consider incorporating culturally responsive teaching into their RTI models in order to truly make RTI effective for addressing the achievement gap. Further, the researcher recommends that schools should provide sustained professional development (with content based upon research, process which includes reflection and dialogue, and context which is job-embedded) to increase teachers' understanding about Response to Intervention and about culturally responsive teaching
Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2009
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Administration
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Colvey, Misty. "An assessment of preferred learning styles of undergraduate health, physical education, and sport sciences professional program students." Thesis, Arkansas State University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1555343.
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships among learning styles, overall GPA, and major in undergraduate students enrolled in professional programs in the department of Health, Physical Education, and Sport Sciences. Methods: This study compared the learning styles of the students to their overall GPA, using the Computerized Assessment Program- Styles of Learning (CAPSOL©) Form B and self-reported GPA. Results: Participants consisted of 231 Health, Physical Education, and Sport Sciences undergraduate students. Correlation was found between preferred learning styles and actual overall GPA, major and actual overall GPA, and self-reported GPA and actual overall GPA. Conclusion: Health, Physical Education, and Sport Sciences undergraduate students resulted in preferred learning styles of individual, sequential, and bodily kinesthetic.
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Anderson, Suzanne Marie. "K-5 Elementary Balanced Literacy Reading Program Implementation Evaluation." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1305.
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Students who struggle with reading in their elementary years are likely to make poor
academic progress, leave school before graduation, and struggle in the workplace. The district leaders at 24 K-5 elementary schools in a large Midwestern district were interested in a formative reading program evaluation to determine reading program effectiveness. This mixed methods study, approached from a cognitive and social theoretical framework, was a formative evaluation of the Balanced Literacy Reading Program implementation at these elementary schools. The purpose of this study was to capture the K-5 classroom teachers' (n = 113), instructional coaches' (n = 18), and principals' (n = 32) perceptions of the program in regard to the resources, staff development, leadership support, and impact on students and teachers. A parallel survey with both Likert and short-answer items was designed for each participant group based on these 4 categories. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed with open coding and thematic analysis. The primary finding was that participants in all 3 groups cited a need for professional development in the area of increasing student reading proficiency to grade level and beyond. As a result of the findings, a professional learning community was designed with a focus on in-depth collaboration to increase teacher knowledge and student achievement. District leaders were presented with the results of this study and recommendations for program improvement. These recommended improvements can impact social change by increasing student achievement, graduation rates, and workplace success.
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Nadeau, Roger. "Study of the Influences of a High School Career Exploration Program on the Adult Professional Lives of Former Program Participants." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2005. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/270.
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This phenomenological study documented the influences of a high school career exploration program, Experience-Based Career Education (E.B.C.E.), on the professional lives of nine adults who are former program participants. E.B.C.E. was an experiencebased, student-centered program that helped students develop long-term career goals and then reassessed those goals based on community-based, externship experiences. The findings in this study indicate that the utilization of John Dewey’s experiencebased, student-centered philosophy, the basis for E.B.C.E., effectively enhanced the learning process. The study's data, which was gathered exclusively through an Internet focus group session and follow-up email questions, documented the long-term influence of E.B.C.E. on program participants at Ellen Martin High School, a school that admitted only honors students in a large city in the South. E.B.C.E. participants from Ellen Martin High School participated in the Program for the last two years of high school. Program participants discovered their career interests and researched their career options while learning job skills and life skills during their junior year of E.B.C.E. Their non-paid externships, during their senior year of E.B.C.E., helped students learn how they might fit into the adult work world. Study participants developed life guides/philosophies, such as the importance of responsibility, commitment, dedication, and hard work. Adult mentors played an important role in the lives of the E.B.C.E. students, both personally and professionally and several study participants have maintained contact with their former E.B.C.E. mentors. These mentoring experiences helped E.B.C.E. participants develop a sense of confidence about their abilities in the adult world. They have maintained this sense of confidence in their present profession. Most of the study's participants experienced flow, a condition linking high challenges to feelings of enjoyment, self-worth, and ongoing development, based on their successfully meeting challenges. Some of these challenges were purposely placed in the paths of students to test them while they participated in E.B.C.E. The positive feelings about overcoming challenges, in the adult work world led E.B.C.E. students to seek higher level challenges and this recursively upward pattern of seeking higher challenges has led them to continue seeking higher challenges in their professional lives.
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Starling, DaMesia Denise. "Fidelity of Implementation of an Urban Elementary Montessori Kindergarten Program." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4988.
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In a Texas school district, administrators did not monitor the fidelity of implementation (FOI) of the Montessori kindergarten program implemented in 2005, which left administrators without empirical data regarding program implementation. The purpose of this qualitative evaluative case study was to explore teachers' and administrators' perceptions and implementation of the Montessori program. Using the implementation of science framework, which involves examining FOI by monitoring interventions, implementation methods, enabling contexts, and intended outcomes, data were collected through interviews, nonparticipatory observations, and a review of archived Montessori documents. A convenience sample of 10 Montessori teachers, who met criteria of over 5 years of teaching experience, and 2 or more years experience teaching in the Montesorri program, and administrators who met criteria of supervising Montesorri grades, volunteered to participate in this study. Data were analyzed using comparative and inductive analyses and analytical coding. Findings from the data resulted in emergence of 5 themes: administrative support and capacity building for the Montessori program to support FOI, availability of more advanced Montessori resources, peer coaching to support novice Montesorri teachers, precise and consistent comprehension of the Montessori learning model, and relevant and targeted professional development related to Montesorri program implementation. A 3-day professional development project was designed to promote FOI of the Montessori program for teachers and administrators. The project will improve stakeholders' knowledge and capacity building to strengthen Montesorri program FOI and promote students' academic success.
Fidelity of Implementation of an Urban Elementary Montessori Kindergarten Program
by
DaMesia D. Starling
MS, Walden University, 2010
BS, Jarvis Christian College, 2003
Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Education
Walden University
April 2018
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Cummings, James Edward. "Effects of a culturally responsive teaching program on teacher attitudes, perceptions, and practices." Thesis, Boston College, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/638.
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Thesis advisor: Irwin BlumerThis case study examined the creation of a collaborative learning environment focused on the development of teacher attitudes, perceptions, and practices that are culturally responsive. Sixth and eighth grade teachers collaborated in small groups over the course of a school-year, focusing on dialogue, activities, and readings related to race and culture. The ways in which teachers involved in the study developed thinking in regards to their cultural awareness, sense of efficacy, and instructional practices played central roles in this study. This qualitative case study was conducted by the school principal, who was a participant-observer. Data collection instruments included pre-program interviews, mid-program reflective journals, post-program interviews, and researcher field notes. Prior to the start of the program, teachers expressed that they rarely spoke with students and peers about issues related to race and culture, provided minimal accommodations for students of color within the classroom setting, exhibited mixed beliefs in terms of their abilities as teachers to meet the learning needs of students of color, and had a limited understanding of their own racial identities. As a result of their participation in the Culturally Responsive Teaching Program, most teachers experienced growth in terms of their perceptions of the their own racial identity development, efficacy, and increased their sense of comfort and desire to speak with students and peers about issues related to race and culture. Implications for practice include the need for; courageous leadership, persistence, promotion of the development of racial identity, understanding of racial identity development, promotion of collaboration, advancement of transformational learning, and the development of multi-dimensional learning experiences. Limitations of this study include the researcher's role as school principal and participant-observer, small sample size, and relatively short study duration. Recommendations for future research include increasing the sample size and program duration, investigation of changes in student experiences as a result of teacher participation in a similar program, and investigating the effect of a similar program when focused upon particular racial and cultural groups, as opposed to the broad approach utilized within the Culturally Responsive Teaching Program
Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2009
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education
25
Doherty, Jennifer. "Continuing Professional Education in Athletic Training: Is Knowledge Acquired and Retained?" Scholarly Repository, 2008. http://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_dissertations/118.
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess certified athletic trainers' knowledge acquisition, knowledge retention, and satisfaction, following a continuing professional education (CPE) program offered in either a traditional, lecture-oriented format or an interactive format addressing adult learning strategy preferences. Design: We used a pre-test, post-test experimental design with comparison groups utilizing stratified randomization. Setting: The CPE program was held in the University wellness center classrooms. Subjects: Forty-six certified athletic trainers participated. Measurements: After determination of learning strategy preferences, a 30 item multiple-choice exam was administered prior to, immediately after, and one-month following the CPE program to determine level of knowledge acquisition and retention. Participant self-reported level of satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire immediately following the CPE program. Results: A significant main effect for treatment (F2,70 = 6.02, p < 0.004) was observed indicating that subjects in the lecture format CPE program acquired and retained more knowledge than subjects in the interactive format regardless of learning strategy preference. There was no significant loss in knowledge observed one-month following the CPE program regardless of learning strategy preference or treatment (lecture or interactive CPE format). No significant differences in level of satisfaction by treatment (lecture or interactive CPE format) or by learning strategy preference (navigators, problem-solvers, or navigators) were noted; however, 13 (28.3%) reported an excellent level of satisfaction (mean satisfaction score of 4.0) and 31 (67.4%) reported an above average level of satisfaction (mean satisfaction scores of 3.0 to 3.88). Conclusions: Our data indicate that lecture format CPE programs may be optimal for knowledge acquisition and retention, independent of learning strategy preference. Knowledge retention did not decrease regardless of learning strategy preference or CPE format and actually demonstrated a further increase using the lecture format. Although our data suggest that participant satisfaction is independent of learning strategy preference and CPE format, the homogeneity of responses made it difficult to detect any relationship with regard to learning style preference and satisfaction.
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Hunter, Nancee. "Assessing Sense of Place and Geo-literacy Indicators as Learning Outcomes of an International Teacher Professional Development Program." PDXScholar, 2016. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2701.
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This research explores the multifaceted benefits that accrue from learning within an international, experiential context. It uses a qualitative, case study approach employing pre and post surveys, in-situ observations, and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews to analyze the Center for Geography Education in Oregon’s (C-GEO) 2013 Overseas Teacher Institute--a professional development program that took 11 teachers to Russia, Mongolia, and China for a total of 17 days (plus two additional travel days) to learn about the cultural and physical geography of each place. The focus of the research is two-fold and examines processes involved in gaining, synthesizing and applying 1) a sense of place (the emotional ties between people and place), and 2) geo-literacy. The results of this study provide evidence that intensive professional development programs can increase teachers personal and professional knowledge, change their instructional practices, and may lead to improved student learning outcomes.
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Campbell, Carol L. "Teachers Teaching Teachers: A Sustainable and Inexpensive Professional Development Program to Improve Instruction." PDXScholar, 2014. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2072.
Full textAbstract:
School districts face tremendous budget challenges and, as a result, professional development has been "trimmed" from many school budgets. (Habegger & Hodanbosi, 2011). School administrators responsible for planning professional development face a daunting task and often focus on PowerPoints, district mandated training, one-shot presentations, and workshops that are delivered by expensive experts. These types of activities lack teacher collaboration, time for sharing of ideas and opportunity for reflection and analysis (Torff & Byrnes, 2011, Coggins, Zuckerman & Mckelvey, 2010).
The problem addressed in this study is that teacher professional development is usually planned by school administrators who are provided little support or training. This study used the problem-based learning approach designed by Bridges and Hallinger (1995) to determine the usefulness of a handbook for principals to utilize as they plan professional development. The handbook was developed, field tested and revised using Borg and Gall's (2003) research and development cycle. This qualitative study included surveys, observations, interviews and workshops to determine the usefulness of the handbook. The study consisted of preliminary field testing and product revision followed by the main field testing. The main field test was a workshop for K-12 school and district level administrators on how to use the handbook in planning meaningful, ongoing teacher professional development. The data collected in this study determined that the handbook,Teachers Teaching Teachers: Designing Successful Teacher Professional Development on a Shoestring Budget, is a useful tool for school administrators responsible for planning teacher professional development.
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Kinoshita, Kyle. "Critical inquiry, instructional leadership and closing the achievement gap : principal learning in a university-school district professional development program /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7820.
Full text
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Jackson, Glenda Joy. "Professional development in HIV prevention education for teachers using flexible learning and tutor support." Thesis, Curtin University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1602.
Full textAbstract:
HIV prevention programs in schools are acknowledged as one of the best prospects for controlling the world HIV epidemic. Epidemiological evidence indicates that deaths world-wide from AIDS are yet to peak. Although HIV notifications and AIDS deaths in the total Australian population have decreased', there has been an increase in rates in the Australian Indigenous population. There is also some evidence of complacency in HIV prevention vigilance in Australia which indicates a need for continued focus on prevention programs. The knowledge levels, attitudes toward HIV risk, and risk-taking behaviours of young Australians place them at risk of exposure to HIV. Appropriate prevention programs can be delivered to these vulnerable young people through the school setting. Programs delivered in schools have been shown to have a positive effect and teachers are vital to the delivery of these education programs. Without appropriate training, however, teachers may not optimise the outcomes of these programs. While it would be desirable for teachers to be trained in HIV prevention education in pre-service training this has not been the case in Western Australia (WA). When there is not an opportunity for pre-service training, professional development programs can be implemented to provide additional training required by teachers. Traditionally this professional development has been provided through workshops. These face-to-face delivery methods, however, do not always adequately serve the needs of all teachers, and in particular the needs of teachers in rural and remote areas. In an attempt to address the needs of these teachers, alternate methods of professional development delivery may be appropriate. The aim of this study was to test an alternate method of delivery.The study designed, disseminated and evaluated the implementation of a flexible learning professional development program for teachers of HIV education. The program was based on print-based distance learning, supported by a video and tutors. Five objectives were developed for the study. These objectives were: Objective One - To determine factors associated with teachers' enrolment in the Protect Yourself Program (PYP). Objective Two - To determine the association between factors related to entry characteristics, social integration, external attribution, academic integration and incompatibility and amount of PYP completed. Objective Three - To determine the association between amount of PYP completed and factors related to the teaching of HIV lessons. Objective Four - To examine the context in which intervention and comparison group teachers were operating for this study. Objective Five - To evaluate the process of teacher recruitment to PYP, satisfaction with the flexible learning methodology, satisfaction with the PYP materials and completion of PYP. A comprehensive theoretical framework was constructed to guide the development of the empirical study and the professional development program, as little evidence was found in the literature of similar empirically evaluated studies. This framework incorporated: Adult Learning Theory; the Model of Student Progress; the PRECEDEPROCEED Model; the Health Promoting Schools Framework; Diffusion of Innovation and the Communication Behaviour Change Model. The study was conducted in two parts. Firstly, an exploratory study was conducted which provided a basis upon which to implement the second, larger empirical study.A quasi-experimental study design was implemented due to restrictions placed upon the study by the WA Department of Health, the funding agency. The study sample was made up of teachers from government and independent, primary and second schools in WA. In total, 126 teachers were recruited to the intervention group and enrolled in the professional development program, and 128 to the comparison group, who completed some of the evaluation instruments, but did not participate in a professional development program. The professional development intervention program incorporated four comprehensive work modules, which were delivered in print form. A video and tutorial support supplemented the print materials. To evaluate the professional development program, seven instruments were developed. From these instruments five categories of variables were created, namely demographic, contextual, teacher characteristics, process and dependent. These variables were developed as single item variables, scales or indices. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and a combination of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques (logistic regression and analysis of covariance) were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed for themes. A binary logistic regression was conducted to evaluate Objective One: to determine factors associated with teachers’ enrolment in PYP. The analysis identified four factors which were associated with enrolment in PYP.The teachers most likely to enrol in PYP had no pre-service training in health education and did not consider themselves to be a specialist or coordinator of health education. The majority of program participants had been teaching health education for between three and seven years and displayed a high level of acceptance of the flexible learning methodology. Objective Two: to determine the association between factors related to entry characteristics, social integration, external attribution, academic integration and incompatibility and amount of PYP completed was evaluated using a nominal logistic regression analysis with the intervention group sample only. Completion of the PYP program by participants was related to circumstances which were often beyond the control of the program, such as events occurring in a teacher’s personal life. However, teachers who showed a preference for flexible learning were found to be more successful in completing the program. The effects of PYP were measured by Objective Three: to determine the association between amount of PYP completed and factors related to the teaching of HIV lessons. Three of the six factors considered by this objective returned a significant association with program dose. Teacher perceived access to HIV education resources was found to be positively related to the dose of materials a participant completed.Participants who completed a high dose of the program considered HIV resources to be relatively easier to access than participants completing a low dose. Teachers who completed a high dose of PYP reported being more comfortable to teach HIV lessons than teachers completing a mid dose. In addition, intervention group teachers showed a significant change in comfort with their ability to teach HIV lessons and specified HIV topics to Years 8, 9, and 10 classes and intervention group teachers of Year 8 students thought the HIV topics were less important for this level of students. The final variable to show a significant change over time when dose of the program was considered was teacher sexual conservativeness. Both high and mid dose participants reported being less sexually conservative than low or no dose participants from pre to midtest. The context of the teachers participating in the PYP study was investigated through Objective Four: to examine the context in which intervention and Comparison group teachers were operating for this study. Two factors were found to be associated with gender, six with school location and eleven with level of teaching. These associations provided important contextual information for interpreting the findings of the study. Objective Five evaluated the process of teacher recruitment to PYP, satisfaction with the flexible learning methodology, satisfaction with the PYP materials and completion of PYP. The recruitment strategies implemented for PYP were effective in having teachers from government and independent schools in WA recruited to PYP.However, more than 90% of the intervention group were from government schools. Schools encouraged more than one teacher from a school to enrol, with nine primary schools, four district high schools, one community high school, one secondary college, four senior high schools and one combined independent primary and high school enrolling more than one teacher in the program. The flexible learning methodology was reported to be suitable for the needs of teachers who enrolled in PYP, as they felt comfortable with the learning methodology and appreciated the opportunity to choose when and where they completed the program. The opportunity for face-to-face contact, however, was still preferred by some teachers. The materials within the program were considered to be appropriate and useful. The writing style and activities were well received and the efforts of the tutors were welcomed by the majority of the intervention group. One third of teachers who enrolled in PYP completed at least some of the materials, but less than 10% completed the entire program. The most frequent suggestions made for increasing program completion rates were to set dates for completion of the program modules and to allow time release to complete the program. At baseline, this research showed that teachers considered it important for their students to have access to HIV education, but many of these teachers did not feel comfortable providing HIV education for their students.As positive effects were observed in the PYP program of impact of program dose on factors affecting the implementation of HIV education, it would appear that flexible learning professional development was a suitable alternative to face-to-face professional development. Teachers' acceptance of flexible learning professional development as an alternate methodology, however, appears to be in its infancy and will require more empirical research. Future research, study design improvements and intervention design improvements can be informed by the following recommendations. Future research Recommendation 1: There be more rigorous investigation of flexible learning as a methodology for provision of professional development for teachers of health education. Recommendation 2: The status of claiming credit for professional development toward postgraduate qualifications for teachers continue to be investigated. Recommendation 3 : Further research be undertaken to evaluate available technologies and their acceptance by teachers as a delivery method for flexible learning professional development. Study design improvements Recommendation 4: design limitations of the PYP study. Future research be designed to overcome the study Intervention design improvements Recommendation 5: The findings of the PYP study and suggestions made by PYP participants be used to improve future health education professional development programs.
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Call, Hadyn Bowen. "A Case Study of the Driven 2 Teach Program: Site-Based Experiential Professional Development for History Teachers." DigitalCommons@USU, 2019. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7443.
Full textAbstract:
Driven 2 Teach is a privately funded program for history teachers in the state of Utah. The program emphasizes the importance of teacher travel to educate history teachers in the places where history happened. This study investigated the program’s influence on participant gains in learning about history and how to best teach about the past, social studies professional development, teacher beliefs, and changes in instructional practices. This study utilized a case study methodology, autoethnography, and six interconnected frameworks: Professional development, experiential education, site-based learning, pedagogical content knowledge, teacher beliefs, and professional learning communities. This study helps demonstrate the effectiveness of travel as a teaching method. Data from this study were used to answer the following questions: How do history teachers perceive their pedagogical content knowledge as changing as a result of participating in the Driven 2 Teach program? How do the experiences with Driven 2 Teach differ from other professional development experiences? How do history teacher beliefs about social studies education contribute to the changes in pedagogical content knowledge and instructional practice? How do these history teachers plan on changing instructional practices based on their new pedagogical content knowledge? The results of this study show that participants’ knowledge of historical content and how to best teach that content increased significantly. This study also found that more social studies professional development is needed in the state of Utah. Teachers’ confidence levels increased because of their experience with this program in regard to teaching history and social studies skills to their students. Participants, as a result of participation with Driven 2 Teach, are more likely to teach students’ skills using social studies content rather than merely teaching social studies through rote memorization. Participants want to incorporate more hands-on learning experiences for students, and use more primary source documents in their lessons. Traveling together to historical sites and other important places with other social studies teachers enhanced the learning of all involved and increased the retention of what was learned. Participants benefited from both planned and unplanned events, and had experiences that made them realize even more, the importance of social studies education and incorporating multiple perspectives when learning about the past.
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Mike, Alyson Mary. "Determining the impact on the professional learning of graduates of a science and pedagogical content knowledge-based graduate degree program." Thesis, Montana State University, 2010. http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/2010/mike/MikeA0510.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study examined the professional learning of participants in a science and pedagogical content knowledge-based graduate degree program, specifically the Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) at Montana State University. The program's blended learning model includes distance learning coursework and laboratory, field and seminar experiences. Three-quarters of the faculty are scientists. The study sought to identify program components that contribute to a graduate course of study that is coherent, has academic rigor, and contributes to educator's professional growth and learning. The study examined the program from three perspectives: recommendations for teachers' professional learning through professional development, components of a quality graduate program, and a framework for distance learning. No large-scale studies on comprehensive models of teacher professional learning leading to change in practice have been conducted in the United States. The literature on teachers' professional learning is small. Beginning with a comprehensive review of the literature, this study sought to identify components of professional learning through professional development for teachers. The MSSE professional learning survey was designed for students and faculty, and 349 students and 24 faculty responded. The student survey explored how course experiences fostered professional learning. Open-ended responses on the student survey provided insight regarding specific program experiences influencing key categories of professional learning. A parallel faculty survey was designed to elicit faculty perspectives on the extent to which their courses fostered science content knowledge and other aspects of professional learning. Case study data and portfolios from MSSE students were used to provide deeper insights into the influential aspects of the program. The study provided evidence of significant professional learning among science teacher participants. This growth occurred in key categories defined in the literature including inquiry, building social capital, critical and responsive learning, valuing learning and building content knowledge. In general, findings from students and faculty were well aligned. Based on respondents' recommendations, the author recommended a stronger emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge, analysis of student work, and strategies for differentiating instruction for diverse learners. Conclusions include a framework and roadmap elements to inform those working to improve graduate education or professional development for science teachers.
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McAloon, Julie D. "Effect of Professional Training of the Secondary Art Teacher on the Quality of Learning Experiences Provided in the Art Program." UNF Digital Commons, 1985. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/300.
Full textAbstract:
An art teacher currently acquires professional training through one of two schools: the department of education or the department of fine arts. Do the differences in training of the art teacher affect the quality of learning experiences provided in the secondary art program? A questionnaire was designed to survey the type of professional preparation of the teacher, as well as specific aspects of his or her art program. The survey was mailed to 85 secondary art teachers in the surrounding area. Surveys returned were grouped according to background: teachers having a degree in education and teachers having a degree in fine arts. Item scores for the responses were then tabulated for both groups and subjected to t-tests for significant differences in group mean scores. The resulting information revealed differences for the majority of the survey items, which suggest that the quality of learning experiences are in part affected by professional training of the art teacher.
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Tinnin, Richard K. "The effectiveness of a long-term professional development program on teachers' self-efficacy, attitudes, skills, and knowledge using a thematic learning approach /." Digital version accessible at:, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.
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Wendler, Rachael. "Community Perspectives On University-Community Partnerships: Implications For Program Assessment, Teacher Training, And Composition Pedagogy." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/556591.
Full textAbstract:
As widely recognized, the voices of community members have been severely overlooked in scholarship. This dissertation reports on interviews with 36 community partners from the three most common types of university-community partnerships in composition and rhetoric: Youth mentored in their writing by first-year composition (FYC) students; Non-profit staff acting as clients for upper-division professional writing students; and Community members (including adult literacy learners, youth slam poets, and rural teachers) working with graduate students in a community literacy practicum or engaged research course. The project offers a theoretical rationale for listening to community voices, combining theories from community development with critical raced-gendered epistemologies to argue for what I term "asset-based epistemologies," systems of knowing that acknowledge the advantages marginalized communities bring to the knowledge production process in service-learning. The dissertation also suggests a reciprocal, reflective storytelling methodology that invites community partners to analyze their own experiences. Each set of community members offered a distinct contribution to community-based learning: Latino/a high school students mentored by college students revealed the need to nuance traditional outcomes-based notions of reciprocity. The high school students experienced fear about interacting with college students, a response that I understand through Alison Jaggar's concept of "outlaw emotions." To mitigate this fear, the youth suggested emphasizing cultural assets and relationships, leading to what I term "relational reciprocity." Non-profit staff detailed their complex motivations for collaborating with professional writing courses, challenging the often-simplistic representations of non-profit partners in professional writing scholarship. Invoking the theory of distributed cognition, I use non-profit staff insights to describe how knowledge circulates in non-profits and how students can interact and write more effectively in organizational contexts. Community members who interacted with graduate students in a range of projects used the term "openness" to describe healthy partnerships, and I build from their stories, along with insights from bell hooks and Maria Lugones, to detail a disposition of openness needed for engaged work. This disposition includes open communication, open structures, open minds, open hearts, and open constructions of self and others. The dissertation concludes with an argument for attention to "relational literacies" in both service-learning practice and scholarship.
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Hong, Huili, A. Gray, and Karin Keith. "Constructing Authentic Problem-based learning Cases Among Reading Specialists to Improve a University Teacher Preparation Program." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2013. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/1033.
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Baker-Malungu, Laurie Anne. "Efficacy of a professional development training program in Macao to assist non-native English teachers foster learning motivation in EFL classrooms." Thesis, Durham University, 2010. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/435/.
Full textAbstract:
In considering the challenges faced by educators as a result of the rapid acceleration of globalization, the need for professional development programs to assist educators’ awareness of how to respond to these challenges is now more critical than ever. Since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), in December of 1999, when the Portuguese Government handed administration of the territory back to China, there has been an increased focus on how to attract and sustain international investment in the region. Within the last ten years Macao has seen unusually rapid growth, especially in the Gaming, Hotel and Events industries, with a significant proportion due to the entry of American Corporations such as MGM, Wynn, and Galaxy. Now more than ever the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government would like to see an enhancement of the English Language acquisition process in schools throughout the territory. The purpose of this research investigation is to explore the effectiveness of a professional development program on the professional efficacy of local Macao English language teachers to affect student motivation in English as foreign language (EFL) classrooms throughout the territory. The constructs which frame this study will be defined in the literature as areas of collaborative action research, reflective teacher education, teacher professional development, social constructivism, teacher efficacy and student motivation. This qualitative study, which employs a collaborative action research methodology in its design, comprised two levels of examination: I. What are the effects of an intensive professional development program on; a. an EFL teacher’s practice? b. an EFL teacher’s feelings of professional efficacy? II.a. Can changes in a teacher’s practice affect student motivation? b. Can changes in a teacher’s professional efficacy affect student motivation? The following six sub-questions assist in focusing the examination: 1. Do teachers consider the professional development training beneficial? 2. Are participating teachers’ willing to or capable of applying what they’ve learned in the training to their respective classrooms? 3. As a result of the training what changes do teachers report / facilitator observe as having occurred in EFL classrooms? 4. Have teachers perceived an increase in their students’ motivation to learn English as a result of change efforts implemented? 5. Do teachers feel they can influence their students’ motivation to learn English? 6. Do teachers feel adequately supported throughout the program? Data sources comprising; the facilitator’s notes and classroom observations, survey responses, professional teaching journals, students’ pre & post responses to the motivational survey and documents including student work provided by the teacher participants were collected over an eight month period from October 2003 – June 2004. Triangulation using both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools was incorporated into the design to ensure reliability of the interpretation. The professional development program focused on in this study aimed for teachers to: • Collectively set and work towards achieving common goals related to the facilitation of a communicative learning environment in the classroom. • Reflect upon factors in their respective classrooms that could be impeding students’ success with learning English. • Understand how to select appropriate curricular materials to enhance the communicative learning environment in the classroom. • Become equipped with tools and knowledge to design, initiate and assess a change program within their respective classrooms Student motivation to learn English became the problem focused on throughout the training due to the fact that teachers unanimously identified it as a difficulty faced, in both primary and secondary EFL classrooms. Though there is no intention to universally generalize the results of this study; within the limited context of the case studied here in the Macao SAR, teacher participants in the program perceived changes in their students’ behavior which suggested an increase in motivation in their respective classrooms as a result of change efforts they initiated via this program. The experiences documented herewith warrant justification for further research.
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Jackson, Glenda Joy. "Professional development in HIV prevention education for teachers using flexible learning and tutor support." Curtin University of Technology, School of Public Health, 2004. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=15246.
Full textAbstract:
HIV prevention programs in schools are acknowledged as one of the best prospects for controlling the world HIV epidemic. Epidemiological evidence indicates that deaths world-wide from AIDS are yet to peak. Although HIV notifications and AIDS deaths in the total Australian population have decreased', there has been an increase in rates in the Australian Indigenous population. There is also some evidence of complacency in HIV prevention vigilance in Australia which indicates a need for continued focus on prevention programs. The knowledge levels, attitudes toward HIV risk, and risk-taking behaviours of young Australians place them at risk of exposure to HIV. Appropriate prevention programs can be delivered to these vulnerable young people through the school setting. Programs delivered in schools have been shown to have a positive effect and teachers are vital to the delivery of these education programs. Without appropriate training, however, teachers may not optimise the outcomes of these programs. While it would be desirable for teachers to be trained in HIV prevention education in pre-service training this has not been the case in Western Australia (WA). When there is not an opportunity for pre-service training, professional development programs can be implemented to provide additional training required by teachers. Traditionally this professional development has been provided through workshops. These face-to-face delivery methods, however, do not always adequately serve the needs of all teachers, and in particular the needs of teachers in rural and remote areas. In an attempt to address the needs of these teachers, alternate methods of professional development delivery may be appropriate. The aim of this study was to test an alternate method of delivery.The study designed, disseminated and evaluated the implementation of a flexible learning professional development program for teachers of HIV education. The program was based on print-based distance learning, supported by a video and tutors. Five objectives were developed for the study. These objectives were: Objective One - To determine factors associated with teachers' enrolment in the Protect Yourself Program (PYP). Objective Two - To determine the association between factors related to entry characteristics, social integration, external attribution, academic integration and incompatibility and amount of PYP completed. Objective Three - To determine the association between amount of PYP completed and factors related to the teaching of HIV lessons. Objective Four - To examine the context in which intervention and comparison group teachers were operating for this study. Objective Five - To evaluate the process of teacher recruitment to PYP, satisfaction with the flexible learning methodology, satisfaction with the PYP materials and completion of PYP. A comprehensive theoretical framework was constructed to guide the development of the empirical study and the professional development program, as little evidence was found in the literature of similar empirically evaluated studies. This framework incorporated: Adult Learning Theory; the Model of Student Progress; the PRECEDEPROCEED Model; the Health Promoting Schools Framework; Diffusion of Innovation and the Communication Behaviour Change Model. The study was conducted in two parts. Firstly, an exploratory study was conducted which provided a basis upon which to implement the second, larger empirical study.
A quasi-experimental study design was implemented due to restrictions placed upon the study by the WA Department of Health, the funding agency. The study sample was made up of teachers from government and independent, primary and second schools in WA. In total, 126 teachers were recruited to the intervention group and enrolled in the professional development program, and 128 to the comparison group, who completed some of the evaluation instruments, but did not participate in a professional development program. The professional development intervention program incorporated four comprehensive work modules, which were delivered in print form. A video and tutorial support supplemented the print materials. To evaluate the professional development program, seven instruments were developed. From these instruments five categories of variables were created, namely demographic, contextual, teacher characteristics, process and dependent. These variables were developed as single item variables, scales or indices. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and a combination of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques (logistic regression and analysis of covariance) were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed for themes. A binary logistic regression was conducted to evaluate Objective One: to determine factors associated with teachers’ enrolment in PYP. The analysis identified four factors which were associated with enrolment in PYP.
The teachers most likely to enrol in PYP had no pre-service training in health education and did not consider themselves to be a specialist or coordinator of health education. The majority of program participants had been teaching health education for between three and seven years and displayed a high level of acceptance of the flexible learning methodology. Objective Two: to determine the association between factors related to entry characteristics, social integration, external attribution, academic integration and incompatibility and amount of PYP completed was evaluated using a nominal logistic regression analysis with the intervention group sample only. Completion of the PYP program by participants was related to circumstances which were often beyond the control of the program, such as events occurring in a teacher’s personal life. However, teachers who showed a preference for flexible learning were found to be more successful in completing the program. The effects of PYP were measured by Objective Three: to determine the association between amount of PYP completed and factors related to the teaching of HIV lessons. Three of the six factors considered by this objective returned a significant association with program dose. Teacher perceived access to HIV education resources was found to be positively related to the dose of materials a participant completed.
Participants who completed a high dose of the program considered HIV resources to be relatively easier to access than participants completing a low dose. Teachers who completed a high dose of PYP reported being more comfortable to teach HIV lessons than teachers completing a mid dose. In addition, intervention group teachers showed a significant change in comfort with their ability to teach HIV lessons and specified HIV topics to Years 8, 9, and 10 classes and intervention group teachers of Year 8 students thought the HIV topics were less important for this level of students. The final variable to show a significant change over time when dose of the program was considered was teacher sexual conservativeness. Both high and mid dose participants reported being less sexually conservative than low or no dose participants from pre to midtest. The context of the teachers participating in the PYP study was investigated through Objective Four: to examine the context in which intervention and Comparison group teachers were operating for this study. Two factors were found to be associated with gender, six with school location and eleven with level of teaching. These associations provided important contextual information for interpreting the findings of the study. Objective Five evaluated the process of teacher recruitment to PYP, satisfaction with the flexible learning methodology, satisfaction with the PYP materials and completion of PYP. The recruitment strategies implemented for PYP were effective in having teachers from government and independent schools in WA recruited to PYP.
However, more than 90% of the intervention group were from government schools. Schools encouraged more than one teacher from a school to enrol, with nine primary schools, four district high schools, one community high school, one secondary college, four senior high schools and one combined independent primary and high school enrolling more than one teacher in the program. The flexible learning methodology was reported to be suitable for the needs of teachers who enrolled in PYP, as they felt comfortable with the learning methodology and appreciated the opportunity to choose when and where they completed the program. The opportunity for face-to-face contact, however, was still preferred by some teachers. The materials within the program were considered to be appropriate and useful. The writing style and activities were well received and the efforts of the tutors were welcomed by the majority of the intervention group. One third of teachers who enrolled in PYP completed at least some of the materials, but less than 10% completed the entire program. The most frequent suggestions made for increasing program completion rates were to set dates for completion of the program modules and to allow time release to complete the program. At baseline, this research showed that teachers considered it important for their students to have access to HIV education, but many of these teachers did not feel comfortable providing HIV education for their students.
As positive effects were observed in the PYP program of impact of program dose on factors affecting the implementation of HIV education, it would appear that flexible learning professional development was a suitable alternative to face-to-face professional development. Teachers' acceptance of flexible learning professional development as an alternate methodology, however, appears to be in its infancy and will require more empirical research. Future research, study design improvements and intervention design improvements can be informed by the following recommendations. Future research Recommendation 1: There be more rigorous investigation of flexible learning as a methodology for provision of professional development for teachers of health education. Recommendation 2: The status of claiming credit for professional development toward postgraduate qualifications for teachers continue to be investigated. Recommendation 3 : Further research be undertaken to evaluate available technologies and their acceptance by teachers as a delivery method for flexible learning professional development. Study design improvements Recommendation 4: design limitations of the PYP study. Future research be designed to overcome the study Intervention design improvements Recommendation 5: The findings of the PYP study and suggestions made by PYP participants be used to improve future health education professional development programs.
38
Hussain, Hanin Binte. "Managing Learning Journeys in Active Movement: Developing theories of change in professional development and change." Thesis, University of Canterbury. College of Education, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1056.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explores two problems: (1) how early childhood teachers can manage professional development and change in their own settings, and (2) how to create a thesis. Both facets of the thesis emerge from the professional development in Active Movement that the teachers and I co-constructed at our early childhood centre between April 2005 and June 2006. This thesis sets out to test the main idea that having a theory of change for teachers' professional development can help teachers negotiate complex change and craft their own professional development solutions. It uses stories as a key facet of its methodology and presents stories of professional development and change related to five inter-weaving learning journeys. The learning journeys relate to (1) my learning journeys as a professional development coordinator and (2) as a researcher, (3) the overall learning journeys and (4) & (5) teachers' collective learning journeys to implement two different but related practices in Active Movement. The stories provide a range of professional development solutions and change at individual and collective levels from which different theories of change can be derived. From these stories, I identify three theories of change as well as the complex changes we negotiated and the professional development solutions we crafted. In identifying the theories of change, the complex changes and the professional development solutions, this thesis supports the main idea and argues that teachers can develop a theory of change to manage professional development and change in their own settings. This thesis argues that a theory of change is a set of strategies that address the local conditions. It suggests that the process of developing a theory of change can include articulating local conditions and creating strategies that support and guide the change in ways that address these local conditions. It also suggests that recognising what counts as local conditions and strategies can help teachers develop their own theories of change. In creating the strategies to support the change effort, it is important to identify the purpose of the strategies, their underlying values and relationships, and the day-to-day realities that constrain the change effort. At the same time, it is important to identify how different strategies inter-relate to help us manage the tensions that can arise from these relationships. This thesis argues that theories of change can include multiple and embedded theories of change, that we can create theories of change as plans or explanations of change or as dynamic theories of change that emerge from the inter-play between plans and explanations. This thesis also argues that there are different ways to articulate our theories of change and that there are limits to the extent to which we can or should articulate them. It also argues that the theories of change we create and use for our change efforts depend on the nature of the change. A theory of change that embodies the process of emergence is useful for managing professional development and change efforts that have a high degree of complexity and uncertainty and whose end goals are initially unknown. This thesis also suggests that creating the role of a professional development or change coordinator can help centres manage the knowledge used and created in the professional development or change effort in ways that benefit individuals, groups and the centre. This thesis also argues that (1) the thesis investigation is my personal professional development and represents my learning journeys to create a thesis, (2) the thesis report constitutes a theory of change for the thesis investigation, and (3) the thesis is experimental in the way that it is reported. This thesis proposes other possible investigations related to the idea of theories of change; (1) to develop an Active Movement community of practice within the wider early childhood sector, and (2) to investigate the role of theories of change in everyday teaching and learning. Finally, it uses the notion of value creation to suggest ways to create added value for the teachers and the Centre, for Sport and Recreation New Zealand and for myself.
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Kuffner, Karin L. "Teacher learning in a professional development program: An exploration of community formation, the use of records of practice, and teachers' assessment practices." Diss., Connect to online resource, 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3219051.
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Долгова, Наталія Олександрівна, Наталия Александровна Долгова, and Nataliia Oleksandrivna Dolgova. "The efficiency of e-learning program in a process of professional training specialists of physical education and sport in the EU countries." Thesis, Sumy State Uiversity, 2016. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/48267.
Full textAbstract:
The current education system includes various forms of
information technologies which are used in educational process in
higher education institutions. In European countries the declared
priority is an entry of all EU countries’ education and training
systems to the Lisbon Declaration, which supports the general trend
of informatization of education.
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Wilk, Ayla Arsel. "Experiential Learning and Professional Identity Development for Scientists Participating in K-12 Outreach: A Case Study of the Graduate Extension Scholars Program." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71651.
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To address 21st century environmental and economic issues, the practice of agricultural science has become more interdisciplinary, collaborative, and reliant on wider community connections. These changes have fueled demands to improve public agricultural literacy and strengthen the agricultural science workforce, increasing expectations for high-quality undergraduate teaching and public scholarship by agricultural science faculty. Unfortunately, faculty often lack professional preparation for this aspect of their work (Bagdonis and Dodd, 2010; Blickenstaff, Wolf, Falk, and Foltz, 2015). In other STEM fields, K-12 outreach by graduate students has gained popularity as a way to improve scientists' skills and outlook toward public scholarship. This thesis explored learning and professional identity development for participants in a K-12 outreach program for graduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Virginia Tech. The theoretical framework of Kolb's (1984) experiential learning cycle and Lave and Wenger's (1991) situated learning theory were employed to explore these processes.
Findings revealed that the Graduate Extension Scholars saw themselves as educators and public scholars both before and after participating in the program. Motivations for participation were related to identified gaps in their professional preparation. Participants believed that their knowledge, skill, and professional identity around teaching and public scholarship had been strengthened by their participation in the program. The program's constructivist experiential theoretical framework, community of practice, and extensive support structures were identified by participants as contributors to these outcomes. This study informs program evaluation and has broader implications for preparing future agricultural science faculty.Master of Science in Life Sciences
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Hill, Betty J. "Evaluation and Games That Music Teachers Play: A Case Study of a Peer Review Program." The Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1574681400815453.
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Orsak, Rachelle Myler. "Uncovering Transformative Experiences: A Case Study of the Transformations Made by one Teacher in a Mathematics Professional Development Program." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2009. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1781.
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Effective professional development is vital for improving mathematics teaching (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], 2007), so studying effective professional development programs is important to the field of mathematics education. This case study presents findings on one teacher, Rebecca, and her experiences in a five-semester mathematics professional development for elementary teachers. The participants in this professional development engaged in collaborative problem solving of challenging mathematical tasks over extended periods of time. I used qualitative research methods based on grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2006) to analyze Rebecca's entrance and exit surveys, video data of Rebecca's individual interviews, and video data of Rebecca and her collaborative group problem solving in the professional development. Analysis shows that through the professional development program, Rebecca had transformative experiences which led to significant changes in her perspectives and practices. This case study contributes to the field of mathematics education a better understanding of the transformations teachers can experience through professional development as well as some particular conditions for professional development programs to be successful in offering teachers opportunities for transformative experiences.
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Rucker, Jennifer Smith. "Principal Perceptions on the Impact of Leadership Development Attributed to the Virginia Tech School Leaders Institute Recently Appointed Administrator Program." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/103190.
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The role of the school principal is second only to classroom instruction in terms of its impact on student achievement. Due to the evolving needs of students, schools, and school districts, the training of new principals should not end once they assume their first position. Research shows that while preparation programs designed to accredit new principals are critical, a growing body of literature is calling attention to the importance of professional growth opportunities that will further the development of educational leaders and address the day-to-day challenges of the role. To support this need, a number of research-based programs that are aligned with national educational leader standards create potentially valuable opportunities for ongoing professional development for principals.
This qualitative study was designed to describe the perceptions and experiences of the recently appointed principals who participated in the Virginia Tech School Leaders Institute Recently Appointed Administrator Program (RAAP) and to examine how the RAAP contributed to their leadership development as a principal. Specifically, two questions guided this study: 1) How did principal participants indicate the RAAP contributed to their role as a principal? 2) What were the perceptions of principal participants regarding the impact of the RAAP on their leadership development? Three sources of data were used to generate findings: a demographic survey, primary data in the form of the transcription from a single focus group interview, and secondary data in the form of reflective synopses from 16 participants who took part in either the 2017, 2018, or 2019 program year. Four major findings supported by participant statements arose from this study: (a) participation in the RAAP informed them of the benefits of self-reflection and the awareness of self-care and balance as a principal, (b) by participating in the RAAP they found value in networking and building collegial relationships to overcome challenges as a recently appointed principal, (c) participation in the RAAP strengthened their leadership skills and increased their confidence, and (d) participation increased their knowledge and their ability to create actionable steps to support and implement new initiatives and programs in their schools. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.Doctor of Education
This qualitative study was designed to describe the perceptions and experiences of the recently appointed principals who participated in the Virginia Tech School Leaders Institute Recently Appointed Administrator Program (RAAP) and to examine how the RAAP contributed to their leadership development as a principal. Two questions guided the development of this investigation: 1) How did principal participants indicate the RAAP contributed to their role as a principal? 2) What were the perceptions of principal participants regarding the impact of the RAAP on their leadership development? Three sources of data were used to generate findings: a demographic survey, the transcription from a single focus group interview, and secondary data from the reflective synopses of 16 participants who took park in either the 2017, 2018, or 2019 program year. Four major findings arose from this study: (a) participants indicated that participation in the RAAP informed them of the benefits of self-reflection and the awareness of self-care and balance as a principal, (b) participants indicated that by participating in the RAAP they found value in networking and building collegial relationships to overcome challenges as a recently appointed principal, (c) participants indicated that participation in the RAAP strengthened their leadership skills and increased their confidence, and (d) participants indicated that participation increased their knowledge and their ability to create actionable steps to support and implement new initiatives and programs in their schools. The findings from this study reinforce cited research on the importance of ongoing leadership development training and professional learning experiences beyond principal preparation programs for the recently appointed principal.
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UnKauf, Kristen. "A Personal Counseling Experience for Master's Level Counseling Students: Practices and Perceptions of Counselor Education Program Directors." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2010. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1154.
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There exists a strong endorsement in the literature of the effectiveness of an individual counseling experience as an influence in the personal and professional development of counseling students, yet few counselor education programs seem to require that students complete such an experience. Thus, the question arises as to why the required individual counseling experience as a client is not being required by a large proportion of counseling programs. The purposes of this descriptive, exploratory study were to determine the prevalence of the required experience as a client in individual counseling, examine the opinions of counselor education program leaders regarding the risks and benefits of experiential training components, determine the modalities used to deliver experiential training components, obtain counselor education program coordinators' views on the various modalities, and explore policies and procedures used in counselor education programs with respect to experiential training components. Finally, this study attempted to determine the level of satisfaction of those program directors who do utilize a required individual counseling experience, as well as their policies and procedures with regard to outcome measurement. Results of the study showed that there were some significant inverse relationships between counselor education program directors' opinions regarding potential benefits for counseling students and their policies regarding a required individual counseling experience. Additionally, although respondents did not strongly endorse the potential risks associated with the exercise, it is still not required by the majority of the counselor education programs surveyed. However, those program directors who do endorse a required individual counseling experience reported on its many benefits, and offered qualitative insights into how the requirement is implemented. The results of this study have implications for the counseling profession by offering empirical evidence regarding the prevalence of a required individual counseling experience for master's-level counseling students. The results of this study contribute to the counseling profession's knowledge base by determining counseling program directors' opinions of the potential benefits and risks of a required individual counseling experience, and by establishing that program directors whose programs require this exercise are overwhelmingly satisfied that the experience accomplishes the purposes for which it is intended.
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Zhang, Yunyan. "Investigating the Impact of a University-based Professional Development Program for Teachers of English Language Learners in Ohio—A Mixed Methods Study of Teacher Learning and Change." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1405352227.
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Addiego, Emily Spady. "The First Year: Development of Preservice Teacher Beliefs About Teaching and Learning During Year One of an MA TESOL Program." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/985.
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This qualitative, longitudinal study followed four first-year MA TESOL students through their initial year in a teacher training program with the goal of determining whether their overall beliefs about teaching and learning changed over time as a result of program curriculum and other outside factors. An analysis of semi-structured interviews with each participant, conducted one to two times per quarter, revealed that participants' beliefs appeared to evolve as a result of coursework and teaching practice. Participants' identities as teachers also showed signs of evolution and development. The participants attributed the majority of their development to hands-on teaching practice, though there was evidence that they began to integrate more theoretical aspects of program curriculum by the end of the year. However, the participants also demonstrated a lack of interest in theoretical and research-related coursework that persisted throughout their first year. Participants' lack of interest and stress brought on by unfamiliar material may have limited the amount of integration of research and theory into their practice. Findings suggest a mismatch between program goals and student goals, with students being focused on teaching practice and the program being focused on both the practical and theoretical aspects of the curriculum.
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Al-Dawoud, Afeefa. "Preservice teachers' attitudes toward and knowledge about cooperative learning in Kuwait: A quasi-experimental study." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2001. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3070/.
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The issue of developing effective teacher preparation and professional programs by providing effective teaching and learning strategies to prepare teachers to teach in more challenging ways and change their old ways of teaching to more powerful ones has gained great attention around the world. Cooperative learning was one of the astonishing strategies introduced by many researchers to prepare effective teachers and to solve many educational problems. Teacher educators have taken different approaches to help teachers learn and change in powerful ways. They have focused on the knowledge and attitudes of teachers in promoting their adoption of new practices through educational courses, workshops, and training. After introducing the cooperative learning strategy through a training workshop, this study investigated the knowledge of and attitude of teachers at the College of Basic Education (CBE) in Kuwait towards cooperative learning as a new teaching and learning strategy. The literature reviewed the historical and practical use, theoretical roots, different models, and outcomes of cooperative learning. In addition, (1) teachers' knowledge and attitudes as factors affecting implementation and (2) preservice teacher preparation and training in the use of cooperative learning were reviewed. An attitude survey and a knowledge test were developed based on Bouas, (1993) survey and test. Additionally, an interview guide and a demographic data survey were all used to collect data. The survey and the test were translated into the Arabic language. Ninety-one responses of participants in two experimental classes and one control class were analyzed. Twenty-one participants were interviewed. A significant difference in knowledge of and attitude towards cooperative learning was found between experimental classes and the control class (p< .05 for both knowledge and attitude). In conclusion, the training workshop affected preservice teachers' knowledge of and attitudes toward the cooperative learning strategy. Therefore, the researcher suggested that cooperative learning should be introduced in the College of Basic Education in Kuwait and the University of Kuwait as another teaching and learning strategy.
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Migliorança, Fernanda. "Programa de Mentoria da UFSCar e desenvolvimento profissional de três professoras iniciantes." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2010. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/2236.
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Previous issue date: 2010-02-19Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
The objective of this research is to analyze the learning of three beginner teachers during the participation in the Mentorship Program of UFSCar's Portal Teachers. This program was designed to understand and implement processes for professional develop- ment of teachers by through the online interaction between beginner teachers - up to 5 years of career - who teach in grades of elementary school and experienced and successful teachers (the mentors). The theoretical references involve the beginning of the teaching profession; the dilemmas faced by novices, professional development in teaching, with the expectation that teacher training is incessant and that there are di®erent sources of learning how to teach, to build a solid knowledge base and to assist them in their decision-making as a teacher, the career stages, speci¯cally, studies on the period of em- ployability, the di±culties and the initial learning; mentoring opportunities and support for beginners, favoring the presence and professional development and distance learning as a tool for training of mentors and beginning teachers. The research undertaken was qualitative, with descriptive and analytical speci¯city. Data were collected in the area of mentor and novice relationship at the Mentorship Program environment, organized in three case studies. The results point to many dilemmas, di±culties and anxiety present during the teaching initiation. Beginning teachers are insecure about their performance, they can not easy cope with the practice challenges and school rules required, they need to be supported by someone more experienced and successful.
O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar as aprendizagens de três professoras iniciantes durante a participacão no Programa de Mentoria do Portal dos Professores da UFSCar. Este Programa tinha como objetivo conhecer e implementar processos de desenvolvimento profissional de professores por meio da interação online entre professoras iniciantes - com até 5 anos de carreira - que lecionam nas séries iniciais do Ensino Fundamental e professoras experientes, consideradas bem sucedidas (as mentoras). As referências teóricas envolvem o início da carreira docente; os dilemas vividos pelos professores iniciantes; o desenvolvi- mento profissional na docência, na perspectiva de que a formação docente é permanente e que há diferentes fontes de aprendizagem da docência; a construção de uma base de conhecimento sólida e que auxilie o professor em suas tomadas de decisões na atividade docente; as fases da carreira, especificamente, os estudos sobre o período de inserção profissional, as dificuldades e as aprendizagens iniciais; programas de mentoria como possibilidades de apoio aos iniciantes, favorecendo a permanência e o aprimoramento profissional e a educação online como ferramenta para a formação de mentores e professores iniciantes. A pesquisa desenvolvida é de natureza qualitativa, com especificidade descritivo-analítica. Os dados foram coletados no espaço de relacionamento da mentora e sua iniciante, no ambiente do Programa de Mentoria e organizados na forma de três estudos de casos. Os resultados apontam para muitos dilemas, dificuldades e ansiedade presentes no período de iniciação µa docência. Os professores iniciantes sentem-se inseguros com sua atuação, não conseguem enfrentar com tranqüilidade os desafios que a prática e as regras escolares lhes impõem e necessitam de ser amparados, por alguém mais experiente e bem sucedido.
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Edwards, Robert Lawrence. "A Program Evaluation of Performing Arts Instruction Used to Improve Soft Skills." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5853.
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Evidence derived from the 2012 and 2015 College Senior Surveys (CSS) noted showed that college seniors, at a historically Black university, graduated with little to average soft skills. Soft skills, such as personal characteristics and relations with others, are needed for students to succeed in postgraduate careers. The purpose of this study was to assess the level to which performing arts instruction (PAI) courses developed college-level students' soft skills. Kolb's experiential learning theory, which defines the learning process as knowledge and skills developed through experiences, and Stufflebeam's evaluation model, which uses context, input, process, and product, were used to guide this study. A case study design was used to discern students' perceptions of PAI to help develop their soft skills and meet employers' expectations. Maximum variation sampling was used to select 15 participants who met the criteria of being a senior performing arts student at the target site. All 15 participants were interviewed. In addition, the collected data were coded, organized into themes, and then I triangulated the participants' responses with the CSS summary report. Findings indicated that while PAI helped students meet employers' hiring expectations in areas of soft skills, it was also revealed that there is a need for soft skills development to be embedded in other programs of study at the target site. Both a 3-day student and a 1-day faculty professional development) session were developed to instruct both groups on the use of soft skills. Implications for positive social change are that a campus-wide model to improve students' soft skills across all academic disciplines may result in improved employment opportunities, thus contributing to the global economy.