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The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of alignment to national and state standards in public and private university educational leadership certification programs in the state of Florida. The standards used were the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A) and the Florida Principal Leadership Standard for Technology (FPLST). A total of 16 university technology leadership course syllabi were examined. Nine syllabi were obtained from 11 public universities and seven were obtained from 11 private universities in Florida. Syllabi were examined using rubrics and assigned to one of three categories: definitely aligned, somewhat aligned and not aligned. A percentage was calculated for each type of school and degree of alignment to national and state standards to determine degree of alignment of syllabi. Inferential statistics were used to compare the degree of alignment between public and private universities. Alignment to national standards was more prevalent in syllabi from public universities than private universities while no significant relationship existed between the type of university and state standards. No inferential tests were conducted comparing traditional course syllabi with blended and online course syllabi, as the sample size of online courses was too small. The study found that technology leadership courses are being offered in a majority of Florida's educational leadership programs, indicating a growing commitment to the field. Although most universities offer a course in technology leadership, syllabi are not addressing some key national and state standards. / Several recommendations were made including provide experiential learning opportunities for aspiring administrators based on national and state standards, assess current administrators in their knowledge of the NETS-A, provide ongoing district professional development to ensure current administrators are well prepared and promote the NETS-A as national guidelines in technology leadership. Syllabi should address new and emerging technology issues and be created as a best product model addressing all mandated state and national technology standards. National and state technology standards have a strong influence on leadership preparation and must be based on the best research with input from practitioners and higher education faculty. / by Angela M. Iudica. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This research was two-fold in its purpose: the first purpose being to assess the perceived relevance of the current state competency standards adopted in Texas by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) as they apply to the work of the educational diagnostician and the second being to examine the diagnostician's perceived ability of training institutions to prepare professionals for the field of special education evaluation. This study examined the perceptions of educational diagnosticians (N = 432) through the use of a survey instrument. Specifically the survey instrument was designed to assess diagnosticians' perceptions of importance of the SBEC competencies to special education evaluation in general, and to their practice in particular; the frequency with which they use the competencies; and their degree of training to meet the demands of the competencies through their preparatory program. Results indicate variability with regard to the perceived importance of the competencies and the degree of preparation to meet the demands of the competencies in practice.

Climate change is a wicked problem and finding solutions to revert the negative trend of global warming remains one of the dominant global issues. Coffee production contributes to global warming significantly, due to its high greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, Sweden is among the top three coffee consuming countries and Vietnam remains the world’s second biggest coffee producing country. The presented research examines perceptions on sustainability and social responsibility within the global coffee value chain. Further, this paper investigates challenges to increase sustainability and a more common ground within the network of stakeholders. This research consists of three different methods to collect data from three stakeholders amongst the coffee value chain: (i) qualitative interviews with Vietnamese farmers, (ii) a quantitative questionnaire with Swedish consumers, and (iii) a document analysis on Swedish coffee companies’ presentation on their sustainability work. Our findings show the difficulty of finding a consistent definition and views by the stakeholders on what sustainable coffee is, and on the distribution of responsibilities in the field. Due to the complexity of the global value chain network, and despite rising awareness and interest, a knowledge-gap remains between the stakeholders. While sustainability certification standards are one attempt of spreading more knowledge, they have been identified as one of the main challenges. Closing this gap and creating a more common ground is necessary to ensure more sustainability and environmentally friendly practices along the global coffee value chain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the perceptions of entry-level certified athletic trainers on the helpfulness of proposed standards for athletic training clinical education settings.Design and Setting: A 22 item questionnaire was developed based on 12 proposed standards for clinical education settings. The questionnaire was mailed to entry-level certified athletic trainers (those certified in 1997). The individuals in this sample were chosen due to their relatively recent education and work experience. Subjects were asked to rate the helpfulness of each standard. Using an open-ended question, subjects were also asked to identify the aspects of clinical education which prepared them best to fulfill employment responsibilities.Measurements: Frequency counts were computed for the degree of compliance with each clinical education setting standard, time devoted to clinical experience (hours and semesters) and clinical experience settings. Mean scores were computed from respondents' perceptions of helpfulness of clinical education setting standards and the role of clinical education in professional development of these athletic trainers. Chisquare with a significance level set at .05 was used to compare demographic and experience information to the perceived helpfulness of each clinical education setting standard.Results: Compliance with the proposed standards was high (mean = 89.9%, range 75.2% - 99.2%). Standards were perceived as "very helpful" (mean = 4.17/5.0). Only standards # 8 Single Coordinator of Clinical Education (mean = 3.58) and # 11 Professionally Active Clinical Instructor (mean = 3.96) were perceived as less than "very helpful.” Chi-square analyses revealed very little interaction between independent demographic variables and preparation for employment as an entry-level athletic trainer.Conclusions: The proposed standards for selecting and evaluating athletic training clinical education setting are helpful and should be considered for implementation in an athletic training education program. The standards can be used by all students and program administrators to evaluate a current or potential clinical education setting.Key Words: compliance, selection, evaluation, clinical experience, clinical instruction / Department of Educational Leadership

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2016-02-18T15:30:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mariane Cásseres de Souza_.pdf: 561518 bytes, checksum: 753667250a1a766a27d44c3207904913 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-18T15:30:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mariane Cásseres de Souza_.pdf: 561518 bytes, checksum: 753667250a1a766a27d44c3207904913 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-27 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A saúde é uma das atividades econômicas mais importantes no Brasil e no mundo. As instituições de saúde no Brasil caminham para alcançar uma eficiência técnica e gerencial, através da identificação, controle e gerenciamento da qualidade. As preocupações com a qualidade dos serviços prestados na área da saúde acabaram refletindo em novas exigências, com portarias e resoluções que auxiliam na execução das atividades na área de análises clínicas. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral identificar as atividades associadas aos principais pontos de perdas produtivas em laboratórios de análises clínicas. Classifica-se como pesquisa exploratória e qualitativa, tendo sido adotado o estudo de casos múltiplos, realizados em quatro laboratórios de análises clínicas, localizados no Litoral Norte do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil. Como resultado, a pesquisa apresenta que 77,16% dos processos laboratoriais caracterizam-se por atividades que não agregam valor ao cliente, sendo, 28,46% perdas por movimentação e 48,70% perdas por espera. Apenas 22,84% das atividades foram caracterizadas como agregadoras de valor para o cliente. No que tange à Sistemas de Gestão, as normas certificadoras NBR ISO 9001, 17025 e 15189 podem auxiliar na melhoria do processo com a implantação de requisitos técnicos e gerenciais para o gerenciamento. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa pretendeu expandir conhecimentos relacionados aos Sistemas de Gestão em laboratórios clínicos, aliados a normas certificadoras do setor. / Health is one of the most important economic activities in Brazil and worldwide. The health institutions in Brazil work to achieve a technical and managerial efficiency through identification, control and quality management. Some concerns about the quality of services dedicated to the health care reflect to the new requirements, where is included ordinances and resolutions that can give assistance during the execution of activities in the field of clinical analysis. This research aimed to analyze the main points of losses and as the implementation of management systems associated with the certification standards of the sector, can assist in improving clinical laboratories processes. It is classified as exploratory and qualitative research, having been adopted the multiple case-study, conducted at four clinical laboratories, located on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul State - Brazil. As a result, it shows that 77.16% of the laboratory process is characterized by activities that do not add value to the customer, being 28.46% movement losses and 48.70% losses due the waiting. Only 22.84% of activities were considered to aggregating value to the customer. Regarding the Management Systems, the certification standards ISO 9001, 17025 and 15189 can help reduce the losses with the implementation of technical and managerial requirements for management. In this sense, the research intended to expand knowledge related to the Quality Management Systems in clinical laboratories, coupled with certification standards in that field.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-08-03T19:57:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBC.pdf: 2204728 bytes, checksum: d6f6478009c1aa1b7990a8bbfc71eaa8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-08T19:03:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBC.pdf: 2204728 bytes, checksum: d6f6478009c1aa1b7990a8bbfc71eaa8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-08T19:03:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBC.pdf: 2204728 bytes, checksum: d6f6478009c1aa1b7990a8bbfc71eaa8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-08T19:08:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBC.pdf: 2204728 bytes, checksum: d6f6478009c1aa1b7990a8bbfc71eaa8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-08 / Não recebi financiamento / Context: Operating in different contexts and segments, embedded systems (ESs) are increasingly present in everyday society. The ESs usually operate invisibly to the user but, even so, possible software failures cease to pose risks, causing serious material and financial damage. Taking into consideration the safety of users of ESs, government entities and institutions around the world have studied and created standards development and SEs test to ensure systems that are more robust and free from defects that may cause faults that may endanger the user. However, standards are usually applied at the level of code, which increases substantially the resources to be used if there are defects in the SE. Objective: To present the UL/ME Strategy that addresses the shortcomings described in SEs certification standard, UL 1998 level modeling, more specifically, in the model of Statechart states. The purpose is to anticipate the identification of defects, to generate code that has more chance to meet the standard requirements, preventing rework and therefore improving quality. Methodology: The study was conducted in three stages: first stage identified the defects treated by the standard UL 1998, tabulating these defects, and then, link them to the SEs components. In the second stage were designed generic models for each component and also the ESs models that represents the tests required by the standard for each components, and in the third step, it was created two proposed for use UL/ME Strategy, one for ESs already implemented and other for ESs in development. These proposals were used for evaluation of the strategy using two real ESs, one already implemented and other in development. Results: According to the requirements of UL 1998 standard, the use of Strategy UL/ME helped to correct the defects of the first ES and evaluated the development of the second ES. Conclusion: the use of Strategy UL/ME assisted in the correction of an SE already implemented and modeling of an ES in development. / Contexto: Operando em diferentes contextos e segmentos, os sistemas embarcados (SEs) estão cada vez mais presentes no cotidiano da sociedade. Os SEs geralmente operam de forma invisível ao usuário mas, nem por isso, possíveis falhas de software deixam de oferecer riscos, ocasionando sérios danos materiais e financeiros. Levando em consideração a segurança dos usuários de SEs, entidades governamentais e instituições pelo mundo têm estudado e criado normas de desenvolvimento e de teste de SEs que garantam sistemas mais robustos e livres de defeitos que possam gerar falhas que ponham em risco o usuário. Contudo, as normas são habitualmente aplicadas no nível de código, o que aumenta, substancialmente, os recursos a serem empregados caso haja defeitos no SE. Objetivo: Apresentar a estratégia UL/ME que trata os defeitos descritos na norma de certificação de SEs, a UL 1998, no nível de modelagem, mais especificamente, no modelo de estados Statechart. O propósito é antecipar a identificação dos defeitos, de forma a gerar código com mais chance de atender aos requisitos da norma, evitando retrabalho e, consequentemente, melhorando a qualidade. Método: O trabalho foi realizado em três etapas: na primeira identificaram-se os defeitos tratados pela norma UL 1998, tabulando esses defeitos de forma a associá-los aos componentes de SEs; na segunda etapa foram desenhados modelos genéricos para cada componente e também os modelos de componentes de SEs que representam os testes requeridos pela norma e na terceira etapa, criaram-se duas proposta para utilização da Estratégia UL/ME, uma para SEs já implementados e outra para SEs em desenvolvimento. Essas propostas serviram para avaliação da estratégia utilizando dois SEs reais, um já implementado e outro em desenvolvimento. Resultados: De acordo com os requisitos da norma UL 1998, o uso da Estratégia UL/ME auxiliou a correção dos defeitos do primeiro SE avaliado o desenvolvimento do segundo SE. Conclusão: o uso da Estratégia UL/ME auxiliou na correção de um SE já implementado e na modelagem de um SE em desenvolvimento.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Formal systems of environmental management and certification for activities associated with extensive land use, relate mainly to forestry. The emergence of forest certification largely originates from the issue of tropical deforestation and the associated boycott campaigns against tropical timber. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, a new set of international norms were set in the form of Forest Principles. These were non-binding and together with international initiatives, such as the Tropical Forestry Action Programme and the International Tropical Timber Organisation have failed to decrease deforestation. New efforts to encourage sustainable forestry through forest certification were made by Non Governmental Organisations which collaborated with the private sector in developing new policy instruments. They followed the trend of eco-labelling in an attempt to link green consumers to producers whose aim it is to improve management practices. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was established. The FSC system relies on forest management principles and criteria approved by itself and is based on performance standards. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) also developed a management standard based on the principle of continuous improvement. ISO developed the ISO 14001 standard for the certification of Environmental Management Systems which is applicable to any industry concerned with the environment. From questionnaire surveys carried out among a sample of private game ranch owners/managers in the Northern Province, current standards of management were established. It was found that private owners/managers rely mostly on their own experience and knowledge. Information about management on game ranches is rarely available and only major concerns and most visible problems are attended to. Guidelines with standards for an Environmental Management System (EMS) according to the ISO 14000 series were drawn up from the results of the surveys and a literature review. A checklist of principles and criteria which could be used for the certification process was also developed. The final objective is to attain quality game ranch management which is environmentally sensitive, socially aware/beneficial and economically viable. This is crucial for the conservation and preservation of the natural systems in South Africa in which private land owners playa major role. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Formele omgewingsbestuursisteme en sertifisering vir aktiwiteite wat geassosieer word met ekstensiewe grondbenutting, word hoofsaaklik gekoppel met bosbou. Die konsep van sertifisering het tot stand gekom as gevolg van die omstredenheid rondom ontbossing en die gassosieerde sanksies teen tropiese hout. By die Verenigde Nasies Konferensie oor Omgewing en Ontwikkeling in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 is 'n nuwe stel internasionale norme daargestel in die vorm van Bosbeginsels. Hierdie was nie-bindend en saam met internasionale inisiatiewe soos die Tropiese Bos Aksie Program en die Internasionale Tropiese Hout Organisasie het hulle gefaal om ontbossing te verminder. Nuwe pogings om volhoubare bosboupraktyke aan te moedig is aangewend nadat Nie-Regering Organisasies en die privaatsektor saamgewerk het om nuwe beleidsinstrumente te ontwikkel. Hulle het die neiging vir die "eko-etiket" nagevolg in 'n poging om omgewingsbewuste verbruikers in kontak te bring met produseerders wat gemoeid is met verbeterde bestuurspraktyke. Die Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) het tot stand gekom en hulle sisteem sluit bosbestuursbeginsels en kriteria in wat deur hulleself goedgekeur is en gebaseer is op werkverrigtingstandaarde. Die Internasionale Standaarde Organisasie (ISO) het ook 'n bosbestuurstandaard opgestel gebaseer op die beginsel van kontinue verbetering. ISO het die ISO 14001 standaard opgestel vir Omgewingsbestuursisteme wat van toepassing gemaak kan word op enige industrie wat gemoeid is met die omgewmg. Na afhandeling van vraelys opnames onder privaat wildsplaas eienaars/bestuurders, is daar vasgestel wat die standaard van bestuur tans in die Noordelike Provinsie is. Privaat eienaarsIbestuurders maak meestal staat op hulle eie ondervinding en kennis. Inligting oor die bestuur van die wildsplase is nie geredelik beskikbaar nie en slegs die mees sigbare en grootste probleme word bestuur. 'n Riglyn met standaarde vir 'n Omgewingsbestuursisteem volgens ISO is opgestel vanaf resultate van die opnames en 'n literatuurstudie asook 'n "Checklist" wat beginsels en kriteria insluit wat gebruik kan word in die sertifiseringsproses is ook ontwerp. Die finale doel is om kwaliteit bestuur te bewerkstellig wat omgewingsensitief, sosiaal bewus/voordelig en ekonomies lewensvatbaar is. Laasgenoemde is uiters belangrik aangesien privaat grondeienaars 'n sleutelrol speel in die bewaring en preservering van die natuurlike sisteme in Suid-Afrika.