The current study sought to examine change and stability of personality in a sample of women over the course of 35 years. Existing research is mixed regarding whether or not personality changes over time or whether it remains stable. Using a sample of 187 women tracked over four time points (approximately 10 years between each time point), change and stability in openness to experience, extraversion, and neuroticism was tested using a stacked multilevel growth curve analysis. Four life course events (transition to parenthood, change in marital status, wife entering or leaving the workforce, and husband retiring) were added as predictors to attempt to explain any variance in personality change. When examining group means of the three personality dimensions studied, only openness to experience showed significant change over time, first decreasing and then increasing in subsequent years. Neither neuroticism nor extraversion showed significant group change over time. However, the results revealed significant within-person change, or individual variation in personality change, in all three personality dimensions over time. In examining the predictor variables, wives entering or leaving the workforce was a significant predictor of change in extraversion and the transition to parenthood had a significant effect on neuroticism scores at Time 1. Clinical implications suggest working with individuals, couples, and families using acceptance and change techniques. Limitations and directions for future research encourage researchers to study larger, more heterogeneous samples using long-term longitudinal methodology and to focus more attention on individual change over time using mixture modelling.

While technology continues to advance, so do methods of learning. In post-secondary education during the twentieth century, the traditional classroom setting was geared toward auditory instruction and face-to-face peer interaction. Not only was this the most efficient means of instruction for the time period but the only means. Along with the advent of communication technology came the concept of Web courses. Web courses have expanded the means by which students can experience course lectures and have beckoned the use of updated media by which such lectures can take place. Such media include threaded discussions, chat rooms and e-mail. At the University of Central Florida, the gradual change from WebCT to Webcourses offered students more direct contact with updated threaded discussions and more centralized communication on the whole. The quality of such communication measures has been in question, though, and the effectiveness of such online communication methods is the focus of my research.

Life course theory suggests that an individual’s development is influenced by many factors such as one’s past choices and environment. The twenties are a period of great autonomy for many young people with opportunities to engage in choices with lasting consequences, both positive (e.g., furthering education, volunteering) and negative (e.g., crime, risky sexual behavior, heavy video game use). The current study explored the relationship between behaviors during one’s twenties and indices of adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and hope) and maladjustment (i.e., poor emotional health and regret) in one’s thirties. Additionally, as factors such as income and biological sex may limit or impact the choices one has available to them or chooses to engage in during this time period, income and biological sex were both tested as moderators. Participants included 4,969 (59% female, 41% male) individuals between the ages of 30 and 35. Employing structural equation modeling, results revealed that choices from emerging adulthood were associated with outcomes during one’s thirties. Specifically, education and volunteering were associated with positive outcomes (i.e., higher life satisfaction, better emotional health, and lower levels of regret); volunteering was also significantly associated with hope and relationship satisfaction. Criminal activity, on the other hand, was associated with negative outcomes (i.e., lower life satisfaction and higher levels of regret). Number of non-committed sexual partners was significantly associated with lower relationship satisfaction and emotional health. This study contributes significantly to the literature on emerging and early adulthood by suggesting that choices made during emerging adulthood impact adjustment or maladjustment during early adulthood.

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Information on the overall health risk behaviors of college students is limited and it is unknown if being enrolled in an elective or a required health course affects behavior change among the students. There are mixed reports on whether or not health education courses affect behavior change. Factors that may affect change are self-efficacy and the constructs that build the Health Belief Model (i.e. perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers). A sample of convenience was gathered for the current study using two universities in the state of Virginia. Virginia Tech students within the sample were enrolled in an elective health course (n = 375) and James Madison University students within the sample were enrolled in a required health course (n = 202). The National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) and the Self-Efficacy Scale survey were used to gather information on overall health risk behaviors, health behavior changes, and self-efficacy levels of the students. To acquire health behavior change data, the NCHRBS was administered at the beginning of the Fall 2003 semester and again at the end of the semester. The results of the study indicated that, overall, the type of course a student was enrolled in and self-efficacy did not have a significant effect on health behavior change. However, possible trends were identified with alcohol use, tobacco use, and dietary behaviors, indicating that further research should be performed to analyze underlying factors, not analyzed in this study, which may be affecting health risk behaviors. / Ph. D.

An Interactive Course Organizer (ICO) is an artifact that contains text and visual representation of a traditional course syllabus, it integrates visual elements, such as timelines, drawings, charts, graphs, maps, or pictures to show the sequencing and organization of major course topics while offering the user an actively controlled progression of the amount of course information covered. The goal of this research was to develop a theoretically- and empirically- grounded guidelines to design and develop of ICOs. It is anticipated that these guidelines can assist course developers and instructional designers in designing ICOs. This study employed a design and developmental research methodology with four phases: analysis, design, development and validation. Findings from literature review investigations in course syllabi, instructional message design, visual literacy, and interactivity theories and research as well as expert review informed the building of the guidelines. / Doctor of Philosophy / Interactive Course Organizer (ICO) is a tool that acts as a course syllabus. It combines both text and visual representation of a traditional course syllabus, and integrates visual elements, such as timelines, drawings, charts, graphs, maps, or pictures to help learners visually see the interrelationships between different parts of the course and how they all fit together. Its purpose is to provide visuals to assist learners in seeing the course and how it is organized "big picture". And by adding the interactivity feature, learners will navigate, access, and view the course content. It is a course framework to help students understand what it is they will be learning in the course. This research aimed to develop a theoretically- and empirically- grounded guidelines to design and develop of ICOs. It is anticipated that these guidelines can assist course developers and instructional designers in designing ICOs. This study employed a design and developmental research methodology with four phases: analysis, design, development and validation. Findings from literature review investigations in course syllabi, instructional message design, visual literacy, and interactivity theories and research as well as expert review informed the building of the guidelines.

This thesis examines the feelings of generational anxiety in the Mormon community from 1869 to 1890 and how those feelings intersected with ideas about reading. During this time, older members of the Mormon community in Utah Territory feared how changes in and threats to Mormon society might negatively affect young people's beliefs, abilities, knowledge, and adherence to their parents' religion. Older Mormons recognized a potential ally and enemy in books, newspapers, and other reading materials, which they believed could dramatically shape young people for good or for ill depending on the quality of the material. This thesis argues these older Mormons borrowed many elements from other US literary cultures and repurposed them for distinctly Mormon ends, including achieving theosis (chapter 1), navigating changing dynamics in Mormon families (chapter 2), and building their utopic society, Zion (chapter 3). This research adds to the work of those scholars who have combined the history of Mormonism with book history. It incorporates the voices of everyday Mormons to bring into focus the entire ecosystem of reading for young Mormons by focusing not only on fiction but also on biography, scripture, "Church works," history, and other genres. It examines not only discourse but also institutionalized programs and actions, such as the 1888 MIA Course of Reading (chapter 4), that shaped Mormons' world of reading. Such an examination begins to sharpen our understanding of the relationship of print and religion in America and what reading meant to Mormons. / Master of Arts / The years from 1869 to 1890 constituted a time of change and worry for the Mormon community in Utah Territory. The completion of the transcontinental railroad and the federal government's increasingly vehement attacks on Mormon polygamy, among other factors, led to worries among older Mormons about the future of their community. They particularly worried about the commitment of the upcoming generation of Mormons, who had not converted to the faith but had just been born into it. This thesis examines how those feelings of worry intersected with ideas about reading. Older Mormons recognized a potential ally in reading materials that could help young people become believing, productive members who would help ensure the future of their community. This thesis argues these older Mormons borrowed many elements from other US literary cultures and repurposed them for distinctly Mormon ends, including achieving theosis (chapter 1), navigating changing dynamics in Mormon families (chapter 2), and building their utopic society, Zion (chapter 3). It examines not only the rhetoric surrounding "good" or "bad" reading but also the institutionalized programs and actions, such as the 1888 MIA Course of Reading (chapter 4), that shaped Mormons' world of reading. Such an examination begins to sharpen our understanding of the relationship of print and religion in America and what reading meant to Mormons.

High communication apprehension has several negative effects on affected persons. Students with high communication apprehension in particular experience low class participation, poor teacher-student relationships, and low grades. This study examined the effects of Fundamentals of Oral Communication (public speaking) classes on students ' communication apprehension compared to non-public speaking alternatives, Introduction to Communication. McCroskey's PRCA-24 was distributed as a pre- and post-test, and the data was analyzed using a repeated measures design. Limitations and future study implications are discussed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:31:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Christina Justo.pdf: 6887904 bytes, checksum: 696ecf418a02f829265e925ed174fa5d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / The purpose of this research is to investigate the possibilities and limitations of action that a Course Coordinator has in his work as an educational manager of a University Center. The methodology applied herein was a qualitative approach with features of a case study. The research was developed through literature review, documental analysis and field research. Data were collected through observation, questionnaires and a focus group. Its setting was a Higher Education Institution in the state of São Paulo. These data, having as subject course coordinators, were analyzed and included in this study. As a result of the research, it was possible to recognize the dimensions of the performance and to characterize the roles of course coordinators in University Centers, and to clarify the actions that are relevant to their performance in the organization and operation of their courses. Moreover, there is evidence that, despite the work load of a course coordinator, the outcomes of formative and developmental proposals for higher education teachers may benefit from the intervention of this professional. This research does not intend to be exhaustive, but rather to foster studies related to the challenges and demands regarding the work of course coordinators in private higher education institutions, including the continuing education of teachers under their responsibility. Further investigations may be developed from the contributions presented in this work, expanding the meaning of this professional within higher education / Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo investigar os limites e possibilidades de ação que o Coordenador de Curso tem em seu trabalho, enquanto gestor educacional de um Centro Universitário. A opção metodológica utilizada foi a abordagem qualitativa com características de estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi elaborada por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica, análise documental e pesquisa de campo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de observação, questionário e grupo focal. O cenário da pesquisa foi um Centro Universitário do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados coletados, tendo como sujeitos os coordenadores de curso, foram submetidos à análise e compõe este estudo. Como resultado da pesquisa, foi possível reconhecer as dimensões de atuação e caracterizar as funções do coordenador de curso em Centros Universitários e explicitar as ações pertinentes a sua atuação na organização e no funcionamento de seu curso. Além disso, pode-se afirmar que, apesar da quantidade de suas atribuições, os resultados dos processos de realização de propostas formativas e de desenvolvimento de docentes no ensino superior podem ser favorecidos com a intervenção deste profissional. Esta pesquisa não encerra o assunto abordado, mas estimula os estudos relacionados aos desafios e demandas relativas ao trabalho dos coordenadores de curso de instituição privada do ensino superior, incluindo a formação continuada de docentes sob sua responsabilidade. Novas pesquisas poderão ser desenvolvidas a partir dos subsídios apresentados neste trabalho, ampliando o significado deste profissional no ensino superior

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T16:57:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maryneusa Cordeiro Otone.pdf: 15081306 bytes, checksum: 4d70fb10a972ac636b7718e2e1020a18 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-06 / This research examines a period in the history of mathematics education in Brazil. It s focus is restricted to the decades of 1930-50, a period which had defined the mathematics to be taught at the collegiate level, that currently called High School. The research considers the theoretical and methodological contributions from cultural history, particularly the contributions from history of school subjects. Fundamented on the view of the history of school subjects discussed by Dominique Julia and Andre Chervel, and the concept of ownership, characterized by Roger Chartier, this work emphasizes the study of historical sources from the school archives. The project takes as sources of research documents found in archives of the Faculty of Medicine School of São Paulo, Faculty of Law Largo São Francisco, Polytechnic School of São Paulo, São Paulo Stock of the College as well as personal files from teachers of mathematics that worked at Polytechnic School of São Paulo and São Paulo College. The work also uses educational legislation. We can cite as sources of this research school documents such as daily class diaries, tests, and minute book for teachers in addition to legislation relevant to the period studied. The research seeks to answer the following question: How was the College of Mathematics in their daily school? As developments on this issue have other questions: How were the contents of mathematics composed in school life of the College during the 1930 to 1950 decades at the Institutes of the University of São Paulo and São Paulo College? What were these contents during the decades of 1930-1950? The research examines the extension to which the proposed changes to the teaching of Mathematics at College, through the Reformation and Reformation Francisco Campos Capanema as amended by Ordinance 1951, respectively were appropriate and implemented at the University of São Paulo and the College of the Capital São Paulo State, during the 1930, 1940 and 1950. This research seeks to make a contribution to the history of mathematics education in Brazil / Esta pesquisa investiga um período da História da Educação Matemática no Brasil. Seu foco restringe-se às décadas de 1.930-50, época em que se define a matemática escolar a ser ensinada no nível colegial, atual nível de ensino denominado Ensino Médio. A investigação considera como ferramentas teóricas e metodológicas os aportes da história cultural, particularmente as contribuições da história das disciplinas escolares. Fundamentando-se na perspectiva da história das disciplinas escolares, discutida por Dominique Julia e André Chervel, e no conceito de apropriação, caracterizado por Roger Chartier, este trabalho privilegia o estudo de fontes históricas de arquivos escolares. O projeto toma como fontes de pesquisa os documentos encontrados em arquivos escolares da Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo, Faculdade de Direito do Largo São Francisco, Faculdade da Escola Politécnica de São Paulo, Arquivo do Colégio São Paulo, assim como arquivos pessoais de professores de Matemática da Escola Politécnica de São Paulo e do Colégio São Paulo. O trabalho utiliza, ainda, legislação educacional. Podemos citar como fontes desta pesquisa os documentos escolares, tais como: diários de classe, provas, e livro de atas de professores, além da legislação pertinente ao período estudado. A pesquisa procura responder à seguinte questão: Como se constituiu a Matemática do Colégio no seu cotidiano escolar? Como desdobramentos a essa questão temos outras indagações: Como se constituíram os conteúdos de ensino da Matemática do Colégio no cotidiano escolar nas décadas de 30 a 50, nos Institutos Universitários da Universidade de São Paulo e no Colégio São Paulo? Quais eram estes conteúdos nas décadas de 1930-1950? A pesquisa analisa em que medida as mudanças propostas para o ensino da Matemática do Colégio, através da Reforma Francisco Campos e da Reforma Capanema e suas alterações pela Portaria de 1951, foram apropriadas e implementadas respectivamente na Universidade de São Paulo e no Colégio da Capital do Estado de São Paulo, durante as décadas de 1930, 1940 e 1950. Esta pesquisa busca dar uma contribuição à história da Educação Matemática no Brasil