Teachers integrate technology to make the learning environment interactive and appealing to students. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore perceptions of teachers at one high school working to integrate technology into instruction following participation in professional development. Guided by Dewey's constructivist theory and Mishra and Koehler's technological pedagogical content knowledge model, this study explored teachers' perceptions of pedagogy and technology integration following participation in professional development and the strategies they used to overcome barriers to integrating technology. Twelve purposefully selected high school teachers from English, social studies, mathematics, science, electives, health education, and special education provided triangulated data in the form of interviews, lesson plans, and classroom observations. Through the qualitative coding and analysis process, emergent themes were developed. Teachers suggested that professional development for technology integration should benefit the learning environment, be relevant to course content so that teachers can make connections to real-world learning experiences, and that there should be consistent follow-up training. Findings suggested that teachers have limited access to hardware and software and lack time to develop technology-rich lesson plans, and students lack technical skills. The implications for this study include that district and school administrators should plan and implement relevant professional development, assess the needs of teachers through effective communication, and identify additional resources or training to help teachers who struggle to integrate technology.

Although educators have embraced technology in mathematics inclusion classrooms, students with math learning disabilities (MLD) still have anxiety and negative attitudes about mathematics and score lower than their counterparts. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to investigate and describe the experiences of middle school 8th grade inclusion iPad math app users. The technological pedagogical content knowledge model, the universal design for learning model, and the experiential learning theory provided the conceptual framework of technology integration. The research questions addressed the experiences of middle school inclusion teachers and students with MLD regarding iPad use in a Common Core standards-based math curriculum. Two inclusion co-teachers and 8 special education students from 2 inclusion classes in a middle school participated in the study. Data were collected from direct lesson observations, document analysis, and individual teacher and student interviews. An interpretative approach of clustering codes and categories was employed to identify emerging themes. Findings indicated that iPads increased student engagement and student access to the Common Core math curriculum. Teachers and students using iPads faced some challenges including lack of knowledge of using text-to-speech and keeping up with relevant new apps. Educators may use findings to understand how technology integration can provide equal access to the Common Core standards-based math curriculum for students with MLD and can reduce learning barriers for all students

The issue of high school dropouts has been an ongoing concern for educators, community stakeholders, and politicians on local, national, and global levels. Little was known about students' experiences before they enrolled in a workforce development program and how their earlier experiences may have caused them to drop out of high school. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to understand the school-related experiences of high school dropouts enrolled in a workforce development program, and how the innovation and integration of social media technologies during academic instruction helped reengage these learners. The research questions focused on how the participants described their personal and academic experiences before they dropped out of high school, their collaborative learning and social-relational experiences while enrolled in the New Hope workforce development program, and how the infusion of social media technologies during academic instruction impacted their development. Yin's descriptive qualitative case study model was used to capture the academic and social experiences of 20 program participants from one-on-one interviews and focus groups. Cross-unit evaluation was used to identify emerging codes and themes. Results revealed the importance of sustainable relationships between the students and instructors. Findings may be used to promote functional learning communities with conscientious and compassionate instructors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between students' motivational orientations and their perceptions of an electronic distance education (EDE) environment. Subjects were 156 participants (81 women, 75 men; 83 undergraduates, 73 graduate students) enrolled in Utah State University's electronic distance education system, Com-Net. A comparison group was also utilized, that consisted of 85 participants (64 females, 21 males; 34 undergraduates, 51 graduates) from rural Utah enrolled in Utah State University extension programs. These students were from seven classes which were taught by the traditional method with an instructor physically present. Correlation coefficients were computed to test the hypotheses of this study. The independent variables (motivational orientations), as measured by Boshier's Education Participation Scale, were correlated with the dependent variables (satisfaction, material environment, involvement, and extension) as measured by the Learning Environment Inventory and the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory. One-way analyses of variance were computed to explore possible relationships with independent variables not included in the original hypotheses. Multiple regression analysis was used with satisfaction as the independent variable to look for possible explanations of student satisfaction. The participants in this study differ significantly from the norms in their motivational orientations in the areas of professional advancement and cognitive interest. Although the null hypotheses were rejected the relationships were weak, and there appears to be little practical relationship between motivational orientations and participants' satisfaction. These results suggest that participant satisfaction is largely independent of initial motives that impel individuals to participate. Motivational orientations' minimal impact on participant satisfaction suggest that the sources of variation in satisfaction lie elsewhere. There may be other internal variables that affect satisfaction, but more probably there are external variables that greatly influence satisfaction.

The quest to comprehend how cultural differences can impact learning is one of those intriguing challenges that continue to beguile some scholars and educational leaders even at a time that is characterized as globalized. This dissertation is a qualitative case study about teaching to culturally diverse populations and is primarily based on the interviews of seven accountants designated as instructors and the direct observation of those instructors while teaching accounting principles to other accountants. The English language was used despite the fact that all participants, including the instructors, spoke English as a second or third language and came from diverse cultures around the world. It brings to light how an American company (American World Trade or AWT) felt they succeeded in teaching to the diverse population of students though not purposely providing accommodations for the diverse cultural differences in the classroom. During the year 2009, AWT took the materials USU developed around the world and presented conferences in regional offices of Bangkok, Budapest, Santo Domingo, Pretoria, and San Salvador. The pilot study interviews took place at the end of 2009. This study was based on the conference that took place in February 2010 in which 16 of the 70 countries were represented. This dissertation does several things: First, it looks at the cultural dimensions of students and instructors from 16 different countries, in an international setting, and examines if lack of knowledge about cultural dimensions and accommodating for them could interfere with learning. Second, it looks at the strategies and behaviors used by the instructors who were not knowledgeable of cultural dimensions to reveal if they were unconsciously adapting their teaching for the culturally diverse. Third, this study offers an in-depth look at several additional factors, including cultural intelligence (CQ), which could explain their ostensible teaching successes.

This study explored the design of learner-learner activities including types of pedagogy and media in online courses and graduate students’ perceptions of social interaction, cognitive learning and overall satisfaction. Data collection and analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative methods following a Sequential Explanatory Model. Data instruments include a modified version of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) Survey version 14b (Swan, Shea, Richardson, Ice, Garrison, Cleveland-Innes, & Arbaugh, 2008), a Rubric for Assessing Interactive Qualities of Distance Learning Courses (Roblyer, 2004), and a semi-structured interview protocol. A total of 106 graduate students participated in the survey. Twelve of the participants were also interviewed. Six online courses were reviewed and the six instructors who taught them as well as the 12 interviewees who took the courses were asked to complete the Roblyer’s (2004) Rubric. Data was collected and analyzed across 4 phases. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software to compute descriptive statistics to include frequencies Pearson Correlation and Regression analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed through a process of open then thematic coding. Some qualitative data were quantitized. Results from each data set were triangulated in the final phase of data analysis. Frequency results from the survey indicated that less than half of the participants experienced Group Work and Synchronous Class Seminars in online courses and that asynchronous interactions through discussion were more common when compared to synchronous interactions. Graduate students who experienced opportunities for learner-learner interaction found them to be useful and of value in providing them with a broader perspective on the issues covered. Online courses include a variety of activity types that support learner-learner activities and these activities were spread across programs and courses. Results of Pearson correlation showed positive associations between cognitive (r=.687), social (r=.602) and teaching (r=.562) presence and satisfaction. Regression analysis indicated that facilitation (teaching presence), affective expression and group cohesion (social presence) and resolution (cognitive presence) were strong predictors of satisfaction. Overall, cognitive presence (R2.537) explained the most variance and was the strongest predictor of satisfaction. Qualitative data results reflect an appreciation for learner-learner interaction. Graduate students reported value gained from having the opportunity to view or listen to the perspectives and experiences of their peers and being able to feel a part of the learning community. A few students however, found learner-learner interaction was not helpful, useful or meaningful. Fifty percent of participants in this study reported taking online classes as a matter of necessity and not preference, and almost half the participants (48%) preferred to work alone. Interestingly however, only less than 15% of participants expressed dislike for learner-learner interaction. Challenges with group work were the most pronounced of those reported. Students had positive perceptions of the course design, reporting coherent and structured courses. Instructor role also received positive reviews with students highlighting the quality and level of feedback received. The results of this study have important implications for online teaching and learning research, online course design, and theory development. The study shows that graduate students benefit from learner-learner interactions and that more importantly they are aware of the relationship between course design, learner-learner interaction and online learning. The results of this study also have implications for the design and delivery of online courses that seek to ensure collaborative learning through learner-learner interaction with the intent of strengthening both social and cognitive presence through the incorporation of social and instructional interaction opportunities. This study provides a rich quantitative and qualitative exploration of firsthand information on graduate students’ experience and perception of the design for a variety of learner-learner activities and their value in contributing to their learning in online courses. These perceptions provide support for improvements to the way opportunities for learner-learner interaction are developed and managed in the online environment.

Cell biomass and chemicals (e.g. bioactive compounds) can be produced by fermentation. Optimising a fermentation system involves optimizing many variables such as determining the effect of inoculum quality and media components, and selecting the most appropriate fermenter design and operating conditions (such as agitation aeration and fermentation mode). Identifying the optimal media is very important because it can significantly affect product concentration, yield and productivity. However, the media contains many components so many trials need to be done, which makes the process laborious, expensive, open-ended, and often time-consuming. The data generated from the many trials can be difficult to analyse. This study developed a rapid, inexpensive small-scale technique to identify how media components affected the growth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus and its production of a secondary metabolite, the anti-tumour agent rapamycin. A method was developed using microtitre plates to screen the effect of three concentrations of nine media components on cell growth and rapamycin production using the Box-Behnken experimental design. Firstly, the methodology for microtitre plates was developed, which involved characterizing the physical parameters of a fermentation system, identifying the incubation time to minimize evaporation, modifying the assay method to deal with the small sample volumes, and developing an alternative method to determinate the rapamycin concentration that was cheaper than the HPLC method. Data from shake flasks trials (the normal screening method) were used to validate the microtitre method and to assess the latter's usefulness in predicting scale-up effects. Six media components - sodium chloride (NaCl), di-potassium orthophosphate (K2HPO4), l-aspartic acid, l-arginine, l-histidine and salt (formula 1) solution - significantly affected culture growth and/or rapamycin concentration. The regression tree method was used to indicate the importance and critical concentration range of each factor. The Pearson's product-moment value indicated a good correlation between data from microtitre plates and shake flasks (cell growth: r=0.75 p=0.016 n=8; rapamycin concentration r=0.92 p=0.08 n=6). The speed of the microtitre plate and shake methods were compared by assessing the total cycle time and the time required for various stages in the method. Performance of each method was assessed as cost of media and equipment. Using microtitre plates to screen and optimise media in terms of biomass and secondary metabolite production is faster and cheaper than using shake flasks. Labour efficiency for the numerous, repetitive, small-scale experiments was substantially increased. Trials could be run without well-to-well cross contamination. The regression tree statistics methodology successfully showed the effect of input variables on target variables and identified effective medium component concentrations and any interactions. It is recommended that the microtitre plate procedure developed in this research may be applied to any study investigating the optimum media composition for growing other Streptomyces spp. strains, in screening studies when searching for new bioactive molecules, or for characterizing natural or recombinant/mutated micro-organisms.

This qualitative study was designed to identify and explore the preservice technology training experiences of novice teachers and examine their perceptions of how well their teacher preparation program prepared them with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T). Data were collected by following an instrumental case study design utilizing semi-structured interviews, documents, and field notes. Simultaneous collection and analysis of the data helped the researcher to create a deeper understanding of the technology training experiences of novice teachers. The findings of this study revealed that novice teachers believe there was a lack of emphasis on technology integration in their teacher preparation program outside of the one required technology course. They expressed a need for technology training to be integrated across the curriculum. They wanted to be provided with authentic learning experiences so they could connect the theory to the practice in relation to technology integration. They wanted more time to practice, reflect, and plan student-centered, technology-rich lessons and they wanted to see all teacher education faculty modeling technology so connections could be made between the technology tools and the appropriate uses of these tools within their content areas. Last, they believe future preservice teachers need more hands-on experiences in creating student-centered, technology-rich lessons, not just within the one required technology course, but throughout their teacher preparation program. Furthermore, 90 percent of the participants expressed a need for more exposure to the technology standards. They stated the only place they were exposed to these technology standards was in the one required technology course and felt that one semester was not enough exposure for them to learn how to implement each of the standards with confidence. All stated they would have liked to have seen all faculty members throughout the teacher preparation program incorporate these technology standards into their teaching, so they would have been provided with adequate exposure to the technology standards.

This study identified current trends in website design and development for college and university recreation programs accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation. Emphasis was on design, content, governance, and development. The study was an attempt to provide insight for program administrators by identifying current practices related to website design and development. This was the first study to identify current trends in website design and development at nationally accredited recreation programs. This information can be used to evaluate existing websites and plan future website development. Data were collected using an electronic survey instrument created with E-listen software. Three invitations were emailed to program administrators at college and university recreation programs accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation (n=98). Basic descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency and frequency distributions were calculated to address the research questions. The results of this study showed that faculty were most often responsible for their program’s website construction, content and design input, and maintenance. Students did not play a large role in these responsibilities. The websites were most commonly maintained monthly. The most common components available on program websites were informative and served as marketing and recruiting tools. The majority of websites did not contain components for student entertainment or communication. Over half of the websites included links to professional organizations’ homepages. Just under half of the websites did not include a link to the National Recreation and Park Association.

This study employed a design-based research methodology to develop a theoretically sound approach for designing instructional treatments. The instruction of interest addressed the broad issue of physician wellness among medical school faculty, with particular emphasis on physician self-diagnosis and self-care. The theoretically sound approach comprised a domain theory and design framework. The domain theory was posited subsequent to an examination of the literature, and subjected to expert examination through three cycles of instructional treatment development. The design framework for crafting the treatment was created from components of existing frameworks, and evolved with the cycles of development. The instructional treatment was designed to be delivered to a web browser from a server using a Python microframework to preserve the anonymity of the end user. Experts in three relevant knowledge domains verified that the instructional treatment embodied the domain theory, and was suitable for use as a practical instructional treatment. Subsequently, a limited-time pilot deployment was initiated among practicing faculty physicians (N=273) to solicit user feedback. Responses were obtained through a survey instrument created for the purpose and hosted on a remote website. Although the response rate was low (12%), the responses were encouraging and useful for guiding future research and treatment development.