The purpose of this research was to examine the patterns and themes of litigation in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) disability discrimination cases charged under the theory of disparate impact. Specifically, this study used Computer Assisted Legal Research (CALR) to identify and review all U.S. Appellate Court ADA disparate impact cases as reported by Westlaw, a commercial electronic case law reporting system owned by Thomson Reuters. This study used a two-step, mixed methods approach to analyze the data relevant to the research questions and sub-questions. First, the researcher employed content analysis (Hall & Wright, 2008) to identify and characterize patterns and trends of litigation in all reported U.S. Appellate Court ADA cases charged under the theory of disparate impact from 1992 through 2012. Cases were analyzed chronologically, and variables included number of published and unpublished cases, distribution of jurisdiction, distribution of ADA titles, EEOC involvement, case fact patterns, and characteristics of charging and opposing parties. Frequency analyses were conducted on these data. Second, the researcher identified a subset of the ADA disparate impact cases analyzed in the first step: Title I, or employment discrimination cases. Qualitative analysis employing the constant comparative method (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) was used to identify and characterize patterns and themes of the judicial opinions in the Title I disparate impact cases. The researcher developed a framework for analysis based on a review of the literature of the sociopolitical perspective of disability to guide the analysis of the judicial opinions in the subset of disparate impact cases. The results of the frequency analyses conducted on these data revealed four trends: (a) Precedent, (b) Circuit and Judge Effects, (c) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Successes, and (d) Sutton Case Effect. The results of the qualitative analysis of the text of the judicial opinions produced four themes and three relationships among the themes. The four themes were accommodation(s); workplace culture, norms, and policies; judicial process; and policy space. The three relationships were gap-filling, weighing and balancing, and maintaining status quo versus effecting social change. The themes and relationships are depicted in a concept map that visually displays the conceptual framework revealed in the study. The findings in this study may inform disability and rehabilitation scholars about ADA disparate impact cases, a body of law about which little is known. The patterns and trends identified in ADA Title I disparate impact cases may provide information about the types of policies and practices that are most frequently litigated. Rehabilitation practitioners may be able to use the results of this research to develop education and outreach strategies for employers on best practices for hiring, accommodating, and promoting employees with disabilities. Because the workplace policies and procedures identified in the cases that comprise this study are neutral on their face rather than intentionally discriminatory, employers may benefit from information that assists them in evaluating their policies and procedures proactively, which may avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. Finally, workplace policies and procedures that fairly represent the essential functions of the job and are applied uniformly to workers with and without disabilities will contribute to a more diverse workforce.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are having remarkable effects and promise potential solutions to many of the South Pacific islands’ geographic, economic and social challenges. Access to ICTs is also an increasingly important factor for education and training in the region. While the Pacific eLearning Observatory, supported by the University of the South Pacific, has been monitoring the development and access to ICT in education across the 12 university’s campuses, studies that specifically examine the attitudes and understanding of educators working on the islands of the South Pacific towards the use of ICT in their profession, as well as for their professional development, are rare. This study aims at addressing the gap in the literature by examining the professional development of facilitators working in blended learning environment across the remote islands of the Cook Islands. The research outcomes of this study are based on the analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and the theoretical foundation of this thesis is grounded in the social and situated theory of learning. By closely examining the facilitators’ perceptions, the project sheds new light on the still little recognised concept of online communities of practice in teaching and learning. The central finding of the study is that participation in online communities of practice offers on-going opportunities for learning, development and support, and reduces the feeling of remoteness and isolation associated with the geographical conditions of the South Pacific region.

Hundreds of thousands of students earn credit toward both high school and college each year through dual credit programs. This research project used qualitative methods to elicit the story, the shared reality, of faculty who spend their time with these students. It is an important story to tell as legislators, community college and public school administrators, parents, and students are motivated to see these programs not only continue, but grow. System influence diagrams (SIDs) depicting the dual credit teaching experience on high school and college campuses were developed for two separate groups of community college faculty. The models were used for comparing the high school and college dual credit teaching environments. The results of this study support other research, suggesting there are important differences between the high school and college environments when teaching dual credit students. From an overall perspective, faculty found the community college campus environment superior to teaching on the high school campus for reasons related to facilities and technology, a sense of belonging in the larger organization, and the integration of dual credit students into a more traditional college environment. / text

EDUCATIONAL IDEALS VS. ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION: THE GENESIS OF BUILDING EXCELLENCE Brenda Sisco Vaughan, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2011 Supervisor: William F. Lasher How education is articulated, understood or comprehended, in the vocabulary (i.e. the expressive techniques or devices) of architecture provokes a certain fascination and intrigue for those interested in methods of pedagogy and cognition at institutions of higher education. This research entered the discussion about architectural expression in the university setting with a focus on the educational aspects in the programming, planning, and design of new buildings on campus. Educational ideals refer to concepts of perfection or models of excellence at institutions of higher education. Architectural expression refers to design or the determination of form which includes every aspect of every quality of a building (size, shape, materials, texture, color, ornamentation, etc.), while supporting the function and intended use of the building. This research examined the processes by which educational ideals translate into architectural expression. Analyses of the processes or systems used in planning and designing new buildings provided data to understand influences on the system. Qualitative data were analyzed in this study from a systems point of view utilizing Interactive Qualitative Analysis, IQA methodology. Following IQA protocol, the problem of how educational ideals translate into architectural expression produced and named the factors (affinities) influencing the processes on university campuses; identified relationships between these factors in cause-and-effect terms; provided the forum to compare and contrast similarities and differences in the systems; and identified similarities and differences in the processes utilized in planning and designing new buildings at private vs. public institutions. In this study, focus groups of higher education administrators and professional architects explored the case study of The University of Texas at Austin. After the data were analyzed, a theoretical model was produced to explore the case study of Rice University. Research synthesis provides information, guidance, and recommendations for educational administrators and professional architects in leadership and decision-making roles guiding the direction of new building projects on campuses. / text

The aim of this thesis is to highlight how male and female characters are portrayed in children’s books, that have football as a theme, and are written for children between 9-12 years of age. I have chosen this subject so that I, as a pre-school teacher, can adhere to the curriculum’s aim of maintaining the school’s responsibility for counteracting traditional gender roles. I aim to study how gender is represented in literature for children. I shall apply Yvonne Hirdman’s theories on the gender system which is built on the principals whereby the sexes are separate entities and there is a structural hierarchy between them. There is also a gender contract which maintains a balance of power according to which woman is considered inferior to man. From the reproduction process Hirdman identifies cultural influences that literature conveys to the reader as to how genus concepts are created. To answer questions on how characters in the books are presented, I use a qualitative analysis. I primarily use Maria Nikolajevas “character-theory” and gender based “opposite concepts”. This thesis deals with the following questions: Which kinds of descriptions are used to present female and male characters, and if there are, can one see any differences between them? How are the relations between coaches, parents and children portrayed? From these I have come to the conclusion that gender is presented in a traditional manner so that in stories in which the main characters are female are motivated by love; while stories in which the main characters are male are about football. Girls are rather orientated towards relations, as apart from boys who are described as more independent and egocentric. I can also identify that the team leader is gentler and more personal when dealing with girls, in contrast to when dealing with boys. It may be mentioned here that some of the characters have at time some qualities that go against the norm and which may be considered as challenging the established “keeping them apart principle”. That man is the norm on the football arena is however common in all the books.

No description available.

Regenerative medicine (RM) has the potential to develop new treatments for chronic disease and injury that are desperately needed in developing countries. Several emerging economies are actively participating in RM, producing new knowledge and initiating clinical trials. This thesis presents case studies of RM in China and Brazil and a comparative analysis of RM across Brazil, China and India. I aim to better understand the state of RM, how it has developed and what is needed for RM innovation to succeed within these countries. Case studies were conducted using face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews with RM experts from different areas including research institutes, hospitals, firms, educational institutes, government, policy agencies, and bioethics groups. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and triangulated with the analysis of research articles, government reports, laws and other primary and grey literature. China is now the 5th most prolific publisher on stem cells in the world. Chinese RM benefits from permissive regulations and the expertise of Chinese returnees that have trained abroad, but the field’s reputation is challenged by a weak regulatory system and the clinical availability of untested stem cell therapies. Brazil has created a small but strong RM program, but needs to address challenges to the field including inconsistent funding, slow importation of materials, and weak linkages between stake-holders. Comparative analysis of the three countries identifies several common elements that support RM, including linkages between stake-holders, government support, infrastructure, human resources, and good governance. RM capacity is clustered in large urban centres, which could exacerbate socio-economic and health disparities unless measures are taken to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. RM does not adhere to classical views of southern innovation, suggesting that new models are needed to describe innovation in emerging technologies, where countries are keeping up instead of catching up.

Regenerative medicine (RM) has the potential to develop new treatments for chronic disease and injury that are desperately needed in developing countries. Several emerging economies are actively participating in RM, producing new knowledge and initiating clinical trials. This thesis presents case studies of RM in China and Brazil and a comparative analysis of RM across Brazil, China and India. I aim to better understand the state of RM, how it has developed and what is needed for RM innovation to succeed within these countries. Case studies were conducted using face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews with RM experts from different areas including research institutes, hospitals, firms, educational institutes, government, policy agencies, and bioethics groups. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and triangulated with the analysis of research articles, government reports, laws and other primary and grey literature. China is now the 5th most prolific publisher on stem cells in the world. Chinese RM benefits from permissive regulations and the expertise of Chinese returnees that have trained abroad, but the field’s reputation is challenged by a weak regulatory system and the clinical availability of untested stem cell therapies. Brazil has created a small but strong RM program, but needs to address challenges to the field including inconsistent funding, slow importation of materials, and weak linkages between stake-holders. Comparative analysis of the three countries identifies several common elements that support RM, including linkages between stake-holders, government support, infrastructure, human resources, and good governance. RM capacity is clustered in large urban centres, which could exacerbate socio-economic and health disparities unless measures are taken to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. RM does not adhere to classical views of southern innovation, suggesting that new models are needed to describe innovation in emerging technologies, where countries are keeping up instead of catching up.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are having remarkable effects and promise potential solutions to many of the South Pacific islands’ geographic, economic and social challenges. Access to ICTs is also an increasingly important factor for education and training in the region. While the Pacific eLearning Observatory, supported by the University of the South Pacific, has been monitoring the development and access to ICT in education across the 12 university’s campuses, studies that specifically examine the attitudes and understanding of educators working on the islands of the South Pacific towards the use of ICT in their profession, as well as for their professional development, are rare. This study aims at addressing the gap in the literature by examining the professional development of facilitators working in blended learning environment across the remote islands of the Cook Islands. The research outcomes of this study are based on the analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and the theoretical foundation of this thesis is grounded in the social and situated theory of learning. By closely examining the facilitators’ perceptions, the project sheds new light on the still little recognised concept of online communities of practice in teaching and learning. The central finding of the study is that participation in online communities of practice offers on-going opportunities for learning, development and support, and reduces the feeling of remoteness and isolation associated with the geographical conditions of the South Pacific region.

No description available.