To explore the viability of a new training evaluation criteria, theories from the areas of service, adult education, and training, were combined to form a model of Perceived Quality of Training and Transfer. Operating from the paradigm that training is a service, a rigorous scale development process was initiated to discover the dimensions of perceived quality of training, a new construct within the realm of training evaluation based upon trainees' impressions of training. Thirty-six supporting items, representing nine dimensions of perceived quality of training, formed the scale developed in the first phase of this study. To test and further refine the perceived quality of training scale, 164 trainees from six different instructor-led training classes in the hospitality industry completed pre-training and post-training surveys that evaluated scale items as expectations as well as perceptions of training. Comparing measurement techniques, findings indicated that a perception only measure of training quality was more highly correlated with trainees' overall quality of training ratings than was a gap measure (perceptions minus expectations). Exploratory factor analysis conducted in phase 2 of the study revealed that the six dimensions of perceived quality of training, as determined by the perception measurement, are interactivity, climate, courtesy, relevance, tangibles, and credibility. These dimensions are similar to the dimensions of service quality, thereby giving credence to the idea of tapping into eclectic literature bases to address issues of training evaluation. Lastly, test results indicated that the perception measurement of the perceived training quality scale was significantly and positively correlated with trainees' intentions to use training when they returned to their jobs. / Ph. D.

The technique of �open throat� is a pedagogical concept transmitted through the oral tradition of singing. This thesis explored the pedagogical perceptions and practices of �open throat� using empirical methodologies to assess technical skill and associated vocal quality. In the first study (Mitchell, Kenny, Ryan, & Davis, 2003), we assessed the degree of consensus amongst singing pedagogues regarding the definition of, and use in the singing studio of the technique called �open throat.� Results indicated that all fifteen pedagogues described �open throat� technique as fundamental to singing training and were positive about the sound quality it achieved, especially in classical singing. It was described as a way of maximising pharyngeal space or abducting the false vocal folds. Hypotheses generated from pedagogical beliefs expressed in this first study were then tested acoustically (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004a, 2004b). Six advanced singing students sang in two conditions: �optimal� (O), using maximal open throat, �sub-optimal� (SO), using reduced open throat and loud sub-optimal (LSO) to control for the effect of loudness. From these recordings, acoustic characteristics of vibrato (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004b) and energy distribution (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004a) were examined. Subsequent investigations of the vibrato parameters of rate, extent and onset, revealed that extent was significantly reduced and onset increased when singers did not use the technique. As inconsistent vibrato is considered indicative of poor singing, it was hypothesized that testing the energy distribution in these singers� voices in each condition would identify the timbral changes associated with open throat. Visual inspection of long term average spectra (LTAS) confirmed differences between O and SO, but conventional measures applied to long term average spectra (LTAS), comparing energy peak height [singing power ratio (SPR)] and peak area [energy ratio (ER)] were not sensitive to the changes identified through visual inspection of the LTAS. These results were not consistent with the vibrato findings and suggest that conventional measures of SPR and ER are not sufficiently sensitive to evaluate LTAS. In the fourth study, fifteen expert listeners consistently and reliably identified the presence of open throat technique with 87% accuracy (Mitchell & Kenny, in press). In the fifth study, LTAS measurements were examined with respect to the perceptual ratings of singers. There was no relationship between perceptual rankings of vocal beauty and acoustic rankings of vocal quality (Kenny & Mitchell, 2004, in press). There is a vast literature of spectral energy definitions of good voice but the studies in this thesis have indicated that current acoustic methods are limited in defining vocal quality. They also suggest that current work in singing has not sufficiently incorporated perceptual ratings and descriptions of sound quality or the relationship between acoustic and perceptual factors with pedagogical practices.

The technique of �open throat� is a pedagogical concept transmitted through the oral tradition of singing. This thesis explored the pedagogical perceptions and practices of �open throat� using empirical methodologies to assess technical skill and associated vocal quality. In the first study (Mitchell, Kenny, Ryan, & Davis, 2003), we assessed the degree of consensus amongst singing pedagogues regarding the definition of, and use in the singing studio of the technique called �open throat.� Results indicated that all fifteen pedagogues described �open throat� technique as fundamental to singing training and were positive about the sound quality it achieved, especially in classical singing. It was described as a way of maximising pharyngeal space or abducting the false vocal folds. Hypotheses generated from pedagogical beliefs expressed in this first study were then tested acoustically (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004a, 2004b). Six advanced singing students sang in two conditions: �optimal� (O), using maximal open throat, �sub-optimal� (SO), using reduced open throat and loud sub-optimal (LSO) to control for the effect of loudness. From these recordings, acoustic characteristics of vibrato (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004b) and energy distribution (Mitchell & Kenny, 2004a) were examined. Subsequent investigations of the vibrato parameters of rate, extent and onset, revealed that extent was significantly reduced and onset increased when singers did not use the technique. As inconsistent vibrato is considered indicative of poor singing, it was hypothesized that testing the energy distribution in these singers� voices in each condition would identify the timbral changes associated with open throat. Visual inspection of long term average spectra (LTAS) confirmed differences between O and SO, but conventional measures applied to long term average spectra (LTAS), comparing energy peak height [singing power ratio (SPR)] and peak area [energy ratio (ER)] were not sensitive to the changes identified through visual inspection of the LTAS. These results were not consistent with the vibrato findings and suggest that conventional measures of SPR and ER are not sufficiently sensitive to evaluate LTAS. In the fourth study, fifteen expert listeners consistently and reliably identified the presence of open throat technique with 87% accuracy (Mitchell & Kenny, in press). In the fifth study, LTAS measurements were examined with respect to the perceptual ratings of singers. There was no relationship between perceptual rankings of vocal beauty and acoustic rankings of vocal quality (Kenny & Mitchell, 2004, in press). There is a vast literature of spectral energy definitions of good voice but the studies in this thesis have indicated that current acoustic methods are limited in defining vocal quality. They also suggest that current work in singing has not sufficiently incorporated perceptual ratings and descriptions of sound quality or the relationship between acoustic and perceptual factors with pedagogical practices.

The analysis of the state system of secondary vocational education. The dual training model is a basic direction for improving the quality of training graduates of secondary vocational education in the territory of the Nevyansk urban district. / Проведен анализ состояния системы среднего профессионального образования в РФ. Реализация дуальной модели обучения оценивается как базовое направление повышения качества подготовки выпускников среднего профессионального образования на территории Невьянского городского округа.

Depuis les années 1970, la formation professionnelle continue s’étend à de nombreuses activités économiques et sociales, salariées comme non-salariées. La loi et le contrat, notamment, permettent cette expansion réalisée dans une grande instabilité normative. Constamment modifiés, les dispositifs d’accès à la formation sont souvent complexes et parfois peu efficaces. Le financement de la formation professionnelle suscite également des interrogations en raison des nombreuses personnes, publiques ou privées, chargées d’intervenir dans ce domaine. Le dispositif peut et doit être amélioré afin de permettre l’expansion de la formation professionnelle là où celle-ci mérite d’être encouragée. / Since the 1970s, continuing vocational training extends to many economic and social activities, either employed or self-employed. The law and the contract particulary provide such an expansion, which is carried out in a context of great normative instability. Constantly amended, training programmes are often complex and sometimes even reveal to be ineffective. Financing vocational training also raises questions due to the many people, both public and private, who are involved in this area. The overall system can and must be substantially improved so as to enable the expansion of vocational training wherever it deserves to be encouraged

Regardless of culture, socio-economic background, and quality of life, all students deserve the highest quality of education. But the reality is, many education systems around the world do not offer it. Investing in structural reforms in education has the potential to boost economic growth in countries around the world. By learning from different education systems strengths and weaknesses, policy decisions can be made that ensure students are given the opportunity for higher educational outcomes. This study analyzes high, middle, and low quality education systems around the world and the infrastructures that lead to educational success or failure. Fifteen education systems are chosen for this study which includes Shanghai-China, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Canada, Portugal, United States, Luxembourg, Spain, Hungry, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Qatar, and Peru. Each system is analyzed in terms of its teacher quality, curriculum, school system structure, and educational equity. From this study, it appears that there is a high-correlation between four indicators and top- educational success. These four indicators include having a highly selective model for hiring teachers, recruiting teachers from a top-pool of graduates, having a high-level of prestige held for teachers in society, and insuring students of low socio-economic status are given equal educational opportunities for success. Recommendations for a new teacher training and selection model are discussed based on the top four indicators. These recommendations could cause educational gains for both the United States and other systems around the world.