M.Cur. (Nursing Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the levels of awareness and perception concerning distance education among the leadership at the seven campuses of the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System.

The National Technological University (NTU), a consortium of more than twenty American engineering schools, broadcasts courses produced at member institutions to professional engineers at corporate sites across the country. It is a nonprofit institution.begun in fall 1984 with headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado, which offers only course work leading to the Master of Science degree in various branches of technology, or applied science. Students must be sponsored by their corporate employers who pay their tuition. This is the first systematic examination of the instructional process at an educational institution created in response to the demands of the governmental and corporate sectors' technological needs. This study includes an attempt to explore the effectiveness of that instructional process and the use of computers in distance education at NTU and implications for institutions of the future. This study focuses on distance education, corporate education, national universities and nontraditional institutions and the extent to which NTO exemplifies each of these concepts. It covers the organizational structure and methods of operation of NTU, and offers opinions of students, faculty, and other personnel associated with the institution as reflected by surveys, interviews, and the media.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is implementing a large scale exploration of digital pedagogies, including connected learning and open education, in an effort to promote digital fluency and integrative thinking among students. The purpose of this study was to develop a classroom assessment toolkit for faculty who wish to document student connectivity in course-related blogging and microblogging (“tweeting”) activities. Student use of digital annotation devices, including hyperlinks, embedded images, mentions, and hashtags, were studied in four university courses as potential indicators of student connectivity, defined as the ability to connect current thoughts and experience with other concepts and people across space and time. One thousand one hundred and eighty six (1186) hyperlinks and embedded images, 2708 mentions, and 135 hashtags were collected from 498 learner blog posts and 5343 tweets through mostly automated, digital workflows and analyzed through a combination of statistical, content, and network analysis. General criteria for “connected course” design, a model for connectivity as a form of learning, connectivity-based learning goals, and integrated, potentially scalable assessment practices are discussed. Content analysis led to the development of classification systems for the types, sources, and communicative impact of hyperlinked and embedded materials in blogging and tweeting contexts. Network analysis was adapted to visualize, document, and describe course-related social interactions and student use of web-based information sources. Real student data are used to describe annotation-focused assessment criteria, analytic assessment dashboards, rubrics, and approaches to real-time graphic visualization of student performance.

patients and their families. The purpose of the study was firstly, to explore and interpret the meaning of the experiences of critical care nursing students about clinical accompaniment in open distance learning (ODL). This aspect has not been researched before and as such, there is no empirical data about the clinical accompaniment of the critical care-nursing students in ODL. Secondly, to develop guidelines for facilitation of clinical accompaniment in critical care nursing in ODL. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select participants to provide information about clinical accompaniment in ODL. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews supplemented by field notes compiled during fieldwork. The study findings revealed that participants regard relationships and communication as important for clinical accompaniment. The distance factor inherent in distance learning was problematic for student’s motivation and support. The presence and visibility of the lecturer was pivotal for the students. Of importance also were the relationships with the managers and colleagues. The perception of participants was that managers of clinical facilities were not as readily accessible as would have been the lecturer. Although negative experiences were described, paradoxically these experiences seemed to have empowered the student to develop survival skills, patience and assertiveness to take action on how to deal with the situation. From the findings the researcher was able to develop guidelines the implementation of which, is hoped to ensure effective clinical accompaniment of critical care nursing students in ODL. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Creation of electronic materials for chemistry education Bc. Petra Váňová Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 2014 The theme of my thesis is formation of educational instruments/tools for distance education and e-learning which at the same time can be inspirational for teachers of present learning. The theoretical section elaborates on the problems of distance education and e-learning. Furthermore, it describes Moodle, the system for teaching management. For the purpose of the applied section two teaching units were created during the class of Didactics of Organic Chemistry (MC280P06) at Department of Teaching and Didactics of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. The two units focus on the problematic of carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Beside the information about these topics, the contents of the teaching units should provide the students with an insight into modern study tools which increase the effectiveness of distance education as well as present learning. The teaching units are supplemented by study texts, Power Point presentations, handouts with key answers, projects/designs of chemical experiments applying theoretical knowledge to practical level, and a test designed for verifying the improvement of the course participants. The study tools were...

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Curriculum & Instruction / M. Gail Shroyer / Home computer ownership and Internet access have become essential to education, job security and economic opportunity. The digital divide, the gap between those who can afford and can use computer technolgies remains greatest for ethnic/racial groups placing them at a disadvantage for economic and eductional opportunties. The purpose of the study was to gain understanding and insight into the sociocultural factors influencing the digital divide as related to Latinos as a group, specifically a group of non-traditional Latina pre-service teachers from Southwestern Kansas in a required online instructional media and technology course. The folowing sociocultural factors 1) generational status, 2) English language ability, 3) educational attainment, 4) socioeconomic status and 5) gender identity are defined and identified in relationship to the success of eight Latina non-traditional, pre-service teachers in a required online instructional media and technology course as a requirement in their pursuit of a degree in elementary education. Four of the five sociocultural factors explored in this study; generational status, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and gender roles appeared to influence the success of Hispanic, non-traditional pre-service teachers enrolled in the required online instructional media and technology course. Only one of the factors, English language ability, did not appear to have any direct influence on the success of these particular students. Although many of the students struggled with conventional use of English and this undoubtedly influenced their success in other courses, it did not inhibit their success in the on-line media and technology course. Participants were most expressive in their personal interviews about the influence of gender roles, both as a motivator and an inhibitor of success. These sociocultural factors also influence one another, particularly as generational status influences, English language ability, educational attainment, gender roles, and ultimately socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status, in turn, highly influences computer ownership and Internet access which leads to reduced familiarity with computer and technology terminology, prior experience with computers, and the participant’s perceived self-efficacy in using computer technology for teaching. These factors all then influence the digital divide and the gaps that exist between Hispanics and other racial / ethnic groups.

Master of Science / Department of Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs / Doris Wright Carroll / This study reviews the development of distance education, adult students and specifically looks at the reasons for online course withdrawal. The study specifically examines personal and course-related reasons distance students withdraw from courses. Online students who withdrew from a course were invited to complete a course withdrawal survey to provide additional information about why they withdrew. Students reported balance between coursework and work/family commitments most frequently as the primary reason for course withdrawal. Results indicated that students withdrawing because of work/family reasons have higher intentions of re-enrolling in the future. Faculty and staff response time was another reason reported for course withdrawal. A perceived delay in communication was related to course withdrawal. Results are discussed further and implications are addressed.

Internet-based distance education (IDE) continues to grow in popularity and ubiquity. Acceptance of IDE among Christian higher education institutions has also increased. However, these institutions seek assistance. Such was the case with the nineteen institutions endorsed by the Assemblies of God (AG). The AG's oversight organization (The Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education, Alliance) was asked by member institutions for IDE aid, resources, and direction. To understand the current environment of IDE within AG higher education, an organizational discovery case study reviewed the historical IDE trends within AG higher education, surveyed institutional faculty members and administrators as to their IDE beliefs and situations, and analyzed the data collected. From the research findings, the Alliance gained a better understanding of the needs and intentions of its member institutions. It also realized the aid and resources to offer its endorsed institutions, what endorsement requirements were needed for spiritual development in an online distance education setting, and an overall IDE direction that the organization could provide or facilitate. To aid the organizational discovery, a research framework was created that the Alliance could reuse and share with similar organizations for their own internal discovery.

This research study was an investigation of current faculty development practices for alternative delivery systems. Attention was given to faculty development in general as well as specific facets of faculty development for alternative delivery systems. Future or intended faculty development practices were pursued, along with factors that influence decisions related to faculty development practices for alternative delivery systems at Christian graduate institutions of higher education. The examination of the precedent literature presented theological foundations for the study, current research on faculty development, and current research on alternative delivery systems. The concepts revealed in the literature review focused the structure of the research design and instrumentation. The presentation of the methodological design included the primary research questions, an overview of the research design and coding criteria, discussion of the research population, samples and delimitations, and the limitations of generalization. This section also discussed instrumentation and procedural processes guiding the research. The research then offered a summary and analysis of the data, organized according the order of the research questions. Conclusions based upon the research findings included a number of insights. The principal type of faculty development for alternative delivery systems was consulting or help desk support. The interviewees stated that faculty learned the most from one-on-one sessions tailored to faculty members' specific topics when faculty need "just in time" assistance. The distance education coordinators were available for a faculty "crisis," and many coordinators would venture out into the faculty hallways to offer their services. The second-most common type of faculty development for alternative delivery systems was the initial training session. Multiple institutions offered (and some required) a 1-3 day faculty boot camp in order to teach online, hybrid, or blended courses. These courses were followed up with journal articles, one-on-one meetings, and other resources. Institutions provided web sites and comprehensive printed notebooks to assist the faculty in their transition to alternative delivery systems. Hands-on training in a lab setting, with small groups of up to four professors, was communicated as the preferred training environment to provide both technical and pedagogical development. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.