Many principals are appointed into this position of authority in schools without having undertaken any course of study, either formal or informal, in the area of educational administration nor having had any prior experience in an administrative role. This thesis presents a number of studies and reviews a range of literature which reach a conclusion that highlights the paramount importance of the principal in relation to the effective operation of the school. The paper discusses the increasing conflicts and dilemmas facing the principal in leading the school community. Because of the importance of the principal's role and the increased pressures upon the person holding that position, this study agrees that administrative training is necessary and increasingly so. It goes on to deveolop a basic training course for principals and for those potential administrators who aspire to that position. In developing this proposed course, this thesis examines the principal in terms of his general description that is age, sex, experience, the nature of his selection and appointment and the roles undertaken by principals in general. A review is undertaken of the professional development of principals in Australia with particular reference to a Queensland and to a South Australian programme. The Australian scene is compared to that in England and Wales and a criteria for 'good practice' is developed for such professional development courses alongside a recommended methodology for conducting such in-service activities. Criteria for the content of the course is built upon examples from the courses examined, the roles undertaken and the background from which Australian administrators emerge. The 'good practice', the methodology and the content statements are finally merged in this thesis, into a detailed description of a proposed course for school administrators.

This thesis investigated the development and effectiveness of a perceptual training programmes for coaches and judges in gymnastics. Study one examined the variability of visual search for coaches and judges when viewing handspring vaults. The study found that there were no significant differences between the mean number of fixations, fixation duration and number of areas fixated across two time-points four weeks apart. In addtion, the natural range of variation of the number of fixations, fixation duration and number of area fixated was found to be 9/7%, 5.7% and 14.2% (expressed as coefficient of variation). Study two examined differences between expert and novice gymnastics coaches' and judges' visual search. Analysis of gaze behaviour showed that experts make significantly more fixations of significantly longer duration to significantly fewer areas than novies. There was no significant difference between the outcome juddgements made by the expert and novice coaches and judges. These findings suggest that visual search may be a contributing factor to expert performance in judgement formation. Study three explored the visual search pattern and knowledge used by expert coaches and judges when making decisions. Data were gathered through the used of eye-tracking and semi-structered interviews. Analyses established that experts tend to fixate on the torso and shoulders of gymnasts throughout the vault, and that there are three to four specific areas which are explored during each phase of a vault. Study four examined the effectiveness of a perceptual training programme for a perceptual traning and control group. Fixation number, fixation duration, number of areas fixated and outcome judgement were recorded at baseline, immediently after the programme and four weeks after it had been withdrawn. 2 (control vs. perceputal training) x 3 (intervention phase) ANOVA's with repeated measures showed that the perceptual training group produced significantly less error at the retention stage for number of fixations (F (2,6) = 12.57, p = 0.01, effect size n2 = .81), at the post-test for fixation duration (F (2,6) = 7.49, p = 0.02, effect size n2 = .71). However post-hoc analyses could not detect the difference for number of areas fixated. In study five, four participants that took part in the experiental condition watched a perceptual training DVD twice a week for six weeks. The case study data showed that the expert and novices who watched the perceptual training DVD made changes to their visual search variables and judgements and therefore became more analogous to the experts from study three to baseline to the post-test. However, only the novices retained the beneficial effects of the intervention. To conclude, this programme of research examinaed the development and effectiveness of a perceptual training programee for coaches' and judges' in gymnastics. This thesis suggests that a perceptual training programme based on the visual search and declarative knowledge of expert coaches and judges is effective at altering visual search and enhancing decision making for noveice coaches and judges. This research programme therefore promotes the use of perceptual training programmes for novice coaches and judges in sport.

See the attached abstract below

The purpose of this study was to find whether cross training could improve male adolescent rugby skills. Three major sports (soccer, basketball and wrestling) were selected to form the base of the cross training intervention program. Pre- and post-tests were performed with the entire rugby squad (24 participants) prior to and at the conclusion of the intervention program. After pre-testing, the participants were grouped into either the intervention (12) or the control group (12). Supervised cross training sessions were performed twice a week for 10 weeks as well as traditional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks with the intervention group. The control group performed supervised conventional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks. All participants (24) played in a rugby match once a week during the 10 week period of the study.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Recently the state budgets more and more resources for the computerization of schools. The computer capacities increase. However we confront a new problem- creating the software. There is a shortage of Lithuanian training programmes at schools. Purpose of the current work is to create a training programme of computer hardware that is easily managed and not demanding special skills, intended for the junior schoolchildren and computer users at the initial level. Analysis of the available programmes evidences the absence of such Lithuanian programme. The project has been worked out for the programme. Consumer demands, requirements, experience and skills have been investigated and estimated, functional and non functional requirements of the programme have been examined and the specification has been arranged. Programme architecture has been described in the architectural specification. Visual Basic Programming Language has been selected for the programme implementation. On the ground of testing document a testing of the programme has been carried out and mistakes revealed during the testing were eliminated. Consumer’s documentation has been prepared. The carried out analysis of the programme quality showed that the programme conforms the requirements raised for the training computer programmes and satisfies the demands of IT teachers, schoolchildren and users at the initial level.

Caltex have successfully implemented a training programme (Appendix O) designed in New Zealand where it has shown various levels of success. Based on those successes Caltex want to role out this programme to the rest of the world. The home country is imposing its training schedule on the host country. The Caltex training programme is designed with the premise that one size fits all. Thus the assumption is drawn that the needs and habits of motorists and employees in one country are the same, as in other countries. The reliability of service delivery is often totally within the control of front line employees. When service deteriorates or fails, employees are essential for setting things straight and using their judgement to determine the best course of action for service recovery. The responsiveness of front line employees directly influences customer's perception through their eager willingness to serve customers. The assurance of service quality is highly dependant on the employee's ability to communicate their credibility and to inspire trust and confidence. Empathy to consumers needs shows that the employees are caring and attentive. This attitudinal study is intended to show that the Caltex training program of frontline staff will have a positive impact on customer satisfaction levels. The study aims to show that training and development of frontline staff in a South African context needs more than a general approach but also requires staff assessment and a practical on the job focus. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal (Durban), 2004.

Thesis (MEd)--University of South Australia, 1996

The purpose of this study was to find whether cross training could improve male adolescent rugby skills. Three major sports (soccer, basketball and wrestling) were selected to form the base of the cross training intervention program. Pre- and post-tests were performed with the entire rugby squad (24 participants) prior to and at the conclusion of the intervention program. After pre-testing, the participants were grouped into either the intervention (12) or the control group (12). Supervised cross training sessions were performed twice a week for 10 weeks as well as traditional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks with the intervention group. The control group performed supervised conventional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks. All participants (24) played in a rugby match once a week during the 10 week period of the study.

The purpose of this study was to find whether cross training could improve male adolescent rugby skills. Three major sports (soccer, basketball and wrestling) were selected to form the base of the cross training intervention program. Pre- and post-tests were performed with the entire rugby squad (24 participants) prior to and at the conclusion of the intervention program. After pre-testing, the participants were grouped into either the intervention (12) or the control group (12). Supervised cross training sessions were performed twice a week for 10 weeks as well as traditional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks with the intervention group. The control group performed supervised conventional rugby training twice a week for 10 weeks. All participants (24) played in a rugby match once a week during the 10 week period of the study.