By the year 2020, it is projected that 30% of the United States population will be comprised of people age 65 and older (Administration on Aging, 2004). Individuals over age 65 will continue to constitute a larger proportion of the total population because people are living longer and healthier lives. With older adults living longer, this senior population leads very active lives and often has great interest in modern technology such as the Internet (Nielsen, 2002). Given the use of computers in the workplace and homes and the increase in the number of older adults in the next 20 years, the use of computers by older adults is a significant issue that should be addressed (Czaja, 1996). Computer tasks involve cognitive skills that may be challenging for older adults. Most of the literature suggests that cognitive skills decline as individuals age (Baddeley, 1981; Foos, 1989; Salthouse, 1996; Welford, 1985). Decrements in working memory could place older adults at a disadvantage when performing computer-interactive tasks. To increase the success of older workers' performance with computer technology, web-based training programs designed to accommodate age-related cognitive declines may be an effective avenue to deliver computer training to younger and older adults. The objectives of this study were to explore computer self-efficacy differences between younger adults (18-24 years old) and older adults (65 and older) and to determine if the design of a web-based training system affects individual performance when completing a computer task. Four hypotheses were tested in this study: older adult-centered web-based training program would yield better performance for both younger and older adults; older adults would have lower computer self-efficacy than younger adults; participants with higher computer self-efficacy would perform better on a computer task; and participants with higher usability ratings would perform better on the computer task. Results of the study did not directly support any of the hypotheses. However, age-related differences were evident in training time, task completion time, performance score, and usability ratings. The older adult participants had longer training and task completion times, lower performance scores, and higher usability ratings. Results were discussed in terms of limitations and implications of older-adult centered training programs. / Master of Science

This study applied components of Csikszentmhalyi’s flow theory to the Web-based Training (WBT) environment. Specifically considered were how the equivalence of a learner’s perceived challenges and skills for an activity can effectively predict the emergence of flow in the WBT environment. Also considered was the ability of flow dimensions — defined in flow theory — to predict and model the occurrence of flow during WBT activities. Over a period of about one hour, students (n=43) from a southwestern US university engaged in WBT learning activities pertaining to on-line coursework or self-study. A special Web-based software installed on the students’ computers sporadically reminded them to complete a series of on-line questionnaires which collected data on their flow experience, learning activities, and flow dimensions. The data collection method employed by this study is effectively an electronic, Web-enabled version of, and functionally equivalent to, the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) used in other flow studies. This study employed questionnaires used in prior flow studies to collect data regarding respondents’ flow experiences and flow dimensions, and developed an on-line instrument to collect data on students’ learning experiences based on instructional events found in computer-based lessons from Gagné. Significant findings (p<.05) from this study suggest that, in the WBT environment studied, as the relative level of challenge and skill of a learning activity increases, so does the level of flow experienced by the individual. This study also found that flow dimensions are good predictors of flow experience. The results of this study should have important implications for WBT users and instructional designers. Since flow is a positive experience that most individuals wish to repeat, understanding how to facilitate the occurrence of flow, from both the WBT user’s and instructional designer’s perspective, is likely to be beneficial to the rapidly emerging field of WBT.

The purpose of this study was to assess nurse and medical assistant perceived needs prior to implementing an expended web-based training (WBT) program in physician clinics. This case study was conducted with a mixed-data approach using quantitative and descriptive survey data collection. A total of 239 nurses and medical assistants within the Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics dispersed throughout east, north east and north central Texas participated. The participants shared knowledge and behaviors common to the culture of the organization. When new and existing clinical staff traveled to the distant primary campus for training, the operations of the clinic practice was disrupted. Employees are not hired in groups comprising convenient training class sizes, and mandatory training often cannot wait until a class is of a cost effective size. The data were collected using a 50-item survey evaluating computer access, computer usage, computer knowledge (satisfaction, frustration, and motivation to transfer learning), and WBT preference (employee's support and employee's perception of supervisor's support). Quantitative data were collected in the form of a dichotomous yes or no and ordinal data from two Likert type scales. Descriptive survey data was collected using open-ended questions emphasizing perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of WBT. Demographic data were collected to facilitate comparison of perspectives based on demographic information gathered. To support reliability and validity of the Clinic WBT Needs Assessment (CWBTNA), exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's coefficient alpha, and correlations were utilized to validate the survey instrument. Chi-squares, ANOVAs, and t-tests were conducted. Following the Bonferroni control for Type I error rate (a), four t-test, two chi-squares, and three ANOVAs demonstrated significance. Descriptive responses generated from descriptive survey items were transcribed into an Excel spreadsheet which allowed coding and sorting. Themes consistent with order sets of the quantitative survey emerged. Among additional findings, statistical data demonstrated that staff perceived they transferred learning into the work place best when they perceived greater supervisor support. All findings are detailed in the document.

The following report discusses the design, development, and evaluation of an online training on customer acquisition of telephone customers for a telecommunications company called ACN. The report includes a description of the following elements of the project: (a) the need and purpose for the instruction, (b) the target audience of the instruction, (c) the methodology and rationale for the design of the instruction based on relevant literature, (d) an existing materials search, (e) the instructional materials, (f) the evaluation, (g) the critique, (h) the schedule, and (i) the final budget report. The instruction was found to effectively teach learners the intended objectives which related to understanding the ACN approach to customer acquisition and how to answer common customer questions. Learners in the small group test gained an average of 58.8% on the posttest following completion of the instruction. In addition, qualitative feedback from learners was positive, with all of the learners suggesting that the instruction was helpful, well organized, and accessible. Content experts indicated that the instruction complemented the current ACN training system and that the essential content was covered in a logical manner, and design experts indicated that proper instructional design and web-based training principles were implemented.

ELM Resources, a not-for-profit, mutual-benefit corporation, provides web-based transmission and data translation services for student loan data between loan providers and schools/universities. This corporation has a relatively new training staff of five to seven employees and over 1,800 client organizations. Because of the heavy demands placed on the training staff, ELM training administrators sought alternatives to their current training program of onsite training and web conferencing. Blended learning was identified as one possible solution. In this project, blended learning is defined as using a combination of face-to-face training and technology-delivered training. By adding web-based, on-demand tutorials, along with other training media, ELM hoped to increase access to training while keeping costs low. This project explores the impact of these tutorials on ELM and its clients. Reported are an interview with the Director of Training and several surveys distributed to school staff, lenders, and ELM training specialists. A critique of the project addresses the need for future research to collect performance data. Evaluation results indicate that the changes to the training program have established a positive relationship between ELM and its clients, and have given ELM a definite competitive edge. The advantages especially noted in the evaluation results include the usefulness of the tutorials as both a reinforcement of previous training and a self-testing tool, their brief and highly visual format which teaches one process at a time, and the convenience in accessing and using the tutorials. Disadvantages include the tutorial's inherent impersonal nature, the loss of the ability to ask questions, and lack of optional narration. This paper discusses unanticipated benefits to the trainers, such as the use of the tutorials within face-to-face training sessions, and to other ELM staff members, including Help Desk personnel. The decrease in training-related Help Desk calls after the introduction of the training changes suggests a positive impact on learning.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between adult learners' preferred learning style and preference for delivery mode. The subjects (n=61) were technical and billing support call center employees from an Internet company in Dallas, Texas. The participants were randomly assigned to one of six groups and given Kolb's Learning Style Inventory to assess their preference for learning style. They received training on three modules of &#8220;Influencing Others Positively,&#8221; with each module delivered via one of three methods (web-based, classroom, and blended). Participants were also administered two surveys. The first survey collected demographic information and asked which method that they expected they would prefer. The second survey was administered after the course and asked them to rank their preferences for delivery method. It was hypothesized that learning style would be significantly associated with preference for delivery method. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test of independence for the variables learning style and preferred mode of delivery. Although the chi-square test of independence did not produce statistical significance, some interesting trends were identified in the data. Specifically, a majority of the participants preferred a blended approach to training delivery (a combination of self-paced web-based training and classroom group exercises). No Divergers preferred classroom training and no Accommodators preferred web-based training. Additionally, a logistic regression analysis indicated that Assimilators were six times more likely than Divergers to prefer a blended approach to training (p=.10). Further studies should utilize other learning style theories, explore different types of learning outcomes and delivery methods, and include a larger sample from different organizations. Training needs assessments should include learning style inventories as part of the audience analysis prior to training development.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis proposes that it is possible to create an adjunct to traditional instructor-led training that will reduce training time and costs and at the same time improve performance using commercial off-theshelf (COTS) software. Motivated by the lessons learned following the attack on the USS Cole on October 12, 2000 in which 17 sailors were killed and 42 were wounded, we created a simulator using readily available software in minimal time with zero funding and tested it against small sample sizes of eventual recipients of the training. The simulator, as part of a blended learning solution, was shown to be as effective as traditional instructor-based learning but was conceived at a fraction of the cost and with a significant reduction in total training time. Both of these factors are increasingly being valued in today's reality of increased operational tempo and reduced resources. / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

Orientador: Milton Terumitsu Sogabe / Banca: Mirian Celeste Ferreira Dias Martins / Banca: Lúcio Agra / ABSTRACT: The idea of this paper is to propose an art study possibility helped by the computer connected to the web, using communication technologies and virtual reality simulation, checking on VRML language as a tool for creation, by simulation, of environments in 3D virtual reality to study some particular art aspects such as the 3D perception and putting together the main results, obtained from many different researches on the usage of VRML and its educational application, aiming to achieve the dimension of this possibility. I intend, as the main objective of the research, to study the VRML language as a support tool to optimize the construction on the art knowlegment. This proposal has, as the idea of an application, the development of a bigger concept comprehension in art's studies and still the learning of arts, on distance learning, through the experiences in art appreciation and sensorial involvement using virtual reality by the VRML language to promote the simulation e reproduction of visual master pieces in virtual reality and so on. This proposal doesn't intend to be an idea on the replacement of teachers and tutors on teaching and learning of virtual arts, quite the opposite, the idea is to offer access to materials in a different way and to a bigger number of people, through the anytime / anywhere possibilities of learning that are available on the distance learning digital technologies by the using of computers connected to the web, called e-learning. Basically, the paper is divided in three parts. 1. To propose the art study couting n the computer, communication techonologies and virtual reality simulation, 2. To research the VRML language as a tool to create the environment in virtual reality to study the 3D representation, and. 3. To put together the results already otained in many researches about the usage of VRML language its educational applicability, to get tlhe dimension of this proposal. / Mestre

The use of information technology for the delivery for educational programs is growing rapidly worldwide. In the United States of America and Australia the number of higher education institutions which are making use of online education to teach Public Administration is constantly increasing. Surveys done by the National Association of Schools for Public Administration and Affairs (NASPAA) in the United States of America found heightened interest in distance education. In 1995 it was found by NASPAA that Public Administration was offered by 12% of higher educational institutions to students online. One year later the number had increased to 24%. The last NASPAA survey in 2000 showed an increase of 39%. It is possible for students in the United States of America and Australia to complete a Public Administration degree online. However, in South Africa the use of web-based training for the delivery of Public Administration as a science discipline is still under utilised. It was found that only six, or 20% of the higher educational institutions offering Public Administration to students in South Africa, made use of web-based training in 2002. This compares poorly with the United States of America and Australia. Due to distance, time and financial constraints it therefore becomes difficult for officials or students interested in government related studies, to travel to a university or even to take the necessary three years to study for a Public Administration degree. Web-based training programmes should provide the opportunity to address these problems. By redesigning the content of Public Administration courses to be completed on the World Wide Web, higher educational institutions in South Africa should be able to reach more students, than would normally be the case. Although South Africa is the best developed of all the African countries with regard to the use of information and communication technology (ICT), South Africa still experience some limitations. These limitations include access to computers, infrastructural development, telephone line connectivity, and in may cases access to electricity. / Dissertation (MA (Public Administration))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / Unrestricted

L’objectif de la thèse est de trouver les moyens d’améliorer la réussite en statistiques des étudiants en psychologie, en examinant les effets des feedbacks de comparaison sociale ou temporelle délivrés dans un environnement numérique d'apprentissage, plus particulièrement un exerciseur en ligne. Cet objectif s’appuie sur trois constats. Premièrement, les études qui s’intéressent aux environnements numériques pour l'apprentissage des statistiques montrent qu’une des caractéristiques centrales de ce type d’outil est l’utilisation de feedbacks immédiats, alors même que le type de feedback délivré est rarement questionné. Deuxièmement, la littérature s’est largement intéressée aux feedbacks centrés sur la tâche et assez peu à ceux qui reposent sur des processuspsychosociaux, comme la comparaison sociale ou temporelle. Troisièmement, les effets de ces comparaisons ont très rarement été étudiés en même temps, a fortiori dans le cadre d’exerciseurs en ligne. Le programme derecherches se décompose en deux séries d’études. Les trois premières études examinent les effets des feedbacks de comparaison sociale et temporelle sur les performances en statistiques. Les deux dernières études s'apparentent à des « recherches-action » visant à amener les étudiants à utiliser l’exerciseur en ligne à partir d’interventions pédagogiques réalisées en Travaux Dirigés. Globalement, les résultats ne montrent pas d’effet robuste des feedbacks de comparaison mais confirment le rôle prépondérant du comportement consistantà remettre un travail à plus tard (procrastination) et du niveau initial en mathématiques sur la réussite des étudiants. Les implications de ces résultats sont discutées en tenant compte du contexte écologique danslequel s'inscrivent ces recherches. / The aim of this thesis is to find ways of improving psychology students’ statistics performance, by examining the influence of social or temporal comparison feedback delivered in a web-based training environment. This aim is based on three observations. Firstly, immediate feedback has been shown as a central characteristic of web-based learning environments for statistics, but studies rarely interrogate which kind of feedback is delivered. Secondly, studies generally focus on taskoriented feedback rather than on psychosocial processes such as social and temporalcomparison. Thirdly, these two comparisons have rarely been examined at the same time, a fortiori in web-based training environments. The research program is divided in two sets of studies. The first three studies examine theinfluence of social or temporal comparison feedback on statistics performance. In the last two studies, interventions in class were implemented to encourage students to use the web-based training environments. Overall, results do not show a robust effect of comparison feedbacks but confirm the crucial influence of procrastination and initial knowledge on students’ performance. The implications are discussed considering thenaturalistic nature of this research.