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<p> African American Women Wounded Warriors&rsquo; Lived Experiences of Self-Directed Learning: Success Through the Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program This study explored the self-directed learning lived experiences of African American women wounded warriors in their successful journeys through the Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program. Garrison&rsquo;s (1997) self-directed learning served as the conceptual model to study the learning dimensions. Collins&rsquo; (2009) Black feminist epistemology served as the lens. Study data were collected by asking three African American female disabled veterans to discuss their lived experiences of motivation, self-management, and self-monitoring employed to obtain self-directed learning goals. Three 90-minute interviews were conducted with each participant to garner descriptive data about the participant&rsquo;s life history, details of the lived experience, and the meaning of the lived experience. </p><p> The study found that participants&rsquo; engagement with others stimulated their intrinsic motivation and encouraged their decisions to enter a self-directed learning program. The findings support the importance of participants&rsquo; utilizing personal accountability methods to self-manage the completion of self-directed learning plan objectives. The findings noted that the participants&rsquo; self-monitoring of information resulted in commonalities and differences regarding the acceptance of lived experiences espoused by others to validate knowledge.</p>

<p> Nurses at a suburban northeastern U.S. community hospital reported that they felt unprepared to effectively respond to a pediatric emergency. Empirical data were not available to identify if this local problem was due to a lack of the nurses&rsquo; self-confidence or if other factors were involved. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were relationships between nurses&rsquo; self-efficacy in pediatric emergencies and their knowledge of pediatric emergency care, as well as their years of clinical experience, nursing education, pediatric life support certification, specialty certification, and caring for pediatric patients. In addition, the research questions guided the investigation to determine if any of the variables could predict nurses&rsquo; self-efficacy in pediatric emergencies. The theoretical framework was based on Bandura&rsquo;s social learning theory, which incorporates the concept of self-efficacy, as well as Zimmerman&rsquo;s self-regulated learning theory. A quantitative correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 37 nurses. Self-efficacy was measured with the General Self-Efficacy Scale and knowledge was quantified using a 32-item researcher-developed instrument. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and correlations. Results showed that none of the variables predicted self-efficacy; however, years of nursing education, pediatric life support certification, and clinical experience were all significantly related to knowledge. Based on the results, a 3-day educational program was developed to address pediatric emergency practice. The results of this study can direct positive social change by informing future nursing education and training efforts in order to improve the medical outcomes of pediatric patients.</p>

<p> <b>Purpose.</b> The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare the generational cohorts of Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y/Millennial, as defined by Howe and Strauss (2007), in terms of learning style preferences in the United States. </p><p> <b>Methodology.</b> A non-experimental, retrospective, causal-comparative research design was used to determine whether the independent variable, generational cohort, was correlated with the dependent variable, learning style preference, by comparing Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y/Millennials. Participants were recruited through an online survey and invited to participate via email to electronically complete the Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS), a 44-item assessment of learning style preference. Results were analyzed using non-parametric chi-square tests of independence in SPSS software. </p><p> <b>Findings.</b> The chi-square analyses did not result in a significant difference between the learning style preferences of the generational cohorts. The cohorts were similar on the four dimensions of learning style preferences. On a macro level, the generations were predominately represented by preferences for reflective, sensing, visual, and sequential learning styles. Generation Y&rsquo;s preference for active and visual learning was higher than the other generations. On a micro level, Baby Boomers and Millennials were the most similar (identical on 12 metrics), followed by Generations X and Y (identical on seven metrics), and by Baby Boomers and Generation X (identical on three metrics). </p><p> <b>Conclusions.</b> The variety of learning style preferences and the similarities among the sample inform decisions about the design and delivery of training. A variety of learning style preferences are present in any generation, and organizations should be cautious about adopting stereotypes that lack empirical evidence to support assumptions about generational differences in learning style preferences. </p><p> <b>Recommendations.</b> Focusing on generational differences is not necessary when designing and delivering training. Organizations will benefit from applying adult learning theory and evaluating the learning style preferences of their unique training audiences. Future studies should include a larger sample size from a global population, include Generation Z, and use additional or different learning style assessments.</p>

<p> The history of the human-canine relationship and the human-canine bond is longstanding and has grown and developed throughout the years. Today, dogs are considered part of the family and are beneficial in impacting people across the United States. Introducing the community to dog safety education may strengthen the awareness and confidence of dog lovers across the state of Florida and hopefully reduce the number of preventable dog emergencies.</p><p> This research suggested the reasons for dog ownership and the importance of protecting our beloved canines by presenting a literature review covering the evolution of the human-canine relationship, human-canine bond, positive effects of canines on humans, history of humane education to demonstrate the importance of dogs in the lives of American citizens and an overview of community education and the importance dog safety community education.</p><p> The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand the current state of dog safety community education in Florida and to introduce the need for policies and procedures for dog safety training for adults, if needed based on the research. This topic was analyzed through a needs assessment administered through a Parks &amp; Recreation department in south Florida and online through social media. Ten key informants were selected to interview for an in-depth understanding of their perspective on this topic. Document analysis was conducted to see if results of the needs assessment were addressed in brochures and other media locally. The participants were community members of Florida who were also dog owners. Participants were adults over the age of 18. The participants&rsquo; anonymity was protected, as no names were collected from the survey.</p><p> After carefully examining data collected from 10 interviews, document analysis, and surveys of 150 participants who are dog owners in Florida, the researcher of this study revealed factors that show substantial value that dog owners place on their dogs and interest in educational opportunities to protect their safety. The significance of this study presented additional research dispelling a misconception that dog safety education as easily accessible and available in Florida based communities. This study was also significant because it contributes to the literature by identifying the value dog owners place on their dogs, as demonstrated in both survey and document analysis. </p>

<p> The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a teacher training program in distance education (EAD) offered in a private institution of a higher education system located south of Puerto Rico. In order to achieve the objectives, the research was carried out with the application of Stufflebeam CIPP Model for program evaluation, specially focused on process and product phases.</p><p> The sample was composed of professors who participated in the Training Program. These participants were given a questionnaire designed for this research and related to the two stages: process, product and effectiveness of the program, as well as their satisfaction on aspects related to the training received. A Likert scale was used to identify the responses.</p><p> The research was framed in a quantitative and non-experimental methodology that was based around three research questions. The data obtained with the administration of the questionnaire were analyzed through the program SPSS 21. These data were analyzed and calculated through the descriptive statistics with the calculation of the frequency measurements.</p><p> After analyzing the data obtained and based on the results obtained and reported the highest percentages in the scale of "Totally agree" and "Agreed" it was shown that in the opinion of the participants, the training program for the teacher training in DE is effective with respect to the purpose of their design and participants are satisfied with the training received. The data collected in this study may support educational institutions to design training programs for professional development.</p>

<p> The transition from a usually autocratic to generally participative style of leadership has been a process full of frustration, anxiety, and concerns for Nigerian immigrant pastors in The Apostolic Church (TAC) North America. These pastors have brought the values, concepts, practices, and behavior which they learned in Nigeria to lead the American church, but their inability to identify differences between the two cultures and make the necessary changes for easy adaptation has often led to conflict and power struggle between church authorities, pastors, and members in TAC North America. Thus, this study examined how Nigerian pastors in TAC North America are adapting the leadership style they learned in Nigeria to the North American context. </p><p> The study used the mixed method approach and data was gathered through self-reported questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews. A purposeful sampling method was used in conjunction with snowball sampling. Ten churches with congregations of 100 and above were purposefully selected. The participants included the pastor, an elder, and a member. A total of three participants from each church representing an overall total of thirty participants contributed to the study. The self-report questionnaires provided information on the demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as their cultural dimension and perception of leadership style. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were also used to provide a more thorough understanding of the pastor&rsquo;s life history, experiences, and leadership styles. </p><p> The results obtained showed that most of the participants scored low on power distance, but scored high on uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity, and long-term orientation. On the perceived leadership behavior scale, a greater number of the elders and members perceived their pastor&rsquo;s behavior as being high on Instrumental Leadership (IL), supportive leadership (SL), and participative leadership (PL). The pastors interviewed expressed some of their frustrations which includes their accents preventing them from reaching out to people who are not Africans, lack of funds to finance church projects, seemingly lack of respect for pastors as well as the congregation&rsquo;s lack of commitment, and poor attendance to church services. Some doctrinal challenges include men and women sitting together in church, women not covering their hair and wearing pants/trousers to church, allowing unmarried couples to partake in holy communion and even be ordained as church officers, and tithes and offering were concerns for the pastors. </p><p> Despite all the hindrances and challenges, the pastors expressed their determination to fulfill their calling and in their efforts to adapt and accept the democratic and participatory style of leadership, as opposed to the generally hierarchical and autocratic approach used in TAC Nigeria. Nigerian pastors in TAC North America and the executives in Nigeria need to examine these challenges and formulate better policies for sending and supporting missionary pastors in TAC North America.</p>

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<p> This dissertation investigated the association of course delivery method with persistence of first-time, beginning, and transfer nontraditional undergraduate students at two public universities over a 6-year period (2009&ndash;2015). Research exists on nontraditional undergraduates, nontraditional instructional methods/delivery, and persistence among college students; however, most research does not combine these constructs in the way this dissertation has. This dissertation adds to research on persistence among a little researched, but large and growing, population in higher education, nontraditional students, by examining the association of course delivery methods with their persistence. Analysis of the data sets revealed strong persistence results at Rush (77%) and Southeast (68%), well above persistence for first-time beginning and transfer students entering in Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 at the two institutions, and exceeding rates reported in other studies of nontraditional students. Logistic regression did not support the researcher&rsquo;s original non-directional hypothesis that course delivery method may be associated with persistence among nontraditional students at these two institutions. This dissertation study adds to research in four ways: (a) inclusion of an institutional lens added contextual data for better understanding of the quantitative result; (b) considering course delivery method as a factor in persistence; (c) providing contrast to the deficit perspective of attrition by focusing on persistence; and (d) adding evidence to the importance of multiple, cross-campus strategies that respond to student needs.</p>

<p> A review of research regarding acceptance of online degrees by employers returns contradictory results. The current research focused on human resources recruiters&rsquo; perceptions and biases toward traditional versus online education. Human capital theory, signaling theory, and stakeholder theory formed the conceptual support for understanding the potential impact of bias toward online education. The researcher used semi-structured phone interviews with 18 recruiters as the data collection method. A purposive sample ensured that the participants were selected appropriately. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and manually analyzed for themes related to the acceptance of online education. Eighty-three percent of respondents believed online and traditional educations are equal among accredited institutions. This finding marks a change from previous studies that have found mixed attitudes among employers about online education. The perceived lack of social interaction inherent in online education and reputation of specific institutions were concerns. The results suggest that attitudes toward online education are changing to a more favorable view. The majority (83%) of participants indicated online education was equal to traditional education when reviewing resumes. The researcher recommends that online students participate in outside the classroom social activities to compensate for perceived lack of social interaction. Institutions offering online programs should obtain or maintain accreditation and strengthen their reputation for their graduates to be acceptable to business recruiters.</p>