The ability to effectively manage learning design projects, consult with stakeholders (such as sponsors, subject matter experts, and learners), and direct projects to completion is a vital part of an instructional designer’s role. Although the need for project management education and experience is reiterated in the literature and in cross-industry instructional designer (ID) job postings, it was unclear how these professionals acquired and used project management skills and tools in their profession because project management is not a focus in many higher education programs intended to prepare instructional designers. The goal of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of practicing instructional designers as project managers. Results describe how instructional designers practice project management and the best practices, models, methods, tools, and technologies that they use to acquire and apply project management knowledge and skills in their learning design projects. Five themes emerged from the analysis: ID/Project Management (PM) Background, PM Role Characteristics, PM Challenges, PM Insights, and PM Recommendations. During the analysis process, 14 codes (each corresponding to a theme) were exposed. The ID/PM Background theme consisted of ID/PM-related Experience, PM Preparation, and PM Competencies. PM Role Characteristics included Primary Responsibilities, Models Used, and Tools Used. PM Challenges encompassed the PM Challenges and Avoid/Overcome PM Challenges codes. PM Insights comprised PM Preparation Feelings, PM Experience Feelings, and PM Models/Tools Feelings. The theme, PM Recommendations, included codes for PM Preparation Recommendations, PM Model/Tool Recommendations, and PM Recommendations. An examination of themes that emerged from the instructional designers’ stories, along with an exploration of the research questions yielded important findings. The study offers recommendations for academia and industry for preparing instructional designers to manage their projects in professional practice.

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INTRODUCTION: Continuing Education (CE) courses for allied health professionals do not consistently reflect the needs of adult learners and may not result in practice changes. In areas of allied health practice with a strong evidence base, poor quality CE courses stunt the dissemination of information which could improve the quality of life of clients. One such area is improving safety and independence of older adults with low vision, who are at increased risk of falls and functional limitations as a result of their visual impairments. DESCRIPTION OF DOCTORAL CAPSTONE: The aim of this doctoral capstone was to discuss the theory and evidence for the creation of effective, learner-centered CE courses and to apply these findings to the creation of CE courses for allied health professionals on the topic of community-dwelling older adults with low vision. RESULTS: The resulting CE courses were compared to the guidelines for a theory-driven, evidence-based course and were found to adhere to quality standards of: use of a needs assessment, reflection of the real-life context of learners, incorporation of active learning and reflection components, inclusion of visible pedagogy, and evaluation of the translation of learning to practice. CONCLUSION: CE courses that adhere to evidence-based, learner centered methods produce better learning and satisfaction outcomes for participants. CE course creators should adhere to these guidelines and advertise the use of theory and evidence to enable clinician participants to identify high-quality continuing education courses. Clinicians who gain knowledge in the areas of low vision diagnoses, screening, referrals, interventions, and resources, through attendance at a well-designed CE course, will be better able to identify clients with low vision and provide evidence-based care which has been found to improve client safety and independence.

The critical shortage of competent nurses, disillusionment, and high attrition rate among graduates entering the workforce provided the impetus for this investigation. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived level of empowerment among graduating nursing students of two basic nursing educational programs and the relationship of empowerment to selected variables. The selected variables were self-directed learning readiness, self-esteem, level in the program, and demographics. In addition, predictors of empowerment were investigated. A sample of 294 nursing students of associate and baccalaureate degree programs from five schools of nursing in the Mid-Atlantic region participated in the study. Instruments used were the Vincenz Empowerment Scale, Self- Directed Learning Readiness Scale, and Self-Esteem Inventory and a data sheet for demographics. The survey was completed from June to September 1994. Nursing students in general perceived themselves to have fairly high levels of empowerment, self-directed learning readiness, and self-esteem which was significantly higher for graduating students as compared to freshman students. There were no significant differences among the variables under study between baccalaureate and associate degree students or the type of institution they represented as private or public. Similarly, there were no differences in their perceived levels of empowerment, self-directed learning readiness, or self-esteem based on gender, racial/ethnic background, or affiliation with Student Nurses' Association. The wide variation in age and educational background ranging from high school to graduate degrees were associated with the participants' levels of self-directed learning readiness and self-esteem. In addition, participants who were involved in community organizations reported higher levels of empowerment. Regression analysis indicated self-directed learning readiness and self-esteem contributed significantly to the variance in empowerment. The findings add to the empowerment literature. Implications for nursing education include: (a) enhancing students' level of self-directed learning readiness and self-esteem may assist in empowering them, and (b) the basic educational process plays a significant role in nursing students' perceived levels of empowerment. / Ed. D.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Community and Continuing Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The study outlines the research carried at Sebayeng Public Adult Learning Centre (PALC) in the Limpopo Province. The aim of this study is to identify the educational needs and assets of illiterate women at Sebayeng PALC. The main research question was: What are the educational needs and assets of illiterate women at Sebayeng PALC? This study employed the qualitative research method to explore the educational needs and assets of the illiterate women at Sebayeng PALC. This study employed a case study design to gain insight into the challenges and strengths of illiterate women at Sebayeng PALC. The research participants were purposefully sampled due to the importance of their shared experiences and opinions in answering the interview questions for the purpose of triangulation. The data was collected by means of analysis of documents, semi-structured interviews and observation. The research data was analysed inductively. The findings of the study indicate that the illiterate women appreciate the value of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) offered by Sebayeng PALC. Apart from the participants commending their spouses for rendering moral and financial support, they also appealed to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to introduce ABET Level 4 course. The illiterate women preferred ABET Level 4 course because it is deemed to have more credits that open up learners for further training opportunities at tertiary institutions. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the DBE provide further budgetary support to improve the centre’s operating and financial leverage. In addition, an empowerment programme to improve the quality of teaching and learning to illiterate women at Sebayeng PALC has also been recommended.

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