Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-115). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 90-96.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2006. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 192-211. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 212-227).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

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M.Ed. / Stirring my interest in the area of personal development for adult learners was the recognition of the importance of self-development within the Life Orientation and Arts and Culture learning fields. Within these, the focus is on learners’ “inner” development enabling them to live successfully in a dynamic world. There are a number of self–development programmes and books currently available, and while many of these claim to be transformative they offer little substantiation for this apart from personal anecdotal evidence. Few of the programmes provided evidence of their value for participants over time or of the effect, they had on an individual’s perspectives. Thus, it is my contention that any programme aimed at effecting a personal change would need to focus on facilitating an increase in the participant’s level of self-awareness by empowering them to engage in processes of critical self-examination. Participants should be encouraged to engage in critical discussion of challenging information they are introduced to (Brookfield, 1995; Brookfield & Preskill, 1999; Gravett, 2001). These types of discussions provide a forum in which participants are able to test and validate their transformation. Another consideration for programmes wanting to effect personal change is the learning climate in which the transformational learning takes place. A climate conducive to learning must promote the development of mutual trust and respect between the learners and the educator (Gravett, 2001; Vella, 1994). This helps the participants to gain a sense of psychological safety in which their perspectives are affirmed and validated. Further, it allows the participants the freedom needed to explore alternative points of view and supports them in their transformation. Adopting this approach enhances the learning process, as it allows for the inclusion of individual learning styles, uses the learner’s knowledge base as a starting point in constructing new knowledge, and promotes critical reflection and discussion resulting in transformation (Cranton, 2002; Foley, 2000; Gravett, 2001; Pratt, 2002; Vella, 1994). As Employee Development Consultant, at Contract Marketing, I was co-designer and presenter of a personal development programme. The objective of this specific programme can be summarised as aiming to transform the participant’s view by challenging their current perspectives and exposing them to the concept that everything that is has a unique purpose. In addition, it aimed at assisting individuals in defining and documenting their purpose in the form of a Mission Statement (Juriaanse, 1985). The programme piloted in January 2004 and involved seven participants. There is presently no information on how the programme was experienced by participants. As a period of two years has passed since presenting the programme, I was interested in exploring how participants’ experienced it and investigating what influence this particular programme has had on their lives two years later. In my view, two years would allow enough time for participants to incorporate the principles they had identified during the programme into their lives. Furthermore, I would argue that this gap would allow participants to give a more accurate and unbiased account of how beneficial or detrimental they had found the programme to be in the pursuit of the above. In addition the recommendations for improvement which will be drawn from this study could prove to be valuable in shaping the programme in future.

The Adult Experience Of Learning From NovelsNovel readers may not necessarily read with the primary intention of learning from their novels, but it is known that learning is frequently an outcome. Literature on novels describe their content as both factual and philosophical opportunities to learn but do not describe them in terms of adult learning theory. A study by Radway (1984) found that readers of formula romance have complex learning outcomes from their reading but this was related to literature on novels rather than adult learning theory.Conversely, although learning is a known outcome of novel reading, literature on adult learning theories and research have taken little notice of novel reading as an opportunity to learn. Yet reading novels is an activity in which millions engage. The nature of reading as a highly personal,self-directed activity, suggested a literature review of theory pertaining to self-directed learning, informal learning and how adults make meaning.The purpose of the research was to explore the experience of learning novels; how reading contributes to knowledge,understanding of environment, and social and self-understanding in the context of adult learning theory.The research problem asked what evidence novel readers provide for making meaning as a result of their reading and what they do with that learning outcome. Research was conducted with individual interviews of five regular novel readers which served as case studies. Analysis was done by coding each interview paying particular attention to relationships to personal history, types of learning suggested and their effects. Case studies were then cross coded to discover trends and patterns.Findings showed that respondents used novels to be entertained and escape from their daily responsibilities,but along the way they also experienced a variety of types of learning. They collected new information they found personally interesting or added to an existing knowledge base, challenged their perspectives to think abut themselves and others in new ways. There was also a variety of uses for what they had learned. Respondents reported believing they have a broader knowledge base, could more effective interact with others, arrive at greater self-awareness, and in a few instances change behavior.The experience of learning from novels is a remarkable combination of self-motivation and self-direction undertaken for pleasure, yet incidentally can result in a range of learning outcomes including building a more complex knowledge base, constructivist organization and interpretation of information, critical reflection about self and others, and transformation of understanding to result in change. / Ed. D.

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This study investigated teachers' perceptions of the influences of action research on their thinking about instructional practices and the impact of this thinking on teaching practices. The four specific areas of investigation were teachers' perceptions about (a) the overall teacher role, (b) teachers' knowledge about teaching, (c) teaching practices, and (d) reflective practices. The data were collected from interviews with teacher researchers, informal classroom observations, and collection of teacher and student work and related artifacts. The data revealed that teachers perceived changes in the four areas of investigation. Engaging in the stages of action research provided teachers with a methodical structure for implementing and analyzing the teaching and learning process. This defined structure guided teachers through more systematic and conscious data collection, data analysis, and reflection. / Ph. D.