This thesis explores the transformative potential of eco-cultural tourism in revitalizing post-industrial cities, with a focus on the network of towns along the Ohio River in West Virginia. The research seeks to understand the multifaceted impacts of tourism on urban development, social infrastructure, and economic growth in small towns. The core concept is to create a tapestry of connectivity along the river, celebrating the region's natural beauty and promoting shared experiences and community cohesion. The proposed initiative envisions a Master Plan featuring a well-integrated network that connects cities along the Ohio River. This network includes walking and biking trails, ATV routes, camping areas, water activities like kayaking and motorboating, accommodations, restaurants, local shops, and a dedicated rail corridor for travel. The proposed development primarily targets Parkersburg, a small city in Wood County, West Virginia, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. The second phase of the project focuses on two critical sites within Parkersburg, essential for implementing the revitalization plan. Parkersburg is envisioned as the catalyst and starting point for the entire network, positioning it as the epicenter of urban regeneration and community development. Overall, the thesis investigates the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a comprehensive tourism-driven urban revitalization strategy. Through an interdisciplinary approach to planning and design, it examines the ecological, cultural, tourism, and environmental impacts on development, envisioning a sustainable future where West Virginia's post-industrial cities prosper as interconnected nodes. / Master of Science / Discover the transformative power of eco-cultural tourism in breathing new life into West Virginia's post-industrial cities. This research delves into the intricate impacts of tourism on urban development, social fabric, and economic resurgence in suburban areas, focusing on the picturesque towns lining the Ohio River. Imagine a meticulously planned network seamlessly connecting these towns through a myriad of experiences: tranquil water trails, adventurous ATV paths, historic rail lines, and scenic biking routes. This master plan not only celebrates the region's natural splendor but also cultivates a sense of community and shared heritage. At its heart lies Parkersburg, strategically positioned to spearhead this revitalization effort. As a nexus for urban renewal and communal growth, Parkersburg is poised to serve as the gateway to a vibrant tourism destination, breathing vitality into once-dwindling local economies. Through interdisciplinary analysis, this thesis explores the numerous benefits and challenges of implementing such a comprehensive tourism-driven strategy. By envisioning a future where West Virginia's post-industrial cities thrive as interconnected hubs along culturally enriched eco-trails, it paves the way for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

In a qualitative study, grade three students in an urban classroom were introduced to Aboriginal children's picture-storybooks followed by "menoh," which are literary response activities. "Menoh" is defined as aesthetics, although, in this study "menoh" activities stem from Anishnabe and Cree cultural ways such as in traditional singing, dance, drumming, art and cooking.<p> The researcher used a reframing as a decolonizing methodology in order to reclaim Aboriginal voice and perspective. Reframing is taking greater control over the way Aboriginal research is structured, analyzed and written. The research data was collected over a period of several months within the classroom where the researcher read aloud and drew Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal listeners into the multi-layers of the stories. Through dialogue and critique, the students discussed the stories in literary circles. They shared meanings about the stories and made connections to their own lives and the lives of others. The stories contained messages about loyalty, respect, responsibility, honesty, humility, trust, and sharing-all those qualities that helped Aboriginal people live the life they did and still do today. Discussion was followed by a variety of "menoh," activities that introduced aesthetic ways of knowing from an Aboriginal perspective.

In a qualitative study, grade three students in an urban classroom were introduced to Aboriginal children's picture-storybooks followed by "menoh," which are literary response activities. "Menoh" is defined as aesthetics, although, in this study "menoh" activities stem from Anishnabe and Cree cultural ways such as in traditional singing, dance, drumming, art and cooking.<p> The researcher used a reframing as a decolonizing methodology in order to reclaim Aboriginal voice and perspective. Reframing is taking greater control over the way Aboriginal research is structured, analyzed and written. The research data was collected over a period of several months within the classroom where the researcher read aloud and drew Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal listeners into the multi-layers of the stories. Through dialogue and critique, the students discussed the stories in literary circles. They shared meanings about the stories and made connections to their own lives and the lives of others. The stories contained messages about loyalty, respect, responsibility, honesty, humility, trust, and sharing-all those qualities that helped Aboriginal people live the life they did and still do today. Discussion was followed by a variety of "menoh," activities that introduced aesthetic ways of knowing from an Aboriginal perspective.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:49:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao.pdf: 305248 bytes, checksum: ae610725ec8068e6744bcc9474e69a56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-10-03 / The purpose of this study was to verify the availability and effective provision of informational and virtual resources at public school libraries for the improvement of the educational work at school, as well as to assess the library contribution to the cultural and professional enrichment of school and local community. The subjects were the Regional Director, school managers, teachers, parents, community leaders and students of elementary (stages I and II) and high schools, from eight public state schools belonging to the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio. In the first half of 2009, questionnaires with closed questions were administered to the sample subjects. Through a stratified sample, which criterion was the school size (small, medium and large), the general situation of eight public school libraries of the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio was analysed. The data analysis revealed the precariousness of the school libraries of the state public schools of the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio, whether the schools were large, medium or small. This problem was also found both in relation to the lack of adequate physical space, equipment, human resources and bibliographical resources, and by the poor availability of such resources for the school and local community, in addition to the insignificant contribution to its cultural and professional enrichment. Despite this precarious situation, school managers and teachers look for alternatives to develop the school projects, but with unsatisfactory results for both professionals and students. Even in schools where there is a library, not always it is frequented by local and school community. This research intended to help school managers, teachers, students, parents and local community to become aware of the precariousness of school libraries and to recognize the importance of their role in the educational process. / Esta pesquisa objetivou verificar a disponibilidade e a disponibilização de recursos informacionais e virtuais nas bibliotecas de escolas públicas para o aprimoramento do trabalho pedagógico da escola, bem como avaliar sua contribuição para o enriquecimento cultural e profissional da comunidade escolar e local. Foram sujeitos da pesquisa o Dirigente Regional de Ensino, Supervisores de Ensino, Assistentes Técnicos Pedagógicos (ATP), Gestores, Professores, Pais de alunos, Lideranças da Comunidade e Alunos do Ensino Fundamental (Ciclo I e II) e Ensino Médio, de oito Escolas Públicas Estaduais que pertencem à Diretoria Regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio. Aos sujeitos da amostra foram aplicados questionários com perguntas fechadas, no primeiro semestre de 2009. Por meio de amostra estratificada, cujo critério foi o tamanho das escolas (pequena, média e grande) verificou-se a situação geral de oito bibliotecas públicas escolares da Diretoria Regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio. A análise dos dados evidenciou a precariedade das bibliotecas das escolas estaduais da Diretoria regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio, independentemente de as escolas serem grandes, médias ou pequenas. Tal problema foi constatado, tanto com relação à falta de espaço físico adequado, equipamentos, recursos humanos e recursos bibliográficos, como pela deficiente disponibilização de tais recursos para a comunidade escolar e local, além da insignificante contribuição para seu enriquecimento cultural e profissional. Apesar de tal situação, gestores e docentes buscam alternativas para desenvolver os projetos da escola, mas com resultados insatisfatórios tanto para os profissionais como para os alunos. Mesmo nas escolas em que há biblioteca, nem sempre ela é frequentada pela comunidade escolar e local. Esta pesquisa pretendeu contribuir para que gestores, professores, alunos, pais de alunos e comunidade local tomem conhecimento da precariedade das bibliotecas escolares e reconheçam a importância de seu papel no processo educacional.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:54:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao.pdf: 305248 bytes, checksum: ae610725ec8068e6744bcc9474e69a56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-10-03 / The purpose of this study was to verify the availability and effective provision of informational and virtual resources at public school libraries for the improvement of the educational work at school, as well as to assess the library contribution to the cultural and professional enrichment of school and local community. The subjects were the Regional Director, school managers, teachers, parents, community leaders and students of elementary (stages I and II) and high schools, from eight public state schools belonging to the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio. In the first half of 2009, questionnaires with closed questions were administered to the sample subjects. Through a stratified sample, which criterion was the school size (small, medium and large), the general situation of eight public school libraries of the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio was analysed. The data analysis revealed the precariousness of the school libraries of the state public schools of the Regional Directory of Education of José Bonifácio, whether the schools were large, medium or small. This problem was also found both in relation to the lack of adequate physical space, equipment, human resources and bibliographical resources, and by the poor availability of such resources for the school and local community, in addition to the insignificant contribution to its cultural and professional enrichment. Despite this precarious situation, school managers and teachers look for alternatives to develop the school projects, but with unsatisfactory results for both professionals and students. Even in schools where there is a library, not always it is frequented by local and school community. This research intended to help school managers, teachers, students, parents and local community to become aware of the precariousness of school libraries and to recognize the importance of their role in the educational process. / Esta pesquisa objetivou verificar a disponibilidade e a disponibilização de recursos informacionais e virtuais nas bibliotecas de escolas públicas para o aprimoramento do trabalho pedagógico da escola, bem como avaliar sua contribuição para o enriquecimento cultural e profissional da comunidade escolar e local. Foram sujeitos da pesquisa o Dirigente Regional de Ensino, Supervisores de Ensino, Assistentes Técnicos Pedagógicos (ATP), Gestores, Professores, Pais de alunos, Lideranças da Comunidade e Alunos do Ensino Fundamental (Ciclo I e II) e Ensino Médio, de oito Escolas Públicas Estaduais que pertencem à Diretoria Regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio. Aos sujeitos da amostra foram aplicados questionários com perguntas fechadas, no primeiro semestre de 2009. Por meio de amostra estratificada, cujo critério foi o tamanho das escolas (pequena, média e grande) verificou-se a situação geral de oito bibliotecas públicas escolares da Diretoria Regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio. A análise dos dados evidenciou a precariedade das bibliotecas das escolas estaduais da Diretoria regional de Ensino de José Bonifácio, independentemente de as escolas serem grandes, médias ou pequenas. Tal problema foi constatado, tanto com relação à falta de espaço físico adequado, equipamentos, recursos humanos e recursos bibliográficos, como pela deficiente disponibilização de tais recursos para a comunidade escolar e local, além da insignificante contribuição para seu enriquecimento cultural e profissional. Apesar de tal situação, gestores e docentes buscam alternativas para desenvolver os projetos da escola, mas com resultados insatisfatórios tanto para os profissionais como para os alunos. Mesmo nas escolas em que há biblioteca, nem sempre ela é frequentada pela comunidade escolar e local. Esta pesquisa pretendeu contribuir para que gestores, professores, alunos, pais de alunos e comunidade local tomem conhecimento da precariedade das bibliotecas escolares e reconheçam a importância de seu papel no processo educacional.