A high percentage of migrant students are not meeting state content standards in readability and legibility within a small independent school district located in California's Central Valley. Prior research indicates that if a student is not proficient in reading skills by the 5th grade, academic success will not be attained effecting the student, parents, educators, and economics of the community. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative case study was to explore the teaching strategies that were used to help migrant students increase their reading comprehension skills. This study has its theoretical basis in the learning theories of Dewey, Slavin, and Yousevand which hold that students need to be active participants in the learning process. This case study was guided by the following areas of inquiry: (a) identifying training and strategies used by teachers, (b) identifying the specific obstacles, (c) identifying methodologies, and (d) how these methodologies address the specific challenges of migrant children. A semi-structured interview schedule, observations of 5 Language Arts classes, and field notes were used as data collection tools. Interviews were conducted and included 5 English teachers, 1 principal, 1 guidance counselor, and 1 community liaison. The data were analyzed and coded with common themes. The key results confirmed (a) varied teacher perceptions of differentiated instruction, (b) language and cultural barriers, (c) lack of knowledge and vocabulary, (d) minimal parent involvement, and (e) financial issues and mobile lifestyle. This project study informed specific recommendations for a Saturday computer lab incorporating computer-assisted instruction. The outcomes of this study have implications for social change for migrant and ELL students by empowering them to more effectively participate and make positive contributions to the global community.

Indigenous values, epistemologies, and indicators have always been ways of teaching and learning about change, and planning for the future. Indigenous food systems are central capacities supporting social-ecological resilience and resistance. Settler-colonialism and environmental degradation are two drivers of rapid and cumulative change over the past century that are at the root of health challenges experienced by Indigenous people and impacts to Indigenous food systems. Indigenous food sovereignty is a framework many Indigenous communities have been working within to support the restoration of Indigenous food systems, knowledges, and relationships to land in this time of resurgence. Recent scholarship highlights the importance of biocultural and culturally grounded values frameworks, aligning with Indigenous epistemologies, for measuring social-ecological resilience and resistance. Indigenous scholars and communities are also calling for more respectful and meaningful research practices in alignment with Indigenous priorities and worldviews. The Neskonlith Band’s Switzmalph community near Salmon Arm, British Columbia, has been working towards restoring Secwépemc plants and food systems through land-based education projects and collaboration in multi-scalar partnerships. This study highlights two cultural concepts or values related to Secwépemc food systems restoration and land based education in Switzmalph and Secwépemc territory more broadly, and their role in guiding future pathways and multi-scalar relationships supporting Secwépemc food systems restoration. This study also highlights the role of storytelling as a method and context for teaching and learning about cultural concepts and values in land-based settings. This study discusses the importance of process-oriented approaches to research for demonstrating how Indigenous ways of knowing can guide ongoing and embodied applications of ethical frameworks. The results of this work highlight the importance of culturally-grounded values in measuring, guiding, and reflecting on change, as well as the vital importance of Indigenous ways of knowing in guiding ethical research processes, and participatory and community-led research throughout all stages of research design. / Graduate

Through this case study, we sought to analyze a U.S. based insurance company’s implementation of agile methodologies in a remote digital environment in comparison to using agile in a typical physical environment work setting. We wanted to gain an in-depth perception through questioning if this company changed how they use agile methodologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, what the benefits and drawbacks of using agile methodologies are in a remote digital environment, if individual project roles were impacted with remote use of agile methodologies, and what is the reasoning of the company regarding the use of agile methodologies remotely after the pandemic? A semi-structured interview was done with six respondents that work with agile methodologies in an IT Division at a large scale U.S. insurance company to gain insight into our questions through a qualitative study. According to the respondents, they were satisfied with how the company implemented agile methodologies remotely, but some felt it was a wake-up call that agile methodologies were not the best methodology that their project team could employ. These results can be used for future organizations not just to see how they can better implement agile methodologies in a remote setting and how they can better use agile methodologies to foster better communication, Knowledge Transfer, and Competence Development with their employees.

En el presente trabajo de investigación se hace un estudio de la problemática de una empresa del rubro químico, la cual cuenta con un proceso básico y empírico de mantenimiento, en el que no se aplica planificación . Este proceso es muy importante ya que es un proceso de apoyo al proceso central. Debido a ello se propone la implementación de un sistema de gestión de mantenim iento, utilizando la filosofía del TPM (mantenimiento productivo total). En el primer capítulo se realiza un marco teórico, en el cual se desarrollan conceptos concisos de sistemas de gestión de mantenimiento, e strategias en la cual se desarrollan los conceptos de los tipos de mantenimientos, ciclos de vida de los equipos y fallas. Asimismo, indica que se hace énfasis en conceptos desarrollos e implementación del TPM, basados en libros, publicac iones de revisitas, papers, etc. En el segundo capítulo se describe el estado actual de la empresa en la cual se desarrolla la investigación, observando la misión, visión y valores de la misma. Asimismo, de acuerdo a herramientas de ingeniería, cómo histogramas, diagramas causa – efecto, Pareto se pueden encontrar las posi bles causas del problema final. En el capítulo 3 se desarrolla la metodología de solución al problema encontrado en el capítulo previo, definiendo el panorama de la tesis según la metodología a trabajar, el desarrollo de las actividades, teniendo presente los recursos y definir como optimizar los mismos utilizando aspectos de tecnología e innovación, con el fin de ser más productivos en el proyecto en curso. Asimismo, se revisarán los resultados de los análisis, actividades, recursos propuestos, para validar el desarrollo de la tesis se deben simular los resultados haciendo las comparaciones del antes y el después de la mejora, utilizando un software simulador; lo cual se deberá reflejar la mejora propuesta en costos, es decir impacto económico. Por último, se realizarán las recomendaciones y conclusiones del estudio realizado, de acuerdo los objetivos planteados. / In this thesis a study is made of the problem of a company in the chemical field, in which they only have an empirical basic maintenance area, in which optimal maintenance controls are not carried out, which is reflected in costs and low productivity. Due to this, the implementation of a maintenance management system is proposed, using the philosophy of TPM (total productive maintenance). In the first chapter a theoretical framework is made, in which concise concepts of maintenance management systems are developed, strategies in which the concepts of maintenance types, equipment life cycles and failures are developed. It also indicates that emphasis is placed on concepts of development and implementation of the TPM, based on books, magazine publications, papers, etc. The second chapter describes the current state of the company in which the research is carried out, observing its mission, vision and values. Also, according to engineering tools, how histograms, cause - effect diagrams, Pareto can find the possible causes of the final problem. In chapter 3 the methodology for solving the problem found in the previous chapter is developed, defining the thesis panorama according to the methodology to be worked, the development of the activities, taking into account the resources and defining how to optimize them using aspects of technology and innovation, in order to be more productive in the ongoing project. Likewise, the results of the analysis, activities, proposed resources will be reviewed, to validate the development of the thesis, the results must be simulated by making comparisons of the before and after the improvement, using a simulator software; This should reflect the proposed improvement in costs, that is, economic impact. Finally, the recommendations and conclusions of the study will be carried out, according to the objectives set. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

This thesis describes an implementation of a support tool for an agile development team management. In the beginning, it describes a theoretical background for the tool. The thesis also focuses on the selection of the implementation technology, after that it focuses on designing a technical solution and provides an architectural design of the information system itself. It also describes a user testing process and reviews it afterwards. The system is inspired by the latest version of the PMI standard. The conclusion summarizes the work and discusses possible improvements of the created prototype.

Diplomová práca sa zaoberá porovnaním metodiky použitej na projekte vývoja software a metodiky SCRUM. V rámci práce sú zmapované všetky role, udalosti a artefakty projektu u ktorých sú následne identifikované ich odlišnosti od definície metodiky SCRUM. Práca ďalej obsahuje návrh toho, čo je potrebné upraviť, alebo zmeniť, aby sa dosiahla správna aplikácia metodiky SCRUM a tým pádom aj optimalizácia vývojového procesu.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / It is widely acknowledged that there are problems with the way in which heterosexual relationships are negotiated. A critical focus on heterosexuality has been particularly stimulated by feminist discourse on gender power relations and the global imperative to challenge HIV infection. In the South African context there has been a growing emphasis on researching and educating about (hetero)sexuality, particularly in the wake of the continued increase in HIV prevalence rates which are highest among young, black South Africans. A handful of South African studies point to the widespread nature of coercive sexuality characterised by male dominance and female submission and a lack of negotiation in respect of safe sex and sexual pleasure. This study addresses the realm of the negotiation of heterosexuality among black South African students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town. In the study, negotiation refers to two interrelated aspects: the negotiation of heterosexual subjectivity; and the negotiation of heterosexual sexuality (heterosex). The study is underpinned by a feminist poststructuralist conceptual framework and discourse analytic methodology which draws on qualitative methodologies, feminist approaches to research and discourse analysis. Three different methods were utilised to gather data: focus groups, a free-association questionnaire and written autobiographical essays. Participants of the study included psychology second and third year students at the UWC who were predominantly young (mean age of 23.3 years), black, of Christianity-related religious affiliation and non-English first language speakers. A discourse analysis together with an ethnographic analysis was carried out on the data which yielded a wide range of discursive themes on gender and heterosex. In looking at the negotiation of heterosexual subjectivities, there are vast differences in the experiences of'becoming' women and men: notably, puberty and menstruation are central in the construction of femininity and female sexuality, which are interwoven with each other in the construction of women as vulnerable, passive and restrained; on the other hand, boy's/men's subjectivities are centred about sexual agency and activity, competition and physical and mental 'hardness'. Nonetheless these rigidly divergent experiences of gendered heterosexualisation are also punctuated by resistance, ambivalence and contradiction, particularly in women's accounts. It is suggested that the difficulties involved in 'achieving' femininity for women may be implicated in their continued investment in these subjectivities in their contemporary contexts. In talk on negotiating heterosex, two central clusters of discourse emerge: discourses of difference, in which inevitable, essential (either biological or cultural) and incommensurable differences are assumed, Jr rationalised and reproduced by participants; discourses of power, resistance and change which draw on alternative discourses such as the feminist critique of male power, and also speak of and call for change. Central within all of these discourses is the virtual invisibility of a positive language to speak of women's sexuality and desires, which has as its underside a lack of alternative discourses on masculinity and male sexuality, in particular the absence of a positive discourse on men's vulnerability, non-sexual intimate desires, lack of sexual desire and resisting of power. The thesis suggests, on the basis of poststructuralist theories of change, that given the presence of challenging and contradictory discourses, subversive subjectivities and silences, there is potential for change. It is argued that educational and political interventions need to acknowledge and work with these spaces for change within the broader framework of challenging the underlying hierarchical binarism of sexual difference, upon which the problematic and unequal negotiation of heterosex is founded.

The social problem of school dropout is a well-researched issue that impacts students, schools, and the nation. The research problem of this study was how U.S. Navy wives experience resiliency during school transitions of their child(ren) midyear to a new school. The theoretical framework utilized for this study was resilience theory, as described by Rutter. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain insight into how U.S. Navy wives experience resilience when transitioning their students to a new school once the school year has begun. Semi structured interviews were conducted over the phone with 9 current wives of active duty members of the U.S. Navy. These interviews were transcribed and coded, with themes emerging that expressed not only the challenges these women endured, but the instances of personal resilience each woman experienced. Challenges included struggles with the new school, paperwork issues, and the need to support the unique needs of each of their children. Resilience experiences included conducting research on the new school, focusing attention on their children over themselves, and utilizing available resources for support. Implications for positive social change include the potential to address concerns regarding the dissemination of information and using the study findings to develop training to facilitate more effective paperwork processes along with increased awareness of available support for military families. Such changes could reduce stress for military families and create a smoother transition for the schools and students.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV in Nigeria. However, African countries like Nigeria, Botswana, Mali, and Mozambique have laws that prohibit homosexuality, making it a punishable crime in these countries. For example, the Nigerian government signed the anti-gay law in 2014. Laws like these affect the health status and outcomes among Nigerian MSM. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the influence criminalization of homosexuality has on the willingness to test for HIV among MSM in Abuja, Nigeria. Guided by the socio-political theory (SP) as the theoretical framework, a qualitative approach was designed to understand HIV testing perception among MSM since after the criminalization of homosexuality in Nigeria. Interviews were conducted among 15 MSM to understand how the law created factors that influence their decision to test for HIV and their quality of life. Data gathered from the face to face interview was coded based on the research questions. Further analysis was done using thematic to develop themes that addressed the research questions. Findings revealed that anti-gay law influenced MSM to avoid HIV testing and disclosure. Additional themes revealed respondents’ perceptions on homosexual criminalization’s impact on healthcare access, fear of imprisonment, relationships, and psychological and physical fears. The research findings will help address the discrimination, social injustice, violence and human right violation MSM face in Nigeria. Through dissemination of these findings, positive social change will be achieved through increased HIV testing among MSM and improve HIV prevention programs aimed at MSM.

Organizational leaders in the 21st century face relentless changes in the business environments in which they operate. The diversity, intensity, and rapidity of these changes create volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), which challenge leaders on ways to lead effectively as existing methods prove inadequate. The problem in this study was that of inadequate leader preparedness to lead and win in VUCA environments. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of 15 Nigerian corporate executives about their VUCA business environment and the strategies they employed for VUCA-readiness and success within the manufacturing sector. The research question guiding the study related to the lived experiences of corporate executives in manufacturing companies in Nigeria regarding VUCA-readiness and succeeding in a VUCA environment. Chaos theory and complexity leadership theory were used to frame the study. Data collection occurred through snowball sampling to interview 15 participants who are senior executives in large manufacturing corporations in Lagos, Nigeria. Data was analyzed through Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation and member checking. As a result, 4 key themes that emerged were business agility, strategic workforce and demand planning, recovery management for organizational resilience, and conscientious and value-based leadership. The study findings may contribute to positive social change in providing strategies for organizational sustainability, business readiness, responsive leadership, and enhanced employee well-being in VUCA. Recommendations include VUCA training for preparedness and organizational resilience.