abstract: Numerous studies have examined the attachments individuals have to the places they visit, and that those attachments are formed through experiencing a place in person. This study is unique in that it examines pre-trip place attachment formation via the use of mobile technology and social media. It proposes that media experienced through the use of a participant's smartphone can foster the development of positive emotions, which in turn, facilitates greater mental imagery processing that ultimately influences pre-trip place attachment formation. An experimental design was constructed to examine how text and video on a destination's Facebook page influences an individual's emotions, mental imagery, and subsequently attachment to that destination. Specifically, a 2 (narrative text vs. descriptive text) x 2 (short, fast-paced video vs. long, slow-paced video) between-subjects design was used. A total of 343 usable participant responses were included in the analysis. The data was then analyzed through a two-step process using structural equation modeling. Results revealed no significant influence of textual or video media on emotions although the choice in text has a greater influence on emotions than choice in video. Additionally, emotions had a significant impact on mental imagery. Finally, mental imagery processing had a significant impact on only the social bonding dimension of place attachment. In conclusion, while media had no significant impact on emotions, the effect of previous traveler's retelling of personal accounts on the emotions of potential travelers researching a destination should be examined more closely. Further, the study participants had no prior experience with the destination, yet emotions influenced mental imagery, which also influenced social bonding. Thus further research should be conducted to better understand how potential traveler's image of a destination can be affected by the stories or others. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Community Resources and Development 2013

Pre-Trip Inspection of the truck and trailer is one of the components of the current Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test. This part of the CDL test checks the ability of the student to identify the important parts of the commercial vehicle and their potential defects. The Virtual Check Ride System (VCRS), a computer-based application, is an assessment and feedback tool that mirrors the inspection component of the actual CDL. The VCRS has provided an after action review (AAR) via a feedback session that helps in identifying and correcting drivers' skill in inspecting parts and for overall safety. The purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the VCRS in truck driving training programs. An experimental study was conducted with truck driving students at Mid Florida Tech, located in Orlando, Florida. The students were divided into control and experimental groups. Students in the both groups received regular training provided by Mid Florida Tech. The experimental group received additional training by making use of the VCRS. A total of three paper-based tests were given to all subjects during first three weeks; one test at the end of a week. Both groups were given the same paper-based tests. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the effect of the VCRS in the experimental group. This analysis found a significant difference between control and experimental groups. This effect showed that the students in the experimental group increased their performance by using VCRS. Moreover, there was a main effect in the scores of each week. However, there was not an interaction between the two factors. Follow up Post Hoc tests were conducted to evaluate the pair-wise differences among the means of the test week factors using a Tukey HSD test. These Post Hoc comparisons indicated that the mean score for the third week's test scores were significantly better than the first week's test score in the experimental group. It was concluded that the VCRS facilitated learning for the experimental group and that learning also occurred for both groups as a result of repeated testing.