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- All Subjects: Professional Development
Description
The problem of practice addressed in this mixed-methods research study is assessing whether participating in professional development workshops helped community college instructors improve their pedagogical practices, leading to improved student success and achievement rates. In this study, I explore the effects of an intervention I designed to help English 101 instructors teach a new, direct-placement composition class, which was created to comply with the mandates of AB-705, an educational reform bill in California. I used three guiding theories to undergird and evaluate the intervention: Darling-Hammond et al.'s Accountability Approach (2014), Freire's Critical Pedagogy (1970), and Kirkpatrick and Kayser-Kirkpatrick’s Model of Training Effectiveness (2009). To address the research questions of this study, I analyzed pre- and post-surveys, faculty interviews, and student success and retention data. The results from the data were mixed. While the quantitative survey data did not support the claim that the College of the Canyons (COC) SkillShare Workshops affected instructors’ attitudes about teaching and their teaching behaviors, the qualitative interview data showed that the workshops did improve instructors’ professional capacities and were a valuable professional development resource. Additionally, the quantitative institutional data demonstrated that workshop participation significantly increased instructors’ student success and retention rates.
ContributorsTerzian-Zeitounian, Alene (Author) / Judson, Eugene (Thesis advisor) / Ross, Lydia (Committee member) / Meuschke, Daylene (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
The Value of Interaction via Moodle for Teaching and Learning: Perceptions of Lecturers and Students
Description
This research utilised the action research design to explore the use of Moodle by lecturers and students in three cycles. The qualitative and mixed methods methodologies used in cycles 0 and 1 respectively, revealed that students’ use was influenced by how lecturers used the platform. Cycle 2, therefore, explored how lecturers delivered courses through Moodle and how students perceived interaction with the instructor, content, and peers and the extent to which these influenced student satisfaction. The research questions examined how lecturers used Moodle to foster interaction between learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner; students’ perceptions regarding interaction between learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner; the relationship between learner-interface interaction and a) learner-content, b) learner-instructor, c) learner-learner interaction and d) student satisfaction; whether perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, computer self-efficacy, sex, age, faculty, and ethnicity predicted a) learner-content, b) learner-instructor, and c) learner-learner interaction; and the extent to which learner-content, learner-instructor, and learner-learner interaction via Moodle influenced student satisfaction. The concurrent mixed method action research design was utilised with qualitative data collected from nine lecturers via interviews and quantitative data collected from 86 students via surveys. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data while Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to analyse the quantitative data. The findings indicated that perceived usefulness and learner-instructor interaction were positive significant predictors of student satisfaction. The study also revealed that lecturers found Moodle useful for interaction but were challenged to effectively foster engagement with students, content, and their peers, at all times. Lecturers experienced several challenges including engaging students via discussion forums, providing timely feedback on assessment, workload, and complaints from students among others. Lecturers had several recommendations for how the virtual environment could be improved inclusive of the addition of instructional designers to the cadre of support staff and the need for a blended learning policy. These findings suggest that lecturers and students recognised the value Moodle provided for teaching and learning and may be used as a guide for strengthening the use of the resource towards improving the quality of interaction and the degree of student satisfaction at the institution.
ContributorsRose, Shanomae (Author) / Basile, Carole G (Thesis advisor) / Ross, Lydia (Committee member) / Smith, Stephanie (Committee member) / Henry, Paulette (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Arizona State University's Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness department plays a vital role in enhancing the physical health and well-being of its student population. However, the demanding responsibilities placed on campus recreation professionals, combined with the high expectations for student engagement, have led to a concerning rise in employee turnover. To address this issue, a comprehensive series of professional development workshops was designed, aiming to empower campus recreation professionals in navigating their roles effectively and improving their overall experience. This mixed-methods action research study was conducted to address the challenge of employee retention among entry-level campus recreation professionals at Arizona State University. The research encompassed both quantitative and qualitative assessments, focusing on critical factors such as self-efficacy, career success, job satisfaction, sense of belonging, and motivation. The study aimed to determine whether significant differences existed in these variables before and after the intervention. Data collection involved surveys, open-ended questions, and interviews, offering a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the professional development workshops.
The results of this study indicate that the professional development workshops served as an effective intervention on various constructs. Quantitative data showed a positive change in career success, motivation, and job satisfaction among staff members, while qualitative data shed light on key factors influencing employee retention. These factors included the lack of professional development opportunities, unclear career advancement pathways, a strong desire for more substantial recognition, and the paramount importance of supportive leadership and a positive work environment.
ContributorsSealey, Joshua (Author) / Rillero, Peter (Thesis advisor) / Ross, Lydia (Committee member) / Spivak Smith, Courtney (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024