scholarly journals Not just “implementation”: the synergy of research and practice in an engineering research approach to educational design and development

ZDM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Burkhardt ◽  
Alan Schoenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Iterative Refinement ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Educational Design ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Development Processes

AbstractThis paper builds on a range of traditions in educational research and design to argue, with empirical evidence, that constructing powerful instructional materials and approaches that work at scale requires a grounding in theory and a commitment to engineering practice, including rapid prototyping and multiple development cycles. Specifically, we claim that improving practice within a reasonable timescale requires replicable materials that integrate: (1) grounding in robust aspects of theory from prior research, (2) design tactics that combine these core ideas with a design team’s creativity, along with (3) flexibility in the draft materials that affords adaptation across contexts, (4) rapid prototyping, followed by iterative refinement cycles in increasingly realistic circumstances, with (5) feedback from each round of trials that is rich and detailed enough to inform revision, and (6) continued refinement on the basis of post-implementation feedback ‘from the field’. Examples of successful implementation are analysed and related to the various roles that research-based theory and programmatic research-based methods of development can and should play in the complex process of turning insights from research into improvements in practice. In contrast, we shall argue that materials which are written and published without the development processes (4) to (6)—still the great majority—lack research validity for use at scale.

Fit for Purpose: Using a Distance Education Approach to Support Underperforming Schools in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Irene McKay
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Curriculum Reform ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Educational Design ◽  
Learner Performance ◽  
Poor Learner ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Content Support

This article explores the South African government’s national school workbook intervention aimed at addressing poor learner performance in the context of teacher under-preparedness and curriculum reform. It shows how the workbooks use a distance education approach to provide pedagogical and content support for teachers, albeit in the context of classroom teaching, to compensate for teachers’ pedagogical challenges. This article uses a mixed methods research approach to explore how teachers, learners and parents used the workbooks and shows that while the distance educational design scaffolded teaching, additional support is necessary to enable the intervention to be more impactful. 

The VEOS Project

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Bricken ◽  
Geoffrey Coco
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Organization Structure ◽  
Object Oriented Programming ◽  
Iterative Refinement ◽  
Software Infrastructure ◽  
Human Interface ◽  
Heterogeneous Distributed Computing

The Virtual Environment Operating Shell (veos) was developed at University of Washington's Human Interface Technology Laboratory as software infrastructure for the lab's research in virtual environments. veos was designed from scratch to provide a comprehensive and unified management facility to support generation of, interaction with, and maintenance of virtual environments. VEOS emphasizes rapid prototyping, heterogeneous distributed computing, and portability. We discuss the design, philosophy and implementation of veos in depth. Within the Kernel, the shared database transformations are pattern-directed, communications are asynchronous, and the programmer's interface is LISP. An entity-based metaphor extends object-oriented programming to systems-oriented programming. Entities provide first-class environments and biological programming constructs such as perceive, react, and persist. The organization, structure, and programming of entities are discussed in detail. The article concludes with a description of the applications that have contributed to the iterative refinement of the VEOS software.

scholarly journals Supervisi Akademik Sebagai Upaya Untuk Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam Dan Budi Pekerti (PAIBP) Sekolah Dasar Di Kota Binjai

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikhsanti Hannum
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Teacher Performance ◽  
Teaching Skills ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis

This paper describes enhancement in teacher performance in implementing the learning process, after academic supervision is carried out. Transformation in the form of attendance, fulfillment of work tools, time discipline, use of media, and teaching skills are indicators of this. The method used for research is qualitative with quantitative data collection and analysis techniques, and Classroom Action Research approach. The number of teachers used as a sample was 20 people, and the results obtained showed that after the research was carried out in cycle I and cycle II, a total of 85% sampled for 10 aspects of the assessment increased their performance. This data shows the achievement of the successful implementation of supervisory academic supervision of PAIBP teachers.

scholarly journals Implementation Gaps in Human Resource Performance Management Practices in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-335
Author(s):  
Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad ◽  
◽  
Mervis Chiware ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Political Policy ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Any performance management (PM) practice implemented by an organisation has a direct impact on organisational performance and development; this paper therefore discusses challenges based on primary and secondary research findings, with the aim to explore how these findings correlate with how the successful implementation of PM practices is perceived and applied in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research approach was used to collect data. The findings confirm that the implementation of PM has been marred by various challenges, which have, in turn, greatly affected performance results. Challenges identified by this study were, and continue to be, experienced at different levels of PM implementation strategies (e.g., at the formulation stage versus the implementation stage), and hence may hinder the effective implementation of PM practices in the MOHCC. The paper offers recommendations for consideration at political, policy, organisational, departmental, individual, and stakeholder levels.

Implementing the Challenger Sales Model at Cars.com: a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew S. Isaac ◽  
Ajay T. Abraham ◽  
Elaine Y. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Vice President ◽  
Sales Force ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sales Teams ◽  
Sales Model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the recent implementation of the Challenger Sales Model (CSM) at Cars.com, an online automotive marketplace that generated $633m in sales in 2016 with a sales force of over 500 representatives, and to identify insights related to the implementation that may be relevant to sales researchers and other organizations considering similar implementations. A more specific aim is to determine whether establishing “constructive tension” between salespeople and their customers, which is a key tenet of the CSM, was perceived as a source of value for Cars.com. Design/methodology/approach The case study is based primarily on in-depth interviews with 15 employees spanning different sales and/or training responsibilities in the organization, from the current CEO (previously the former Senior Vice President of Sales) to sales representatives from different sales teams. Findings Five major insights emerged from this research: (1) Because it represents a change in the established norms governing interpersonal dynamics, constructive tension is often more difficult for salespeople to foster when interacting with existing (vs prospective) customers. (2) Whereas leading with insights is more difficult when interacting with prospective (vs existing) customers, sustaining meaningful insights over time is a major challenge when dealing with existing customers. (3 )Products that are more transactional or price-driven are ineffective at creating constructive tension and incompatible with the CSM. (4) Creating value from constructive tension requires the entire sales organization to share a common vision of what it means to be a Challenger and to adopt consistent nomenclature and formal programs for training and coaching. (5) Even more than other consultative sales models, the successful implementation of the CSM demands company-wide integration and makes it untenable for most indirect sales teams. Originality/value Although prior academic research has offered critiques of the CSM, the present paper is one of the first to use a discovery-oriented, qualitative research approach to provide a retrospective look at the actual implementation of the CSM within an organization. This approach results in novel insights, such as the identification of conditions when high-pressure versus low-pressure selling techniques are likely to be more successful, that may be of interest to sales researchers and to other companies considering a large-scale implementation of the CSM or related sales methodologies.

scholarly journals Utilisation of digital central supplier database in enabling electronic procurement in the Limpopo provincial departments

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zwelibanzi Mpehle ◽  
Robert M. Mudogwa
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Electronic Procurement ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Compliance Requirements ◽  
Procurement System

Background: The establishment of a digital central supplier database (CSD) in the Limpopo provincial departments was envisaged not only to eliminate the duplication of service provider compliance requirements during procurement processes and payment processing but also to level the playing field amongst service providers so that small and upcoming businesses can have equal competitive bidding opportunities like any other business. This therefore meant that the CSD was to ensure that all registered suppliers have an equal and fair prospect of providing goods and services to government, and that acquiring of goods and services is done in a cost-effective manner. However, the Limpopo provincial departments are persistently underspending their allocated budgets at the end of each financial year.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether CSD as an electronic procurement (e-procurement) system adopted by the provincial departments in Limpopo is efficient and cost-effective in enhancing the provisioning of goods and services.Setting: The study focused on the Limpopo provincial departments, South Africa.Methods: The study used a qualitative research approach to assess the use of CSD in enabling e-procurement processes. Purposive sampling was employed to sample 14 participants from 12 provincial departments.Results: The outcome revealed that the technological innovation of centralising the suppliers’ records on the CSD increased transparency and accountability in the process of selecting suppliers who qualify to do business with government, and the system has the potential, if rightly used, to eliminate corrupt activities such as favouritism and collusion.Conclusion: The article concludes that the successful implementation of CSD by provincial departments and public entities may, amongst other things, improve supply chain management performance, particularly in the selection of suppliers, and may also promote economic development of small, medium and micro-enterprises.

scholarly journals What do children, parents and staff think about a healthy lifestyles intervention delivered in primary schools? a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e038625
Author(s):  
Joanna Goldthorpe ◽  
Tracy Epton ◽  
Chris Keyworth ◽  
Rachel Calam ◽  
Joanna Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Home And School

ObjectivePrimary schools are crucial settings for early weight management interventions but effects on children’s weight are small and evidence shows that deficiencies in intervention implementation may be responsible. Very little is known about the roles of multiple stakeholders in the process of implementation. We used a multiple-stakeholder qualitative research approach to explore the implementation of an intervention developed to improve the diet and increase the levels of physical activity for children living in some of the most deprived areas of England.DesignFor this qualitative study, interviews and focus groups were carried out using semi-structured topic guides. Data were analysed thematically.SettingSeven primary schools (pupils aged 4 to 11) in Manchester, England.ParticipantsWe conducted 14 focus groups with children aged 5 to 10 years and interviews with 19 staff members and 17 parents.InterventionManchester Healthy Schools (MHS) is a multicomponent intervention, developed to improve diet and physical activity in schools with the aim of reducing and preventing childhood obesity.ResultsThree themes were developed from the data: common understandings of health and health behaviours; congruence and consistency of messages; negotiations of responsibility.ConclusionAll participant groups had a common conceptualisation of health as having physical and psychological components and that action could be taken in childhood to change behaviours that protect long-term health. When parents and staff felt a shared sense of responsibility for children’s health and levels of congruence between home and school norms around diet and physical activity were high, parents and children were more likely to accept the policies implemented as part of MHS. Effective two-way communication between home and school is therefore vital for successful implementation of this intervention.

E-maintenance research: a multifaceted perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 606-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Gamal Shehata Aboelmaged
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Maintenance Process ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a multifaceted perspective on e-maintenance research and practice over 12 years from 2002 to 2013. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research approach is conducted through analysing e-maintenance literature published in peer-review journals from 2002 to 2013 in operations management, information systems, computer science and engineering disciplines. Findings – A multifaceted perspective that reflects evolutionary, managerial, and technological domains of e-maintenance research has been emerged and explained. In addition, stages of e-maintenance process (i.e. integration, aggregation, and prediction) tend to synchronize with organizational levels (i.e. strategic, tactical, and operational) and stimulate the value of e-maintenance practices across the enterprise. However, there are many managerial and technological challenges that inhibit successful implementation of e-maintenance system. Practical implications – The present research offers managers and vendors a frame of reference that facilitates e-maintenance adoption and implementation. In addition, there is a need for theoretical as well as empirical research in the future to validate the multifaceted perspective in the present study and to obtain more insight into the nature of e-maintenance issues in various settings. Originality/value – The present paper is one of the first attempts to bridge the gaps in a currently cluttered field of e-maintenance research. It also provides both academics and practitioners with a useful framework that sustains rigorous e-maintenance research and practice.

Six Sigma project selections: a critical review

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramakrushna Padhy
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Project Selection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
Process Framework ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Tools And Methods

Purpose The paper aims to review the literature on Six Sigma projects through a broad framework of Six Sigma project selection process. It proposes a process framework approach of six sigma project selection and enumerates various recent tools and methods required for each stage. The review aims to expand the domain of Six Sigma project selection by identifying the importance of project portfolio approach. Design/methodology/approach The study used a process framework approach and systematic literature review to identify and classify various literature pertaining six sigma projects and its associated tools and methods Findings The paper provides broad insights about the opportunity and direction to future research in the area of Six Sigma project. Emerging research opportunities exist in the area of Six Sigma project risk management and selecting portfolio of projects. Research limitations/implications The study has its own limitations because of its chosen research approach. The process framework developed for classification of literature is based on expert opinion. Further research can be carried out to validate it. Practical implications This study will benefit new researchers entering the field of Six Sigma to identify new research opportunities and issues for their research interest. Second, industry practitioners and consultants working in the area of Six Sigma may work towards more successful implementation of Six Sigma. Originality/value The paper fulfils an identified gap of review of Six Sigma project selection.

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