The Momentum of the Technology of the Classroom

2011 ◽  
pp. 316-331
Author(s):  
Scott Reid
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Education ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Technological Systems ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Technological Momentum

This paper examines the viability of the concept of “technological momentum” from Thomas Hughes’ Technological Systems Theory in the context of the adoption and use of online courses in post-secondary education. A case study approach using qualitative interviews is used to explore the “technological momentum” of the classroom as professors adopt the use of online courses. The findings provide specific examples of how previous classroom practice influences professors’ attitudes and practice in relation to the adoption and use of online courses.

scholarly journals Aligning accreditation and academic program reviews: a Canadian case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Bowker
Keyword(s):  
Professional Associations ◽  
Academic Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Academic Units ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Program Reviews

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the potential benefits and limitations associated with aligning accreditation and academic program reviews in post-secondary institutions, using a descriptive case study approach. Design/methodology/approach The paper describes two Canadian graduate programs that are subject to both external professional accreditation and institutional cyclical reviews, as they underwent an aligned review. The process was developed as a collaborative effort between the academic units, the professional associations and the university’s graduate-level quality assurance office. For each program, a single self-study was developed, a single review panel was constituted, and a single site visit was conducted. The merits and challenges posed by the alignment process are discussed. Findings Initial feedback from the academic units suggests that the alignment of accreditation and program reviews is perceived as reducing the burden on programs with regard to the time and effort invested by faculty, staff and other stakeholders, as well as in terms of financial expenses. Based on this feedback, along with input from reviewers and program evaluation committee members, 14 recommendations emerged for ways in which an aligned review process can be set up for success. Practical implications The results suggest that aligned reviews are not only resource-efficient but also allow reviewers to provide more holistic feedback that faculty may be more willing to engage with for program enhancement. Originality/value The present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge about conducting aligned reviews in response to external accreditation requirements or institutional needs. It summarizes the potential benefits and limitations and offers recommendations for potential best practices for carrying out aligned reviews for policymakers and practitioners.

scholarly journals Writing Skills Development for Graduate Studies and Career Readiness in Science and Aging Fields: A Case Study Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Stafford McRell ◽  
Betty L. Wilson ◽  
Sue E. Levkoff
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Underrepresented Students ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
Graduate Studies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Writing Class

Increasing the number of racially and ethnically underrepresented students who pursue scientific graduate studies in programs focusing on science and aging offers an opportunity to increase the number of aging specialists while simultaneously promoting diversity in the research labor market and supporting new ideas. This case study aims to better understand how students participating in an academic preparatory program experience a writing class contextualized within (1) students' writing background and (2) students' future ambitions related to science and aging. The individually-tailored writing class was taught as a critical component of a comprehensive educational program that targets underrepresented racial and ethnic minority undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing scientific graduate studies in fields related to aging. The researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with students (n = 4) enrolled in the 24-month fellowship training program, which included participation in the writing course during the summer prior to their senior year of undergraduate education. All participants were young adult college students who identified as Black or African American and female. Using thematic coding, statements about professional writing skills were divided into four primary themes: (1) prior experiences, (2) class experiences, (3) future goals and ambitions, and (4) structural considerations. These themes suggest potential implications for effective interventions aimed to advance the writing skills and academic and career readiness of racially and ethnically diverse students entering fields of science and aging.

scholarly journals Investigating the characteristics of MOOCs according to eight critical dimensions: A case study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer W.M. Lai ◽  
Matt Bower ◽  
Yvonne Breyer ◽  
John De Nobile
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Text Search ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been a popular trend in the online learning landscape. However, MOOC learners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the courses or problems with course management. To develop a widely accepted MOOC, the main aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of MOOCs by using eight themes: learning outcomes, affective elements, behaviours, design, technology elements, pedagogy, presence and institutional environment. Using the case study approach, we explored the practices of four MOOCs in an Excel specialisation by using student unsolicited feedback, the literature and the analysis of the MOOCs by researchers. We analysed the learners’ posts on the official forums with auto-code sentiment and text search functions in Nvivo 12 Plus. The results of this study showed that high-rated MOOCs had approximately 74.7% of positive sentiments on discussion forums, with 1.2% negative and 24.1% neutral. The results indicated that MOOCs helped learners improve their level of knowledge in the subject area. Teachers/instructors also play a very significant role, and they have to provide clear explanations in different concepts. To conclude, this study intends to offer guidelines to researchers, educators, and MOOC designers to create successful MOOCs by focusing on the eight dimensions.

Guided heritage walks as a tool for inclusive heritage education: case study of New Delhi

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Chauhan ◽  
Sanjana Anand
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Heritage Education

PurposeThis paper studies the role of heritage walks and tours in promoting inclusive education. It assesses if these walks are an effective method of exhibiting culture and facilitating inclusive heritage learning. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to establish that walks can play an imperative role in creating greater sensitivity towards heritage and conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case study approach using mixed methods. Participants for qualitative interviews were chosen using purposive sampling and six interview schedules were sent to walk leaders. Walk participant data were collected through participant observation and standardised survey with randomly selected participants of the case walks. Surveys were sent to participants electronically.FindingsHeritage walks play a crucial role in not only imparting knowledge about history and heritage but also as a tool for learning other crucial skills, competencies, values, attitudes, etc. This paper attempts to highlight that walks are an effective and inclusive way to shed light on the alternative and forgotten stories. As an educational tool these walks can not only encourage the development of historical knowledge and appreciation but also assist in the development of competency to “de-construct” mainstream “grand narratives”, questioning and learning about the forgotten.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has limited itself to the study of select cases in New Delhi. Since the study has followed a case study design, it does not produce a largely generalizable result, but rather examines and understands the dynamics of particular walks and produces insights that may well be applicable in other contexts. Whilst this paper makes an attempt to understand the changes in perception and attitudes, it does not study behavioural changes.Social implicationsIn the long run, walks allow for meaningful citizen engagement with tangible heritage such as monuments as well as intangible heritage such as practices and festivals. This allows for appreciation for the value of heritage resources and leads to a demand for better conservation and preservation from the authorities. In a few cases, local citizens themselves lead heritage management and development activities in a bid to promote their local culture. This paper has shown that heritage walks can be helpful tools in giving “forgotten” voices and stories recognition in contemporary society.Originality/valueAs heritage walks have recently gained popularity, there has been very limited research in the field especially linking heritage walks to heritage education. This is especially true for India. Even a city like New Delhi, which boasts of a robust heritage and is one of the tourism hubs of the country, heritage walks have been a very recent phenomenon. This research aims to address this lacuna in academic research and contribute meaningfully to the field of heritage education and conservation by studying how heritage walks support and promote inclusive heritage education.

scholarly journals Iceland as a therapeutic landscape: white wilderness spaces for well-being

GeoJournal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaelan Brooke ◽  
Allison Williams
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Students ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Glacial Ice ◽  
Therapeutic Landscapes ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Therapeutic Landscape

AbstractTherapeutic landscapes are reputed to have a lasting repute for realizing healing. Traditional therapeutic landscapes have recognized natural environments as often sought after places for well-being. Such places promote wellness via their close encounter with nature, facilitating relaxation and restoration, and enhancing a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. The physical environment of Iceland is explored through a case study approach, primarily employing data from the field notebooks of post-secondary students travelling in Iceland, as well as the authors’ ethnographic field experience in Iceland. Iceland is examined using both a traditional understanding of therapeutic landscapes, as well as the contemporary understanding of the coloured landscape. In addition to the colour white, reflected in the glacial ice, moving water, and geo-thermal steams, black and various other colours in combination are discussed.

scholarly journals Researching Professional Footballers: Reflections and Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691984932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Law
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Current Position ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Sensitive Issue ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Insight Into

In this article, the author reflects on the process of interviewing professional footballers about the sensitive issue of money and the lessons learned from this process. The article discusses a case study approach using in-depth qualitative interviews, which generates an innovative insight into a closed social world. The focus is on the difficulties of obtaining a sample where challenges faced are discussed. The article also focuses on the interview style employed when dealing with individuals who are experienced at being interviewed regularly. It also examines the issues of being an “insider” when conducting research and ways in which this can benefit the research process. The issue of research being a messy process is also discussed as when conducting this research, it was imperative that the author could deal with unpredictability and had to be flexible to conduct the research. Finally, the article discusses the insecurities of the participants and the issues of trust, as the current position of the author led him to be seen as an “outsider” by some participants.

scholarly journals Effect of Applying Total Quality Management in Improving the Performance of Al-Waqf of Albr Societies in Saudi Arabia: A theoretical framework for "Deming's Model"

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-33
Author(s):  
Aldwihi, Zakaria Ali Saad ◽  
Azman Bin Mohd. Noor ◽  
Ashurov Sharofiddin
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
And Control

This study aims to examine the effect of applying Total Quality Management (TQM) on improving the performance of the management of Al-Waqf of Albr societies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the optimal application of Deming's 14 Points on quality management. The research problem lies on the weakness of the outputs of Albr societies in terms of quality and productivity due to the lack of monitoring and control over those in charge of managing these charities. The researcher is going to use the descriptive qualitative, interviews and the case study approach to achieve the research' objectives. After an intensive reviewing the literature, this study confirmed the research gap and

The Role of Nature Sports Guides to Sustainable Local Development

2021 ◽  
pp. 371-388
Author(s):  
Ricardo Melo ◽  
Diogo Leite
Keyword(s):  
Local Development ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Sports Tourism ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Instrumental Role

The overall aim of this case study was to understand the role of nature sports guides in promoting sustainable local development. The study adopted a qualitative and descriptive case study approach. Data was collected from participant observation in one nature sports tourism company established in the area of Coimbra region in the centre of Portugal, as well as in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews applied to a sample of 30 nature sports guides working in nature sports tourism companies, established in the same region. The data collected from both participant observation and interviews were analysed through categorical content analysis. The findings reveal that the nature sports guides have already adopted certain sustainability practices in the analysed dimensions. However, the greatest focus of the nature sports guides is the instrumental role. Findings of this study are important for both the industry and academy and some strategies will be discussed so that the great potential of nature sports for the promotion of sustainable local development can be reached.

The Development of Successors From Followers to Leaders in Small Family Firms

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
John James Cater ◽  
Robert T. Justis
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Small Family ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Parent Child Relationships

The purpose of this exploratory study was to better understand the development of successors in the small family business, including their approach to the leadership of the firm. It examined variables (and their relationships) that help to explain family business successor leadership. A case study approach was followed, using grounded theory analysis of qualitative interviews of the top managers of six family businesses. It provided six propositions for future research—namely, concerning positive parent—child relationships, acquiring knowledge, long-term orientation, cooperation, successor roles, and risk orientation.

scholarly journals Dilemmas within commercial involvement in open source software

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Ciesielska ◽  
Ann Westenholz
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Open Source Communities ◽  
Social Logics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature about the commercial involvement in open source software, levels of this involvement and consequences of attempting to mix various logics of action. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses the case study approach based on mixed methods: literature reviews and news searches, electronic surveys, qualitative interviews and observations. It combines discussions from several research projects as well as previous publications to present the scope of commercial choices within open source software and their consequences. Findings – The findings show that higher levels of involvement in open source software communities poses important questions about the balance between economic, technological, and social logics as well as the benefits of being autonomous, having access to collaborative networks and minimizing risks related to free-riding. There are six levels of commercial involvement in open source communities, and each of them is characterized by a different dilemma. Originality/value – The paper sheds light on the various level of involvement of business in open source movement and emphasize that the popularized “open innovation” concept is only the first step in real involvement and paradigm shift.

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