Completing The Dissertation: Its Not Only About Academics

The culminating project in completing a doctorate in education is the preparation and final defense of the dissertation. Specifically in educational administration and leadership, the student will have exerted hours of energy participating in course work, internships as well as in written and oral comprehensive examinations.By the time a student begins to prepare a dissertation proposal, hundreds of hours have been invested in academic endeavors. The student is well-versed in a variety of theoretical constructs that include leadership, organization, management, experimental design, statistics, law, finance, evaluation, and many other areas. The task remains to utilize the accumulated knowledge to successfully develop and complete the proposal and dissertation.Academic knowledge is not sufficient to prepare the dissertation. A number of other factors must be included and considered in the development and successful completion of the dissertation. The formula for success includes both internal and external factors. The internal factors include goal setting, listening, writing strategy, benchmarking, confidence, flexibility, a positive disposition, discipline, adaptability, resiliency, humor, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. The external factors include time, family support, supervisor/institutional consideration, and advisor motivation.

Student Empowerment In An Online Program

Given that online higher education is a competitive marketplace, this paper discusses how to ensure online student success. Within the online learning environment, the following may create the vitality of the online institution: (a) The online learning environment; (b) The role of the instructor; (c) Learning Communities; (d) Computer-mediated Communication Technologies; and (e) Policy and practice. These factors may be managed by the institution of higher education, the faculty member, or the learner; however, a commitment is needed by all stakeholders in the program.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator As A Tool To Facilitate Learning Outcomes For Team Building In The Classroom

Globalization and domestic competition are forcing businesses to rethink the human resources utilization process, and one method for considering again this challenge is creating a team culture. One key to this process for human resources development is the understanding of how to create the most successful teams. The use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a tool often used by business to achieve the goals of building work teams. College business majors must be introduced to the MBTI and to the dynamics of team building as a measurable skill necessary for their work environment. This research focuses on college classes in business communications, the directed study of the MBTI, and the heterogeneous mix of type in teams necessary for high learning outcomes. Specific pedagogical directions are provided for two team-building projects in writing, research, and oral presentation to small groups, thus meeting multiple course objectives.

Primary Traits Of Oral Business Presentation: Translatable Use For Assessment In A Virtual Learning Environment

As more and more classes are taught on-line, new challenges for assessment of student learning have come about. In this paper on the use of digital video (DV) as an acceptable means to assess student oral business presentation skills, content analysis was used to test for the presence of primary traits inherent in effective formal business presentation. A specific set of traits was identified through a comprehensive literature review. Primary traits: eye contact or absence of reading, vocal variety, credibility or confidence, appearance of nervous mannerisms, and the purposeful use of the body represented the five independent variables in a one-level experiment. The five factors were accumulated into a survey instrument for use by study assessors experienced in evaluating formal business presentation skills. Study assessors looked at each speaker to determine if they could assess the five traits. Overall results indicated the five primary traits were noticeable 88.8% of the time, thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. This suggests that digital video may offer a technological solution for oral presentation skills assessment. This is an important finding for faculty in time and distance constrained environments. Future research is suggested to isolate quality characteristics in the digital film environment and to examine the impact that digital video has on student learning and skills.

Team Projects And Peer Evaluations

The authors assign semester- or quarter-long team-based projects in several Computer Science and Finance courses. This paper reports on our experience in designing, managing, and evaluating such projects. In particular, we discuss the effects of team size and of various peer evaluation schemes on team performance and student learning. We report statistical measures of the students peer evaluations do they always rate each other strongly or weakly? What are the means and ranges? More importantly, we discuss why we introduced these peer evaluations, and what effect they have had on student commitment and performance. We discuss a small number of cases where student participation was poor, and relate this to the peer evaluation process.

Due Process And Teacher/Administrator Responsibilities In The United States

This paper addressed the need for continued awareness on the part of Educational Administrators as to their legal responsibilities as instructional leaders and custodians of the students under their supervision. Research revealed that school administrators unknowingly are violating the law everyday. Courts are keeping a close eye on school districts, which ignore the fact that they are acting in place of students parents and cannot overstep their bounds. The author stressed the fact that it is up to school officials to educate themselves as to their legal responsibilities. The study covered key issues including due process, suspension and expulsion, student searches, and sexual harassment. Case studies were cited and suggestions for litigation avoidance offered.

The Challenge Of Student Assessment In The Online Classroom

With the proliferation of online instruction, questions have arisen regarding the challenges of meaningful student assessment in the online classroom. This paper examines that concern using the literature and the observations of a panel of faculty experts who exhibit various levels of concern about cheating and plagiarism in the online classroom. Suggestions are offered as to how to overcome these challenges. The authors conclude with recommendations including the strategic use of unique frequent opportunities for assessment.

A Strategy To Increase The International Visibility And Participation Of A State University

This paper presents a strategy for expanding a universitys international participation. An effort to correct international exchange imbalances evolved into a unique international program and partnership with Walt Disney World.

AACSB College Of Business Deans Perception Of Selected Communication Competencies

The purpose of this study was to determine AACSB college of business deans perception of selected communication competencies. The business communication competencies studied were 1. writing and speaking, 2. Interpersonal/collaborative competencies and 3. global communication competences. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to AACSB college of business deans. The study analyzed deans views on selected communication competencies. The questionnaire identified 44 competencies. The deans were asked to evaluate each of the listed 44 competencies. The two competencies that ranked the highest were uses personal integrity in communication and spells correctly.

Using Action Research To Improve Teaching And Learning

This paper outlines the components of an action research project developed in a Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership program designed to improve teaching and learning.