This quantitative, descriptive study examined the specific factors that novice surgical technologists (preceptees) and practicing surgical technologists (preceptors) perceived as important to a successful learning partnership. The Learning Partnership Survey was administered to a convenience sample of 66 surgical technologists employed at an acute…

Humans are fundamentally social creatures and our social relationships depend on communication to survive. It is not surprising that communication is the most popular use of the Internet. Researchers have examined computer-mediated communication since the early 1980's, yet, the precise role of computer-mediated communication in growth,…

Reform in the fields of adolescent and content area literacy have focused on broadening a definition of literacy beyond the ability to read and write. In a broader definition the language processes of reading, writing, speaking and listening become literacy tools to engage students in the learning of concepts and afford the learner ways to…

Research conducted over the last 20 years has addressed various areas of management to determine whether cultural and attitudinal factors have influenced women's access to power. The findings have added new elements of interest to the study of leadership; these investigations have applied their findings to all women and only certain groups of…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the effects of strategy instruction on lower and higher-level learning in the hypertext format of a WebQuest. The SQ3R and Classification/Categorization study strategies were used to investigate the effects of comprehension in a recall and essay task. Two hundred fifty-four eighth-grade…

This research study evaluated the achievement of students who were taught by traditionally certified teachers with students who were taught by alternatively certified teachers or those seeking certification through an alternative certification program. The primary purpose of the study was to examine significant differences, if any, in student…

Globalization and privatization have begun to destabilize the patterns of university professional work and campus community. African American Women Administrators battle the unique challenges of racial and gender discrimination as well as the intersection of these issues. AAWAs face feelings of isolation and lack of trust, and struggles over power…

How can a community ensure that its public schools reflect local values and beliefs about education? The complexities involved in the reform of existing public schools, or the creation of a new system of schooling, have caused some researchers to explore new methodological avenues to change (Banathy, 1991; Duffy, Rogerson, & Blick, 2000; Jenlink,…

This dissertation focused on master's education cohorts at a small midwestern university. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between various demographic factors and other student characteristics as they were reported on a survey instrument. Of particular interest were those responses to attitudinal questions…

To meet the challenge of addressing the educational needs of students enrolled in the 21st century classroom and to meet the vitally important national goal of raising the level of digital inclusion, it is imperative for educators to develop methods of integrating technology into the everyday activities of the classroom. This applied dissertation…

The purpose of this study is to examine how Indian gaming revenue is used to support tribal schools by exploring key stakeholders' perceptions of the overall effect of gaming money on improving services provided by tribally controlled schools in the Midwest. In addition, underfunded tribal schools and failed federal policies remain a dilemma for…

The number of online education courses available to those seeking higher education have been increasing exponentially, offering opportunities to students who would not otherwise have been able to do so, as well as offering options for those who may have been able to attend classes on campus, but would prefer to pursue their course of study at…

Across the United States, today's farm operators face continuing challenges from global competition, increasing production costs, changing technology, increased regulations, scarce resources, and lower profit margins. To face these challenges, farm operators need to gather and utilize information allowing them to make informed decisions. Several…

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate how different Item Response Theory (IRT)-based calibration methods affect student achievement growth pattern recovery. Ninety-six vertical scales (4 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3) were constructed using different combinations of IRT calibration methods (separate, pair-wise concurrent, semi-concurrent, and…

The effect of teacher efficacy on student learning, teacher expectation, classroom management, and decision making are just a few of the well-established relationships documented in the literature. Not as clear, however, is the relative influence of cultural receptivity--the degree of which teachers are open to cultural diversity--on the referral…