DTheses (Athabasca University)
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Learner-Learner Interaction in Self-Paced Study at a Distance: Perceptions and Practice in Multiple Cases
Get PDFWhile self-paced study at a distance allows learners to choose the rate at which, as well as where and when, they learn, providing for learner-learner interaction is a challenge. This multiple-case study, framed by the typology of three generations of distance pedagogy, explored how and why in-house learning/teaching specialists and academics at three public universities incorporate learner-learner interaction in self-paced courses. Two cases are located in North America; the third is in Europe. One of the North American cases offers distance as well as on-site courses; the remaining two are single-mode distance universities. Data from interviews with 14 learning/teaching specialists and 12 academics, and from 14 self-paced courses, were analyzed to determine the pedagogies, learner-learner interaction, and use of social media in self-paced courses, as well as course design and development processes. Cross-case analysis synthesized case-based findings and produced four assertions regarding (a) differences between academics’ and learning/teaching specialists’ perspectives and concerns, (b) influence of implicit cognitive-behaviourist pedagogy, (c) ownership of courses and processes, and (d) non-pedagogical factors’ effect on learning design and provision. These assertions represent the challenges of evolving toward more connectivist learning in self-paced study with opportunities of new pedagogies and technologies, as well as pressure to improve course quality and completion rates. Participants suggested that innovation and change within self-paced course design and provision are needed and desirable. However, pedagogical innovation lags far behind adoption of technology tools. To bridge the chasm of innovation in learning and teaching, it is important for course developers to explore their beliefs and ideas about how learning happens. Incorporating learner-learner interaction in self-paced study will call for change strategies and agents to consider and appreciate the characteristics, needs, and motivations of different types of potential innovation adopters.2014-1
An Examination of Body Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity Information Sources and Needs to Inform Service Provision for Rural Breast Cancer Survivors in Northern British Columbia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFBreast cancer survivors often seek information about lifestyle behaviours. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine body weight, diet, and physical activity information sources and needs of rural breast cancer survivors in Northern British Columbia (BC), and 2) describe if and how these lifestyle recommendations are delivered to rural breast cancer survivors in Canada. Two cross-sectional surveys were completed among rural breast cancer survivors in Northern BC and among Canadian nurses and dietitians. Breast cancer survivors (N=132) want to make lifestyle changes to improve their health and are interested in how changes can reduce the risk of recurrence and improve survival. Healthcare providers (N=134) frequently field questions on lifestyle from breast cancer survivors, though few are referred to community programs or services. Opportunities exist to support rural breast cancer survivors in Northern BC including improved awareness of lifestyle information and integration with existing chronic disease management programs.November 201
Inspiring Bilingualism: Chinese-Canadian Mothers' Stories
Get PDFThe experience of Chinese mothers who pass on their native language to their children with partners who do not speak the native language, has not been explored in the literature. Consequently, the research puzzle, using a narrative inquiry approach is, “What are the lived experiences of bilingualism from the perspective of Chinese-Canadian mothers who have passed on their native language to their children?” Five common threads emerged as (1) mother’s pride in bilingualism, (2) bilingualism matters despite the absence of emotional connection with our mothers, (3) mothering with intention, (4) linguistic hopes and dreams for our bilingual children, and (5) determination to raise our children as bilingual beings. There were also two differing threads: (1) the bilingual education of our children, and (2) angst in passing on the language. The discussion, conclusion, limitations, and future directions complete this research expedition.2014-0
Mothers as distance learners: A phenomenology
Get PDFThis transcendental phenomenological study examined the social phenomenon of five mothers who are distance learners. The participants’ stories and interview responses were analyzed for major themes or concepts using the process of successive approximation through which six main themes were identified, namely: collaborative group work and forums; help and support; the necessity of flexibility; organization; persistence; and personal versus professional life.2014-0
Finding my own way: Nursing identity development from layperson to new BN graduate
Get PDFOne goal of Baccalaureate nursing (BN) education is to influence Nursing Identity (NI) development of graduates. The purpose of this study was to examine the process of NI development from the perspective of recent BN graduates in Manitoba. The emerging grounded theory FINDING MY OWN WAY is proposed as a provisional explanation of the individualized journey of NI development from layperson to registered nurse (RN), where one is seeking a balance between one's Ideal Nursing Identity and the Lived Nursing Identity. This journey involves four interrelated, overlapping, and at times recurring phases: (1) Choosing Nursing, (2) Being the Nursing Student, (3) Becoming an RN, and (4) Being the New RN, each phase influenced by the context of Personal Identity and Environment which together generate Meanings, Choices, and Actions. During these phases, the person is first, aligning, then refining and redefining, and finally customizing how this NI will be enacted.2014-0
The Path to the Top: An Exploratory Investigation into Process, Situational, and Personal Characteristics Influencing Directors’ Willingness to Appoint a First-Time CEO
Get PDFSelecting a new CEO is a difficult task for any board director ultimately accountable for that decision. It is rendered even more challenging as a result of the shrinking supply of experienced CEOs, which is in part due to the fact that the present generation of baby boomers is approaching retirement age. This unavoidable demographic state of affairs will most likely mean the appointment of a higher number of first-time CEOs (FTCs). Understanding the extent to which process, situational, and personal characteristics influence a director’s willingness to appoint a first-time CEO is key, as it will permit better preparation of both a) board directors and b) CEO candidates, who play crucial roles in shaping the future “corporate North America.” The literature review conducted identifies and categorizes characteristics linked to the selection process, company situational differences, and personal backgrounds of CEO candidates. While the combinations of meaningful characteristics uncovered in the literature are numerous, three guiding propositions are put forth for testing. The methodology selected for this research rests upon one-on-one interviews with 27 corporate directors currently or recently sitting on boards of Canadian-headquartered, publicly traded companies who have experienced a CEO succession event in the past five years. Two initial trial interviews were conducted to refine the interview protocol. Content analysis was used to examine the transcribed interviews and uncover the meaningful characteristics of FTC candidates that were mentioned. Those characteristics were then analyzed against the three guiding propositions to assess their validity and the extent of their influence on directors’ willingness to appoint a FTC.2014-0
A critical look at multicultural and social justice counsellor education with best practice approaches
Get PDFThe purpose of this thesis was to examine counselling students’ perceptions of how their education prepared them for applied practice. Thirty-two graduate students from two Alberta institutions responded to an online survey. This qualitative study used the critical incident technique and a thematic analysis to categorize student responses into three domains: gained competencies, barriers encountered, and gaps identified. Five meta-themes emerged reflecting two streams: curriculum and pedagogy. Interpretations were made within an eclectic range of learning theories and best practice principles. Although participants claimed they were satisfied with the multicultural competencies they gained, the results revealed the shortcomings of a single-course design and showed that their education lacked social justice coverage and a focus on applied practice. Although best practice methods are used extensively in elementary schools and gaining ground in higher learning, the potential contribution of the approach in multicultural counselling education has not yet been realized.March 25, 201
Public private partnerships in Alberta's transportation infrastructure: A study of the evolution of the institutional environment
Get PDFGovernments are increasingly turning to public private partnerships (P3s) to develop and deliver long-term infrastructure and services. Thus, the procurement of major capital projects as P3s is growing. The institutional environment for P3s influences project performance, program permanence and continuity. Institutional deficiencies can mean project failure, especially when political legitimacy, organizational capacity and partnership building arenas are lacking; conflict is rampant and a satisfactory conflict resolution mechanism is non-existent or does not work well as a formal structural feature of the institutional environment. Given that different institutional environments leads to different outcomes, this research analyzed the Alberta institutional environment using Edmonton’s Anthony Henday Highway. Adopting a longitudinal case study methodology, this study traced the emergence of P3s in Alberta, examined the institutional environment beginning with the pre-existing institutional settings, and analyzed the impact of the institutional environment on P3 projects between 2002 and 2012.
The key findings are: a) P3s emerged due to a convergence of dissatisfaction with the existing model, the storm of fiscal pressures the government faced and political support for the introduction of P3s; b) the business (project) environment evolves for both public and private sectors based on a mutual commitment to P3 success; c) organizational capacity grows from learning, leading to greater confidence in executing P3 projects.
The key contributions are: 1) P3 policy measures and political support require new actors. While policy measures and political support are complementary in the emergence and development of the institutional environment for P3s, such policy measures need new actors with the authority and drive to implement institutionalizable change; 2) There is a path-dependent response at the institutional level to project outcomes. Evidence suggests that path dependency is a factor in play, as later developments depend on earlier events at the political, policy/project and organizational levels. 3) There is a co-evolution of organizational field structures. As policy intervention clears the path for P3 emergence, supporting organizational field structures also emerge. 4) Institutional environment elements are mutually re-inforcing creating synergy. Thus, institutional environment elements affect, react and interact with other institutional environment elements in return and in diverse ways creating synergy.MAY 201
Factors associated with readmission to mental health inpatient services and the emergency department within 30 days post discharge
Get PDFThis study examined connection to a mental health outpatient program and readmission to the emergency department and an inpatient unit within 30 days post discharge. A retrospective analysis of administrative data in Ontario hospitals was undertaken using a multivariate logistic regression model examining the relationship between connection status and readmission. Five percent were readmitted to a mental health inpatient unit and 14% to the emergency department. Connection status was not a significant predictor of readmission. Substance related disorders (adjusted OR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.33-4.07) and concurrent chronic illness (adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.06-5.99) were associated with return to the emergency department. Substance related disorders were also more likely to readmitted to an inpatient unit (adjusted OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.01-11.2). The findings emphasize the multifaceted issues associated with mental illness related readmissions, most of which could not be controlled for in this study.April 201
Recruitment and selection of immigrant professionals in Canada: A case study
Get PDFAs Canada continues to move towards a high-skilled knowledge economy, immigrant professionals are necessary to fill the shortfall of required workers. This study is designed to answer important conceptual and practical questions about the reasons for a gap between an organization’s goal to hire immigrant professionals and the actual outcome. Utilizing a case study of three multinational corporations, all recipients of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer award, 18 informants were interviewed. These informants included recruiters and hiring managers working across Canada, holding positions of junior manager to executive. By analyzing the organizations’ recruitment and selection processes, a better understanding of what strategic human resource management (SHRM) systems lead to immigrant professional hiring has been gained. Focusing on vertical and horizontal linkages under a configurationally SHRM theory, it is evident that implementation of a holistic process is fundamental to improving recruitment and selection of immigrant professionals outcomes. This research adds to the body of work of SHRM by applying a micro perspective and provides recommendations for practical applications.2014-0