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Title: GENERATION AND THE GOOGLE EFFECT: TRANSACTIVE MEMORY SYSTEM PREFERENCE ACROSS AGE.
Creator: Siler, Jessica, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A transactive memory system (TMS) is a means by which people may store information externally; in such a system the task of remembering is offloaded by remembering where information is located, rather than remembering the information itself. As Sparrow et al. (2011) suggest in the article Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips, people are beginning to use the internet and computers as a TMS, and this use is changing the way people encounter...
Show moreA transactive memory system (TMS) is a means by which people may store information externally; in such a system the task of remembering is offloaded by remembering where information is located, rather than remembering the information itself. As Sparrow et al. (2011) suggest in the article Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips, people are beginning to use the internet and computers as a TMS, and this use is changing the way people encounter and treat information. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether preference for TMS type (either with books or with computers) varies across age groups. An interaction between TMS preference and age was hypothesized. Before the onset of the internet age, information was primarily found in books and other print materials whereas now the internet is more frequently used, thus this shift in thinking and habit across generations was expected to emerge in the data. The study yielded a total of 51 participants, 32 from the young age group (ages 18-24) and 19 from the old (ages 61-81). A modified Stroop task and question blocks (for priming purposes) were employed to examine whether people are prone to think of book- or computer-related sources when in search of information. Also, a "Look up or Learn" tendencies survey was used to better understand how people decide whether certain information should be learned or left to be "looked up" later (Yacci & Rosanski, 2012). The mixed ANOVA did not reveal main effects for question difficulty or TMS type, nor was an interaction with age found. The results were not consistent with those of Sparrow et al. (2011) and did not show significance for TMS preference. Future studies should continue to examine the Google effect and TMS preference, as it bears important applications for a number of fields.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004473, ucf:45118
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004473

Title: NAVIGATING AUTHENTICITY IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE EXISTENTIAL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
Creator: Zimmerman, Douglas, Strawser, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Our world is a world of technology, and technology is part of what has made human beings so adept at survival. Yet, the 21st century has seen a new type of technology that is unlike anything ever seen before. This new information technology is known as social media (including such things as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.), and it has the power to influence our very being. However, we are seemingly uncritical and unconcerned about social media in relation to society. This project attempts to...
Show moreOur world is a world of technology, and technology is part of what has made human beings so adept at survival. Yet, the 21st century has seen a new type of technology that is unlike anything ever seen before. This new information technology is known as social media (including such things as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.), and it has the power to influence our very being. However, we are seemingly uncritical and unconcerned about social media in relation to society. This project attempts to analyze social media and its relationship to human beings from an ontological standpoint. I do so by exploring both the ontic and the ontological aspects of social media. In order to do so, I use a method of hermeneutical inquiry and phenomenological exploration. By using the works of several different thinkers, I attempt to get at the essence of the relationship between humans and social media. First, using the works of Martin Heidegger, I argue that there is an ethical dimension contained within the concept of authenticity. Then, using the works of psychologists, phenomenologists, and cognitive scientists, I show that social media has just as much control over us as we think we have over it. Lastly, I return to Heidegger's work in order to understand what the very essence of social media is, and I then explain what our relationship to social media ought to be in order to live authentically. In doing so, I attempt to explain how we can gain a free relation to social media in order to establish the ways in which it can be most helpful to us.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004303, ucf:45047
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004303

Title: EXPLORING ELEMENTARY TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES THROUGH HISTORICAL FICTION USING GOOGLE LIT TRIPS.
Creator: Bider, Kristin, Killingsworth Roberts, Sherron, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: There is a new generation of students entering our school systems called "Digital Natives"; students who are more technologically inclined than their teachers. With the new cohort of students, it is becoming problematic for teachers to implement engaging lessons. Because social studies is not a state tested subject, teachers and administrators find it very difficult to retrieve the time and the passion for the subject in the everyday classroom. One new Google application called Google Lit...
Show moreThere is a new generation of students entering our school systems called "Digital Natives"; students who are more technologically inclined than their teachers. With the new cohort of students, it is becoming problematic for teachers to implement engaging lessons. Because social studies is not a state tested subject, teachers and administrators find it very difficult to retrieve the time and the passion for the subject in the everyday classroom. One new Google application called Google Lit Trips is an appealing way to teach social studies for the new generation of students. Prior research on Google Lit Trips showed that this application is well suited for creating lessons that can satisfy standards for a multitude of subjects, and in a way that catches the students' attentions. After I completed research on the 21st century learner, how teachers can integrate social studies into their classroom, and Google Literature Trips; I studied many virtual field trips of various books or novels. These Google Literature Trips allows teachers to utilize Google Earth to pin locations of importance for students in order to gain a visual, while simultaneously exploring educational activities. Then, I created my own Google Lit Trip. Before teachers participated in exploring the Google Lit Trip I created, a survey was conducted on the five teachers; getting their perceptions of technology, social studies education, and Google Lit Trips. They were then asked to read the picture book The Story of Ruby Bridges (Coles, 1995). The computer application was then shown to teachers to get their opinions on its perceived effectiveness. A post-survey was then conducted on the teachers' perceptions of the Google Literature Trip. The results of the teachers' discernments of the teaching tool proved it to be an effective application to use in the classroom to enhance cross-curricular education from technology, art, reading, and most importantly for this thesis, social studies. Future research should be conducted on students' perceptions, and whether or not it sustains engagement, and whether or not their knowledge of the subject matter improves.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004497, ucf:45072
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004497

Title: THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN PARADIGM: AN EXAMINATION OF REAL-TIME, C-PRINT, MEANING-FOR-MEANING TRANSCRIPTION AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN LEARNING.
Creator: Boone, Amanda, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The intent of this thesis is to guide further research and discussion of C-Print, meaning-for-meaning transcription and its applications to today's dynamic classroom settings under a Universal Design Paradigm. Evidence suggests that providing these captions can benefit Deaf and Hard of Hearing populations and also that concise, textual representations of information increase retention for average learners in multimedia settings. Individual differences were considered and low internal control...
Show moreThe intent of this thesis is to guide further research and discussion of C-Print, meaning-for-meaning transcription and its applications to today's dynamic classroom settings under a Universal Design Paradigm. Evidence suggests that providing these captions can benefit Deaf and Hard of Hearing populations and also that concise, textual representations of information increase retention for average learners in multimedia settings. Individual differences were considered and low internal control participants did significantly better on exams when material was captioned compared to when it was not. They also tended to outperform high internal control participants on captioned material exams.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004556, ucf:45223
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004556

Title: Enriching Students With Developmental Delays in an Early Childhood Classroom Using iPads With Mathematics Applications.
Creator: Powell, Selma, Dieker, Lisa, Little, Mary, Cross, Lee, Culp, Anne, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Laws and legislation related to early childhood and special education have shaped the field and impacted the need for early intervention services, but the outcomes of those services both academically and socially at the forefront. Children with developmental delays today are eligible for school services beginning at birth across the country, the new challenging is determining the impact of services on the social and academic outcomes. Many children with developmental delays are served in...
Show moreLaws and legislation related to early childhood and special education have shaped the field and impacted the need for early intervention services, but the outcomes of those services both academically and socially at the forefront. Children with developmental delays today are eligible for school services beginning at birth across the country, the new challenging is determining the impact of services on the social and academic outcomes. Many children with developmental delays are served in inclusive early intervention classrooms. A need for developmentally appropriate quality mathematics instruction exists to prepare students to meet the demands of a global economy; students must demonstrate mastery of core subjects, such as mathematics, along with skills in information and communication technology (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2009). To promote mathematics achievement technology should be infused in instruction. Data were collected through a variety of sources including: student records review, TEMA-3 test scores, researcher's observation field notes, transcripts from student exit interviews, teacher interviews pre and post data collection, and parent questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Atlas-ti and was triangulated from the various data sources. Inter-observer agreement was obtained for all the results. Researcher observations occurred for 19 days in a pre-kindergarten inclusive classroom. The data were analyzed to identify themes for the four individual cases as well as two overarching themes as it related to the investigation of utilizing handheld technology for mathematics instruction in an early childhood education setting.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004584, ucf:49197
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004584

Title: THE INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONTENT AREAS AND ADOLESCENT MOTIVATION.
Creator: Blackwell, Lindsey, Zygouris-Coe, Vicky, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study was designed to investigate the types of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) integrated into the content area classrooms of two local high schools, and whether the use of these ICTs motivated adolescent students to read and write in the content areas. The investigator created a student survey, student, teacher, and other support faculty interview protocols, and a classroom observation protocol to collect data for the study. The investigator faced several challenges...
Show moreThis study was designed to investigate the types of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) integrated into the content area classrooms of two local high schools, and whether the use of these ICTs motivated adolescent students to read and write in the content areas. The investigator created a student survey, student, teacher, and other support faculty interview protocols, and a classroom observation protocol to collect data for the study. The investigator faced several challenges which prevented her from spending adequate time in the schools. Due to these challenges, sufficient data was not obtained to form conclusions about the research questions. This thesis will present the review of literature, methodology, and plan for completing the study in the future.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003554, ucf:48914
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003554

Title: POLITICAL SPACES AND REMEDIATED PLACES: REARTICULATING THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE WRITING CENTER.
Creator: Carpenter, Russell, Bowdon, Melody, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Writing center directors (WCDs) often situate their programs in physical and virtual spaces without fully studying the pedagogical and political implications of their decisions. Without intense study, writing centers risk building programs within spaces that undermine their missions and philosophies. In The Production of Space, Henri Lefebvre argues that "From the analytic standpoint, the spatial practice of a society is revealed through the deciphering of its space" (38). The study of space...
Show moreWriting center directors (WCDs) often situate their programs in physical and virtual spaces without fully studying the pedagogical and political implications of their decisions. Without intense study, writing centers risk building programs within spaces that undermine their missions and philosophies. In The Production of Space, Henri Lefebvre argues that "From the analytic standpoint, the spatial practice of a society is revealed through the deciphering of its space" (38). The study of space also reveals important political and financial priorities within the institution. Furthermore, the positioning of buildings and the spatial layout of a campus display the institution's priorities and attitudes toward writing center work. Theorizing the Online Writing Lab (OWL) through the lens of cultural and political geographies, it becomes apparent that the physical spaces of many writing centers are not as sustainable as WCDs might like, and in many ways, they are marginalized within the larger institution. This dissertation prompts a rearticulation of place and space in the writing center. In this dissertation, I argue that in an attempt to rethink current practices, the virtual space of the writing center should perpetuate, extend, and improve the social practices employed in our physical spaces. I draw from mapping exercises to inform my critique in an attempt to advance our understanding of writing center physical and virtual spaces. The changing geographical and cultural landscape of the institution demands that writing centers pay close attention to spatial implications as they employ technology to create dynamic virtual resources and more sustainable spaces. I rearticulate writing center spaces through cognitive and digital mapping, urban planning, and architectural theories. I make several contributions through this work: theoretical, to rearticulate the physical and virtual space of writing center work; political, to understand the constructions of the writing center's pedagogical spaces; and pedagogical, to understand best practices for creating virtual spaces that enhance learning, unlike those we have seen before or have had available in the writing center.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002776, ucf:48092
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002776

Title: INTENTION TO USE A PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD (PHR): A CROSS SECTIONAL VIEW OF THE CHARACTERISTICS AND OPINIONS OF PATIENTS OF ONE INTERNAL MEDICINE PRACTICE.
Creator: Noblin, Alice, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A personal health record (PHR) allows a patient to exert control over his/her healthcare by enhancing communication with healthcare providers. According to research, patients find value in having access to information contained in their medical records. Often a glossary is required to aid in interpreting the information and understanding the content. However, giving patients the ability to speak with providers about their medical conditions empowers them to participate as informed healthcare...
Show moreA personal health record (PHR) allows a patient to exert control over his/her healthcare by enhancing communication with healthcare providers. According to research, patients find value in having access to information contained in their medical records. Often a glossary is required to aid in interpreting the information and understanding the content. However, giving patients the ability to speak with providers about their medical conditions empowers them to participate as informed healthcare consumers. The majority of patients (75%) at Medical Specialists expressed their intention to adopt the PHR if it is made available to them. Although the perceived usefulness of a PHR was a significant determining factor, comfort level with technology, health literacy, and socioeconomic status were indirectly related to intention to adopt as well. Perceived health status was not found to be a significant factor in this population for determining intention to adopt a PHR. The majority of patients in each category of gender, age, marital status, and race/ethnicity (except American Indian/Alaska Native) expressed interest in adopting a PHR, with most categories being above 70%. Findings indicate a broad acceptance of this new technology by the patients of Medical Specialists. Improvement of adoption and use rates may depend on availability of office staff for hands-on training as well as assistance with interpretation of medical information. Hopefully, over time technology barriers will disappear, and usefulness of the information will promote increased demand.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003046, ucf:48334
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003046

Title: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON STUDENTS' VISUAL AND NONVISUAL THINKING PREFERENCES: COMPARING PAPER-PENCIL AND DYNAMIC SOFTWARE BASED STRATEGIES OF ALGEBRA WORD PROBLEMS.
Creator: Coskun, Sirin, Dixon, Juli, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this multiple-case study, I developed cases describing three students' (Mary, Ryan and David) solution methods for algebra word problems and investigated the effect of technology on their solution methods by making inferences about their preferences for visual or nonvisual solutions. Furthermore, I examined the students' solution methods when presented with virtual physical representations of the situations described in the problems and attempted to explain the effect of those...
Show moreIn this multiple-case study, I developed cases describing three students' (Mary, Ryan and David) solution methods for algebra word problems and investigated the effect of technology on their solution methods by making inferences about their preferences for visual or nonvisual solutions. Furthermore, I examined the students' solution methods when presented with virtual physical representations of the situations described in the problems and attempted to explain the effect of those representations on students' thinking preferences. In this study, the use of technology referred to the use of the dynamic software program Geogebra. Suwarsono's (1982) Mathematical Processing Instrument (MPI) was administered to determine their preferences for visual and nonvisual thinking. During the interviews, students were presented with paper-and-pencil-based tasks (PBTs), Geogebra-based tasks (GBTs) and Geogebra-based tasks with virtual physical representations (GBT-VPRs). Each category included 10 algebra word problems, with similar problems across categories. (i.e., PBT 9, GBT 9 and GBT-VPR 9 were similar). By investigating students' methods of solution and their use of representations in solving those tasks, I compared and contrasted their preferences for visual and nonvisual methods when solving problems with and without technology. The comparison between their solutions of PBTs and GBTs revealed how dynamic software influenced their method of solution. Regardless of students' preferences for visual and nonvisual solutions, with the use of dynamic software students employed more visual methods when presented with GBTs. When visual methods were as accessible and easy to use as nonvisual methods, students preferred to use them, thus demonstrating that they possessed a more complete knowledge of problem-solving with dynamic software than their work on the PBTs. Nowadays, we can construct virtual physical representations of the problems in technology environments that will help students explore the relationships and look for patterns that can be used to solve the problem. Unlike GBTs, GBT-VPRs did not influence students' preferences for visual or nonvisual methods. Students continued to rely on methods that they preferred since their preferences for visual or nonvisual solutions regarding GBT-PRs were similar to their solution preferences for the problems on MPI that was administered to them to determine their preferences for visual or nonvisual methods. Mary, whose MPI score suggested that she preferred to solve mathematics problems using nonvisual methods, solved GBT-VPRs with nonvisual methods. Ryan, whose MPI score suggested that he preferred to solve mathematics problems using visual methods, solved GBT-VPRs with visual methods. David, whose MPI score suggested that he preferred to solve mathematics problems using both visual and nonvisual methods, solved GBT-VPRs with both visual and nonvisual methods.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003900, ucf:48733
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003900

Title: USING CELL PHONE TECHNOLOGY FOR SELF-MONITORING PROCEDURES IN INCLUSIVE SETTINGS.
Creator: Bedesem, Pena, Cross, Lee, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects and social validity of an innovative method for middle school students with high incidence disabilities to self-monitor their behavior in inclusive settings. Traditional self-monitoring procedures were updated by incorporating cell phone technology. The updated self-monitoring procedure, called CellF-Monitoring, used a cell phone to replace traditional cueing and recording procedures. The study took place in an inclusive middle school...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects and social validity of an innovative method for middle school students with high incidence disabilities to self-monitor their behavior in inclusive settings. Traditional self-monitoring procedures were updated by incorporating cell phone technology. The updated self-monitoring procedure, called CellF-Monitoring, used a cell phone to replace traditional cueing and recording procedures. The study took place in an inclusive middle school classroom in central Florida with two students with high incidence disabilities. A multiple-baseline-across-participants single subject design was employed. Results indicate that the CellF-Monitoring procedure is an effective and socially valid intervention. Although results of the study demonstrated the effectiveness of the CellF-Monitoring procedure, there are several limitations that should be discussed, including the number of replications, the sample size, teacher implementation, and use of personal cell phones. The limitations of the study provide several opportunities for future research.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003317, ucf:48504
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003317

Title: A CULTURAL-HISTORICAL ACTIVITY THEORY ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM FACULTY.
Creator: Marquez, Rolando, Gunter, Glenda, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Background: Researchers have revealed that among the reasons provided as barriers to the adoption of technology are: lack of technology resources, time, professional development and support (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, 1997; Parker, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; NCATE, 1997; Shelly, Gunter & Gunter, 2010, U.S. Congress, 1995). Several models used to explain the usage of technology within education such as the Technology Acceptance Model ...
Show moreBackground: Researchers have revealed that among the reasons provided as barriers to the adoption of technology are: lack of technology resources, time, professional development and support (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, 1997; Parker, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; NCATE, 1997; Shelly, Gunter & Gunter, 2010, U.S. Congress, 1995). Several models used to explain the usage of technology within education such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) have been somewhat ineffective in explaining or providing a holistic view of the factors that come into play when examining technology infusion and diffusion as they account for a limited percentage of variance (Legris, Ingham & Collerete, 2003; Pan, Gunter, Sivo & Cornell, 2005). Purpose: To better understand the choices that faculty members make in their use of educational technologies and media and to determine why some technologies such as blackboard have been widely adopted, but others have not. The following research question was formulated to guide the study: "Why do faculty members in higher education make the instructional choices they do with respect to educational technologies and media? Also, how can the use of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), as a more robust framework, offer an increase in explanatory power to better enable the understanding of a multitude of factors that impact the adoption and use of certain media technologies? Setting: A technology rich department at a college of a large urban university in the Southeastern United States. Participants: Three faculty members who taught in the department. Research Design: Qualitative multi-site case study informed by Engeström's CHAT(Engeström, 1987). Data Collection and Analysis: Document analysis, individual interviews, and laboratory and classroom observations provided data. Qualitative data analysis that employed qualitative inquiry research was informed by Creswell's "data analysis spiral" and Engeström's CHAT. Findings: Visits at the institution presented several of the key ideas in the CHAT framework including contradictions within the media selection activity and tensions at the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels. Additional themes included group work, autonomy, media as a tool to achieve learning goals, caring for students, early adopters, and relevance with current trends.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003665, ucf:48833
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003665

Title: Assessment of Instructional Presentation For Emergency Evacuation Assistive Technology.
Creator: Boyce, Michael, Smither, Janan, Joseph, Dana, Hancock, Peter, Bowers, Clint, Wilson, Darren, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: It is often the case that emergency first responders are well equipped and trained to deal with a situation that involves evacuation of someone with a physical disability. However, emergency responders are not always the first line of defense, or they may be otherwise occupied with assisting others. This research examined the effects of instructions for emergency stair travel devices on untrained or novice users. It was hypothesized that through redesign of the evacuation instructions,...
Show moreIt is often the case that emergency first responders are well equipped and trained to deal with a situation that involves evacuation of someone with a physical disability. However, emergency responders are not always the first line of defense, or they may be otherwise occupied with assisting others. This research examined the effects of instructions for emergency stair travel devices on untrained or novice users. It was hypothesized that through redesign of the evacuation instructions, untrained individuals would be able to successfully prepare an evacuation chair and secure someone with a disability more effectively and efficiently. A pre-post study design was used with an instructional redesign occurring as the manipulation between phases. There was an improved subjective understanding and improved performance metrics, such as reduced time on task and a reduction of the number of instructional glances, across three evacuation chairs when using the redesigned instruction sets. The study demonstrated that visual instruction style can account for a significant portion of explained variance in the operation of emergency stair travel devices. It also showed that improvements in instruction style can reduce time on task across device type and age group. The study failed to demonstrate that there was a performance decrement for older adults in comparison to younger adults because of the cognitive slowing of older adult information processing abilities. Results from this study can be used to support future iterations of the Emergency Stair Travel Device Standard (RESNA ED-1) to ensure that instructional design is standardized and optimized for the best performance possible.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005136, ucf:50694
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005136

Title: Keeping Quiet: Investigating the Maintenance and Policing of Male-dominated Gaming Space.
Creator: Charles, Christopher, Pritchard, Robert, Preston-Sidler, Leandra, Grauerholz, Liz, Corzine, Harold, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Despite the near parity between the number of female and male gamers (Entertainment Software Association, 2014), studies on gender in videogames illustrate a culture that typically reflects hegemonic masculinity and excludes women on a multitude of levels. Because these interactions occur within real and virtual space (both online and within games), a holistic approach is warranted to analyze these mechanisms of oppression. This paper seeks to uncover the ways by which gaming culture is...
Show moreDespite the near parity between the number of female and male gamers (Entertainment Software Association, 2014), studies on gender in videogames illustrate a culture that typically reflects hegemonic masculinity and excludes women on a multitude of levels. Because these interactions occur within real and virtual space (both online and within games), a holistic approach is warranted to analyze these mechanisms of oppression. This paper seeks to uncover the ways by which gaming culture is maintained and policed as a male-dominated space, through qualitative data collection. By using ethnographic, participant observation at a large, multi-genre convention the experiences of both male and female gamers were collected and analyzed. Their stories shed light on the means by which women are silenced, or (")kept quiet,(") by voice chat profiling, verbal abuse, and hostile Internet communities. They are subject to strict policing of gamer identity, relegation as casual gamers, and their calls for inclusiveness all too often fall on game developers' deaf ears.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006281, ucf:51605
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006281

Title: The Branding, Creation, and Promotion of a Solo Comedienne.
Creator: McCorison, Anna, Snyder, Tara, Ingram, Kate, Niess, Christopher, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Comedy exists as a stronghold in American culture as a coping mechanism throughout history, but is often limited to the male headliner. From Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Gleason and Bill Cosby to Will Ferrell, men have kept us laughing from stages to screen throughout the last century. Thus, I inquire: who are the prominent women who rose to the top of this male-dominated industry and how did they create a brand for themselves that was distinguishable and celebrated? What is it about being a...
Show moreComedy exists as a stronghold in American culture as a coping mechanism throughout history, but is often limited to the male headliner. From Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Gleason and Bill Cosby to Will Ferrell, men have kept us laughing from stages to screen throughout the last century. Thus, I inquire: who are the prominent women who rose to the top of this male-dominated industry and how did they create a brand for themselves that was distinguishable and celebrated? What is it about being a woman in the last century that made making a name in comedic entertainment more cumbersome, and has this feat of female branding changed at all with the evolution of entertainment and social trends? With this graduate thesis, I wish to explore the comparative timeline between socio-economic history, feminism, and the growth of entertainment trends. Considering this history, I will examine five major comediennes: Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Chelsea Handler, and Colleen Ballinger and their journeys to create prominent female entertainment brands. From this contributing research I will create and perform a one-woman show entitled An Evening with Aunt Nona. Through the exploration of personal branding and marketing of my solo voice, I seek to provide an inspirational framework for the creation and branding of future solo comediennes.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005661, ucf:50181
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005661

Title: A Phenomenological Analysis of Undergraduate Teaching in the United States and the United Kingdom from the Perspective of Current and Former Exchange Students.
Creator: Griffiths, Barry, Owens, J. Thomas, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Welch, Kerry, Haciomeroglu, Erhan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: While once almost indistinguishable, the systems of higher education in the United States and the United Kingdom have diverged during the past 200 years to the point where today there are few similarities. However, due to increasing globalization and the growing ubiquity of the internet, many contemporary issues in higher education are often faced by institutions across the globe.After detailing the historical role of scholarship and teaching in the two countries, this study concentrates on...
Show moreWhile once almost indistinguishable, the systems of higher education in the United States and the United Kingdom have diverged during the past 200 years to the point where today there are few similarities. However, due to increasing globalization and the growing ubiquity of the internet, many contemporary issues in higher education are often faced by institutions across the globe.After detailing the historical role of scholarship and teaching in the two countries, this study concentrates on two aspects that have been extensively researched in recent years, namely the role of technology in the classroom and the balance that many modern day faculty must seek with regard to teaching and research. A new perspective on these issues is then explored by considering the perceptions of current and former exchange students from the United States and the United Kingdom. Data were collected by interviewing 12 students representing eight universities in the two countries, and an analysis was conducted according to established phenomenological principles. Four primary themes emerged as a result, which allowed me to seek commonalities and differences with the existing literature, and make suggestions for the direction of future research.The conclusions made center around how students want technology to be used by faculty in a moderated fashion, and a distinction is formed between the way in which faculty and institutions in the two countries use web-based technology. With regard to the teaching-research nexus, this study largely refutes the notion that contemporary faculty prioritize research to the detriment of undergraduate students, and posits that the two disciplines are integrated in the sense that they can positively affect each other.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005800, ucf:50042
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005800

Title: Virtual Teams and Intercultural Ethics: Preventative Measures for Ethical Dilemmas.
Creator: Blanton, Rebecca, Flammia, Madelyn, Jones, Daniel, Dombrowski, Paul, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This thesis examines the ethical challenges faced by technical communicators working in global virtual teams. Virtual teams usage are becoming increasingly more popular and diverse. As a result, it is valuable for technical communicators to understand and recognize the challenges that are faced within global virtual teams in order to find solutions and preventive measures for these challenges. The ethical challenges present in global virtual teams were determined by examining the literature...
Show moreThis thesis examines the ethical challenges faced by technical communicators working in global virtual teams. Virtual teams usage are becoming increasingly more popular and diverse. As a result, it is valuable for technical communicators to understand and recognize the challenges that are faced within global virtual teams in order to find solutions and preventive measures for these challenges. The ethical challenges present in global virtual teams were determined by examining the literature on virtual teams and intercultural ethics and conducting a survey of practicing technical communicators who have experience in virtual teams. The purpose of the survey was to determine the ethical challenges that are present for technical communicators and how these issues were resolved. The survey results reveal valuable approaches to resolving and preventing ethical challenges in virtual teams. This thesis contributes to a better understanding of virtual teams and intercultural ethics and examines the ethical challenges that are faced by technical communicators. Furthermore, the thesis presents preventive measures for addressing ethical challenges. Finally, the thesis also provides suggestions for future research into the ethical challenges that are faced within global virtual teams, particularly those related to cultural differences.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004653, ucf:49887
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004653

Title: Training for Decision Making in Complex Environments: Instructional Methods and Individual Differences.
Creator: Ray, Jessica, Mouloua, Mustapha, Sims, Valerie, Hancock, Peter, Spain, Randall, Durlach, Paula, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Increased technology reliance along with today's global fast paced society has produced increasingly complex, dynamic operating environments in disciplines as diverse as the military, healthcare, and transportation. These complex human machine systems often place additional cognitive and metacognitive demands on the operator. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop training tools for all levels of operators in these dynamic systems. The current study was designed to empirically test the...
Show moreIncreased technology reliance along with today's global fast paced society has produced increasingly complex, dynamic operating environments in disciplines as diverse as the military, healthcare, and transportation. These complex human machine systems often place additional cognitive and metacognitive demands on the operator. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop training tools for all levels of operators in these dynamic systems. The current study was designed to empirically test the effects of four training methods on performance and mental model accuracy in a microworld simulation game. It was hypothesized that process-focused guidance targeting metacognitive level processes as well as combined process and problem focused guidance would result in better performance and mental model accuracy than problem- focused guidance alone or unguided training approaches. Additionally, it was expected that individual differences in prior decision making ability, metacognitive awareness, working memory span, and fluid intelligence would moderate the relationship between the type of instructional guidance and outcomes. Results supported the development of decision-making skills through process-focused instructional guidance, particularly for initially low performing or more novice individuals. Results highlight the importance of individual learner experience prior to training. Similarly, this research aims to expand the literature by providing support for process-focused training as a method to support non-expert decision making skills. While further research needs are outlined, the current research represents an important step forward in both the theoretical literature providing support for instruction designed to support domain general decision making skills in non-experts. Practical implications regarding improved guidance for future instructional and training systems design, personnel selection, operator and system performance evaluation, and safety are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004738, ucf:49836
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004738

Title: Evaluating Faculty and Staff Customer Satisfaction of a Technology Support Office in a Large University in Florida.
Creator: Jaffe, Laurence, Murray, Kenneth, Murray, Barbara, Baldwin, Gordon, Hutchinson, Cynthia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study sought to determine customer satisfaction levels of faculty and staff with their technology support office in a large university in Florida. The focus of research was to determine if there were any differences in customer satisfaction based on four demographics: gender, faculty versus staff, educational level and age. An anonymous customer satisfaction survey included 26 Likert-type scale questions measuring 16 service quality dimensions was administered to the population. The 16...
Show moreThis study sought to determine customer satisfaction levels of faculty and staff with their technology support office in a large university in Florida. The focus of research was to determine if there were any differences in customer satisfaction based on four demographics: gender, faculty versus staff, educational level and age. An anonymous customer satisfaction survey included 26 Likert-type scale questions measuring 16 service quality dimensions was administered to the population. The 16 service quality dimensions included 10 dimensions from Zeithaml et al. (1990), five dimensions from Besterfield et al. (1995, 2003), and one dimension, overall satisfaction.Findings showed there was a statistically significant difference in two demographics, gender and faculty versus staff. Regarding gender, there were no differences in 14 of 16 dimensions examined. The two dimensions with differences were tangibles and understanding the customer, with males having lower customer satisfaction than females. Regarding faculty versus staff differences, there were no differences in all the dimensions other than the courtesy dimension for which faculty had a lower level of customer satisfaction level than staff. Regarding educational level and age, there were no differences in any of the 16 dimensions.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005186, ucf:50615
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005186

Title: An Improved Biosolid Gasifier Model.
Creator: McLean, Hannah, Cooper, David, Randall, Andrew, Lee, Woo Hyoung, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As populations increase and cities become denser, the production of waste, both sewage sludge and food biomass, increases exponentially while disposal options for these wastes are limited. Landfills have minimal space for biosolids; countries are now banning ocean disposal methods for fear of the negative environmental impacts. Agricultural application of biosolids cannot keep up with the production rates because of the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils. Gasification can convert...
Show moreAs populations increase and cities become denser, the production of waste, both sewage sludge and food biomass, increases exponentially while disposal options for these wastes are limited. Landfills have minimal space for biosolids; countries are now banning ocean disposal methods for fear of the negative environmental impacts. Agricultural application of biosolids cannot keep up with the production rates because of the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils. Gasification can convert biosolids into a renewable energy source that can reduce the amount of waste heading to the landfills and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. A recently published chemical kinetic computer model for a fluidized-bed sewage sludge gasifier (Champion, Cooper, Mackie, (&) Cairney, 2014) was improved in this work based on limited experimental results obtained from a bubbling fluidized-bed sewage sludge gasifier at the MaxWest facility in Sanford, Florida and published information from the technical literature. The gasifier processed sewage sludge from the communities surrounding Sanford and was operated at various air equivalence ratios and biosolid feed rates. The temperature profile inside of the gasifier was recorded over the span of four months, and an average profile was used in the base case scenario. The improved model gave reasonable predictions of the axial bed temperature profile, syngas composition, heating value of the syngas, gas flow rate, and carbon conversion. The model was validated by comparing the simulation temperature profile data with the measured temperature profile data. An overall heat loss coefficient was calculated for the gasification unit to provide a more accurate energy balance. Once the model was equipped with a heat loss coefficient, the output syngas temperature closely matched the operational data from the MaxWest facility.The model was exercised at a constant equivalence ratio at varying temperatures, and again using a constant temperature with varying equivalence ratios. The resulting syngas compositions from these exercises were compared to various literature sources. It was decided that some of the reactions kinetics needed to be adjusted so that the change in syngas concentration versus change in bed temperature would more closely match the literature. The reaction kinetics for the Water-Gas Shift and Boudouard reactions were modified back to their original values previously obtained from the literature.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005663, ucf:50199
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005663

Title: Interactive Data Visualization in Accounting Contexts: Impact on User Attitudes, Information Processing, and Decision Outcomes.
Creator: Osidipe, Oluwakemi, Sutton, Steven, Arnold, Vicky, Schmitt, Donna, Benford, Tanya, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In 2009, The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a mandate requiring public companies to provide financial information to the SEC and on their corporate Web sites in an interactive data format using the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). This dissertation consists of three separate, but interrelated studies exploring issues related to interactive data visualization in financial reporting contexts. The first study employs theories in information systems ...
Show moreIn 2009, The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a mandate requiring public companies to provide financial information to the SEC and on their corporate Web sites in an interactive data format using the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). This dissertation consists of three separate, but interrelated studies exploring issues related to interactive data visualization in financial reporting contexts. The first study employs theories in information systems (task-technology fit and the technology-performance chain model) and cognitive psychology (cognitive load) to examine the link between characteristics of interactive data visualization and task requirements in a financial analysis context, and the impact of that link on task performance and user attitudes towards interactive data technology use. The second study extends the first by examining the effects of prior interactive data technology use on future choice to use an interactive technology. This study uses the IS continuance model to examine antecedents to continued interactive technology use based on previous assessments of task-technology fit and performance impacts from the first study. The third study employs an elaboration likelihood model (ELM) to understand the interactivity concept and its impact on information processing and belief/attitude formation. This study examines the impact of increasing interactivity on investor perceptions of forecast credibility and on a firm's attractiveness as a potential investment choice. Overall, these three studies provide insights on factors that impact decision-making in interactive financial reporting contexts, and how characteristics of interactive data visualization impact information processing, user perceptions, and task performance.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005225, ucf:50634
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005225

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