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- Title
- A Single Case Analysis of the Impact of Caregiver-Student Collaborative Learning on an Urban Community.
- Creator
-
Edmundson, Heather, Hopp, Carolyn, Lue, Martha, Vitale, Thomas, Olan, Elsie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of caregiver-student collaborative learning classes on an urban community. The study examined whether the self-efficacy of the caregivers increased with helping their children with school work due to the caregiver-student classes. The study also examined whether providing access to a resource not normally provided within this particular community led to increased self-efficacy within caregivers. The research questions that guided the study...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to measure the impact of caregiver-student collaborative learning classes on an urban community. The study examined whether the self-efficacy of the caregivers increased with helping their children with school work due to the caregiver-student classes. The study also examined whether providing access to a resource not normally provided within this particular community led to increased self-efficacy within caregivers. The research questions that guided the study were as follows: How do collaborative caregiver-student classes that focus on collaborative strategies impact the self-efficacy of the caregivers in helping their children with school work? How does increasing access to educational services impact the self-efficacy of the caregivers who participate in collaborative caregiver-student classes? The researcher collected data through classroom observations, reflections from participants, and an initial focus group and closing individual interview. Classes were taught by a co-teacher selected by the researcher with the input of the principal. Four total sessions were held, three of which included the teaching of collaborative learning strategies, and the last of which was an individual interview.Overall, data indicated increased self-efficacy within caregivers. The caregiver roles within the neighborhood proved not to always be between an adult and child, but rather cousins and siblings who may have been close in age. Families within the neighborhood exchanged care in different ways according to their culture, work demands, and family dynamic. This program led to strengthened relationships between home and school, as well as enhanced self-efficacy and stronger relationships between caregivers and students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005327, ucf:50534
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005327
- Title
- Analysis of the Congruency between Educational Choices and Community College Student Degree Aspirations.
- Creator
-
Quathamer, Mark, Owens, J. Thomas, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Cox, Thomas, Marshall, Nancy, LAMB, ROBERT, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research explored variables that influence community college student degree aspirations and students purpose for enrolling and pursuing specific degree types. The study was conducted using secondary data for students pursuing Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees at a single community college. A logistic regression test was used to test graduate and baccalaureate degree aspirations of the entire sample of students and separately by degree type....
Show moreThis research explored variables that influence community college student degree aspirations and students purpose for enrolling and pursuing specific degree types. The study was conducted using secondary data for students pursuing Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees at a single community college. A logistic regression test was used to test graduate and baccalaureate degree aspirations of the entire sample of students and separately by degree type. Significant predictors of degree aspirations included age, gender, credits enrolled in, participation in student groups, academic course planning, receipt of scholarship, and college GPA. In general, community college students had high degree aspirations. Younger students tended to be on the collegiate transfer track and older students tended to want to pursue baccalaureate degrees locally. In addition to having high degree aspirations, a large proportion of students attended the college for occupational purposes and created intermediate and long-term goals related to their academic aspirations. The findings of the research confirm findings of previous studies on college student degree aspirations, and add to the understanding of variables contribute to students' educational goals. Recommendations for practice and future research are presented.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005539, ucf:50327
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005539
- Title
- Character Evolution and Microbial Community Structure in a Host-associated Grasshopper.
- Creator
-
Raszick, Tyler, Song, Hojun, Fedorka, Kenneth, Hoffman, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The spotted bird grasshopper, Schistocerca lineata Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a widely distributed species found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada. This species is known to be highly variable in morphology, with many distinct ecotypes across its native range. These ecotypes display high levels of association with type-specific host plants. Understanding the evolutionary relationships among different ecotypes is crucial groundwork for studying the...
Show moreThe spotted bird grasshopper, Schistocerca lineata Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a widely distributed species found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada. This species is known to be highly variable in morphology, with many distinct ecotypes across its native range. These ecotypes display high levels of association with type-specific host plants. Understanding the evolutionary relationships among different ecotypes is crucial groundwork for studying the process of ecological differentiation. I examine four ecotypes from morphological and phylogeographic perspectives, and look for evidence of distinct evolutionary lineages within the species. I also begin to explore the potential role of the microbial community of these grasshoppers in ecological divergence by using 454 pyrosequencing to see if the microbial community structure reflects the ecology of the grasshoppers. I find support for a distinct aposematic lineage when approaching the data from a phylogeographic perspective and also find that this ecotype tends to harbor a unique bacterial community, different from that of a single other ecotype.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005540, ucf:50316
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005540
- Title
- Creating Art That Truly Reflects the Community: An Exploration Into Facilitation of Devised, Community-Engaged Performance.
- Creator
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Grile, Courtney, Weaver, Earl, Brown, James, McDonald, Holly, Kovac, Kim, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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One purpose of community-engaged work is to build and reflect the community; to allow their voice to be heard. This research explores the relationship between the professional artist facilitator and participants in a community-engaged setting while applying devised theatre practices. The facilitating artist brings to the group their expertise in playmaking and storytelling. The research centers on how a facilitating artist might approach devising a community-engaged performance project with...
Show moreOne purpose of community-engaged work is to build and reflect the community; to allow their voice to be heard. This research explores the relationship between the professional artist facilitator and participants in a community-engaged setting while applying devised theatre practices. The facilitating artist brings to the group their expertise in playmaking and storytelling. The research centers on how a facilitating artist might approach devising a community-engaged performance project with awareness of his/her ability to influence the group. How can the facilitator channel their influence to provide productive guidance for the collective creativity in order to honor the community's intent and minimize the distortion created by the facilitator's perspective? Are there guidelines that can be established in order to ensure that the community's voice is undiluted? I begin by engaging in dialogue with established current practitioners in the field and examining literature published on the subject with this goal in mind. From this research a roadmap of perils and pitfalls, signs to look for that indicate tension or discomfort within the group, and techniques and tips for productively refocusing the group's work have been created. The objective of the research is to formulate a philosophy on facilitation that aligns with my artistic mission and values, ensuring the work truly builds and reflects the communities from which it is produced.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005095, ucf:50737
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005095
- Title
- How high school size configuration affects student achievement in the State of Florida.
- Creator
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Morrison, Donald, Murray, Kenneth, Bai, Haiyan, Doherty, Walter, Kaplan, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The study was conducted to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in student achievement as measured by the 10th-grade Reading and Mathematics Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) at the school level between the configurations of high schools, controlling for the percentage of minority population and SES. A total of 259 large public high schools within Florida were used in the study; 149 traditional schools and 110 large schools using small learning...
Show moreThe study was conducted to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in student achievement as measured by the 10th-grade Reading and Mathematics Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) at the school level between the configurations of high schools, controlling for the percentage of minority population and SES. A total of 259 large public high schools within Florida were used in the study; 149 traditional schools and 110 large schools using small learning communities. Because prior researchers have indicated that the number of low SES students and the percentage of minority students can have an effect on student achievement, these covariates were controlled for in this study. There was a significant difference in the FCAT Mathematics scores of students based on school configuration. Those students who attended traditional high schools scored higher than those in the smaller learning communities. There was a similar finding in the FCAT Reading scores, but it was only marginally significant. The interaction between the percentage of the minority population and low SES population was also evaluated, but no significant interaction was found. A qualitative survey was also sent to administrators at schools who were involved in the study. In direct contradiction to the quantitative study results, the vast majority of respondents thought that the use of a small learning community would increase student achievement. With the advent of Common Core in Mathematics and Language Arts, this research lends itself to be expanded on a national level to determine if a larger sample size would yield the same or differing results.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005215, ucf:50631
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005215
- Title
- Teach them to eat: Complexities of Community Based Organization and Nutrition Education Initiatives in the Prevention of Chronic Disease.
- Creator
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Matos, Allison, Mishtal, Joanna, Matejowsky, Ty, Reyes-Foster, Beatriz, Harris, Shana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis examines how participants of an eight-week nutrition education class utilize disseminated information to manage chronic disease, as well as explores the challenges a community based nutrition education resource center faces in the arena of chronic disease prevention. Per the World Health Organization's Global Report on Diabetes, 422 million adults currently live with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, a four-fold increase since the 1980s. Within the U.S., approximately nine percent...
Show moreThis thesis examines how participants of an eight-week nutrition education class utilize disseminated information to manage chronic disease, as well as explores the challenges a community based nutrition education resource center faces in the arena of chronic disease prevention. Per the World Health Organization's Global Report on Diabetes, 422 million adults currently live with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, a four-fold increase since the 1980s. Within the U.S., approximately nine percent of the adult population suffers from diabetes, and obesity, a major contributor to the disease, afflicts nearly thirty-five percent. While medical professionals frame the controlling of chronic disease from a pathophysiological perspective by promoting self-care methods and using language rooted in personal responsibility for successful treatment plans, implementation of such strategies by patients is more nuanced. In Orlando, Florida, staff at a community based, non-profit, nutrition resource center, Hebni Nutrition Consultants Inc., has played a key role in advocating for African-American community health in Central Florida, educating clients about chronic disease prevention and management since their establishment in 1995. Using ethnographic methods of participant-observation and semi- structured interviews, this project explores the challenges the staff of Hebni face operating at the intersection of the public and private sectors, as well as how participants of Hebni's programming understand discourses of empowerment, neoliberal ideas of self-care, and individual versus collective identity, when navigating the biomedical world. This project contributes not only to the growing body of research surrounding health disparities in minority communities, but also how neoliberal policies have shifted responsibility of community health and wellbeing from the state and onto private organizations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006478, ucf:52893
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006478
- Title
- Crossing Literate Worlds: Exploring How Students With Rich Identities as Writers Negotiate Multiple Writing Contexts.
- Creator
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Shrum, Autumn, Wardle, Elizabeth, Wallace, David, Scott, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study investigated the literate identities of college students who engage in various school and non-school writing practices simultaneously. In case studies of three student writers, the researcher seeks to explore how the discourse community roles, self-perceptions, negotiation of multiple writing processes and development of authority impacted the students' identities as writers. Triangulated research methods included weekly interviews with the student participants, observation of the...
Show moreThis study investigated the literate identities of college students who engage in various school and non-school writing practices simultaneously. In case studies of three student writers, the researcher seeks to explore how the discourse community roles, self-perceptions, negotiation of multiple writing processes and development of authority impacted the students' identities as writers. Triangulated research methods included weekly interviews with the student participants, observation of the students in their writing classrooms and analysis of the students' school and non-school texts over one semester. Students experienced several conflicts and synergies between contexts. Main findings indicated that writing across many academic and extra-academic settings during a short time period may alter self-perceptions, encourage or discourage the repurposing of writing processes, and limit the development of authority. Implications for teachers and researchers of college-level writing center on awareness of the literate lives of students beyond classroom walls. Future research questions are raised regarding the transfer of writing-related knowledge as it may occur in students with strong literate identities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004167, ucf:49061
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004167
- Title
- Phylogenetic Community Structure of Aquatic Beetle Assemblages in a Multi-Wetland Experiment.
- Creator
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Kelly, Sandor, Jenkins, David, Parkinson, Christopher, Crampton, William, Song, Hojun, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Phylogenetic Community Structure (PCS) metrics are becoming more common in community ecology. PCS metrics estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among members of an ecological community or assemblage. If ecological traits are conserved, then phylogenetic clustering (i.e., taxa are more closely related than expected by chance) indicates habitat filtering as the key process in community assembly. On the other hand, a pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion (i.e., taxa are more distantly related...
Show morePhylogenetic Community Structure (PCS) metrics are becoming more common in community ecology. PCS metrics estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among members of an ecological community or assemblage. If ecological traits are conserved, then phylogenetic clustering (i.e., taxa are more closely related than expected by chance) indicates habitat filtering as the key process in community assembly. On the other hand, a pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion (i.e., taxa are more distantly related than expected by chance) suggests competition is dominant. Most studies to date have used PCS of unmanipulated ecosystems, but the value of PCS metrics will be best revealed in experiments. This project used PCS for aquatic beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages in experimentally manipulated seasonal wetlands on a cattle ranch in south-central Florida, and compared PCS metrics to standard ecological metrics. Wetlands were experimentally treated with all combinations of pasture management, fencing to exclude cattle, and controlled burning during 2006-2009. Beetle assemblages in fenced wetlands were significantly more overdispersed compared to non-fenced wetlands, suggesting that this treatment decreases habitat filtering, causing competition to become the dominant process in community formation. There was also a significant pasture x fence x burn interaction effect, with assemblages in wetlands differing in PCS depending on what combination of the three treatments were applied. Phylogenetic Diversity (PD (-) a measure of branch length of a community or assemblage on a phylogenetic tree) was highly correlated with genera richness (number of genera), and these metrics along with the expected number of genera (D (-) an ecological diversity index) found significant differences among burn treatments and a pasture x burn interaction. The results of this study indicate that PCS metrics complement classical ecological methods and should be widely applied.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004394, ucf:49388
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004394
- Title
- Consumer Engagement in Travel-related Social Media.
- Creator
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Li, Xu, Wang, Youcheng, Robinson, Edward, Kwun, David, Nusair, Khaldoon, He, Xin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The term of (")consumer engagement(") is extensively used in the digital era. It is believed that engaged consumers play an important role in products/services referral and recommendation, new product/service development and experience/value co-creation. Although the notion of consumer engagement sounds compelling, it is not fully developed in theory. Different interpretations coexist, resulting in confusion and misuse of the concept. This study attempts to define consumer engagement and...
Show moreThe term of (")consumer engagement(") is extensively used in the digital era. It is believed that engaged consumers play an important role in products/services referral and recommendation, new product/service development and experience/value co-creation. Although the notion of consumer engagement sounds compelling, it is not fully developed in theory. Different interpretations coexist, resulting in confusion and misuse of the concept. This study attempts to define consumer engagement and develop a conceptual framework of consumer engagement, addressing antecedents of consumer engagement in online context. Moreover, some situational and social media usage-related factors are incorporated into the framework. A set of propositions are presented based on literature review and the conceptual framework to illustrate the relationship between consumer engagement and related factors. To provide empirical evidence for the conceptual model, an online survey is conducted. Participants complete the self-administered survey by answering questions concerning their online experience with the travel-related social media website they visit most. Two-step structural equation modeling is employed to analyze the data. The results show that both community experience and community identification have significant and positive relationship with consumer engagement. Community experience is also a strong predictor of community identification. Attitude toward using social media and travel involvement influence the relationship between consumer engagement and its antecedents.With focus on the interactive and experiential nature of consumer engagement, this study expands current understanding of consumer engagement and provides insights for hospitality and tourism businesses regarding how to engage consumers through travel-related social media.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004878, ucf:49657
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004878
- Title
- Growing Health: Community Gardens and their Effects on Diet, Physical and Mental Health and Community.
- Creator
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Hanson, Brittany, Wright, James, Gay, David, Jasinski, Jana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Recently, research on community gardens and their benefits to health and community has become very popular. However, this influx of research has failed to investigate challenges to successful community gardening. Some articles examine issues between community gardeners and the land owners, but other than these conflicts community garden challenges, like lack of participation and quality leadership, have not been discussed in the literature (Draper and Freedman, 2010). To allow future gardens...
Show moreRecently, research on community gardens and their benefits to health and community has become very popular. However, this influx of research has failed to investigate challenges to successful community gardening. Some articles examine issues between community gardeners and the land owners, but other than these conflicts community garden challenges, like lack of participation and quality leadership, have not been discussed in the literature (Draper and Freedman, 2010). To allow future gardens to be as successful as possible it is important to identify potential obstacles. Additionally, it is just as important to continue to examine possible benefits, for example, physical activity and health benefits of community gardening and the breadth of community issues possibly addressed by community gardeners. Continuing to research on community will allow for more successful gardens and encourage funding for these programs. This study examines how food insecurity, health and community cohesion issues can be affected by community gardens in Central Florida. It also investigates challenges community gardens often face. To do this I conducted structured interviews with community gardeners and semi-structured interviews with community garden leaders at several gardens throughout Orange County, Florida. The results show that community gardens have several benefits including increased consumption of fresh produce, improved physical activity, mental health and community cohesion. However, gardens are not without difficulties. About a third of the gardeners and the majority of the leaders said that lack of participation was a challenge they faced.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004382, ucf:49405
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004382
- Title
- GOVERNMENT AND THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY ON RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S EFFECT ON INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS.
- Creator
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Lago, Jessica M, Knuckey, Jonathan, Reynolds, Ted, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The United States and Russia are two major superpowers with governments that are run in different manners. Central to a government's and country's defense is their intelligence systems. The intelligence systems of these two countries are run as part of the government and are integral to its functioning. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss how both the governments and intelligence systems are structured and do they coincide with their respective systems. Using a case study on the United...
Show moreThe United States and Russia are two major superpowers with governments that are run in different manners. Central to a government's and country's defense is their intelligence systems. The intelligence systems of these two countries are run as part of the government and are integral to its functioning. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss how both the governments and intelligence systems are structured and do they coincide with their respective systems. Using a case study on the United States and Russia, their intelligence systems and governments a comparison was drawn. While looking at the history of both governments and communities and what they are like in the present day it was determined that there exist similarities in structures. As the countries grew and modernized so did their intelligence community. The history of how the intelligence community developed in their respective country and interacted with citizens both foreign and domestic showed striking similarities to the governments own workings. Another important find was the rules and restrictions that were involved in the government's evolution was also paralleled in the intelligence communities evolution. In the United States there are regulations against intruding into the lives and properties of citizens and the intelligence community reflects this in executive order 12333 that states intelligence communities cannot collect information on citizens unless it is imperative to the safety and security of the country.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000368, ucf:45832
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000368
- Title
- STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES WITHIN THE 28 FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
- Creator
-
Godbey, Alice, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this research study was to investigate perceptions and activities of disability support program administrators in Florida community colleges regarding program administration and evaluation. The study further sought to document if any relationships existed between selected organizational and staffing characteristics and the program's ability to follow an established set of standards for program administration and evaluation. A total of 25 disability support administrators ...
Show moreThe purpose of this research study was to investigate perceptions and activities of disability support program administrators in Florida community colleges regarding program administration and evaluation. The study further sought to document if any relationships existed between selected organizational and staffing characteristics and the program's ability to follow an established set of standards for program administration and evaluation. A total of 25 disability support administrators (89.3% response rate) completed a phone survey designed for this study. The study revealed that there were many inconsistencies among the higher education disability support programs in regard to programming, staffing and data collecting activities. The common denominator for determining the extent of data collection being performed within the responding community colleges appeared to be the Florida Department of Education, specifically the criteria requested annually by the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education. At all of the institutions surveyed, data collection activities were concentrated on numerical student data and did not consistently include program evaluation information. Finally, administrator training in program evaluation was positively associated with the responding disability support program's ability to participate in program evaluation activities. This study concluded with discussion of proposed recommendations for disability support administrators in the Florida community colleges.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001479, ucf:47100
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001479
- Title
- STUDENT RETENTION IN FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGES:CCSSE'S RETENTION INDEX AND FLORIDA ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.
- Creator
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ROMAN, Marcia, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Student retention has become a serious topic in the past several decades (Wild and Ebbers, 2002). Problematic, however, is how retention is defined and measured, as well as a lack of multi-institutional studies that support a theoretical model for improving student retention, particularly in community colleges (Bailey & Alfonso, 2005). The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) was launched in 2001. Based on extensive research that pertains to student learning and persistence,...
Show moreStudent retention has become a serious topic in the past several decades (Wild and Ebbers, 2002). Problematic, however, is how retention is defined and measured, as well as a lack of multi-institutional studies that support a theoretical model for improving student retention, particularly in community colleges (Bailey & Alfonso, 2005). The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) was launched in 2001. Based on extensive research that pertains to student learning and persistence, CCSSE defined five benchmarks of educational practice. Three of the benchmarks comprise the Retention Index. CCSSE has encouraged additional studies to further validate the relatively new survey instrument. Florida's legislature has a keen interest in the performance of educational institutions which are mandated by statute to participate in system-wide data collection from which accountability measures are drawn, including institutional retention rates. Using institutional level data in simple and multiple linear regressions, this study examined the relationship between the Florida Community Colleges' CCSSE Retention Indices and their retention rate(s) measured by the Florida Accountability Measure. Student level data was also analyzed using a Nested ANOVA to examine mean differences in CCSSE Retention Index scores of students from different racial and gender groups when accounting for the possible influence of institution attended.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001355, ucf:47006
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001355
- Title
- REDUCING NON-URGENT UTILIZATION OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BY SELF-PAY PATIENTS: ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF A COMMUNITY-WIDE PROVIDER NETWORK.
- Creator
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van Caulil, Karen, Liberman, Aaron, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a coordinated and comprehensive system of care for the uninsured changed the behavior of the uninsured by decreasing non-urgent utilization of the emergency departments within a large, urban county. The literature on emergency department trends and interventions designed to decrease "inappropriate" or non-urgent use of the emergency departments was reviewed and links to relevant theoretical concepts were identified. Utilization data from six...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine whether a coordinated and comprehensive system of care for the uninsured changed the behavior of the uninsured by decreasing non-urgent utilization of the emergency departments within a large, urban county. The literature on emergency department trends and interventions designed to decrease "inappropriate" or non-urgent use of the emergency departments was reviewed and links to relevant theoretical concepts were identified. Utilization data from six emergency departments and six federally qualified health centers were evaluated. Secondary data over a three-year time period were abstracted from patient and organizational records at the hospitals and federally qualified health centers. The utilization data from the emergency departments and health centers were compared. The analysis revealed a significant change in the number of non-urgent visits by self-pay patients at the emergency departments when the health centers expanded. A 32.2 percent decrease in utilization of the emergency departments by self-pay patients was found. Non-parametric tests demonstrated significant differences in the population seen at the emergency departments and the clinics over the three-year study period. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in non-urgent, self-pay visits at the emergency departments as a result of the increase in self-pay visits at the federally qualified health centers. Further analysis includes forecasting the impact of future federally qualified health centers on emergency department utilization. Recommendations for future research include evaluation of the increased numbers of non-urgent transports from the local emergency medical system by self-pay patients as well as the design of a pilot study to look at the effectiveness of transporting these patients to the federally qualified health centers for care instead of to the local emergency departments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000436, ucf:46393
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000436
- Title
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADJUNCT FACULTY.
- Creator
-
Bosley, Michael, Kysilka, Marcella, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study was designed to examine the relationship between participation in specific professional development activities and the adjuncts' level of job satisfaction. Data was gathered from previous and current professional development activities at Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida. Research in the area of professional development activities for adjunct faculty is emerging; however, there is a scarcity of research in the area of professional development activities as a means to...
Show moreThis study was designed to examine the relationship between participation in specific professional development activities and the adjuncts' level of job satisfaction. Data was gathered from previous and current professional development activities at Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida. Research in the area of professional development activities for adjunct faculty is emerging; however, there is a scarcity of research in the area of professional development activities as a means to increase job satisfaction. The data produced by this study were reviewed to determine, the level of job satisfaction of those adjuncts who attended professional development activities; the degree to which adjunct faculty members attended professional development activities; the reasons why adjuncts attended professional development activities; and how attendance at professional development activities has enhanced adjuncts' teaching performance. Findings showed that adjuncts who attended professional development activities at Valencia Community College were generally satisfied with their jobs. Adjuncts were also satisfied with the professional development activities they attended and many attended more than one activity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000241, ucf:46319
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000241
- Title
- CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AT FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
- Creator
-
Morgan, Nancy, Bozeman, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As educational funding from traditional sources decreases and the cost of operating educational programs increases, community colleges are seeking ways to diversify funding streams and increase revenue. For many 2-year colleges, resource development, particularly the procurement of government grants and contracts, represents a viable source of revenue. The purpose of this research was (a) to establish a profile of grant development programs in Florida community colleges and (b) to identify...
Show moreAs educational funding from traditional sources decreases and the cost of operating educational programs increases, community colleges are seeking ways to diversify funding streams and increase revenue. For many 2-year colleges, resource development, particularly the procurement of government grants and contracts, represents a viable source of revenue. The purpose of this research was (a) to establish a profile of grant development programs in Florida community colleges and (b) to identify factors associated with successful grant development. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect information about grant development programs at the 28 publicly-supported community colleges in the state of Florida. Twenty-six colleges completed the survey. The grant success rate, return on investment, and organizational and operational integration of institutional advancement functions of the respondent colleges were incorporated into linear mathematical models to predict grant development success. Although no statistically significant predictive relationships were determined, organizational and operational integration of institutional advancement functions can not be considered to be without some influence on a college's ability to generate grant revenue. The potential for community college efforts to yield increasing grant funding will continue to transform higher education. The study of the components and characteristics that allow for predicting successful grant acquisition is of continuing research interest and mounting practical importance to community college presidents, administrators, trustees, and resource development professionals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000352, ucf:46282
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000352
- Title
- HOME SCHOOL VERSUS OTHER APPLICANTS TO POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS: ADMISSION POLICIES AND IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS.
- Creator
-
Ashford, Rebecca, Pawlas, George, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In this study, 94 colleges and universities in Florida were surveyed to determine what their admission policies were for home school applicants. Forty-six colleges responded to the survey. The results of the survey were analyzed to determine if there was a pattern of acceptance based on institution type--public, private, or proprietary. Further, the admission policies were analyzed to determine the extent to which they complied with the National Center for Home Education's (NCHE) recommend...
Show moreIn this study, 94 colleges and universities in Florida were surveyed to determine what their admission policies were for home school applicants. Forty-six colleges responded to the survey. The results of the survey were analyzed to determine if there was a pattern of acceptance based on institution type--public, private, or proprietary. Further, the admission policies were analyzed to determine the extent to which they complied with the National Center for Home Education's (NCHE) recommend college admission policies for home school applicants. The researcher found that public colleges were more likely to accept home school students than were private colleges. Also, public colleges had less stringent admission requirements for home school students than did private colleges. Further, home school admission policies in place in Florida's public colleges were more likely to comply with the NCHE's recommended admission policies for home school applicants. In addition to reviewing college admission policies for home school students, the standardized test scores and grade point averages of home school and public school students enrolled in a Florida, public community college were compared. The standardized test scores compared were the College Placement Test (CPT) and the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT). The researcher found no difference in the mean grade point averages of home school and public school students enrolled in a Florida, public community college. Also, the researcher found no difference in the mean CPT algebra, CPT reading, or SAT mathematics scores of home school and public school students. There was, however, a significant difference in the CPT writing and SAT verbal scores for these two groups of students. Home school students scored significantly higher than public school students on the CPT writing and the SAT verbal tests.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000601, ucf:46536
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000601
- Title
- TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ADVISORS.
- Creator
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Rath, Thomas, House, Jess, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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College student government organizations (SGOs) have the important responsibility for achievement of purposes that serve students and the college community. They are also the student voice in higher education governance. Effective student leadership is vital to the effective fulfillment of these purposes, as is the role of the student government advisor in ensuring the success of student leadership and leadership development. Transformational leadership (Bass, 1985) is seen as a way of...
Show moreCollege student government organizations (SGOs) have the important responsibility for achievement of purposes that serve students and the college community. They are also the student voice in higher education governance. Effective student leadership is vital to the effective fulfillment of these purposes, as is the role of the student government advisor in ensuring the success of student leadership and leadership development. Transformational leadership (Bass, 1985) is seen as a way of reaching higher levels of leadership effectiveness and organizational performance, and it has been advanced for use in SGOs. This study examined the extent to which community college student government advisors who exhibited transformational leadership qualities had an influence on the organizational outcomes of community college student governments. Several research questions were formulated to guide this examination. Surveys which included an instrument to measure the effectiveness of reaching organizational outcomes and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire for Research (MLQ 5X) (Bass & Avolio, 1995, 2000) were given to Florida community college student government executive board members and their respective student government advisors. Anticipated findings included increased levels of organizational outcomes in those community college SGOs in which advisors exhibit greater levels of transformational leadership qualities. Analysis of the data yielded advisor and student government member demographics, and a strong level of fulfillment of organizational outcomes. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between student reported transformational leadership qualities of advisors and student ratings of achievement and importance of organizational outcomes. A statistically significant correlation was also found between student ratings of importance of organizational outcomes and student ratings of the achievement of organizational outcomes. This indicates the existence of a relationship between the transformational leadership qualities of Florida community college student government advisors and the perceived importance and achievement of student government organizational outcomes. Secondary results were also given. Results of this study suggest that Florida community college student government advisors who exhibited higher levels of transformational leadership qualities engendered higher levels of organizational outcomes in Florida community college student governments. Implications were discussed for the study findings, and recommendations for future research were made.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000771, ucf:46557
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000771
- Title
- METACOGNITIVE SELF-REGULATION, SELF-EFFICACY FOR LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE, AND CRITICAL THINKING AS PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND COURSE RETENTION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ONLINE, TELECOURSE, AND TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES.
- Creator
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Gaythwaite, Edie, Witta, E. Lea, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from...
Show moreThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from participating students enrolled in either one of the two online, two telecourse, and two traditional face-to-face public speaking courses chosen for analysis. Fifty-seven participants answered Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, and McKeachie (1991) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Quantitative statistical analysis was used to investigate the impact of metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking on academic success and course completion in the three delivery modes. Data were analyzed and found self-efficacy was a significant predictor of final course grade. There was a significant relationship between critical thinking and self-regulation but not final grade. Self-efficacy was a predictor of informative speech grade however; self-regulation and critical thinking were not. No variable was a significant predictor of course completion which may be due to the small sample size among students who took the survey and did not complete the course. There was no statistically significant difference found with self-efficacy, self-regulation, critical thinking and course type (online, telecourse, traditional).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000949, ucf:46749
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000949
- Title
- AN EXAMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES IN RETENTION IN THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAMIN THE FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.
- Creator
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Lewis, Mary, Evans, Ruby, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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ABSTRACT This mixed-methods research examined student nurse retention methods perceived as best practice by directors and coordinators in selected Associate Degree Nursing (AND) programs within the Florida Community College System (FCCS). A critical nursing shortage is expected to worsen over the next twenty years due to the aging workforce and the inadequate supply of qualified nurse graduates. The Associate degree nursing programs supply the majority of nursing graduates to the workforce....
Show moreABSTRACT This mixed-methods research examined student nurse retention methods perceived as best practice by directors and coordinators in selected Associate Degree Nursing (AND) programs within the Florida Community College System (FCCS). A critical nursing shortage is expected to worsen over the next twenty years due to the aging workforce and the inadequate supply of qualified nurse graduates. The Associate degree nursing programs supply the majority of nursing graduates to the workforce. Thus, the associate degree nursing programs and student retention measures were studied. The research was conducted using a Delphi survey of directors of nursing in ADN programs within the FCCS. This survey served as the template for faculty surveys, which were distributed to faculty members under the selected ADN program directors. Students were surveyed with a similar Likert type scale with focus groups to allow for open-ended interviewing. Following analysis of the data, directors of nursing, faculty, and students in the ADN programs identified eleven best practices. Extensiveness strengthened the research. Resulting information will be helpful for nursing program curriculum and program planning. Future research can examine best practices quantitatively. This study can also be replicated at other venues.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000893, ucf:46631
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000893
