Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2002

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Michael Simonson

Committee Member

Barbara Packer

Committee Member

Maryellen Maher

Keywords

Videoconferencing/K-12/Professional Development

Abstract

In December 1996, the governor of South Dakota, William Janklow, announced a statewide plan to install Cat 5 twistedpair cable, fiberoptics cable, and electrical wire into every public school building in the state. This initiative, Wiring the Schools, was complete by December 1998. In April 1999, Governor Janklow announced the next statewide technology initiative, Connecting the Schools. This new initiative built a statewide network, providing schools with free Internet and video conferencing service. High-end servers were placed in every school building and video-conferencing equipment was placed in all middle schools and high schools.

This new statewide network, the Digital Dakota Network, began its 1st year of full functioning on August 15, 2000. Unfortunately, the Digital Dakota Network has been used very little during the 1st year of its existence. This study looks at how professional development can be used to diffuse the innovation of distance learning in the state of South Dakota.

The following can be concluded based upon the findings in this study. For a new idea to diffuse it is necessary to build knowledge, build skill, and change attitudes. Professional development is key to building skill. Professional development is also highly effective in building knowledge. Changing attitudes or building understanding can also be accomplished through professional development. Professional development is most effective when it includes theory, demonstration, practice, feedback and coaching.

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