Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Thomas J. Thompson
Committee Member
Martha J. Morgan Sanders
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
distance learning, dissemination, e-learning, educational technology, evaluation, formative evaluation, future research, guided interviews, health education, implementation, implementation plan, Internet, literature review, professional development, program evaluation, questionnaires, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Department of Education, school health programs, summative evaluation, teacher education, teachers of health, telecourses, workshop presentation
Abstract
The problem presented was the decline in the number of teachers of health participating in professional development opportunities through the Rhode Island (RI) Department of Education. The purpose of this study was to develop an E-learning professional development module for RI teachers of health with plans for implementation and evaluation.
Four research questions were addressed in this study for RI teachers of health through the RI Department of Education coordinated school health program: (a) What are the appropriate elements of an E-learning professional development module?, (b) What are the appropriate contents and format for an E-learning professional development module?, (c) What strategies should be considered in an implementation plan for an E-learning professional development module?, and (d) What is the appropriate evaluation plan for an E-learning professional development module?
Development and evaluation problem-solving methodologies were the primary methods of research. Procedures included review of the literature, development and administration of questionnaires, guided interviews, and formative and summative committee review. An E-Learning professional development module for RI teachers of health was developed with plans for implementation and evaluation.
The study concluded that an E-Learning professional development module should contain educational and technological elements, be content specific with appropriate format, and include implementation and evaluation plans.
A series of recommendations resulted including approval of an E-Learning professional development module with recommendations for implementation, evaluation, presentation workshop, dissemination, and future research.