Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Karen Bowser
Committee Member
Clifford Shisler
Committee Member
Marian Gibney
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
adult education, class materials, community, educational content, educational delivery, educational format, e-learning, elementary education, English as a second language, evaluation, focus groups, formative evaluation, implementation, individual interviews, inservice teacher training, Japanese elementary school teachers, Japan, literature review, needs assessment, problem solving, professional development, prototype development, simulations, summative evaluation, teacher training, web based training, web design, web sites
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide Japanese elementary school teachers assigned to teach English, the skills and tools to do so. Their training needs were assessed in order to develop a prototype e-learning site to provide that training. Seven research questions were answered: 1) What are the educational needs, both perceived and predicted, of Japanese elementary school teachers preparing to teach English to children? 2) What are appropriate systems of delivery for an educational program to satisfy these needs? 3) What are the criteria for the educational contents and format of an educational Web site to satisfy these needs? 4) What are the Web design criteria for an educational Web site to satisfy these needs? 5) What is an appropriate and valid prototype for an e-learning Web site? 6) Does the e-learning Web site conform to the educational and Web design criteria established in this project? 7) Once the prototype is developed, what are the appropriate steps to take to implement this project?
Procedures included a review of literature; developing and administering a needs assessment that included focus group and individual expert interviews; identifying an appropriate means of educational delivery; developing of lists of educational contents, educational format, and Web design criteria; constructing a prototype site; evaluating it, and developing a plan of implementation. Development and evaluation problem-solving methodologies were used, requiring formative and summative panels.
Based on the results of the needs assessments, a number of conclusions were reached. It was found, for example, that the teachers were unable to identify their needs, and that their primary interest was in obtaining materials for class. It was then concluded that an e-learning solution was the most viable means to train them, and the findings from the needs assessment were used to develop the prototype site. To satisfy the adult need for immediacy and discussion, materials download and community sections of the site were developed. Likewise, since adults tend to be life-centered with problem-solving orientations, simulations were used as the platform for training. The site was then tested and evaluated, and it was concluded that it met the evaluation criteria. Plans for implementation, and recommendations for further research, were also made.