Kim E. Dooley

Differences in Competencies between Doctoral Students On-Campus and at a Distance

Abstract This article describes differences between on‐campus and distance learners by knowledge, skills, and abilities. On‐campus doctoral students at Texas A&M University were compared with doctoral students enrolled in a distance education program offered jointly with Texas Tech University. Student perceptions of their competency levels were gathered using a mixed mailed/Internet questionnaire. On‐campus and distance education students had different levels of competence. Competency models can serve faculty and administrators as an assessment tool for strategic decision making and development of courses and curricula. This study provides a model for benchmarking competencies and provides baseline data for making such changes.

Behaviorally anchored competencies: evaluation tool for training via distance

The purpose of the study was to evaluate and measure perceived learning in a training program delivered via distance education. The program was entitled: Course Design for the Digital Age: Instructional Design and Materials Conversion. The study documents the growth in distance education core competencies of professionals in Costa Rica using a competency-based behaviorally anchored instrument. The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The resulting scores provide outcome assessment measures useful for researchers and practitioners for documenting the results of self-assessment and comparing observable behaviors of competence.

Evaluation of Transfer of Training and Skills Learned as State 4-H Council Members

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate if the environment of the State 4-H Council fosters transfer of training to life after the 4-H program. Purposive sampling identified former members of a State 4-H Council. The research methods included semi-structured and unstructured interviews. Major findings of the study noted that most areas of the council environment encourage the transfer of training, however, some facets of the council environment need improvement to promote training transfer. Recommendations include conducting a needs assessment of all incoming State 4-H Council members, developing an experiential training method, implementing training on working with different personality types, improving communication among the group, and continuing to reward council members for using the skills they gain while on the council.

Leadership Education in a Community of Practice.

This study used qualitative research procedures to evaluate the learning impact of a long term (3 ½ years) leadership education program on participants’ cognitive models of leadership. Situated learning theory (Lave & Wenger, 1991) and communities of practice principles (Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002) were used to develop research questions, frame the analysis, and interpret the findings. Participants were drawn from a long established collegiate student organization that has as its objective the development of the leadership capabilities of its members. As members, these students have experienced a military academy type life style while also pursuing their undergraduate studies within a large university setting. Researchers content analyzed 200 to 300 word leadership essays written by 50 student-cadets to determine their cognitive models of leadership. Three models were identified. Leading through relationships was the most frequently discussed in participants’ essays (80%), followed by leading by example (70%), and finally leading by influence (5%). Implications for findings for both practice and research are discussed.

Defining Leadership: Collegiate Women's Learning Circles: A Qualitative Approach.

The researchers employed qualitative methods to evaluate first-year female students’ definition of leadership through involvement in the Women’s Learning Circle. The findings revealed that students defined leadership in two dimensions: traits and behaviors. The qualitative findings explore a multidimensional approach to the voices of 54 female students.