Noela Haughton

Leadership in Distance Education: Qualities and Qualifications Sought by Higher Education Institutions.

Abstract This article presents the results of an investigation into the qualities and qualifications sought in distance education leaders by institutions of higher education in the United States. The researchers examined 191 distance education leadership position announcements posted by online sources between 1997 and 2010. Content analysis of these announcements suggests that distance education leadership in higher education requires preparation at the graduate level and a variety of academic and administrative experiences and skills including leadership, program evaluation, technical expertise, teaching, and course development. Leadership responsibilities are equally broad within a range of strategic, operational, and instructional areas.

Engaging with Faculty to Develop, Implement, and Pilot Electronic Performance Assessments of Student Teachers Using Mobile Devices.

This article discusses the development and implementation of a technology-supported student teacher performance assessment that supports integration with a larger electronic assessment system. The authors spearheaded a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive performance assessment based on the Pathwise framework. The team collaborated with a third party vendor to implement and field test these assessments supported with mobile technologies in the field. Twenty supervisors completed the field test using 10 iPAQ PDAs and 10 laptops. Eighteen participated in a posttest survey and eight in a focus group debriefing session. Supervisors were overwhelmingly positive about the experience, the value of the updated assessments, and the ongoing plans to support field observations with mobile technologies. However, issues related to training, support, and trust loom largely for successful adoption, diffusion, and successful use of technology-supported assessments.

A Health Communication Intervention To Reduce High-Risk Drinking Among College Students

This investigation examined the effect of a health communication intervention on the alcohol consumption patterns of first-year college students. Researchers employed a quasi-experimental design consisting of students in three residence halls at two Midwestern universities. Between-group comparisons revealed students receiving the intervention drank less and experienced fewer alcohol-related consequences. A systematic high-dose health communication campaign represents a promising prevention strategy to implement on college campuses.

Accreditation data collection requirements versus faculty loads: One college's use of self‐study to balance these two realities

Abstract This paper describes the self‐study effort of one college of education to successfully balance the complex demands of accreditation data collection, management, and reporting with the reality of faculty loads. It examined existing strategies and proposed changes for the upcoming academic year in an attempt to create a balance between faculty loads and accreditation data demands. Faculty continue to struggle with accreditation data demands: however, some professors have commented on the positive outcome of increased uniformity and reliability of grading procedures across programs. The workload associated with accreditation must be part of a larger dialog regarding the structure of the faculty reward systems. Stakeholders must collaboratively explore, implement, and assess potential solutions in search of the optimal balance.