A Completely Virtual Distance Education Program Based on the Internet - Case and Agenda of the International MBI Program

The Internet as a medium for communication and information distribution has opened up new opportunities for distance education programs. Not only is the scope of a program, in terms of potential target groups, by default a global one because the Internet is global. Moreover, commonly available multimedia technologies for the World Wide Web provide effective means for bringing courses to students all over the world and to interact with them by electronic means. The newly available Internet technologies are infrastructural components of a distance education program described in this paper. The program leads to the degree of an International Master of Business Informatics (MBI) . The rationale underlying the program is virtuality . All courses are Internet based, making use of various online and offline network and multimedia features. Students study at home, in their home countries and they communicate via Internet. The courses are held in a virtual School of Business Informatics. The faculty is a network of professors from many European universities

Going beyond operational efficiency in HR using IT – A Literature Review of Human Resources Information Systems

Leading academics claim that the management of human resources will be most critical in gaining competitive advantage.Today, the human resources departments (HR) are transforming themselves from an administrative cost-center to an internalpartner delivering additional business value. In this transformation process, information technology (IT) could play a keyrole. Therefore, this paper aims to unfold both the current state of knowledge concerning the value contribution ofinformation systems (IS) for the HR function and approaches that go even beyond operational efficiency. Reviewing nearly8,000 articles, published in the proceedings of eight major IS conferences reveals that in total 35 articles exclusively dealwith the topic of human resources information systems (HRIS) but only very few research approaches show, how HRIScould help to go beyond operational efficiency. Furthermore, the literature analysis identifies that approaches dealing with theIT support for HR planning processes are completely missing so far

Video Meetings in a Pandemic Era: Emotional Exhaustion, Stressors, and Coping

In the first quarter of 2020, societal upheavals related to the COVID-19 pandemic included employers’ work-from-home mandates and an almost overnight adoption of video meetings to replace in-person meetings no longer possible due to contagion fears and social distancing requirements. This exploratory study aimed to address, in part, the scientific knowledge gap about video meetings as a source of emotional labor. The study used mixed methods to explore three hypotheses concerning how the contemporary use of video meetings related to emotional exhaustion, stressors, and coping. Data were gathered through an online survey questionnaire. Emotional exhaustion, the dependent variable in the study, was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Schaufeli et al., 1996) General Survey emotional exhaustion subset of items. Stressors measured included surface acting, which was measured using items adapted from Grandey’s (2005) scale. Coping was measured by perceptions about coping resources and cognitive coping. Socio-demographic characteristics served as control variables. Open-ended items produced data pertaining to emotional exhaustion, stressors, and coping related to video meetings. After data cleaning, the sample comprised 345 (n = 345) cross-sector professionals working for U.S.-based organizations. Findings based on a series of linear regression analyses and qualitative data thematic analysis showed video meeting hours and surface acting significantly related to a higher level of emotional exhaustion. Extrovertism, nonwork video gatherings, and social support from another adult in the home were nonsignificant in their relationships with emotional exhaustion. Perceptions that video meetings were too many for participants to accomplish their overall job responsibilities were significantly related to a higher emotional exhaustion level. Perceptions that video meetings were useful to the participant significantly related to a lower emotional exhaustion level. Perceptions that family, household, and personal responsibilities competed for the energy participants needed to do their jobs successfully were also significantly related to a higher emotional exhaustion level. Qualitative data analysis also revealed emergent themes that suggest implications for practitioners and direction for future research. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.ed

Distance Education: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World. Case of Kosovo

The objective of this study is to explore the challenges and opportunities created by the abrupt shift from classroom to distance learning. This study will try to address the question of “What distance learning presents for the future of education in a post-pandemic world?” More specifically, it aims to uncover the opportunities distance education brings and the challenges that can be resolved or mitigated in the future. The study focuses on secondary and primary data to uncover and analyze the experience of professors and students of tertiary education with distance learning. Secondary research shows that distance learning provides flexibility, which both students and teachers can enjoy. When combined with different education technologies and tools, distance learning provides a great opportunity for gifted students and students with disabilities. Nonetheless, with the sudden transition to distance learning many challenges have emerged, namely, the main ones being (i) accessibility to technological devices and technical infrastructure; (ii) pedagogical skills and competencies in distance teaching; and (iii) differences in experience based on the field of study and funding of university. Findings from the primary research show that similar challenges (as those mentioned above) are faced by students and professors in Kosovo as well. Both secondary and primary research supports the hypothesis regarding differences in challenges faced as there are actual patterns specific to public and private universities. In public universities, professors and students face greater challenges due to lack of technical resources and funding; therefore, they are relatively more dissatisfied with distance learning. Similarly, research supports the hypothesis that students and professors of Social Sciences have had a more pleasant experience (with distance education), compared to Natural & Applied Sciences (given their reliance on technological equipment). Based on the opportunities and challenges identified, this study highlights a set of recommendations that can improve the distance learning experience in a post pandemic era. More specifically, the recommendations are focused on infrastructure, human resources training, networking, and education providers’ support

Exploring Burnout Amongst Mental Health Counselors Within Three Workplace Settings

Throughout recent years, the work setting of many mental health counselors has changed from the in-person work setting to working from home and hybrid (i.e., a combination of working in-person and working from home). However, limited research has been conducted to explore burnout among these three work settings. Burnout is a condition which develops due to chronic feelings of stress and can cause negative repercussions on one’s health and overall wellbeing. Burnout is related to one’s experience within the work-setting and is characterized by extreme exhaustion, the inability to regulate emotions and cognitions, and mental distancing. Research regarding burnout has concluded that burnout is an ongoing concern for those working in helping professions, such as counseling. The literature has determined that mental health counselors experience burnout, which results in negative consequences for the counselor, the field of counseling, and for the client. The purpose of this study was to analyze the burnout levels of mental health counselors working within the work settings of working from home, hybrid, and working in-person to determine if work setting had an impact on burnout. This study examined a national sample of 232 counselors who were recruited by email to complete a quantitative survey. The instruments used included a demographic survey and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). To gain an initial understanding regarding possible relationships between the demographic variables and the dependent variable (i.e., level of burnout), the researcher conducted a preliminary analyses using the Pearson bivariate correlation analysis and found that there was a statistically significant correlation between age and BAT average. Though a statistically significant correlation was found, the correlation was weak. Due to the weak correlation, the researcher did not control age in the main analysis. This study used a one-way analysis of variance test to compare burnout averages among the three groups. Results of the study indicate that there was no statistically significant difference in level of burnout among the three groups based on work setting. This study also found that high to very high ranged levels of burnout were experienced by over 54% of participants, and each group mean fell into the high burnout level range

Consequences of Caring: The Manifestation of Compassion Fatigue in High School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this research study was to explore the symptoms of compassion fatigue as experienced by teachers in grades 9-12 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the research on the effects of compassion fatigue on educators is relatively sparse, the literature regarding compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma in other helping professions revealed a 12-symptom framework. Data collection strategies included individual virtual interviews and field notes. Analysis of data occurred in four phases: (a) analyzing transcripts and identifying themes, (b) categorization of data under the 12 symptoms of compassion fatigue, (c) building the explanation in narrative form, and (d) re-examination of the data. The triangulation of data protected the credibility of the analysis through multiple interview sources and member checking. The results revealed that the physical, emotional, professional, and personal experiences described in the teacher interviews exemplified the 12 established symptoms of compassion fatigue. The results suggested that concern for student experiences during the pandemic combined with other contributing factors to manifest a variety of individual symptoms in participants. The most common contributing factors for participants included concerns for the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of students, student academic issues, feelings of being overwhelmed/overloaded at work, and anger and frustration with the school administration and the school system. The themes that emerged from the data analysis indicate that the most common manifested symptoms include lack of sleep, stress and anxiety, thoughts of leaving the teaching profession, and disconnection from family and friends

EXAMINE THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF COACHING MENTORING PROGRAMS ON TEACHER BURNOUT

The World Health Organization has included “Burnout” in the International Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon (World Health Organization, 2019). This phenomenon in teaching profession has created devastating attrition that urgently needs attention. The purpose of this study is to provide insight on how to address the negative issue of teacher attrition through examining how teacher leaders may affect teacher burnout during the coaching mentoring experience. An online questionnaire was employed to collect data from 82 teachers in a coastal Georgia school district; including teachers who had participated in a coaching mentoring program (n=51), teachers who hadn’t participated in a coaching mentoring program (n=31). Survey items were adopted from existing studies (Maslach & Jackson, 1996; Mayben, 2007) to examine teachers’ levels of burnout, perceptions about burnout factors and how these may be related with teachers’ participation in the coaching mentoring program. This study revealed that teachers involved in the coaching mentoring program suffered less from the stressor of home/personal life. It also revealed that novice teachers in the program suffered less from work overload and more from a particular class. Results indicated that teacher leaders are valuable resources that school districts can utilize to make positive changes to promote teacher well-being

An Analysis of the Effectiveness and Impact of the Provision of Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence and Work Readiness Modules to Irish Third Level Students

Recently, there has been an emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) in educational settings and the role this may play in an individuals’ later life outcomes as well as their ability to manage stress and express and manage emotion in adaptive ways (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), 2020). Recent research also supports a positive correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and the development of interpersonal skills, academic attainment, memory and problem-solving skills (Boyatzis & Saatcioglu, 2008). Further research emphasises the role of emotional competencies in sustaining employment and placement in higher education (Carthy et al., 2013; Murphy, 2015). As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many college courses have pivoted to complete online delivery, meaning that educators and students alike are faced with new challenges associated with the online delivery of modules and student supports. Given the positive correlation between SEL and positive life outcomes in conjunction with the scale of the recent transition to distance learning, this small-scale study sought to explore the impact and efficacy of three five-week modules (mindfulness, EI, and workplace readiness), which were predominantly delivered online to a sample of students from Technological University (TU) Dublin. Specifically, the mindfulness module was made available to all first-year students, the EI module was available to all second-year students and the workplace readiness (WPR) module was available to all final-year students. Results demonstrated that participation in the mindfulness module led to decreased levels of perceived stress for students while increasing levels of resilience. Furthermore, students who attended the module reported that the course provided emotional support and that it aided them in finding a healthy work-life balance. Regarding the EI module, results revealed that participants\u27 average overall level of EI increased after completion of the module. Students reported that they believed the module provided emotional support and enabled them to manage academic stress more effectively. Finally, regarding the WPR module, results revealed that there was an increase in participants’ overall level of EI as well as improved scores on the CareerEDGE Employability Development Profile after completion of the module. Furthermore, students reported that involvement in the module not only empowered them to effectively assess their strengths and weaknesses but enabled them to develop interpersonal skills to allow them to communicate with employers more confidently as they transition into the workplace. Taken collectively, results support existing research and suggest that mindfulness, EI and WPR modules can effectively enable students to benefit personally, academically and professionally. However, further confirmatory research is required

Just a “Click” away from evidence-based online breast cancer information, advice and support provided by a specialist nurse: An ethnonetnographic study

Breast cancer has had, and will continue to have, a devastating impact on the lives of many Australian women, their families, friends and the wider community. The concomitant treatment of this disease places a considerable burden on the health care system and the supporters of the person diagnosed with this disease. While there are many government and non-government organisations that provide treatment and support services for the person with breast cancer, these services are usually provided in person either in the home or at the organisation’s offices. This study extended the information advice and support aspects of these services to the online or Internet based realm via the design and development of a breast cancer focused online support community www.breastcancerclick.com.au and explored the role of the expert nurse through the employment of a specialist breast care nurse as a member, moderator and health professional within this online community. This study used an ethnonetnographic approach, including online (on the Internet) and offline (face-to-face) methods, to explore the role of the specialist breast care nurse within the online, breast cancer support, community. The study was comprised of three phases, Phase One, the offline and online identification of the information, advice and support needs of Western Australian women with breast cancer and their Internet use; development of a website designed to meet those needs and to foster the development of an online support community; Phase Two, the employment and introduction of a specialist breast care nurse as a member and provider of evidence-based information, advice and support for online community members; Phase Three, the online and offline collection of data relevant to the role of the specialist breast care nurse within the online support community. The identification of the expert nurse as a linchpin in the patient’s care and communication has implications for future nursing practice and curricula as well as consumers of health care. Recommendations arose from the findings in relation to further research, nursing practice, education these recommendations indicate an innovative extension to expert nursing practice and together the elementary guidelines for health professional when developing an illness specific online support community foreshadow a future direction for nursing, in line with the digital age