Residential Broadband Access for Students at a Tennessee Community College

The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of internet access for students attending a community college in east Tennessee during the spring semester 2010. In particular, it is unknown to what degree broadband internet access is available in the counties that the college considers its service area. The research was conducted during the spring semester 2010 including the months February, March, and April of 2010. Data were gathered by surveying currently enrolled students of the college. Twelve percent of the population responded to the study. The survey instrument covered the areas of demographics, internet connection type from home, and usage of that internet service for coursework. The results of the data analysis gave insight into what degree‐seeking students of the college had access to highspeed internet from their homes. For example, over 20% of the respondents did not have an internet connection at all or have only dial‐up available at their home. Thirty percent were dissatisfied with their current high‐speed internet service. Approximately 64% thought high‐speed internet was very important in completing coursework. The study provided an increase in the body of knowledge on internet access for students and increased the body of knowledge for internet availability in the surrounding counties of the institution

Shared Governance: A Comparison of Perceptions and Implementation between American and Chinese Higher Education Institutions

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of institutional stakeholders’ perceptions and application of shared governance on an American higher education campus and a counterpart in China and determine if there were differences among the groups of stakeholders both within and between the institutions. Significant differences were found among the four categories of participants at the Chinese institution. For the General Acceptance dimension of the Perceptions of Shared Governance Inventory (PSGI) the Chinese staff members reported significantly higher scores than all the other three categories. For the Implementation dimension, staff members and the students scored significantly higher than the administrators and the faculty members. For the two dimensions of the Application of Shared Governance Inventory (ASGI), administrators reported significantly higher scores than the other categories. At the participating American university, a significant difference was found between the students and the administrators in the General Acceptance dimension. Comparisons between the American institution and the Chinese institution found that the Chinese faculty members scored significantly higher than Americans in the General Acceptance dimension, but the American faculty members scored significantly higher in both the General Acceptance and the Implementation dimensions. Chinese staff members and the Chinese students scored significantly higher than Americans in both the General Acceptance and the Implementation dimensions, but the American staff members and the American students scored significantly higher in both the General Acceptance and the Implementation dimensions. Also, years of service plays a significant role in two Chinese groups

Organizational Communication: Perceptions of Staff Members\u27 Level of Communication Satisfaction and Job Satisfaction

Excerpt:The purpose of this research study was to explore the topic of organizational communication in higher education and examine staff members’ perceptions about their level of communication and job satisfaction in their workplaces

Organizational Communication: Perceptions of Staff Members\u27 Level of Communication Satisfaction and Job Satisfaction

The purpose of this research study was to explore the topic of organizational communication in higher education and examine staff members’ perceptions about their level of communication and job satisfaction in their workplaces. This study was also designed to test the relationship between communication satisfaction and job satisfaction by analyzing the significance of different dimensions of Communication Satisfaction with the view that satisfaction is multifaceted. The results of the study indicated that gender differences and the number of years in service do not seem to make a significant difference in the level of satisfaction among staff members, but the level of education and job classification seem to make a significant difference in the level of satisfaction among staff members. There were strong positive relationships found among all 8 dimensions of Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ ), which indicated that staff members when felt positive about 1 dimension of CSQ, also tended to feel positive about other dimensions of CSQ. A strong positive relationship and statistically significant correlation was found between overall communication satisfaction and job satisfaction scores, indicating that when staff members feel satisfied with communication in their workplace, they also tend to feel satisfied with their job in their workplace

Ethical Climate, Organizational Commitment, and Job Satisfaction of Full-Time University Faculty Members

Excerpt:The purpose of this quantitative study was to better understand the relationship of perceived ethical climate on the organizational commitment and job satisfaction of full time faculty members in institutions of higher education

Self-Assessment and Student Improvement in an Introductory Computer Course at the Community College Level

Excerpt:The purpose of this study was to determine a student’s computer knowledge upon course entry and if there was a difference in college students’ improvement scores as measured by the difference in pretest and post‐test scores of new or novice users, moderate users, and expert users at the end of a college level introductory computing class

Self-Assessment and Student Improvement in an Introductory Computer Course at the Community College Level 1

The purpose of this study was to determine a student’s computer knowledge upon course entry and if there was a difference in college students’ improvement scores as measured by the difference in pretest and post-test scores of new or novice users, moderate users, and expert users at the end of a college level introductory computing class. This study also determined whether there were differences in improvement scores by gender or age group. The results of this study were used to determine whether there was a difference in improvement scores among the three campus locations participating in this study. Four hundred sixty-nine students participated in this study at a community college located in Northeast Tennessee. A survey, pretest, and post-test were administered to students in a college level introductory computing class. The survey consisted of demographic data that included gender, age category, location, Internet access, educational experience and the self-rated user category, while the pretest and post-test explored the student’s knowledge of computer terminology, hardware, the current operating system, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The data analysis revealed significant differences in pretest scores between educational experience categories. In each instance, the pretest mean for first semester freshmen students was lower than second semester freshmen and sophomores. The study also reported significant differences between the self-rated user categories and pretest scores as well as differences in improvement scores (post-test scores minus pretest scores). However, the improvement scores (post-test scores minus pretest scores) were higher than the other self-rated user categories. Of the three participating campus locations, students at Location 1 earned higher improvement scores than did students at Location 2. The results also indicated that there was a significant difference between the types of course delivery and course improvement scores (post-test scores minus pretest scores). The improvement scores for on ground delivery was 5 points higher than the hybrid course delivery. Finally, study revealed no significant differences according to the gender and age categories

Ocean shore protection policy and practices in Oregon : an evaluation of implementation success

Oregon's beaches were designated public recreation areas by the 1967 Beach Law. These beaches and adjacent shorelands experience erosion and other hazards due to winter storm waves, weathering, and geologic instability. Sea cliff recession threatens older development and inadequate construction setbacks create hazards for new buildings. The typical hazard response is to install a hard shore protection structure (SPS). An evaluation of shore protection and land use policy implementation, factoring in recent advances in our understanding of coastal processes and engineering, suggests that policies designed to mitigate hazards and protect the beach are not working well. Five state laws that make up the "shore protection management regime" were examined using an oceanfront taxlot- based geographic information system (GIS) for the 16- mile long Siletz littoral cell on the central coast. Policy objectives were determined, measures of achievement and related data needs were identified, and the GIS vdesigned accordingly. Seven principal shore protection policy objectives and twenty-five measures of achievement were identified. GIS queries related to these measures revealed that 49% of the Siletz cell beachfront has been hardened with SPSs-69% of it since the 1967 Beach Law. Because of jurisdictional gaps, 31% of the post-1967 SPSs were not regulated. For those that were regulated and approved, no clear need could be determined in 35% of the cases. Also, 28% of the SPSs were installed on vacant lots, often because local officials required a SPS before owners could obtain a building permit. This and other findings, such as inadequate construction setbacks, suggest that land use decisions, more than erosion hazards, are driving the demand for beachfront SPSs. In the SPS permit process, alternatives to hard SPSs are not thoroughly evaluated, SPSs are typically overdesigned, and many encroach on the public beach, affecting access. Cumulative SPS impacts are significant, especially the blocking of 39% of the sand supply from eroding sea cliffs. Given expected future erosion and relative sea level rise along the central Oregon coast, some beaches may gradually disappear. Based on this analysis, Oregon's ocean shore protection management regime needs an overhaul. Addressing these policy issues now will help preserve Oregon's beaches for future generations

Benefits of Geographic Information Systems for State and Regional Ocean Management: Final Report to the Coastal Services Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, South Carolina

The principal goal of this study was to determine the potential benefits of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to manage marine resources and ocean space, emphasizing state ocean interests. We also wanted to know how these benefits might foster more integration in ocean management, as well as more equity, efficiency, and effectiveness in decision making. Another question was the perceived value and utility of the regional approaches, such as the Southeast Ocean Planning Information System (OPIS), versus less ambitious, more limited geographic area approaches. The role of the Internet in GIS data sharing was also of interest, given the exponential growth in its use over the last decade and expected growth in the future. To answer these questions, we developed 23 coastal state “profiles” on ocean management activities and GIS use, based on literature review and interviews of key state personnel. Two states that illustrated a range of ocean management activism were selected for more in-depth cases (Maine and Florida), along with the regional Southeast OPIS. Because of its proximity to the researchers, Oregon was also examined in more depth than other states, but was not the subject of a full case study. In addition, a special workshop in conjunction with the conference, Coastal Geotools 99, was held to get face-to-face perspectives and examples to supplement the interview and case study process