Social Media As A Tool To Effectively Communicate With Stakeholders: School Administrators and Superintendents\u27 Perceptions

This quantitative research study analyzed the perceptions of school administrators on the effectiveness of using social media outlets to communicate with stakeholders. School administrators throughout the State of Mississippi completed an online survey developed by the researcher identifying the social media outlets they use to communicate with their stakeholders and the effectiveness of using social media outlets. Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Assistant Principals, and Public Relations Directors with various years of experience completed the survey. The study revealed there was a statistical significant difference between age groups of the school administrators with the concerns of using social media outlets as a communication tool with stakeholders and the effectiveness of using social media outlets to communicate with stakeholders

Teachers’ Perceptions of the Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR) Evaluation

The focus of this study was to measure teachers’ perception of the validity, reliability, feedback given from the Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR) evaluation system, and their overall perception of the M-STAR evaluation system. This was a quantitative study that investigated whether or not a statistically significant difference existed between; teachers’ years of teaching experience, teachers’ teaching in a tested or non-tested subject, total number of M-STAR observation, and teachers’ amount of M-STAR training or professional development time; and teachers’ perception of the M-STAR’s validity, perception of M-STAR’s reliability, perception of the feedback given by M-STAR, and the teachers’ overall perception of the M-STAR teacher evaluation system. A 40 statement survey instrument was developed to obtain quantitative data related to teacher perceptions of the M-STAR teacher evaluation system. A five-point scale ranging from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree with an option of no opinion or not enough information to respond was used. To test the hypotheses of this study, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was utilized to determine statistical significance. A better understanding of the perceptions held by teachers concerning the M-STAR teacher evaluation system in hopes that this better understanding will inform the use of the current system and the design of future systems

Toward an International Model of Crew Resource Management: The Cultural Implications

One tool used to increase safety in the aviation industry is a training and operations model called Crew Resource Management (CRM). The model\u27s human factors approach to training and operating was developed in the United States but has gained acceptance worldwide. Domestic research on CRM in the United States is limited and international research is almost nonexistent. Because we do not know the degree to which the CRM model developed in the American culture is applicable in other cultures, research is needed to verify its level of universality across different cultural norms. This paper compares the various components of the CRM model as developed in the United States and used worldwide on a theoretical basis. Various cultural models from the classical international management theorists are compared to the CRM model as a theoretical test of its applicability across cultures. Significant potential weaknesses are discovered in the CRM programs as they are applied cross-culturally. Recommendations for possible future resolutions to these weaknesses are presented

Scenario-Based Strategic Planning for Future Civil Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Transport

Rapid evolvement of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology in conjunction with recent robust R&D has demonstrated the technical feasibility of the civil VTOL system as a short-haul mass transit mode. Its combined benefits of a helicopter and a turboprop into one aircraft is expected to become an effective remedy for congested air traffic and difficulties with airport expansions in the metropolitan areas along with the potential benefit to improve accessibility to population centers and remote areas where conventional aircraft cannot access. In this study, based on a the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) factors and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) analysis, a scenario-based strategic plan for the civil VTOL transport mode was proposed on a 20-year timeframe and three key strategic factors were identified: 1) sustainable VTOL technology as an enabler, 2) VTOL infrastructure and procedure as an operation platform, and 3) integration of the VTOL technology into the existing air transportation system as a differentiator. While many socio-economic and regulatory gaps were found from this study to integrate civil VTOL aircraft into the current commercial aviation system, the integrative mode of the civil VTOL transport exhibits potentials to tackle the current challenges of the aviation industry to enhance air-mobility between the intra- and inter-city transport and provide passengers with significant benefits to reduce transportation costs and travel time

Factors influencing the emergence of suborbital space tourism

Suborbital space tourism is becoming a reality. The suborbital space industry is predicted to grow from $340 billion to$1 trillion over the next 20 years. A literature review, conducted on references from 2012 to 2019, identified five factors associated with the development and management of safe and effective suborbital space tourism. This paper summarizes the aspects of demand, ticket cost, motivation and risk, health risk, and policy, and how each influences the development and management of suborbital space toursim

Developing a Challenging Online Doctoral Course Using Backward and Three-Phase Design Models

Current Practices and Future Trends in Aviation (DAV 735)—one of 19 online courses in the Ph.D. in Aviation program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—has run five times since 2011. A team of one instructional designer and one professor were responsible for its initial design, development, and ongoing improvement. This continuity provided the opportunity for a longitudinal, descriptive case study reporting on three wicked instructional design challenges: (a) doctoral student body comprised largely of multidisciplinary aviation professionals, (b) no seminal textbook on the course topics, and (c) unforeseen usability problems with Internet technologies. This case analysis has significance because of the lack of literature reporting on the practices of instructional design teams in terms of how theories are applied. An adapted three-phase design model and the backward design model informed the initial design and ongoing improvement of the course. This approach was successful in addressing needs of the users and was instrumental in the course receiving a Blackboard® Catalyst Exemplary Course award in 2014. Recommendations include: (a) adopting an iterative and collaborative course development and improvement process, (b) using problem-based learning, and (c) empowering students to both define and enhance their learning. Use of a template-based production process, reliance on post-course perceptions to inform major improvements, and lack of generalizability when student enrollments or feedback are limited led to questions as to whether the models need to be extended or elaborated

A probabilistic threshold model: Analyzing semantic categorization data with the Rasch model

According to the Threshold Theory (Hampton, 1995, 2007) semantic categorization decisions come about through the placement of a threshold criterion along a dimension that represents items' similarity to the category representation. The adequacy of this theory is assessed by applying a formalization of the theory, known as the Rasch model (Rasch, 1960; Thissen & Steinberg, 1986), to categorization data for eight natural language categories and subjecting it to a formal test. In validating the model special care is given to its ability to account for inter- and intra-individual differences in categorization and their relationship with item typicality. Extensions of the Rasch model that can be used to uncover the nature of category representations and the sources of categorization differences are discussed

2016 General Aviation Flight Training Metrics

The study evaluates training at a collegiate flight training program (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) providing metrics for time and costs from zero time to a Commercial certificated Pilot with Instrument and Multi-Engine add-ons. Training times for flights and activities are pulled from a sophisticated database used at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and matched with flight and ground school lessons and then further subdivided to determine the amount of time spent training in areas of operation that are prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration in the published Practical Test Standards and Airman Certification Standards for those seeking pilot licenses and ratings. Provided are mean times and costs for a prospective pilot to attain Private, Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine licenses at Embry-Riddle. For example, the records of 286 students in the FAA approved Private pilot course were pulled, de-identified, and analyzed. Of more interest though is the mean time that each student spent in each course training to proficiency in required area of operation which in turn will provide insight into those areas requiring the most training and would perhaps benefit the Simplified Vehicle Operation program at NASA by helping to identify candidate technologies proposed to be developed by the program office

Effects of Lighting and Noise on Performance and Situation Awareness in an Air Traffic Control Task

Work environment influences an individual’s performance and situation awareness (SA). This study aims to investigate the effects of lighting and noise levels on performance and situation awareness in an air traffic control (ATC) task. These two variables are important in the domain of ATC because the task requires an individual to receive and process information both visually and auditorily. The results are useful for designing air traffic control rooms, which are set differently among different air navigation service providers. The subjects are 16 students majoring in Air Traffic Management (ATM) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) – Daytona Beach, FL. The research will use a within-subject research design to test how lighting and noise affect performance and SA of participants performing an air traffic control task. A two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used to test the main effects and the interaction between lighting and noise. It is expected that there will be significant main effects of noise and lighting, and a significant interaction between the two factors

Pilot Training Metrics at a Part 141 University Training Program

The study evaluates training at a collegiate flight training program providing metrics for time and costs from zero time to a Private Pilot. Training times for flights and activities are pulled from a sophisticated database used at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and matched with flight and ground school lessons and then further subdivided to determine the amount of time spent training in areas of operation that are prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration in the published Practical Test Standards and Airman Certification Standards for those seeking pilot licenses and ratings. Provided are mean times and costs for a prospective pilot to attain Private licenses at Embry-Riddle. The records of 286 students in the FAA approved Private pilot course were pulled, de-identified, and analyzed. ANOVA was used to compare the training times across areas of operation. The results provide insight into those areas requiring the most training and would perhaps benefit the Simplified Vehicle Operation program at NASA by helping to identify candidate technologies proposed to be developed by the program office