Browsing by Author "Miller, William David"

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    A descriptive study of the process post-secondary military institutions use to adopt, implement and train for use of new instructional technologies
    Miller, William David (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-14)
    The purpose of this descriptive case study was to identify the strategies used by post-secondary military institutions to adopt, implement and train faculty for the use of new instructional technologies in the learning environment. Termed the Innovation Migration Process, it includes: 1) the adoption decision (selection of the innovation), 2) strategies for implementation and, 3) how faculty are trained on its use. The study was a two phased, explanatory, mixed-methods design beginning with a quantitative survey, followed by twelve qualitative interviews conducted at two exemplary institutions. The study identified two strategies are used to adopt new technology: 1) authoritative decisions from the "top-down" and 2) a bottom-up strategy where new technology is first used by innovators who work with a central organization to adopt the change. Five strategies were identified to implement the innovation: 1) centralized training; 2) leadership commitment; 3) tapping expertise; 4) well defined support for pedagogy and technical issues; and 5) a robust infrastructure. Four strategies were found for training faculty: 1) tapping expertise (indicating training and implementation are interwoven); 2) formal training; and 4) dedicated training time. The fourth strategy, incentives and rewards, was used successfully by one of the two exemplary institutions, but few of the other institutions offered either of these for training. Suggested guidelines for post-secondary, military institutions include: create a culture of innovativeness; demonstrated commitment by the leadership; follow Ely's Eight Conditions for Implementation; develop a centralized training organization; develop a robust technical support organization; invest in the infrastructure; seek out and support innovators; use a formal faculty development program.
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    Memorial, What do these stones mean to you?
    Miller, William David (Virginia Tech, 2001-01-15)
    What do these stones mean to you? At some point in man's history, there came a moment in time when he realized an inherent need to be remembered. Whether it was man's first sin and its immediate consequences of earthly mortality. Or whether it was the progress and development on an evolutionary scale where man emerges and with it invention and time to contemplate his existence. I cannot say. There is however a moment when man discovered the concept of self and the reality of death. I am. I think. I will. My hands... My spirit... My sky... My forest... This earth is mine... What must I say besides? These are the words. This is the answer. 1. With this answer, this knowledge, the concept of memorial was born. Man's physical manifestation of his existence in this world. We recognized the power of objects - of Architecture. Stones were raised uprightto mark open land. Planted deep in the earth like artificial trees, these tall shafts became signposts of permanence, of civilized life. These monuments, towers, obelisks, pyramids, and the like command attention and mark a center. They lay claim to space and give us something to be next to... They help us inhabit places and stand in for us when were not there. 2. If we are not there and we can not represent ourselves, can it be these stones have a soul?