Browsing by Author "Mykerezi, Pavli K."
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- The Potential Contribution of Vocational and Technical Education to the Future Social-Economic Development of AlbaniaMykerezi, Pavli K. (Virginia Tech, 2003-04-09)The purpose of this study was to determine the potential contribution of vocational and technical education to the future social-economic development of Albania. To achieve this purpose, a panel of experts was involved in the formulation of statements and the determination of each statement's value as a contributor to future social-economic development. This study was conducted using a Modified Delphi Technique to identify and prioritize statements generated as part of this research methodology. The study was accomplished through solicitation of responses from a 17 member panel of experts. The panel consisted of individuals representing government service, non-government organizations, Albanian educators, and international educators involved in different educational projects in Albania in the last ten years. Each of the experts was asked to identify statements that vocational and technical education can contribute to the future social-economic development of Albania. Responses provided by the panel members and the statements added by the researcher were edited and organized into a list with 71 statements. The panel of experts was asked to rate this list and means and standard deviations were calculated for each statement. The criterion to determine the importance of statements was defined as a mean being equal or higher than 3.5 on a 5-point Likert scale. The criteria employed to determine panel consensus was defined as a standard deviation being equal or less than 1.00. From the list of 71 statements, 68 were concluded to have been important and have reached consensus by the panel. The 68 statements on which the panel of experts reached consensus were rank ordered according to their means.A content analysis of the ranked statements revealed that statements clustered around common themes. These themes included VTE's Planning Procedures and Policy, Program and Institutional Development, Values and Work Ethics, Productivity, Communication and Analytical Skills, and Linkages.From these results, it was concluded that the process for the development of an effective VTE program that will contribute to the social-economic development of Albania will be long and complex. This process will involve many people, agencies, and organizations all working together. Hence, it was recommended that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs take the lead in this process.
- Technology Integration in an Agriculture Associate’s Degree Program: A Case Study Guided by Rogers’ Diffusion of InnovationWestfall-Rudd, Donna M.; Drape, Tiffany A.; Doak, Samuel O.; Guthrie, Joseph; Mykerezi, Pavli K. (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 2013-03)Using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations as a model, the researcher examined technology integration and how the faculty in an Associate’s Degree program chose to integrate technology into the students’ experiences. This case study explored technology integration from a programmatic standpoint using video collection, observations, qualitative interviews and video coding using Noldus Observer©. Video observations were collected on 96 students and two faculty members; interviews were conducted with 10 students, two faculty members and the program director. The data illustrates that faculty are careful when choosing to integrate technology. They consider the priorities of the program leadership team, technology usage in the agriculture industry and students’ comfort with technology when making decisions about integration. The researchers recommend that technology be integrated on a daily basis and be evaluated as a teaching tool; however, technology is not a substitute for an actual teacher.