Browsing by Subject "training"
Now showing 1 - 15 of 15
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A Close Look at Technology Acceptance: A Phenomenological Study(2013-11-11) Moats, Jason BThe purpose of this research study was to explore the phenomenon of public safety professionals using innovative technology in a public safety training context. A single question guided this research: What is the experience of public safety trainees who are required to use innovative or emerging technology in face-to-face training? I employed a qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological research approach to conduct this study. The approach included in-depth interviews with six public safety professionals to better understand their experience as they encountered innovative technology in training contexts. Participants were identified through purposeful sampling focusing on public safety professionals who attended training that incorporated innovative technology conducted in the United States. The primary data sources for this qualitative study were in-depth interviews with open-ended questions and supporting data from observation and documents to provide a contextual frame. The findings of this study provided several implications to human resource development. For practitioners, the findings offer valuable information that will potentially enable effective integration of innovative technologies in training. The findings provide opportunities for researchers to explore the impact of different technologies used on trainees? technology acceptance process. Finally, the findings provide a potential to develop new theories to explain how the acceptance of innovative technology occurs.Item A Study of the Effectiveness of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's Program Excellence Academy for New Employees(2014-08-04) Kelm, Donald W.The purpose of the study was to determine if Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service?s Program Excellence Academy for new employees increased the knowledge and changed the behavior of new employees related to program development. The Program Excellence Academy for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is required professional development training focusing on program development for all new County Extension Agents. Additional purposes of the study included determining if the objectives set for the Program Excellence Academy were being met as well the three research objectives developed to determine the effectiveness of the Program Excellence Academy and identify improvements that could be made. Findings showed the Program Excellence Academy is an effective new agent training activity with some minor improvements in some areas to increase the effectiveness.Item An Investigation of the Effect of After-Action Reviews on Teams' Performance-Efficacy Relationships(2012-07-16) Schurig, IraPerformance and efficacy are reciprocally causal; however, the effect of performance on subsequent perceptions of efficacy has received little attention, especially in the context of team training. In addition, the moderating effect of feedback accuracy on the relationship between team performance and team-efficacy is largely unexplored. As such, the objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between team performance and team-efficacy in the context of after-action reviews (AARs). Specifically, this study examined the conjoint influence of (a) the accuracy of performance feedback available to trainees during AARs, and (b) time on the predictive validity of team performance on team-efficacy. Data were obtained from 492 undergraduate students assigned to 123 teams in a 5 hr team training protocol using a 3 (training condition: non-AAR, versus subjective AAR, versus objective AAR) x 3 (sessions) repeated measures design. Contrary to the first set of hypotheses, the positive relationship between performance and efficacy was strongest for teams trained without AARs and weakest for teams trained using subjective AARs. Although team-efficacy was predicted more strongly by more proximal team performance than by more distal team performance, this pattern of results was found only for teams trained either without AARs or with objective AARs. The predictive validity of performance on efficacy decreased as performance episodes became more proximal among teams trained using subjective AARs. Finally, within-team agreement of team-efficacy ratings decreased over time for teams that engaged in AARs and remained constant over time for teams that did not engage in AARs. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. It is anticipated that this research will provide insight into the roles of feedback accuracy and time in the performance-efficacy relationship and provide guidance to researchers and practitioners in effectively integrating AAR design characteristics into team training environments.Item Furthering Educational Program Delivery through Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus(2012-07-16) Fry, JaylaAlthough the demand for public presentations exists, barriers prevent many Master Gardener Volunteers from participating in speaking events. This study identifies the perspectives of both County Extension Agents and Master Gardener Volunteers on effective Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus. Characteristics and best practices of successful Speakers Bureaus are identified as well as barriers to their development and growth. A parallel mixed method study was designed to simultaneously gather qualitative and quantitative data. The results conclude for Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus to be successful, both agents and volunteers need to have a positive attitude and be support of the Speakers Bureau?s efforts. Utilizing volunteer leadership and offering training are the two best practices that emerged from the data and are recommended to overcome the barriers for Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus.Item HRD and its critical factors according to practitioners in the training division of Telkom Indonesia(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) SiswoThis study of an Indonesian company, Telkom Indonesia, identifies how human resource development (HRD) practitioners view or define HRD, what factors they consider critical for HRD practice, and specific issues related to training. Interviews with 20 practitioners in the company's Training Division were used as the primary vehicle for gathering information, while observations and documents supplemented the interviews. The practitioners essentially equate HRD with training and development (T&D), but the company's practice reflects the presence of considerable attention not only to training and development but also to organization development (OD) and career development (CD). The practitioners' comments about critical factors for HRD can be categorized into four broad groups: corporate, workplace, supplier, and internal; and the company's training interventions are classified into three major clusters: telecommunications technology, business management, and leadership. This study also underscores the presence of some forces that lead HRD practice to stick around the training area and some other forces that promote a movement toward a more strategic HRD orientation.Item Interactive graphical timelines as collaborative scenario management tools(Texas A&M University, 2008-10-10) Riddle, Austin ChristopherTraining emergency response decision makers using live, virtual and/or constructive simulations can be highly complex since certain situations can generate stimulusresponse cycles that depend significantly on unpredictable human judgments. In particular, effective training scenarios require a combination of content contributed via pre-authored scripts and content generated dynamically during the training exercise. Large-scale exercises require multiple domain experts contributing oversight and content to the scenario as it proceeds. Such real-time adaptation requires situational and group awareness based on an understanding of pre-scripted materials and the adaptations of others. This thesis describes the evolution and evaluation of a collaborative graphical timeline system, called the Scenario Timeline System (STS), which facilitates asynchronous and synchronous collaborative timeline management, and its application in large-scale, computer-supported emergency response training exercises.Item Lipid Metabolism, Learning Ability and Potential Biomarkers for Atherosclerosis in Monk Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) Fed N-3 Fatty Acids(2012-07-16) Petzinger, ChristinaAtherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by plaque formation in the arteries, commonly occurs in mammals, including humans, and some avian species. Polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce known mammalian risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerosis in mammals. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have also been linked to improving retinal, neurological, and brain development and functioning. In order to assess the effects of n-3 PUFA on potential risk factors for atherosclerosis in avian species and learning ability, a series of studies were conducted in Monk parrots: 1) alterations comparing a high linoleic acid diet with -linolenic acid (ALA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and lipoproteins, 2) the dose response of ALA and comparison with a high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and markers of oxidation, 3) the effect of a high DHA diet on learning ability, and 4) assessment of growing energy requirement estimations to improve adult health. Monk parrots were able to convert ALA to DHA and also retro-convert DHA/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Feeding Monk parrots a high ALA diet resulted in a shift in the peak density of the high-density lipoproteins after 70 days. Decreased superoxide dismutase and increased malondialdehyde were observed by day 63 regardless of dietary n-3 PUFA levels or source. Higher plasma phospholipid DHA levels at day 28 were obtained when n-3 PUFA were provided in the diet as DHA rather than ALA (at equivalent amounts). Total plasma cholesterol, free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations were not altered by increasing dietary n-3 PUFA. An effect of DHA on learning ability could not be concluded due to decreased power from adjusting for an age effect. Additionally, the growing energy needs for Monk parrots through day 23 after hatching were estimated and, unlike previous general equations, accounted for changes in growth energy requirements. These closer energy estimations that accounted for growth energy variations will hopefully prevent negative fluctuations in growth rate which were observed in the study and prevent obese fledgling and young adult birds. In conclusion, Monk parrots are able to benefit from dietary n-3 PUFA provided as either ALA or DHA. Although, dietary DHA may provide more protection against the development of atherosclerosis due to its higher accumulation into plasma phospholipids and retro-conversion to EPA. However, caution should be used when feeding PUFA, as they increase oxidation in the body. While many risk factors for atherosclerosis have been determined in humans and other mammals, some of these do not appear to hold for Monk parrots and possibly other avian species prone to atherosclerosis.Item Predictors of student success in the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Licensed Practical Nurse training program (91WM6) as identified by expert nurse educators, instructors, and administrators at Fort Sam Houston Post, San Antonio, Texas(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Scialdo, AntoniaThe U.S. Army Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) dates back to the fall of 1947 and evolved from severe professional nursing shortages of World War II. Today, as in the past, to sustain U.S. Army readiness the highly medically trained combat soldier must possess skills and competency of an LPN, which is a result of successful completion of a 52-week 91WM6 training program. The purpose of this two-part descriptive study includes evaluation of quantitative and qualitative data. The Delphi technique and a retrospective student record review were utilized to gather data. Dependent variables included student demographics such as age, rank, gender, years of military experience, marital status, prior education and medical related experience, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores, specifically Skilled Technical (ST) and General Technical (GT), students?? interpretation of stressors of military life, occupational goals, number of college units attained, number of examinations failed and physical fitness tests failed, Article 15??s administered, and counseling. The independent variable was successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX) examination on the first attempt. Major research findings of this study included: 1. The research revealed higher pass rates for a private first class and specialist, as compared to lower pass rates of corporals and sergeants. Additionally, soldier students in the study who had completed at least one college unit (had attended college), had a 92% pass rate as compared to those who had not completed any additional education or college after high school (75.0%). It is suggested that prior experience may improve entry cognitive skills that enhance academic performance along with the student??s achievement. 2. The research revealed that those soldier students who tended to have higher GT and ST scores failed program tests significantly fewer times. 3. Based on the results of the expert opinions of the panelists (Delphi) who participated in the study, the highest-rated predictors in completing the course were positive study habits, demonstrating diligence, and motivation. For predictors related to passing the NCLEX-PN, the highest rate was the ability to think critically and specifically preparing for the NCLEX examination.Item TDL DSpace Education Working Group Training Needs Survey: Final Report(2017-05-24) Barba, Shelley; Dabrowski, Anna J.; Elkins, Susan; Lindsey, Nerissa; Lyon, Colleen; McElfresh, Laura Kane; Mitchell, Alexandra; Waugh, Laura; Wills, FaedraThe Texas Digital Library (TDL) DSpace Education Working Group convened in Spring 2016 with the objective of assessing, updating, and standardizing DSpace training offered to member institutions by TDL. In order to understand the type of training that repository managers need, the Working Group developed an exploratory survey. The "DSpace Training Needs Survey" was launched during the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL) in May 2016, and remained open through June 2016. This report outlines the survey objectives, methodology, results, and recommendations for future implementation of DSpace training at the TDL.Item The after-action review training approach: an integrative framework and empirical investigation(2009-05-15) Villado, Anton JamesThe after?action review (AAR; also known as the after?event review or debriefing) is a training approach that is based on reviews of trainees? performance on recently completed tasks or performance events. Used by the military for decades, the use of AAR?based training has increased dramatically in recent years. Empirical research investigating AARs, however, is almost non?existent, and theoretical work on the effectiveness AAR?based training and the underlying processes have been limited. The present study presents a theoretical framework for the AAR by integrating the AAR into the existing training literature. In addition, this study presents an empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of AAR?based training, and an investigation of whether objective AAR?based training is more effective than subjective AAR?based training. One?hundred twenty individuals were trained in 30 4?person teams on a cognitively complex performance task. Teams were trained using a non?AAR?, subjective AAR?, or objective AAR?based training approach. Declarative knowledge, team performance, and team?efficacy served as the measures of training effectiveness. It was hypothesized that AAR?based training (subjective AAR? and objective AAR? based training combined) would be more effective than non?AAR?based training. Further, it was hypothesized that objective AAR?based training would be more effective than subjective AAR?based training. The study results indicated that AAR?based training was more effective than the non?AAR?based training approach in terms of team performance and team?efficacy, but not team declarative knowledge. Objective AAR?based training was no more effective than subjective AAR?based training. Teams performed equally well on the training outcome measures regardless of whether they used an objective or subjective AAR? based training approach. It is anticipated that the theoretical framework and empirical results of this study will serve as a catalyst for the integration of AAR?based training into existing training literatures and to inform the design and practice of AAR?based training systems to take full advantage of their efficacy as training interventions.Item The professional development of the telecommunicator(Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), 2016) Green, AnnItem Train to Share: Statewide Interoperability Training for Cultural Heritage Institutions(2009-05-28) Plumer, Danielle; Frizzell, Karen; Texas State Library and Archives CommissionIn 2008, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, working with the University of North Texas Libraries, Amigos Library Services, and a variety of additional partners and participants, was awarded an IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant to develop “Train to Share: Interoperability Training for Cultural Heritage Institutions,” a project of the Texas Heritage Digitization Initiative (THDI). In this three-year project, we will address the need, identified nationally but equally evident at the local level, for quality sharable metadata, metadata produced within specific traditions of practice that can nonetheless be shared to create rich experiences for both today’s user and the user of tomorrow. Through activities including outreach, observation, education, and production, the “Train to Share” project will assist metadata specialists in envisioning, developing, and sustaining digital products that can be combined seamlessly to provide a rich experience for the ultimate audience of the project, the end user community consisting of students, teachers, and researchers interested in Texas history and heritage. In this presentation, we will review our project goals and objectives, introduce the ten participant teams that will be involved in the training, and invite feedback from conference attendees to assist us as we develop our training workshops and supplemental materials. The “Train to Share” project activities will include three phases. In the first phase, outreach and observation, we will work with separate communities of practice from libraries, archives, museums, government agencies, and other cultural heritage institutions. Our goal will be to identify training needs and to establish the depth of resources, skills, and knowledge already available. In the second phase, education, trainers from TSLAC and Amigos Library Services will adapt the “Digital Library Environment” workshop series from the Library of Congress to incorporate the needs and traditions of the separate communities of practice. Participant teams and other interested individuals will be trained using the adapted workshop series, which will require a minimum of five two-day workshops offered at locations across the state, plus two additional online-only offerings. In the final phase, production and evaluation, our participant teams will put what they have learned into practice through the development of a total of ten digital products. The three-phase structure of the project is designed to provide maximum support to learners as they acquire new skills and develop trust in the partnerships that will be fostered as a consequence of this project. The intended outcomes of the “Train to Share” project will be significant increases in knowledge by and among participating metadata specialists, as measured by improved metadata quality and consistency; improved access to the rare and unique materials held by cultural heritage institutions, as measured by the number and type of objects available from project participants at the end of the project; and new and sustainable partnerships vital to the ongoing development of digital projects across the state.Item Training for the communication technicians(Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), 2013) Niemietz, Terri J.Item The Training Games: A Method for Digitization Skills Refreshment and Certification(2016-05-25) McIntosh, Marcia; Willis, Shannon; University of North TexasThis year the University of North Texas Libraries Digital Projects Lab piloted a digitization training program called “The Training Games.” The refreshment program was designed to encourage understanding, accuracy, and skills development in student assistant employees. It sought to answer the research questions “Does a semester-long digitization training program increase the knowledge and digital imaging skills of student technicians?” and “Can such a program positively affect the confidence of student imaging technicians in his or her work?” The Training Games consisted of developing and administrating a number of task-based exercises, or challenges, similar to those traditionally given to student workers in the lab and providing prompt feedback on their work. Following the successful completion of all the exercises, the students received a certificate acknowledging their basic proficiency in digital imaging.