Program Development Process Research Articles

Developing Distinctive Degrees

Understanding one's competitive stance in a globally competitive environment provides the requisite awareness to maintain both competitive edge and institutional responsiveness. In this chapter, three case studies are presented to provide examples of ways in which strategic scanning can enhance the academic program development process and how offices of institutional research may assist in launching potentially distinctive academic degrees.

Description of a quality improvement training programme for health professionals in the ministry of health and social services in Namibia

The aim of this paper is to describe the quality improvement training programme for health professionals in the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia. The Practice Oriented Theory of Dickoff (1968) was used as practical guidelines to develop the conceptual framework. This framework was employed during the research and the educational programme development process. During the research process, the agent was the researcher; recipients (Managers/leadership and health professionals); the context (MoHSS head office and healthcare facilities); dynamics (findings for objective one and two); Procedure (research process) and terminus (foundations for development of educational programme). For the educational programme developing process, agent (quality specialist), recipients (health professional), context (health facilities), procedure (training programme for health professionals), dynamics, (challenges hampering successful implementation of the programme) and the terminus (knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through the training programme). During the development of the quality improvement training programme, two main theories were adapted. The most prominent one was a model by Meyer and Van Niekerk (2008), which was adapted to guide the process of developing the training programme. Kolb’s experiential learning theory was used to explain the learning process and styles of developing knowledge through experiences.The content of the training programme was derived from five main themes, 17 sub-themes and the conceptual framework based on the situation analysis about challenges faced by the health care facilities. The five themes were lack of implementation of policies and guidelines; inadequate resources; lack of interpersonal relationships; inadequate understanding of quality assurance and quality improvement; and inadequate research to provide evidence-based information during treatment and patient care.The educational programme consisted of the purpose / aim, objectives, structure / design, facilitation process, implementation process, and evaluation of the programme.

A decentralized multidistrict optimization framework for system-wide pavement maintenance resource allocation

Historically, pavement maintenance funds have been allocated based on a centralized programme development process. Such practice, though seemingly convenient, does not lead to optimal allocation of funds since districts generally have different priorities based on the state of development and condition of their respective road networks. This paper proposes a decentralized two-phased optimization framework for pavement maintenance fund allocation considering multiple objectives and cross-district trade-off at the network level. In the proposed two-phased analysis approach, Phase-I focuses on establishing the needs and funds requirements of individual districts given multiple performance targets or objectives, while a system-wide fund appropriation strategy is selected, in Phase-II, given budget and equity constraints across competing districts. The proposed approach is illustrated using a numerical example problem for appropriating funds to three districts. The results indicated that the proposed approach is not only able to evaluate the extent to which various performance targets are achieved at the central and district level, but also maintains equity in distribution of financial resources across districts.

Planning an integrated agriculture and health program and designing its evaluation: Experience from Western Kenya

Multi-sectoral programs that involve stakeholders in agriculture, nutrition and health care are essential for responding to nutrition problems such as vitamin A deficiency among pregnant and lactating women and their infants in many poor areas of lower income countries. Yet planning such multi-sectoral programs and designing appropriate evaluations, to respond to different disciplinary cultures of evidence, remain a challenge. We describe the context, program development process, and evaluation design of the Mama SASHA project (Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa) which promoted production and consumption of a bio-fortified, orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP). In planning the program we drew upon information from needs assessments, stakeholder consultations, and a first round of the implementation evaluation of a pilot project. The multi-disciplinary team worked with partner organizations to develop a program theory of change and an impact pathway which identified aspects of the program that would be monitored and established evaluation methods. Responding to the growing demand for greater rigour in impact evaluations, we carried out quasi-experimental allocation by health facility catchment area, repeat village surveys for assessment of change in intervention and control areas, and longitudinal tracking of individual mother-child pairs. Mid-course corrections in program implementation were informed by program monitoring, regular feedback from implementers and partners’ meetings. To assess economic efficiency and provide evidence for scaling we collected data on resources used and project expenses. Managing the multi-sectoral program and the mixed methods evaluation involved bargaining and trade-offs that were deemed essential to respond to the array of stakeholders, program funders and disciplines involved.

Building a National Security Program at a Small School: Identifying Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

ABSTRACTThis article offers insights into the overall program development process and—institutional obstacles and constraints notwithstanding—successful introduction of a new national security program at a small liberal arts university at a time of growing institutional prioritization of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The successful launch of the program at a time of rising institutional resource constraints provides valuable suggestions for colleges and universities of similar size to University of Mount Union on how to develop programs in national security and/or intelligence studies that not only remain solidly grounded in the social sciences but are also tailored to a specific career path. Although aspiring to build the ideal program may be a natural inclination, the ability and willingness to settle for what is feasible rather than optimal and to devise creative ways to leverage existing resources and to align as best as possible with institutional direction is a prerequisite for effective and successful new program development.

Procrastination and Self-Efficacy Among Intravenous Drug Users on a Methadone Maintenance Program in Sari City, Iran, 2013.

Background:Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to produce a desired effect. There has been growing interest in the role of self-efficacy as a predictor and/or mediator of treatment outcome in a number of domains. Procrastination is a self-regulatory failure, defined as the voluntary delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay. Behavioral procrastination is a self-sabotage strategy that allows people to shift blame and avoid action; the decisional procrastination strategy is to put off making a decision when dealing with conflicts or choices. Procrastination has a great role in quitting drug addiction.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between procrastination and self-efficacy and other factors among intravenous drug users.Patients and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 178 intravenous drug users in the behavioral disease counseling, health center in Sari city, Mazandaran province, Iran, in 2013. The samples were selected through census sampling, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to measure the properties of distribution that depicts a set of data shown as frequency distribution tables, while for the mean and standard deviation, chi-square, Fisher and Spearman-Brown coefficients were used to analyze the data.Results:The mean age of the participants was 43 years. Seventy-two percent of them were married and opium was the first drug used. The first substance used in them was 54% of opium, 33% cannabis and 5% alcohol and 79% smoking. The reason of the first drug use in 32% of the subjects was temptation and in 10% a friend’s influence. The mean age of the first drug use was 23 years, and the frequency was 2 times per day. All of them had relapse at least once. Seven percent of them currently use other materials (2% crystal, 5% alcohol and opium and crack) both in methadone treatment. Behavioral procrastination in 60.5% of them and decisional procrastination in 62% is from low to average range. There was a significant relationship between relapse and self-efficacy as well as between self-efficacy and the age of the first drug use, drug dose, and procrastination for treatment, marriage, employment and job. Also, the relationship between behavioral procrastination and self-efficacy was significant and inverse.Conclusions:This study found a significant difference between procrastination and self-efficacy as well as other related factors. It is important to include drug users and the society organizations representing them in every stage of the governmental policy and program development process to make them responsive to the needs of the community.

Development of a Teen-Friendly Health Education Program on Facebook: Lessons Learned

IntroductionFacebook is the most popular online platform among adolescents and can be an effective medium to deliver health education. Although Korean American (KA) adolescents are at risk of obesity, a culturally tailored health education program is not available for them. Thus, our research team developed a health education program for KA adolescents on Facebook called “Healthy Teens.” The aim of this study was to discuss important lessons learned through the program development process. MethodThis program includes culturally tailored learning modules about healthy eating and physical activity. The program was developed on the basis of the social cognitive theory, and the online program was developed by applying Web usability principles for adolescents. Upon completion, the usability of the program was assessed using heuristic evaluation. ResultsThe findings from the heuristic evaluation showed that the Healthy Teens program was usable for KA adolescents. DiscussionThe findings from this study will assist researchers who are planning to build similar Facebook-based health education programs.

Applying the Logic Model Process to Employee Assistance Programming

Logic Models are a program development and evaluation process that evolved in the latter half of the 20th century. As well as having the capacity to be a planning tool, Logic Models also allow for an in depth, multi-layered examination of an existing program. This article outlines the purpose, historic development, and strengths and weaknesses of this contemporary evaluation approach that has been increasingly utilized in the social services. An example of how the Logic Model evaluation process can be applied to an Employee Assistance Program is also provided.

Cooperative Extension Program Development and the Community-University Engagement Movement: Perspectives from Two Lifelong Extension Professionals

For over 100 years, Cooperative Extension has been bringing university research and resources to communities to help them address critical issues. Historically, Extension was one of the first university engagement models in the country. In the last 20 years, community-university engagement models on campus have intersected and competed with Extension work. These engagement models are challenging Extension’s long-established Program Development Model. Extension is only one vehicle or methodology for engagement work. For Extension to continue to leverage an important place in community-university engagement, it must more fully align the Program Development Model with the standards for assessing successful community-university engagement. Extension professionals also need to examine the program development process with an eye toward the scholarly process for doing engaged work, as well as understand and practice program development in the context of today’s academic and community environments. Recommendations are provided to advance quality Extension program development within community-university engagement models.

<p>Evaluation of a Nuclear Energy Production Technology Program</p>

This study investigated the perceptions held by key individuals within the energy industry involved in the development of an Energy Production Technology degree program at a Midwest community college to help address the need for qualified workers for the local nuclear power plants. Through open-ended interviews and surveys, the mixed methods case study collected data from 34 Energy Production Technology (EPT) program graduates, seven EPT program advisory committee members, and four employers of graduates in the energy industry. The findings revealed that the program was successful for creating a supply of qualified technicians; the employers and graduates equally believed that the program adequately prepared technicians for employment. Lessons learned include having a realistic labor projection and knowledge of employability requirements, and making sure all the right stakeholders are involved in the program development process. The study has implications for policy and practice in career and technical education, especially for those who work closely with industry.

Aquomanual Therapy Program Development for Workers with Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an aquomanual therapy program for workers with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Method: This study was discussed intensively by the program development team, underwater exercise program based on the analysis of the development process program and developed a program of aquomanual therapy during 1 year. The therapy program development process consisted of analysis, design, and development components. Aquomanual therapy programs are man-to-man fundamental methods for treating chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Results: All program treatment times were 60 minutes: adaptation to the water for 10 minutes, main treatment for 40 minutes, and cool down for 10 minutes. The main treatment consisted of static stretching; manually assisted movement; mobilization; and manipulation of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, shoulder complex, and lumbar spine. In addition, treatment plan was organized by body system and consisted of four main components. Conclusion: Here we designed a new rehabilitation program by modifying land-based manual therapeutic techniques to meet the unique properties of bodies of water and maximize their benefits.

Movilidad virtual en la UNED. El programa UNED CAMPUS NET (2011-2013)

In this article we present the UNED Campus Net Program of virtual mobility designed and implemented by UNED together with european and latin american universities since 2012. We describe both the program development process as its implementation, explaining in detail the aims, institutions, participants, procedures, documents and evaluation. The equality of opportunities is a main objective for UNED which commits us to offer the students all the typical educational experiences of the university. Among other, the opportunity of study in international universities and to practice the mobility using the blended-learning model. The diversity of personal situations of the students requires formulas that, along with the traditional classroom (Erasmus Program), use the virtual resources to guarantee to all the students the experience of sharing, of living in an academic environment different of theirs and make this in an international environment. The virtual mobility is understood as the possibility of study an undergraduate or postgraduate program at local, national or international level, related to the own studies of the students, using virtual or distance methodology; also the possibility to study specific topics or a defined number of credits or disciplines. The academic recognition in the courses studied is performed by the own university of the student. We believe that the virtual mobility is a proper formula for any university institution, as unique formula or together with classroom and blended-learning proposals. We hope that the UNED Campus Net Program be of interest for the readers and that we can incorporate new partners to the proyect during the next years.

Application of MATLAB Parallel Programming Technology

The parallel application program development technology and process is analyzed based on the MATLAB parallel and distributed computing toolbox. Hereby, the comparison of the serial computing and the parallel computing is done by computer simulations, and the parallel computing program design and develop method is proposed. The simulations results show that, the parallel computing technology has many advantages in the calculation of high intensive and it is convenience of the parallel application development using MATLAB.

Insights on Using Developmental Evaluation for Innovating

This article contributes to research on evaluation by examining the capacity and contribution of developmental evaluation for innovating. This case study describes the preformative development of an educational program (from conceptualization to pilot implementation) and analyzes the processes of innovation within a developmental evaluation framework. Developmental evaluation enhanced innovation by (a) identifying and infusing data primarily within an informing process toward resolving the uncertainty associated with innovation and (b) facilitating program cocreation between the clients and the developmental evaluator. Analysis into the demands of innovation revealed the pervasiveness of uncertainty throughout development and how the rendering of evaluative data helped resolve uncertainty and propelled development forward. Developmental evaluation enabled a nonlinear, coevolutionary program development process that centered on six foci—definition, delineation, collaboration, prototyping, illumination, and reality testing. This article concludes by encouraging evaluators to understand the demands of innovation and the value of design thinking when innovating.

Between Scylla and Charybdis: Designing, Implementing, and Assessing Innovations in the Annual PSA Meetings

For the 2013 meeting cycle, the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) implemented subtle but important changes in the processes by which the program is constituted – centralizing the processes of review and assignment, and making distinctions between presentation types. Those changes, the product of several years of discussions, were designed to address member concerns about the uneven quality of presentations, as well as shifts in membership composition which had led to a predominance of student members and a shrinking proportion of faculty members from doctoral-granting institutions. The changes were intended to increase the overall quality of presentations (and reestablish PSA’s reputation as a venue for disciplinary leading research) while retaining the programmatic diversity and culture of inclusion so valued by PSA members. Assessment of annual member survey data suggests that members across all membership components evaluated the changes positively. Specific patterns suggest that while the creation of research-in-progress sessions was seen as an inclusionary change, the centralization of program development processes was seen as exclusionary. We discuss the implications of the data for considering the contemporary role of regional sociological associations.

Çokkültürlü Eğitim Kapsamındaki Derslerinin İncelenmesi: Georgia State Üniversitesi Örneği

AbstractMulticultural education includes the design of learning environments according to different cultural charac- teristics and learners' respectful attitudes towards these characteristics. One of the teachers' expected com- petencies in multicultural education is recognizing learners' cultural characteristics and being respectful of these during the teaching process. In this manner, examining how institutions that train teachers conduct their activities regarding multiculturalism, and to what extent diversity is considered in these education programs, gain importance. The present study was conducted on Georgia State University's Faculty of Education in order to determine the general structure of the courses that are related with multicultural education, the organization of the teaching process, and how the evaluation processes are structured. Qualitative data analysis was used in the present study. On the basis of the descriptive case study method, document analysis, observation and interview techniques were used. In order to collect data, ten different courses' syllabi were investigated, interviews were conducted with five instructors, and three separate courses offered during the 2011- 2012 fall semester were observed. Content analysis was used in order to analyze the data. According to the results, five themes emerged: settlement, importance, goal and content organization, the teaching and learning process, and measurement and evaluation. The findings of the study discovered that the courses were built on awareness, knowledge, and skill competencies in order to help teacher-candidates deal with any difficulties they might face during their work life. Based on instructors' statements, positive changes in students' attitudes towards diversity and differ- ent cultural values were found to be the most important gains in these courses.Key WordsMulticulturalism, Multicultural Education, Multicultural Teacher Competencies, Teacher Education.The demographic structure changes due to migration, the difference between developed and undeveloped regions, uncontrollable population increase, and the changing interests among individuals, all of these influence the education system deeply. One of the main reasons for the current situation is related to the content of culture. Culture is associated with a structure that accommodates various elements such as behavioral patterns, attitudes, norms, values, communication styles, language, civilization, actions, health conditions, production, and education output. It is linked with teaching, problem solving and the learning process (Doytcheva, 2005; Guvenc, 1994; San, 1983; Steffen, Keisha, Debbie, Lena, & Amy, 2011). According to San (1983), national and global culture transference is determined by that country's educational politics. Gutmann (2005) points out that in political settlement, all of the citizens' rights in terms of talking, thinking, religion and becoming organized should be protected and no one should be forced to accept cultural values that governmental institutions direct. Designing this structure requires a program-development process that should take various variables into account. The program-development process resembles the dynamic that includes mutual interaction, and it is defined as a cylindrical construct (Demirel, 2004; Varis, 1996). While Erturk (1991) pointed out that educators should determine the goals of education, Sonmez (2008) underlined the desired characteristics in this process. The effect of altering the goals of societal constructs and education throughout history has been examined (Sonmez, 2011). The importance of educating individuals who can catch up with the changes in the world and who are open to changes and new experiences are included in the goals of the Ministry of National Education's General Goals (Milli Egitim Bakanligi [MEB], 2012).According to Bali (2001) no society is composed of a group of people who are clamped together around a certain ideological, religious or moral perspective. …

Alice 프로그래밍을 통한 객체 지향 시각 프로그래밍 교육의 평가 지표 개발 및 유용성 분석

객체 지향 시각 프로그래밍 교육에 대한 연구는 학생들이 프로그램 개발을 진행하는 과정 혹은 프로그래밍을 교수하는 방법론과 프로그램 개발을 위한 적합성 분석 및 설계 방법론을 찾는 것과 관련된다. 학생들이 프로그래밍 교육에서 학습에 어려움을 겪고 있는 객체 지향 프로그램 개발 능력을 향상시킬 수 있는 교육 방법으로 이 논문에서는 컴퓨터 프로그래밍 교육에서 객체 지향 시각 프로그래밍 교육을 적용하고 평가하기 위한 평가 지표를 개발하고, Alice 프로그래밍을 통한 시각 프로그래밍 교육 방법론과 교과과정을 도입한다. 이 논문에서 제시된 시각 프로그래밍 교육의 평가 지표는 시각 프로그래밍 언어/도구를 사용할 때 학생들의 프로그래밍 교육에 대한 적합성을 측정하고 분석하여 학생들의 이해력, 추상화 능력, 프로그램 구현 능력과 학생들의 수준별 적합성을 측정하고 분석한다. The research of the object-oriented visual programming education is related to investigate the instructional method for computer programming, the process for program development for students, and the suitability analysis and design methodology for program development. In order to develop the educational methodology for the students who have the difficulties to study the computer programming and to enhance the abilities for the development of object-oriented programs, in this paper, we suggest the evaluation metrics to apply and assess for the object-oriented programming education. Also, we introduce the visual programming education methodology and curriculum using Alice programming. The evaluation metrics for the visual programming education suggested in this paper, is accepted when the visual programming languages/tools are used in the programming education to assess and analyze the suitabilities for the programming education for students, so to utilize the analyses for abilities of understanding, abstraction, and program implementation by level.

Relationship between addiction relapse and self-efficacy rates in injection drug users referred to Maintenance Therapy Center of Sari, 1391.

Background and Purpose:Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to produce a desired effect. There has been growing interest in the role of self-efficacy as a predictor and/or mediator of treatment outcome in number of domains. In numerous studies of substance abuse treatment, self-efficacy has emerged as an important predictor of outcome, or as a mediator of treatment effects. In the event of a slip, highly self-efficacious persons are inclined to regard the slip as a temporary setback and to reinstate control, whereas those who have low self-efficacy are more likely to proceed to a full-blown relapse. This study was carried out to determine relationship between relapse and self-efficacy and other factors in injected drug users.Materials and Methods:We conducted this study in 200 addicts in the center of counseling behavioral disease in health center of sari city (methadone maintenance therapy center or MMTC). A cross-sectional study was carried out on all of these addicts.Results:The average age in addictions was38 and its range was 20-60.72%of them were married and the first drug used was opium. All of them had relapse at least one time. We found a relationship between relapse and self-efficacy as well as the relationship between self-efficacy with the age of the first of drug use, dose, and procrastination for treatment, marriage, employment and job was significant.Conclusion:This study found that there was a significant difference between relapse and self-efficacy as well as other related factors. It is important to include drug users and common society organizations representing them in every stage of the governmental policy and program development process to make them responsive to the needs of the community.

Making change happen: A case study of the successful establishment of a peer-administered naloxone program in one Australian jurisdiction

Analysis of how policy processes happen in real-world, contemporary settings is important for generating new and timely learning which can inform other drug policy issues. This paper describes and analyses the process leading to the successful establishment of Australia's first peer-administered naloxone program. Within a case study design, qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with key individuals associated with the initiative (n=9), and a collaborative approach to data analysis was undertaken. Central to policy development in this case was the formation of a committee structure to provide expert guidance and support. The collective, collaborative and relational features of this group are consistent with governing by network. The analysis demonstrates that the Committee served more than a merely consultative role. We posit that the Committee constituted the policy process of stakeholder engagement, communication strategy, program development, and implementation planning, which led to the enactment of the naloxone program. We describe and analyse the roles of actors involved, the goodwill and volunteerism which characterised the group's processes, the way the Committee was used as a strategic legitimising mechanism, the strategic framings used to garner support, emergent tensions and the evolving nature of the Committee. This case demonstrates how policy change can occur in the absence of strong political imperatives or ideological contestation, and the ways in which a collective process was used to achieve successful outcomes.

Challenges of Engaging Local Stakeholders for Statewide Program Development Process

The University of Missouri Extension needed to develop an annual program review process that collaboratively engaged county-level stakeholders. The results from the first 2 years highlight the results, challenges, and implications of the design process. The annual review process needs to be adaptive, responsive, and reflective from year to year when engaging with local stakeholders. For example, the 2012 program review process changed from the prior year to focus on participant mind mapping to better engaged stakeholders and to produces more detailed data. The process has ensured more engagement with local stakeholders and generated information helpful to regional faculty members.