This study serves to collate and evaluate measures of self-directed learning (SDL), with the goal of guiding the measurement and discussion of SDL. Used in a variety of settings, many applications of SDL have been proposed, but a consistent definition has yet to be formulated. Despite the lack of a cohesive definition, several tools exist to…

This quantitative study investigated the perceptions and experiences of K-12 teachers utilizing social media platforms for self-directed professional development. Through a survey administered to 111 public elementary school teachers in Mississippi, data was collected to analyze various factors influencing teachers' engagement with social media…

To develop a new understanding of how self-directed professional learning (SDPL) contributes to the professional growth of school librarians, a case study design using humanistic learning theory (Maslow, 1954; C. Rogers, 1983) and based on theoretical assumptions about adult learners (Knowles, 1968, 1975, 1980), the intentional self-directed…

Behavioral skills training (BST) (Parsons et al., 2012) is a common intervention for training staff and caregivers to engage in various important behaviors. However, BST is labor intensive, costly, and often requires extensive involvement from a supervisor or experienced trainer (DiGennaro Reed & Henley, 2015), which may not always be…

Higher education institutions have recently increased the number of online courses offered to students. A need exists to understand student success within asynchronous self-paced online education programs. This study explores the factors that impact student success in the Independent Study Program (iStudy) at the University of Mississippi,…

This study examines Arkansas early childhood practitioners' propensity for self-directed learning when using mobile phones to participate in self-paced online professional development. Further, the activity system model provides context for understanding practitioners' willingness to use technology, like smartphones, to adopt new information when…

This study investigated the self-directed learning (SDL) attributes of call center employees and explored the impact of an adaptive learning intervention used within the corporate training program. In order to explore the perception of the learners, the self-rated scale of self-directed learner readiness (SRSSDLR) survey instrument was used to…

This dissertation explores the transformative evolution of online learning, focusing on its role in K-12 online education and the critical issue of student engagement. Tracing its origins from early correspondence courses to today's dynamic, technology-driven platforms, this research examines how online learning has revolutionized educational…

The COVID pandemic was an unprecedented event declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020, which caused a disruption among the graduate students and faculty instructors of colleges and universities nationwide. The purpose of this instrumental qualitative case study was to explore the challenges brought about by the phenomenon faced by faculty…

The field of adult learning theory, or how adults learn, has exploded in recent years yielding increased knowledge and awareness of how adults learn. While preachers do have a wide variety of ages in their congregations, most of the people they preach to are adults. This dissertation looks at preaching and adult learning theory and what the…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if and to what extent students' self-directed learning was related with their engagement and satisfaction at a community college located in the southeastern region of the United States. Situated learning theory and constructivism guided the study. The study was conducted during…

The purpose of this study is to understand teacher perceptions of a self-directed professional learning model named Go Time. I examined the factors that influenced teacher learning and motivation to sustain learning in this model. This study contributes to the research on teacher professional development by examining a model that is self-directed…

Leadership theories have evolved since their inception and leadership development should also evolve in response to the changing needs of their organizations. There is a gap in the literature on the functionality of the various 360-feedback platforms that are mentioned in literature which makes it difficult to understand what reporting…

Professional development (PD) hours are required for licensure renewal for the more than 110,000 teachers in Ohio. Despite being entrenched in the culture of education; many teachers view PD negatively. In this qualitative study, three structures of PD are studied to determine their impact on teacher attitudes. These three structures are online…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effectiveness of matching college students' personality types and learning preferences. The study gathered data from student personality types, college classroom environments, and learning preferences. Personality types were assessed through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality…