Piecing Together a Finished Product Jennifer Riggleman Reflective Paper submitted as part of the Qualifying Assessment for Admission to Candidacy at Marshall University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership Committee Chair, Tom Hisiro, Ed.D. Cynthia Kolsun, Ed.D. Lisa Heaton, Ph.D. Mary Ann DeLuca, Ph.D. College of Education and Professional Development South Charleston, West Virginia 2014 Keywords: education, curriculum, leadership, reflection Copyright 2014 Jennifer Riggleman i Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Collaboration................................................................................................................................... 2 Group Projects ............................................................................................................................ 3 National Presentation .................................................................................................................. 4 Co-Teaching ................................................................................................................................ 5 Course Development ................................................................................................................... 5 Leadership Theory ...................................................................................................................... 6 Curriculum Theory...................................................................................................................... 7 Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Doctoral Seminars ....................................................................................................................... 9 Writing ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Publication ................................................................................................................................ 10 Research ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 11 Institutional Review Board ....................................................................................................... 12 Depth of Understanding ................................................................................................................ 13 Higher Education Administration ............................................................................................. 14 The Future ..................................................................................................................................... 15 References ..................................................................................................................................... 18 ii Introduction “A quilt is a treasure which follows its owner everywhere” – author unknown My pursuit of a doctoral degree began much like my quest to create a quilt for my family. I began that endeavor eight years ago when I wanted to make a double wedding ring quilt for our king size bed. I decided that I needed to start with something smaller that required less proficiency than a double wedding ring quilt. I made five quilts of the same type, Yellow Brick Road, for each of my children. It was a forgiving pattern; therefore, I became a better quilter because of completing each section. With one, I learned how to properly cut the original material, and from mistakes made on another I learned how to properly bind a quilt and miter a corner. I learned that my sewing machine does not do a nice crisp job of quilting a large quilt, but if I ask for assistance from someone with a long arm quilter, then my job and theirs combined make the finished product look professional. In comparison, my pursuit of a doctoral degree has been similar to this quilting experience. My B.S. and M.S. degrees are both in Exercise Science from West Virginia University. My professional background is in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. My transition into education came as circumstances developed creating the perfect scenario for me to begin teaching at the collegiate level. During my first year as a full-time instructor in the Sport Science Department at Davis and Elkins College, the administration encouraged but did not require me to pursue a doctoral degree. I searched for a doctoral program that would hold my interest and that I could pursue successfully. In addition, I did not want to engage in this academic pursuit if I felt that it would be overly detrimental to my family. In retrospect, a friend who had been part of the first cohort at Marshall University in Education Leadership strongly 1 encouraged me to enter this program. I proposed the program to the college administrators at Davis and Elkins College and started the entrance process. My husband played a huge part in the process, especially with our children as he stated, “I’ve got your back.” At that time, there was no cohort and Marshall Faculty was uncertain when the next one would begin. I decided to enter the program and began traveling the 2.5 hours to Charleston every Monday evening to take courses. At the end of the 2010-2011 academic year, there was discussion about a second cohort. One day I requested to become a member of the next cohort. Gasoline prices had reached record highs as I had filled my mini-van up the day before for $92. I knew I would not be able to continue to travel to take classes due to the cost and perhaps this journey toward a doctorate would be over before it ever really got started. In relief of my logistic sacrifices, Dr. Cunningham and Dr. Kolsun admitted me to the cohort, beginning in the fall of 2011. The following account is my story of this journey and my ensuing growth academically and personally. Much like a quilt, a pattern was selected. I knew which degree I would be working toward and the area of emphasis I would be pursuing. My portfolio and artifacts supporting my coursework within my program of study can be located at the following Weebly site Jennifer Riggleman - Doctoral Portfolio. The successful completion of this paper will apply toward partial fulfillment of the comprehensive assessment that is required for entrance as a dissertation candidate in the doctoral program in Education Leadership with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. In this document I will show personal and professional growth in the areas of collaboration, research, and scholarship. Collaboration Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” - Henry Ford 2 After you select a pattern for a quilt, the next step is to select fabric. It is helpful to choose different color families that coordinate well together. The cohort’s coursework was much like this process. Working in groups and teams collectively with individual faculty in the program began very early in this process. It was apparent through the minor as well as the major assignments that collaborative engagement was not always easy, but the outcome was usually rewarding. The basic design and intent of the cohort itself encourages collaboration. As impacted by attrition factors, the cohort has dwindled from its beginning but has been strengthened by relationships that have been formed and focused for the entire cohort toward a common goal. As members of the cohort, we each have diverse backgrounds, which bring different perspectives to topics in class. Those backgrounds are like various fabrics being used with the same pattern. Group Projects My cohort experience began in the fall of 2011. In the second semester of the cohort, through CI 677, Writing for Publication, I had my first taste of peer review. I was grouped in Dr. Simone’s class with two other cohort members whom I considered better writers than I. It was a humbling experience when colleagues read and reviewed my work. I was fearful of the process and their feedback. This collaborative review experience taught me that it is helpful to read the way other people write, and to receive constructive criticism. This collaborative review process only made my writing stronger. I also learned that my writing had very positive components. In addition, I was able to contribute meaningful feedback to my peers on their writings. I gained an appreciation of the value of the revision process. In at least seven other courses, I was required to create group presentations and work collaboratively. Those learning activities were challenging as we lived in various regions 3 throughout the state. These experiences taught me the use of delegation of tasks. Each person was assigned a task to complete; however, sometimes it was difficult to make each piece fit just right without substantial revision. These collaborative experiences have also helped me develop and utilize new technologies out of necessity. As examples, I have learned to Skype, utilize conference calling, WebEx, and even Prezi presentations being shared and added to by other members of my groups. While these tasks proved difficult in the beginning, the finished products were impressive due to a compilation of multiple ideas and perspectives coming together for a common outcome. National Presentation Two of the courses I completed were EDF 711 Survey Research and CI 676 Program Evaluation co-taught by Dr. Childress and Dr. Tuckwiller. They taught us collaboration skills through modeling. Assignments for both classes were administered with the other course learning activities in mind. These instructors were able to provide effective input on both subjects. In Survey Research I had my first opportunity to work collaboratively with a Marshall University faculty member. In the course I created a needs assessment survey about a project that the Sport Science faculty at Davis and Elkins wanted to create and implement. The survey was approved by the IRB, before being administered, and the results were analyzed with the help of Dr. Childress. In November Dr. Kolsun asked me if I would like to present at the National Social Sciences Association conference in March of 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In participation at this conference, I was able to present the survey results with Dr. Kolsun and Dr. Hisiro. This one project taught me the process of creating a survey and receiving IRB approval. Each person’s input brings its own unique contribution to the work. Dr. Childress was also at the conference in 4 Las Vegas, and I found all three faculty members to be quick to give guidance and instruction, as well as strong encouragement. In the presentation I found that the data from the survey was interesting and meaningful to other conference attendees. As a result, my fear of presenting at local, regional or national conferences is no longer a factor, and the reality of being able to contribute to the discipline and profession is most exciting. Co-Teaching In the spring of 2014, I was able to co-teach LS 510 The Principalship, with Dr. Hisiro. Another cohort member, Sonya White was also co-teaching this course, so it was a collaborative experience in multiple ways. In contrast, my background is in higher education, and Sonya’s is as a public school principal. Therefore, I was able to utilize her professional experience when grading assignments to see what specific policies look like in practice after discussing these elements with her. This co-teaching experience taught me that even though this was not my area of expertise, I was able to contribute to the knowledge of the students in the course. On the contrary, professionally there were many crossovers in handling situations, such as dealing with students and teachers, and responding to emergency procedures. I was able to critique writing skills and grade student efforts according to assignment expectations. I was provided opportunities to ask questions and defer to the instructor on special matters. Course Development In the spring of 2014, I was given the opportunity to develop a course with six other cohort members in CIEC 715, Online Course Development and Delivery. The course we designed, “Wired for Learning,” was subsequently offered as a professional development course in the summer of 2014. I created the Multimedia Scrapbook Module in the course. This assignment was overwhelming in its structure. It taught me that much work goes into developing 5 an online course offering. Most of the course had to be pre-loaded and established up-front. When working with others on developing this course, I found that it was easy to overlook certain items and procedures. In essence, the participants thought someone else was doing a particular task, when ultimately this was not happening. Like other collaborative work, the finished product was a quality course that we had assisted in designing. In summary, it was gratifying to know that the course was not just designed, but it was offered and implemented. Collaboration in many courses and these experiences have taught me to be less fearful of the opinions of others and to embrace constructive criticism. Collaboration has taught me that working with others is not always easy, but the outcome is usually better than what I would have expected. The collaborative process assisted me in developing professional and personal relationships with other cohort members, and those endeavors have contributed to establishing rapport with faculty members. Scholarship “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Ben Franklin Leadership Theory My first doctoral class was LS 703 Research Design, with Dr. Cunningham. I was apprehensive about the course as I learned many concepts that were new to me. This was the first time I had been exposed to different leadership styles and reading dissertations. I realized it was imperative that I ascertain my own leadership style. I realized that the leadership style of Buck Smith, President of Davis and Elkins College at the time, seemed to be working. He was 6 definitely a servant leader, and I recognized that I was also. His leadership style and relational personality had a tremendous positive impact on the campus, which lead to increased enrollment, increased morale, and development. According to Greenleaf (1991), a servant leader is one who thinks of others first, and puts their well-being in front of everything else. Furthermore, I recognized transformational leadership also aligned with my style. A transformational leader is one who moves toward change by being committed to the group or organization and works to interact and motivate others (Bass, 1985). In combination the two types of leaders focus upon listening, communicating, inspiring, and motivating, among others. The joining of these leadership styles is what I believe to be the most effective way to lead. The servant/transformational leader can be effective anywhere: in education, in coaching, in business, anywhere there is a desire to be successful and make positive and necessary changes. In this capacity, a person is leading, not monopolizing or dictating, but empowering employees who are following to step up and be their best. This type of leadership does not hinder the process with micromanagement. In summary, the elements of empowerment and relationships are keys to leading positively. Curriculum Theory In the field of education, the curriculum should allow freedom of expression for students and ultimately assist them to synthesize and evaluate on Bloom’s Taxonomy. By achieving higher levels, students can become self-actualized citizens, not just robots who regurgitate proper answers. As students learn to think critically, topics may come alive and they will be more interested in the world around them and affecting others. I believe phenomenological and experiential approaches to curriculum would contribute to achieving this endeavor. Students 7 who can think critically, problem solve, and synthesize information will have a powerful impact on society once they are in the workforce. Phenomenological theory encourages students to describe how they are feeling and what their experiences mean to them (Selvi, 2008). This theory as well as experiential theory aligns with John Dewey’s view that the experiences students have will ultimately contribute to their ability to add to existing processes in society. Society perpetually needs students to enter the workforce and contribute to the needs that exist. In my own teaching and interaction with students, I have found that schools in America have a responsibility to create an atmosphere encouraging self-actualization of their students and instilling in them an interest in civic engagement. My personal view of educational theories would ensure that staff development enables teachers to be nurturing and caring professionals. As educators we need to instill morals and teach children what is acceptable and what is not in a social setting; a school should fulfill that purpose (Riggleman, 2013). Survey In EDF 711, Survey Development, I created a needs assessment survey for Project Life Change, the program the Sport Science Department wanted to implement for the campus community and the city of Elkins. In creating the survey I learned that the organization and wording of questions were critical in producing an effective survey. The value of revision was reinforced to me during this endeavor. I received multiple sets of revisions on the survey format. In the survey process I received input from four professors who, at the time, had varying views. Moreover, I had input from Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca, the Chair of the Sport Science Department. It was difficult to accommodate the varying opinions even on the ordering of questions. A final draft was confirmed and created using Survey Monkey and then submitted to the IRB. This was 8 my second submission to the IRB; therefore I had a better understanding of the process and how to navigate it. I learned a tremendous amount about how to properly develop and administer a survey through this process. In addition, I received an opportunity to present the findings at the National Social Sciences Association meeting. Doctoral Seminars I have assisted two times with the Doctoral Seminar for the Ed.D. program. I served on the seminar committee for the fall 2011 meeting and assisted Dr. Eagle in a presentation at the event. I felt that my involvement and contributions to the seminar were limited because I could not attend the face-to-face planning meetings in Charleston. I was a participant in the seminar on a panel discussion of co-teaching experiences with five other students in the fall 2014. This session was overseen by Dr. Nicholson and Dr. Campbell. I found this to be a very interesting and useful seminar topic for doctoral students looking for added portfolio pieces. Writing In the doctoral program I have written multiple papers during my coursework. Two significant papers have added to my understanding of scholarship. The first was a paper written for Dr. Simone’s Writing for Publication course. My paper examined the general education requirements for physical education for all schools in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), the athletic conference Davis and Elkins (D&E) was affiliated with at the time. The research findings were significant in several ways, but the most interesting was that D&E was the only school that had preserved activity courses that encouraged lifetime fitness. I learned through this study, and its subsequent revisions, the value of the actual writing as well as its content. 9 In Dr. Heaton’s CIEC 700 Technology and Curriculum, I wrote a paper about My Fitness Pal, an app that anyone can download for free with potential uses in our general education health course. The use of the technology can be very simple and not overwhelming which is often a person’s perception. In D&E’s general education course the traditional manual way of tracking food intake was utilized, and then My Fitness Pal app usage was added. The outcomes were very interesting as students preferred My Fitness Pal to the paper and pencil method. Students are the technology generation, therefore, the study in my courses and subsequent application was advantageous. I learned about multicultural issues in CI 706, Multicultural Diversity Issues with Dr. Lassiter. The implications of multicultural issues on the education of the individual are crucially important. Multicultural education, in my definition, includes treating and teaching every student in an equitable manner within a school system regardless of their background, ethnicity, exceptionality, gender, race, religion or any other categorization that creates the school-wide diverse make-up (Riggleman, 2014). In order for this process to be successful, it takes every administrator, teacher, staff member, coach, student and parent to look at others with the perspective of cultural relativity. Cultural relativity understands a particular culture as that culture defines itself, not as someone else defines it. Therefore, you take your own perceptions out of the equation in order to understand another culture from the different perspective of that culture. Cultural relativity means not judging others even though you may believe that what they are doing is wrong (Lassiter, 2014). Publication Following the needs assessment survey in January 2013, Project Life Change began a few months later. At the completion of the inaugural run of the program, I wrote a paper 10 outlining the outcomes that were achieved by the participants. This paper was submitted to the National Social Science Journal for possible publication in the fall of 2014. In the last four years that I have been a part of the doctoral program I have greatly increased my knowledge in multiple areas such as leadership, education, curriculum, collaboration, research and technology in particular. I have grown in my confidence level as a professional and have improved my skills as a writer, researcher, and public speaker. I would like to think I have improved my skills as an instructor and leader because of my coursework. Research “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” “The human mind is our fundamental resource.” John F. Kennedy Research Design My first exposure to research came in my very first course in the program, LS 703, Research Design. I had the course with Dr. Cunningham, and it was my first encounter with research at this level. I read dissertations for the first time, and learned the difference between quantitative and qualitative research. When I earned my M.S. degree, I had the option of completing an internship or a thesis. My goal was to work in a clinical setting, so the experience provided through an internship was more valuable to me in my career. Because of this, I had little exposure to research of this type. I began to explore what the two types of research were and when each was appropriate to use. I researched dissertations and even topics to try to determine my true interests and passions. I learned the value of good leadership and the importance of relationship building during this time. I began to understand what the end of the program would be like even though this was just my beginning. In conclusion, I had a great 11 sense of accomplishment at the completion of this course because I had finished my first semester of doctoral work. Institutional Review Board Dr. Cunningham talked about the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process in Research Design and our class had to take the online CITI training for IRB for the first time. I knew what the training implied, but I still did not completely grasp the full meaning of the IRB’s purpose. In EDF 625, Qualitative Research with Dr. Debela I finally understood the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. I come from a clinical setting, and when I researched the value of qualitative research, many of the first articles that would surface were those of nursing journals. The research was establishing the validity of qualitative research even in healthcare. I conducted my research on the Changing Dynamic Between a Daughter and Her Ill Father. I realized the importance of developing quality interview questions and the necessity to have those completed prior to the IRB submission. This process was not easy nor was it a quick turnaround from the time of submission to approval. I gained understanding of the IRB process through the three submissions due to dealing with a subject with a medical condition. This changed the submission to a different category for IRB that was more extensive. The observed themes that emerged in the research were very interesting and mirrored research topics on relationships with someone who is ill. I have completed research in many of my courses in the doctoral program. I have learned to research utilizing online databases, and I am able to understand findings in other’s work. I have developed knowledge that enables me to navigate and understand the IRB process for approval of research proposals. I have improved my skills using APA format for proper citation of sources. In essence, I know the difference between quantitative and qualitative research and 12 accept and appreciate the validity of both types and the combination of them in mixed-methods research. Depth of Understanding My personal definition of leadership includes a belief that leadership is most effective when the organization is functioning to its fullest potential with open communication, transparency, and clear direction. A leader helps others become the best that they can be. This requires encouragement, discipline, structure, and a calm personality. Effective leaders have these qualities as well as other characteristics. With these traits, leaders show others how they expect things to be done and set the bar for these expectations by being a role model. Effective leaders also surround themselves with people who are capable and have similar expectations to themselves. When I view the above description of leadership, it is a combination of servant and transformational leadership. I understand that there is a relationship between your beliefs and the theory or theories that you align with your style. The primary function of schools according to the functionalist perspective is to socialize students to adapt to the economic, political, and social institutions of that society. There are two concepts within that perspective: manifest function, which includes teaching of necessary academic subjects, and the latent function, which is to prepare students for those social skills within society. In essence, functionalists believe that societies function as a whole unit and require different components to work together in order for the whole unit to function correctly (Merton, 1938). 13 Higher Education Administration The one course that I completed that did not count toward the cohort curriculum was helpful in growing my understanding of the depth of commitment it takes to be an effective administrator in higher education. I participated in LS 714, Higher Education Administration with Dr. Anderson in the spring of 2011 prior to my entrance into the cohort. This was a difficult course with larger papers due weekly, and the expectations seemed very daunting to me at the time. When I reflect on the content presented in this class, I realize that each of these weekly writings served the purpose of expanding my knowledge of potential issues that exist in higher education. Resolution of these issues by an administrator at the collegiate level is essential component of the job. This learning experience improved my research and my writing skills and was the first group project that I encountered. The content presented in this course is one of the most applicable for Higher Education Administration. I gained invaluable knowledge about the use of technology in the classroom and from the discussions in CIEC 700 with Dr. Heaton and students. I really struggled with some of the assignments and frequently sought help from my teenagers at home. I learned that the use of technology is not just for the younger generation, but can also be applied in a multitude of positive ways in a collegiate classroom to improve student learning. I have applied some of the principles learned in this course into my instruction. I gained confidence in my writing skills in CI 677, Writing for Publication with Dr. Simone. My strengths and my weaknesses were both exposed in this class, but it made me understand and appreciate the value of revision. It also made me less fearful of constructive criticism pertaining to my writing and gave me confidence to critically evaluate others’ writings. 14 I have implemented revision in my courses and feel I can evaluate student writing more constructively. I have always had a dislike for math courses. I was very anxious about taking Statistics at this level. Dr. Meisel’s EDF 517, Statistical Methods, alleviated that fear. I not only survived the course, but understood the concepts and when each method should be used in research projects. I was able to read research articles after this class with a new appreciation and understanding of the results that were discussed and their meaning. The curriculum and instruction courses offered in the program of study would not have been classes that I would have taken if I were not a member of the cohort. I still struggle somewhat with curriculum theory, but developing my own curriculum theory gave me an appreciation for evaluation of education and the struggles that continue. I understand that many of the issues still facing education today have been there for years, and these questions have not been resolved. This is unfortunate for the children in the system and the teachers that work hard every day to give these students the best education they are capable of providing. The Future This qualifying assessment was designed to show that I am ready to become a candidate for dissertation writing following the extensive coursework that I have completed. I have shown depth of knowledge and understanding in the areas of collaboration, scholarship and research as well as several other areas. I have taken the knowledge I have gained during this intense process of coursework and have been able to apply it in my own classroom with students. Moreover, I have gained confidence in my ability to write, speak to an audience, seek presentation opportunities, and read and formulate my own research questions while being able to decipher 15 the findings. I feel confident that my committee should be comfortable at this stage as I become a doctoral candidate. The theme of this paper, Piecing Together a Finished Product, describes my journey toward writing a dissertation and earning a doctoral degree. This goal mirrors my desire to complete a large and technically difficult quilt. I completed five quilts on a smaller and easier scale for my children. I moved on to a somewhat more difficult pattern with my next quilt with two friends who chose the same pattern, much like my cohort classmates. Each quilt looks slightly different depending on the fabric chosen. The areas of collaboration, scholarship, research, and depth of understanding are all represented by different color family of fabrics that all coordinate well together in the finished product. My two friends have completed their quilts, and mine is pieced in squares, but not sewn together, just like my portfolio. It is ready to finish now. The future in my quilting journey will be choosing a pattern that is more difficult than the previous ones, and then selecting the coordinating color families in the fabric that will make up the quilt. My dissertation topic is still unknown, but several topics have evolved as areas of interest. These areas will be refined in the weeks to come and as I enter candidacy a specific topic will emerge. One area of interest at this point is leadership in behavior change in health. This has been an area of interest from the beginning of Project Life Change, and the role of leadership to get participants to commit to changing behaviors that will lead to better health. From the time I was in LS 703, Research Design, and learning for the first time about leadership, this area has intrigued me. 16 Another potential area of interest for a dissertation topic is campus and community perception of athletics. As the Faculty Athletic Representative at Davis and Elkins College, I am interested in how others view athletics and what can be done with the information collected to change negative perceptions and improve positive perceptions. In spite of my lack of knowledge or interest initially in curriculum, a third potential area of interest is the level of knowledge gained in our general education health course and whether or not students continue to apply this knowledge after completing the course. As a learner practitioner, I am anxious to work through the dissertation process and have established the belief in myself that I am capable of completing this challenging endeavor in a timely manner. I am also looking forward to the findings from the research and am hopeful that I will genuinely be able to contribute to the literature. The future for the next year or so will be full of reading and writing and will require self-discipline. Completion of a more difficult and larger quilt will have to wait, but I can create in my mind the coordinated fabrics and beautiful tapestry that will be the result. I am ready to focus on the creation and defense of my dissertation with the same enthusiasm. 17 References Bass, B. (1985). From transactional to transformational leadership: learning to share the vision. Free Press Dewey, J. (1959). Dewey on education. Selections. [Edited by M. Dworkin] New York: Teacher’s College Press Greenleaf, R. K. (1991). The servant as leader. Indianapolis, IN: Robert K. Greenleaf Center. Lassiter, Luke E. (2014) Invitation to anthropology. Rowman, MD, Rowman and Littlefield,. Merton, R. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 672-682. Munoz, J. (April 2010). Coming together keeping together, working together. Peioria Magazine. Pinar, W., Reynolds, W., Slattery, P., & Taubman, P. (2000). Understanding curriculum . New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc Riggleman, J.S. (2013) Curriculum theory: (Unpublished document) Marshall University South Charleston, WV Riggleman, J.S. (2011) Leadership model: (Unpublished document) Marshall University South Charleston, WV Riggleman, J.S. (2014) Multicultural education: (Unpublished document) Marshall University South Charleston, WV Selvi, K. (2008). Phenomenological Approach to Education . Education in human creative existential planning, 39-51. 18