Date of Award

2020

Degree Name

Curriculum and Instruction

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

Ed.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Dr. Lisa A. Heaton, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. Edna Meisel

Third Advisor

Dr. Christine J. Schimmel

Abstract

This qualitative case study provides intrinsic knowledge and perceptions about the West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System (WVROCKS). WVROCKS provides adult learners access to flexible, accelerated, online courses aimed towards completing a Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree or a Board of Governors Associate of Applied Science (BOG AAS) degree in West Virginia. Prior to this study, no empirical research had been conducted on the WVROCKS initiative. Procedures for data collection included website analysis and interviews using instruments created by the researcher. Fourteen higher education and related agencies’ websites were analyzed. Interviews were conducted with 15 stakeholders across three groups: a) creators and collaborators, b) administrators and staff, and c) faculty and advisors, providing further data. Application of the non-probability snowball sampling technique helped to identify interview participants. Member checks were sent to interview participants to validate the data. Triangulation of collected data, along with information collected in the literature review, further served to validate findings. Inferences about WVROCKS relate to the purpose of WVROCKS, benefits and value, barriers and drawbacks, and the future of WVROCKS. Findings infer WVROCKS as a collaborative process between institutions to help adults earn a degree. Benefits and value include greater access to online courses and promoting degree completion. Barriers and drawbacks relate to concerns about resources, processes, and online education. The future of WVROCKS indicates a growing number of students utilizing WVROCKS, and the mission for WVROCKS expanding into new areas, such as certificates.

Subject(s)

Adult education -- West Virginia.

Adult learning -- West Virginia.

Internet in education.

Computer-assisted instruction.

Download

Share

COinS