Date of Award

12-2004

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Curriculum & Instruction

Department

Curriculum and Instruction

Major Professor

Killacky, Jim

Second Advisor

Wells, Amy

Third Advisor

Gifford, Charles

Fourth Advisor

Clarke, Jimmy

Fifth Advisor

Thames, Marvin

Abstract

The landscape of postsecondary education is changing in a variety of ways that present challenges and opportunities to educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders of higher education. One of the most significant areas of postsecondary educational change is in the community and technical college setting. The missions of both these institutional settings have changed to meet new technological demands, global economic competition, and societal issues. A consequence of mission change has been significant changes in the manner that instruction of technical education is conducted at these institutions. This case study explores automotive technology instructors' experiences and perceptions of changes in their curriculum in the newly created Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The study uses a case study qualitative methodology with individual interviews of a purposive sample population of automotive instructors at Louisiana Technical College. The study revealed three significant issues impacting the instructors' experiences and perceptions of curriculum change in their automotive technology program. One issue was the manner in which instructional delivery had changed by structure, course length and scheduling, and lab work. A second issue was the availability of appropriate instructional resources that included educational technology and training equipment. The third issue was the impact of industry standards and expectations on curriculum change in the instructors' programs. Recommendations are offered for policymakers, educators, and further research.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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