Proceedings
Instructional Technology Conference
Middle Tennessee State University
Building Communities of Learners
April 3-5, 2005
Creating the First eDissertation at the University of Memphis
Track 3
Providing for Communities of Learners
Administrative Support, Infrastructure and Policies for the Technology-Based Learning Environment
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James Penrod, Professor of Leadership Jeff Kirk, Director of Events Administration/Coordinator of Commercial Music Roy Bowery, Instructional Design Specialist Panel Discussion |
Abstract
The first electronic dissertation was completed at the University of Memphis in the Fall of 2004. This session provides insight into the process of its creation from the perspective of the student, faculty and technical staff. Procedures were modified requiring cooperation between the Provost’s office, Graduate School, College and Department, Library, the Information Technology Division, the dissertation committee, and the student.
Description
The purpose of the study was to determine necessary elements and important factors in a “Plan-to-Plan” to create a Master’s Degree in Commercial Music that will lead to accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music. In addition to requiring the doctoral student to learn new analytical procedures, demonstrate scholarship and make practical application of the theories presented in the Higher and Adult Education Leadership Doctoral Program, he had to become familiar with required technologies, secure and coordinate technology staff to record and edit video interviews, engage in far more “behind the scenes” administrative protocols, and work closely with a variety of technical staff.
The committee chair had to secure approval from the Provost’s Office, the Graduate School, the Library, and Information Technology prior to encouraging the student to begin the eDissertation. Normal coordination activities between the student, committee members, the Graduate School, the Library, Information Technology, and various elements of the institutional infrastructure were significantly increased.
The technical staff had to develop new processes and procedures to help the student acquire data for the study, store the final document and various audio and video files associated with it, ensure links between the document and files worked properly, and develop an interface for permanent access. We will describe how the technical team developed institutional infrastructure for a streaming media server and edissertation/thesis document server along with user guidelines.
The session will highlight the student learning associated with this endeavor, activities by all units involved that are viewed as critical success factors for future eDissertations, note areas that will be changed as more students choose this medium for their dissertation, and end with a short demonstration of the final product.