Combining Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence PDF
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2014 Combining Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence to Understand and Improve the Professional Development of K-12 Teachers Jamie Elizabeth DeWitt Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theAdult and Continuing Education Administration Commons, and theAdult and Continuing Education and Teaching Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. Walden University COLLEGE OF EDUCATION This is to certify that the doctoral study by Jamie DeWitt has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Richard Hammett, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Earl Thomas, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Maria Schutt, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2014 Abstract Combining Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence to Understand and Improve the Professional Development of K-12 Teachers by Jamie Elizabeth DeWitt MA, California State University, San Bernardino, 2008 BA, University of California, San Diego, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University December 2014 Abstract Creating meaningful and effective professional development (PD) programs for K-12 teachers is an ongoing challenge. The problem is exacerbated when PD models are implemented without fully aligning PD resources and plans with the training needs of teachers and the organization. The guiding question sought to understand the experiences of teachers at an online charter school about the implementation of PD as a means for improving student outcomes. The purpose of the study was to find ways to enhance PD in order to improve student outcomes at the school. The conceptual framework for this study is interwoven through the constructs of student-centered learning, adult learning theory, transformational learning, self-directed learning, and emotional intelligence (EI). A qualitative case study was used in an appreciative inquiry approach that included a document review, written response survey, a positive assessment of EI skills, and focus group interview with 5 teacher participants. The EI data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to create an average EI profile for the group, and qualitative data were analyzed using inductive and comparative techniques. The results indicated that the teachers desired more focused PD that aligns to organizational goals, is collaborative, and includes support from leadership. Results informed the design of a workshop for school administrators focused on designing a PD implementation plan. This study promotes positive social change by increasing understanding of teachers’ professional learning experiences and proposes a research-derived PD planning and implementation cycle in order to increase student achievement at the school. Combining Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence to Understand and Improve the Professional Development of K-12 Teachers by Jamie Elizabeth DeWitt MA, California State University, San Bernardino, 2008 BA, University of California, San Diego, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University December 2014 Dedication This work is dedicated to my husband and children, whose love and support have carried me through this process. I hope that my work is an inspiration to you to follow your passions, and to know that through hard work you can make your dreams come true. Acknowledgments Many thanks to my co-workers for your time and energy in support of this project. I am very grateful to work for an organization that supported my efforts towards my degree. A huge thanks to Dr. Richard Hammett, my doctoral chair, for your inspiration and guidance through this journey. I cannot express my appreciation enough for your patience, encouragement, and fantastic editorial skills. Thank you for all that you taught me, especially how to eat an elephant. I am proud to say this elephant has been devoured! Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Section 1: The Problem ........................................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Definition of the Problem ..............................................................................................2 Rationale ........................................................................................................................3 Evidence of the Problem at the Local Level ........................................................... 3 Evidence of the Problem from the Professional Literature ..................................... 8 Definitions....................................................................................................................10 Significance..................................................................................................................13 Guiding Question .........................................................................................................14 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................14 Adult Learning Theories ....................................................................................... 15 Emotional Intelligence .......................................................................................... 19 PD…… ................................................................................................................. 21 Implications..................................................................................................................35 Summary ......................................................................................................................37 Section 2: The Methodology ............................................................................................39 Introduction ..................................................................................................................39 Research Design and Approach ...................................................................................39 Setting, Sample, and Participants.................................................................................42 i Sampling Method .................................................................................................. 42 Sample................................................................................................................... 42 Eligibility and Participant Characteristics ............................................................ 42 Protection of Participants ...................................................................................... 43 Data Collection ............................................................................................................44 Appreciative Inquiry ............................................................................................. 44 Emotional Skills Assessment Process ................................................................... 48 Reliability and Validity of Instruments........................................................................51 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................52 Validity and Reliability ......................................................................................... 54 Role of the Researcher .......................................................................................... 55 Findings........................................................................................................................55 Document Review Findings .................................................................................. 55 EI Skills Results .................................................................................................... 57 Email Interview Findings ...................................................................................... 59 Focus Group Interview Findings .......................................................................... 63 Summary of Outcomes Related to Research Question ......................................... 66 Summary ......................................................................................................................68 Section 3: The Project ........................................................................................................70 Introduction ..................................................................................................................70 Description and Goals ..................................................................................................71 Rationale ......................................................................................................................72 ii Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................73 PD Design ............................................................................................................. 74 Coaching ............................................................................................................... 77 Observations ......................................................................................................... 82 Evaluations ............................................................................................................ 83 Implementation ............................................................................................................86 Potential Resources and Existing Supports........................................................... 87 Potential Barriers .................................................................................................. 88 Proposal for Implementation and Timetable......................................................... 88 Roles and Responsibilities of Student and Others ................................................ 88 Project Evaluation ........................................................................................................89 Implications Including Social Change .........................................................................91 Local Community ................................................................................................. 91 Far-Reaching ......................................................................................................... 92 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................93 Section 4: Reflections and Conclusions .............................................................................94 Introduction ..................................................................................................................94 Project Strengths ..........................................................................................................94 Recommendations for Remediation of Limitations .....................................................95 Scholarship ...................................................................................................................95 Project Development and Evaluation ...........................................................................96 Leadership and Change ................................................................................................96 iii
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