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Abstract
This study examined the learning style preferences of sophomore, junior, and senior African American
college students majoring in Agriculture, and Industrial Technology at a historically black university.
The Productivity Environmental Preference Survey (PEPS) which was used to examine the learning style
preferences. ANOVA was used to ascertain what learning styles preferences were and to determine if there
were any differences between the learning preferences in the chosen major in the study. The alpha level
was set at .05. The findings revealed for the majors: 1) Industrial Technology majors, preferred light,
auditory, time of day, and mobility. 2) Agriculture majors preferred temperature, motivated, persistence
responsible/conforming, alone or peers, several ways, and kinesthetic. In addition to the findings, the
learning style preferences of the students were different for industrial technology and agriculture.
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Abstract
Globalization has made intercultural communication inevitable. Communicating with other cultures
characterizes today’s business, classroom, and community. Technology especially the internet has
increased the probability that whatever is documented online will be read by someone from another culture.
Intercultural communication is of importance in any career field thus the art of knowing how to communicate with other cultures should be a work place skill that is emphasized.
This is a conceptual paper whose purpose is two fold. First the paper gives a synopsis of the importance
of efficient and competent intercultural communication in various career fields; namely, education,
business, medicine and in counseling. Secondly, the paper presents studies and perspectives that various
authors have on intercultural communication.
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Abstract
Math anxiety is experienced by students across disciplines and is believed to have reduced
students’ career options, particularly in science and technology. Many factors contribute
to this malady. Instructors, with their responsibilities and resources, should strive to
exert a positive impact on their students in building math confidence in classroom teaching.
The purpose of this study focused on whether positive reinforcement enhanced students’
ability to deal with math and math-related problem solving skills. Using Microsoft Excel
as a tool, students were encouraged to build their math confidence by working on application
exercises designed to be meaningful and practical. Implications of this study included
incorporating teaching and learning strategies in curriculum to achieve the desired goal in
helping students build math confidence.
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Abstract
Burnout among trainers is a pervasive problem that has received little attention. What is
causing it? What can trainers do about it? This article discusses the lack of organizational
support for training as a major source of stress leading to trainer burnout, ways to prevent
trainer burnout, and ways to alleviate its debilitating effects.
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Abstract
Many industries have embraced total quality to achieve a competitive edge in the international
marketplace. What is not always understood in the beginning, however, is that implementing a
total quality program introduces considerable and often drastic cultural change into the
organization. It would be beneficial for any company considering such change to look at a
few case studies to anticipate what might happen over time, and avoid unintended
consequences. Implementing cultural change within an organization is always challenging,
but in the case of quality, it should be a win-win proposition. Unfortunately, outcomes are
not always as anticipated. In this real case study, critical mistakes in communication at
the planning stage, and failure to foresee potential problem areas almost blocked the change
before it could be fully implemented and did reduce its’ eventual effect. Process
improvements, however, though modest by original intent, have been well worth the efforts.
Lessons learned from this case should be helpful to others considering or planning a major
cultural change. For this qualitative research all data were obtained through direct
observation in the plant and through confidential conversations with both hourly (union)
and salaried (management) personnel at regular intervals over the period of the study.
Observations and conversations were recorded in writing after each visit was concluded.
Full confidentiality was observed, and no individual was directly identified, nor was any
data vetted by union or management. All descriptions are real, but locations and identities
have been carefully obscured.
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