Tackling Suboptimal Bachelor��s Degree Completion Rates Through Training in Self-Regulated Learning (SRL)

In response to both problematic and extant gaps in Bachelor??s degree completion rates, this mixed methods study investigated whether a theoretically based undergraduate course intervention measurably contributed to participants?? competence as self-regulated learners. Respective quantitative and qualitative analyses of data collected from two samples showed that intervention participants experienced growth in the targeted self-regulatory constructs. Moreover, differential effects by race/ethnicity and gender were not observed. We conclude with a discussion of this study??s implications for institutions of higher education, pertinent considerations in designing and implementing this self-regulated learning intervention, and a review of the literature on effective practices for doing so.     

The Dimensions of Common Factors in Counseling

Common factors is a concept that offers an explanation as to what makes counseling effective. Evidence from outcome studies has implications for training and practice. The particular purpose of this paper is to review the components of a popular model of common factors, the evidence supporting them, and subsequent implications for counselor educators and practitioners. The author specifies the parameters of clinical decision-making within the common factors model and discusses the limits of relational factors in counseling.     

Bridging research and practice: challenges and successes in implementing evidence-based preventive intervention strategies for child maltreatment

Child maltreatment has been associated with a wide range of negative developmental outcomes for children and families as well as significant economic consequences. While efficacious intervention strategies have been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of trauma and to improve behavioral and emotional functioning, these models have not been widely adopted by clinicians. The challenges associated with exporting evidence-based interventions into community settings are discussed, along with an example of a preventive intervention program for young mothers, successfully implemented through a partnership of community agencies and funders.     

What Could Have Been Done? Circuit City: A Case Study of Management and Employee Performance Failure

This case study is an employee performance analysis that utilizes Gilbert's behavior engineering model (Gilbert, 2007 ) as a theoretical framework to examine the events that caused Circuit City to fail in 2008. Additionally, the case study views the events through a systemic lens. As management implemented changes, employee morale and performance faltered, which in turn affected customer perceptions and attitudes. Taken together, these actions resulted in a negative feedback loop that greatly contributed to the demise of the company.     

Distributed leadership with the aim of ‘reculturing’: a departmental case study

This article considers a secondary science department that has, since 2000, developed distributed leadership as a form of human capacity building. Using a longitudinal ethnographic case study allowed us to consider how distributed leadership can be nurtured and developed in a department. Our analysis centres on two key issues: the nature and pattern of distributed leadership practices and the continuity that provides coherence to those practices. From our analysis, there appear to be two major conclusions. The first of these is the need for administrators to be purposeful in the appointments that they make to formal leadership positions. To enact distributed leadership practices requires leaders who can exercise both formal power and influence. The second conclusion relates to the time required for continuity of leadership practices to give rise to changes that lead to teachers managing the teaching and learning programme.     

Teaching and Transforming Through Stories: An Exploration of Macro- and Micro-Narratives as Teaching Tools

Narratives are one of the most powerful teaching tools available and are often regarded as central to the learning process. We investigate the role of narrative in adult learning in library instructional contexts, introducing the concepts of micro- and macro-narratives and illustrating these ideas using relevant teaching examples. Macro-narratives are stories that are common across many cultures and contain universal themes and lessons. Micro-narratives are stories that are uniquely relevant to the members of a particular group. We argue that both types can be used to create meaningful library learning experiences.     

Improving performance and organization value through a virtual appreciative inquiry summit

Managing across multiple sites in a global workplace poses many challenges. Technology has made this task simpler, allowing workers to stay connected through email, instant messaging, conference calls, gadgets, and services. Even with the aid of technology, communication can suffer if not managed well. Conducting change initiatives in a virtual environment increases communication challenges. This article presents the advantages of appreciative inquiry in a virtual summit environment to improve individual, team, and organizational performance.