Educational Design Theory: Theory development of an Adventist learning environment design process

"For decades, educational change has been a topic of controversy with representative thought from nearly every conceivable perspective. While attempts at public and private school reform have provided guidance for practitioners as to the way that schools should look (often called product guidance) few theorists have ventured to provide process guidance or how to change. Set within the context of the Seven-day Adventist school system this study examines the development of an educational design theory that guides a facilitator and congregation through the process of developing a new church school, or more accurately, a new congregational learning environment.

After formation of the theory, based on a broad range of literature, the study described the refinement of the theory which relied upon formative research methods and used expert feedback as well as feedback from stakeholders - congregations and Adventist educational leadership - to suggest refinements. The initial theory introduced a spiritually informed and facilitated developmental process with parental participation, parental and congregational education, within a systems design approach. The subjects reported strengths which included process orientation and stakeholder involvement. Weaknesses or concerns suggested included ore elaboration on the role of the facilitator and on the needed centrality of observing the congregational discourse, among others. The study then presents the conclusions within the revised theory, and recommendations for methodology, further practice and research."

Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
2000
Author:
Randy J Siebold
Publisher:
Order Information:
Full-text available through ProQuest Digital Dissertations.
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers; Internet Resources
Resource Objective:
Administration & Leadership
Level:
Tertiary-Lifelong
Audience:
Administrator / Leader, Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist