A Case Study of Applied Academics From the Perspective of Students

The study indicated the following: (1) The definition of applied academics is continuing to evolve, with participants' priorities reflecting greater emphasis on relevance to work and less emphasis on applied academics as designated courses or specific materials. (2) Participants' perceptions of the scope of applied academics far exceeded the designation of academic classes designated as applied in the course catalogs. (3) Participants' perception of the rigor of applied academics courses was mixed. (4) Participants perceived that they learned better in context and became more engaged when relevance was introduced. (5) Participants showed a strong preference for understanding, as opposed to mere acquisition of facts or knowledge. (6) All but one of seven benefits typically associated with applied academics (namely, increased enrollment in math and science courses) were deemed to be true for the experience of the participants in this study. (7) Participants perceived a lack of availability of advanced applied academics courses.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Dare, Donna Elaine

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leach, James A.

• Education, Vocational

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9971062

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80393