Exploring the Effects of Generational.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE IN HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS Lindsay MacFarlane Master of Education Nipissing University 2017 EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY ON PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE IN HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS LINDSAY MACFARLANE SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION NIPISSING UNIVERSITY SCHULICH SCHOOL OF EDUCATION NORTH BAY, ONTARIO © Lindsay MacFarlane (March 2017) i S C H O O L O F G R A D U A T E S T U D I E S M A J O R R E S E A R C H P A P E R / C E R T I F I C A T E O F E X A M I N A T I O NT H E S I S / D I S S E R T A T I O N Certificate of Examination (Co) Supervisor: Examiner(s): Dr. Susan Elliott-Johns Dr. Olive Wahoush Supervisory Committee: Dr. Lorraine Carter The Thesis by Lindsay MacFarlane Entitled Exploring the Effects of Generational Diversity on Professional Communities of Practice in Health Education Program is accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education April 12, 2017 Dr. Christine Cho Date Chair of the Examination Committee (original signatures on file) ii Abstract This descriptive non-experimental study was designed to explore the existence and effects of generational diversity on Professional Communities of Practice in select health care programs in a Northern Ontario community college. Through active and social participation in Professional Communities of Practice, Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Assistant, and Medical Radiation Technology students begin to construct their identities in relation to their professional communities. The results of a twelve question Likert-scale survey revealed that some generational traits specific to certain cohorts, such as comfort with technology, learning styles, and leadership did exist within the sample. These traits were similar to findings of previous studies on generational diversity. The study also found that generational tensions such as a lack of professionalism and mutual respect were present, and may have an effect on the dynamics of learning within Professional Communities of Practice. Further research into the specific effects of generational diversity are recommended. iii Acknowledgements I wish to thank my enthusiastic, patient, and extremely knowledgeable Research Supervisor Dr. Susan Elliott-Johns and equally enthusiastic and knowledgeable second reader Dr. Lorraine Carter who gently but efficiently guided me through the ethics review process, the submission of my research proposal, and thesis writing process. I wish to thank Confederation College’s Dean Shane Strickland and Chair of the School of Health and Community Services Tania Pynn for their overwhelming support of my educational pursuits. To my colleagues in Practical Nursing, especially Dr. Debra Walker who never stopped encouraging and supporting me, and to my family for coping with all the ‘crazy,’ I say thank you! iv Table of Contents Title Page .................................................................................................................................... ….i Thesis Signature Page ................................................................................................................. …ii Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Tables and Figures........................................................................................................... viiii Figures.................................................................................................................................... viiix Chapter 1: Introduction and Background…………………………………………………..….....10 Changing Demographics in Post-Secondary Education ........................................................... 10 Workplace Pressures and Educational Responses .................................................................... 11 Generational Diversity .............................................................................................................. 11 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 12 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 13 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 15 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 16 Definition of Terms................................................................................................................... 17 Positionality of Researcher……………………………………………………………………17 Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………………………….18 History of Community College Education in Ontario .............................................................. 18 Collaborative Learning, Collaborative Practice, and Communities of Practice ....................... 20 v Generational Diversity and its Influence on Collaborative learning ........................................ 21 Generational cohorts ................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 3: Research Methods……………………………………………………………………28 Re-statement of the Research Questions................................................................................... 28 Research design………………………………………………………………………………….28 Procedures ................................................................................................................................. 32 Research Participants ................................................................................................................ 33 Survey responses.. ............................................................................................................... 355 Privacy and confidentiality.. ............................................................................................... 355 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 366 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….36 Chapter 4: Findings………………………………………………………………………………37 Demographic Findings .............................................................................................................. 37 Question #1. .......................................................................................................................... 37 Question #2.. ......................................................................................................................... 39 Question #3. .......................................................................................................................... 40 Question #4.. ......................................................................................................................... 41 Question #5.. ......................................................................................................................... 42 Question #6. .......................................................................................................................... 43 Question #7.. ......................................................................................................................... 44 Question #8. .......................................................................................................................... 45 Question #9.. ......................................................................................................................... 46 vi Question #10. ........................................................................................................................ 47 Question #11. ........................................................................................................................ 48 Question #12.. ....................................................................................................................... 49 Summary of Findings ................................................................................................................ 50 Chapter 5: Findings ....................................................................................................................... 52 Survey Results…………………………………………………………………………………...52 Participant Profile by Cohort………………………………………………………………….52 Learning Styles and Technology .............................................................................................. 53 Leadership and Professionalism ............................................................................................... 54 Communication ......................................................................................................................... 57 Staying on Task......................................................................................................................... 58 Collaborative Learning ............................................................................................................