Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 12-1993 Using Technology for Dispensing Information Ray Hoag Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the Educational Leadership Commons Recommended Citation Hoag, Ray, "Using Technology for Dispensing Information" (1993). Dissertations. 1880. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/1880 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. USING TECHNOLOGY FOR DISPENSING INFORMATION by Ray Hoag A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Department of Educational Leadership Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan December 1993 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. USING TECHNOLOGY FOR DISPENSING INFORMATION Ray Hoag, Ed.D. Western Michigan University, 1993 Technology that enhances communication through the use of digitized media abounds. Yet, there is a perception that education does not use technology's full potential to communicate with its audience. This dissertation demonstrates that a technological solution can communicate relevant educational information. Extensive documentation provides a high level departure point for subsequent technology- enhanced communication projects. The planning team for the Applied Technology Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wanted an application to express the center's name-implied mission. This opportunity was fulfilled by the development of a point-of-information kiosk application, the dissertation's focal point. Methodology included using project management software to identify and track milestones and tasks; a concentrated effort to communicate with all participants as a way of garnering support, encouraging team play, and jointly resolving problems; integrating training and personnel resource needs into the academic curricula; and focusing on continuous formative evaluation and information annealing to offset inappropriate ego involvement. The point-of-information kiosk application was developed and has operated virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since start-up. Considerable time and Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. financial resources were expended to accomplish the application. The tribulations of working with leading edge technology were experienced. Accomplishing the application truly was a team effort with the contribution of graphical screen images by community college seminar students being a highlight. Because technology, information, experiences and thinking are constantly changing, a systems approach to a point-of-information application should be incorporated. The process of information annealing extends beyond getting the application operable. The reader is encouraged to use technology that integrates media to communicate educational information. Educators should give consideration to providing businesslike, learning environments where students and staff work side-by- side to create technology-enhanced communication products. A network of touch screen, information kiosks that use digitized media should be explored as should the development of a standardized user interface to facilitate ease of use from application to application. Well-developed technology-enhanced communications have a role in world improvement. The educational community should be a leader in this endeavor. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. 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Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Order Number 9410498 Using technology for dispensing information Hoag, Ray, Ed.D. Western Michigan University, 1993 UMI 300N. ZeebRd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express deep appreciation to the many people who offered encouragement and who were involved in the development of the information kiosk. Certainly to be recognized are Grand Rapids Community College President Richard Calkins and Associate Dean Paul Prins of the Ferris State University College of Technology without whose support this dissertation would not have been possible. Multimedia endeavors, such as the information kiosk, are necessarily team endeavors. These team players merit heart felt recognition: Eli Atlas: Script Writing Chuck Bonning: Coordination, Design and Graphics Don Boyer: Technology Scripts Judy Chandler (University of Georgia): Script Editing Gerald Dawkins: Applied Technology Scripts Katie DeBeaubien (Student): Authoring Karen Ford (Student): Graphics Bob Garlough: Hospitality Education Scripts David Kubik: Technical Support Klas Kwant: Videography Bruce Lockwood: Videography (Lead Editor) Ken Losey (Student): Authoring ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgments—Continued Michael Morton (Student): Computer Graphics Chuck Nivison (Student): Computer Graphics Brian Patrie (Student): Authoring Matt Schrado (Student): Computer Graphics C. J. Shroll: Consultation Jim Shafer: Videography Rhonda Terpstra (Student): Communication and Graphics Mark Vogel: Videography Bill Zoellmer: Graphics Instruction Employment priorities extended the time required to write and reflect upon the content of this dissertation. I sincerely appreciate that my advisors, Dr. Jim Bums, Dr. Pat Jenlink, and Dr. Uldis Smidchens (Chairperson) persevered and supported me during this extended period. Many hours that likely would have been spent with family and on home improvement were sacrificed so that the information kiosk could be accomplished. Time is not frozen while a person accomplishes a dissertation. In my case both my father, Raymond J. Hoag Sr., and my sister, Florence A. Hoag, went to meet their Master. Each of my two children married, doubling the blessings that accompany sons and daughters. More recently I became a grandfather. I appreciate the sacrifices iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgments—Continued made by my family and especially my wife (Debbie) during this undertaking, appreciate that they are still an integral part of my life. Ray Hoag iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................................ ii CHAPTER I. HISTORICAL MOMENT OF ORIGIN ................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Opportunity .............................................................................................. 1 Professional Contacts ............................................................................ 3 Technology Availability ........................................................................ 4 Summary.................................................................................................... 5 II. REVIEW OF EXISTING RESOURCES.................................................. 7 Overview ..................................................................................................