Using Webinars to Develop Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Researchers and Build Capacity in the Field

• In Event: Developing Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Scholars to Advance the Field: Projects and Training

Abstract

This presentation will discuss the use of webinars to develop research skills for postsecondary CTE research fellows.

Purpose. The purpose of this presentation is to outline the process of webinar topic selection, facilitator selection, webinar hosting, and webinar dissemination.
Foundational Framework. The theoretical framework of this work expands upon Apostolopoulos’s (2018) version of the ADDIE model where the authors have added a step showing the work should be disseminated widely, beyond delivery to one audience.

Methods. Virtual research methods training sessions and presentations are delivered live to emerging postsecondary CTE researchers and then disseminated to the public via recording posted to the program’s website. Webinar topic and facilitator selection was based on data collected from emerging postsecondary CTE researchers via survey.

Data Sources. Postsecondary CTE researchers completed a survey on their perceived strengths and areas for improvement as related to a variety of research methods. Webinar topics and facilitators were selected in accordance with data from this survey. Evaluations were completed at the conclusion of each webinar.

Results. Results of this work have been the creation of several research webinars which were delivered to a group of selected postsecondary CTE researchers and then placed on a website for future and public access.

Significance. More evidence-based research is needed in the field of postsecondary CTE. Stakeholders may not have access to a variety of research methods best practices. The dissemination of the research methods webinars focused on postsecondary CTE provides free access to emerging researchers as well as practitioners and other stakeholders and therefore has direct implications to improving and increasing the foundation of postsecondary CTE research.

Authors

• Michelle Elizabeth Bartlett, North Carolina State University

• Jordan Dolfi, North Carolina State University