Learning Beyond the Content

A Dissertation in Practice on Workforce Skills Development at Community Colleges

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.363

Keywords:

workforce skills, soft skills, community colleges, experiential learning, teaching and learning

Abstract

In this article, we present an example of a student’s recently completed dissertation in practice (DiP) to demonstrate how the DiP can serve as culminating evidence of a student’s successful preparation as a scholar-practitioner. The purpose of this DiP was to determine to what extent students develop workforce skills while completing a community college education and what institutions can do to better prepare students to be successful upon graduation. Results from this mixed-method study (N = 77) suggest that graduates perceived learning a considerable amount of workforce skills during their time at the institution. However, respondents also reported that more hands-on learning would have enhanced their skill development. Through this study, the doctoral candidate was able to gain substantive results while addressing key CPED guiding principles.

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Published

2023-08-07 — Updated on 2023-08-10

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How to Cite

Torres, W. C., Leach, L. F., Glaman, R., & Higham, J. R. (2023). Learning Beyond the Content: A Dissertation in Practice on Workforce Skills Development at Community Colleges . Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 8(3), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.363 (Original work published August 7, 2023)

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2023): Regular Issue

Section

Research Articles from Dissertations in Practice

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Copyright (c) 2023 William C. Torres, Lesley F. Leach, Ryan Glaman, J. Russell Higham

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