Date
6-17-2026
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)
Chair
George Sherman
Keywords
career and technical education, community college, industry-based certification, online instruction, self-efficacy, simulation activities
Disciplines
Educational Leadership
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Thomas Matthew, "Recommendations to Improve Career and Technical Education Online Instruction Practices at a Community College in the United States of America" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8597.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8597
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations to improve career and technical education online instruction practices at a community college in the United States of America. The problem was that career and technical education online instruction practices are inadequate at a community college in the United States of America. The reasoning for this study was to improve students’ preparedness for vocational careers by incorporating online instruction as a complement to traditional classroom instruction. Improving online instruction practices can improve a student’s self-efficacy. The central research question was how can career and technical education online instruction practices be improved at a community college in the United States of America? This applied research report used qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The first method was individual semi-structured interviews. The second method was a single focus group. The third and final method was a quantitative 5-point Likert scale survey. Qualitative data analysis determined codes and themes. Quantitative data analysis revealed frequencies and averages. Synthesis of scholarly literature coupled with analysis of the data collection resulted in two recommendations to improve practices by increasing students’ technical competency by mandating online instruction curricula that require students to earn an industry-based certification, and by adding simulation activities to the online instruction curricula.
