Learning management systems (LMS) are vital to learning environments and particularly in distance education.  The use of learning management operations is typically based upon the needs of universities and colleges; however, educational tools are driven by learner-centered demands, e-learning, m-learning, and cost.  Faculty, students, and administrators can all adapt to these technological changes if they are exposed to user-friendly platforms and software geared towards learner-centered outcomes.   These quality improvements in operations need to be sustainable, as they will encounter transitions due to system and software enhancements over time.  This paper will explore course delivery in the 21st century as it relates to e-learning and m-learning.  Practitioners and academicians will gain knowledge regarding strategic planning learning management system upgrades. Further, the researchers will explore and provide understanding on forward thinking to address development and delivery for 21st century technology.  Process improvements are achieved from adaption that lead to performance outcomes in education.  The highest performance can be achieved with quality driven process improvement sustainable plans that are tied in to the performance, organization philosophy, and the andragogic learning style.  Together, these quality paths can return value creation for learners, faculty, and administrators back to where it should sit- under the educational strategy framework.

1. Sustained Digital Learning Management Systems
For Quality Educational Improvements
Presenters: Dustin Bessette, Sharon L. Burton and M. E. Dawson
Florida academy of Science Conference
Ft Pierce, FL, USA
March 7, 2014
Celebrating 20 YEARS of Quality Education
© 2013 The National Graduate School of Quality Management
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2. Welcome to our presentation.
Thank you for joining us!
Dustin Bessette
Doctoral Student
National Graduate School of
Quality Management
dbessette@stu.ngs.edu
518-965-0775 (Office)
Sharon L. Burton
Doctoral Student
National Graduate School of
Quality Management
312sbdba@ngs.edu
302-547-8010 (Office)
Dr. Maurice Dawson
Jones International University
Maurice.e.dawson@gmail.com
256-372-5654 (Office)
Celebrating 20 YEARS of Quality Education
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3. Abstract
Learning management systems (LMS) are vital to learning environments and particularly in
distance education. The use of learning management operations is typically based upon
the needs of universities and colleges; however, educational tools are driven by learnercentered demands, e-learning, m-learning, and cost. Faculty, students, and administrators
can all adapt to these technological changes if they are exposed to user-friendly platforms
and software geared towards learner-centered outcomes. These quality improvements in
operations need to be sustainable, as they will encounter transitions due to system and
software enhancements over time. This paper will explore course delivery in the 21st
century as it relates to e-learning and m-learning. Practitioners and academicians will
gain knowledge regarding strategic planning learning management system upgrades.
Further, the researchers will explore and provide understanding on forward thinking to
address development and delivery for 21st century technology. Process
improvements are achieved from adaption that lead to performance outcomes in
education. The highest performance can be achieved with quality driven process
improvement sustainable plans that are tied in to the performance, organization
philosophy, and the andragogic learning style. Together, these quality paths can return
value creation for learners, faculty, and administrators back to where it should sit- under the
educational strategy framework.
 Key Words: Distance Education, Performance, Technology, Andragogy
Celebrating 20 YEARS of Quality Education
© 2013 The National Graduate School of Quality Management
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4. Agenda
1. Purpose and Audience
2. Objectives
3. Statement of Problem
4. Research Questions and Results
5. Conclusions
6. Future Study
7. Questions
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5. Purpose and Audience
 Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to explore course delivery
in the 21st century as it relates to e-learning, mlearning, and educational learning technologies.
 Audience:
Organizations, academicians, and practitioners interested
adult learning, and educational technologies.
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6. Objectives
 Objectives:
Provide audiences with guidance to understand and
enhance:
 Adult Learning
 Educational Technology Usage
 Methodology: Qualitative
 Frameworks: Adult Learning/Andragogy, Educational Technology,
Business Process Improvement
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7. Key Definitions
 Andragogy (adult learning)- Refers to the theory of adult learning which have
six postulations points. The term was made popular by Malcolm Knowles
(Cooke, 2010).
 Business Process Improvement - BPI is an orderly method to assist
businesses in improving their underlying processes to realize more efficient
outcomes (Pyzdek, 2003).
 Educational Technology - Equipment and machines designed and developed
from the application of scientific knowledge.
 Phenomenon - Understanding the meaning of lived experiences. (Merriam,
2002, Flynn, Duncan, & Evenson, 2013).
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8. Research Description
 Qualitative Study - Qualitative methods normally speak to the
research questions germane to an evidenced-based or scholarly
approach to a problem.
– Phenomenon of investigation (issue), were whether
higher education institutions should have a faculty
development program and what should the program
comprise. Technology not only helps develop learning, it
bridges gaps in distances.
– Phenomenon was considered since the focus of the study
was to understand the meaning of lived
experiences(Merriam, 2002, Flynn, Duncan, & Evenson,
2013).
Celebrating 20 YEARS of Quality Education
© 2013 The National Graduate School of Quality Management
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9. Statement of the Problem
 Distance education and its bond to emerging
technologies together produced a perfect storm of
learners mandating a change in the manner, which
educational institutions deliver education.
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10. Research Question and Results
 Data Collection: Focus Group (N=30)
 Question: What technology topics should be covered in
online faculty development training?
 Focus Group Response:
 Logging into the multiple systems and getting support
for systems concerns
 Locating course tools
 Using collaboration tools
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11. Conclusions
 Examination through the focus group results shows there exist a
need for research on affective programs for developing faculty to
teach in the online environment.
 To attain this best practice, administrators must understand and
practice quality systems management supported by BPI.
 Administrators cannot assume instructors understand the tools
necessary for student usage, nor how to employ the tools.
Resources must be provided to support and train faculty members.
 Data can be used to develop a strategic learning management plan
 The highest performance can be achieved with quality driven
process improvement sustainable plans that are tied in to the
performance, organization philosophy, and the andragogic learning
style.
Celebrating 20 YEARS of Quality Education
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12. Future Study
 More study is needed on the specifics of the technology
required for faculty development as the technology
relates to learner success
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13. Questions
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14. References
Cooke, N. (2010). Becoming an Andragogical Librarian: Using Library Instruction as a
Tool to Combat Library Anxiety and Empower Adult Learners. New Review of
Academic Librarianship, 16(2), 208-227.
Flynn, S. V., Duncan, K. J., & Evenson, L. L. (2013). An emergent phenomenon of American
Indian secondary students' career development process.
The Career Development Quarterly, 61(2), 124-140.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1371447550?accountid=62746
Merriam, S. B. (2002). Introduction to qualitative research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Pyzdek, T. (2003). The Six Sigma Handbook. Revised and expanded. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill.
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15. Sharon L. Burton’s Profile
 Burton is a Human Capital Strategist and Learning consultant. Previously she led human capital, training,
leadership, customer service, and diversity initiatives in consulting, and published two books, “Quality Customer
Service: Rekindling the Art of Service to Customers,” and “Diversity: Just What Is It And Why Does It Keep
Changing?” Sharon’s professional background includes standing up the Operations Training, and the Quality
Assurance and Compliance departments for a major financial institution.
 Burton holds two Masters of Business Administration degrees (Human Resources Management, and
Management) from the American InterContinental University. She received a B.S. degree from Florida State
University in Criminology where she concentrated and interned in forensics.
 Academically, Burton is presently a doctoral student with the National Graduate School of Quality Management.
Sharon holds two certifications, Human Capital Strategy and Kirkpatrick Four Levels Evaluation, as well as a
certificate in training. Sharon will present at Society for Applied Learning Technologies Conference 2013, the
topic, Delivering Affectively in Virtual Environments: ROI and Improved Productivity. She presented at several
conferences, the Society for Applied Learning Technologies Conference 2011, Toastmasters International District
36 Spring Conference 2011, the National Association for Black Accountants Conference 2008, and the Delaware
Youth Summit 2008.
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16. Dustin Bessette’s Profile
 Dustin currently serves in the Oregon State Parks Department. He previously led training for New York State’s
lifeguarding staff through various process of employment, tested lifeguard's through controlled physical tests,
conducted field visits, recorded aquatic reports, and assisted in hiring & coordinating employees in four different
parks for five different swimming facilities.
 Academically, Dustin is currently a doctoral student with the National Graduate School of Quality Systems
Management earning a doctorate degree in business administration. He has earned two undergraduate degrees,
one Associate of Sciences in Biology and Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Studies. Further he
has earned 30 credit hours towards a Sustainable MBA degree and is enrolled and in process of another graduate
MBA degree.
 He has presented at several conferences including, Intellectbase International Consortium (Nashville 2011,
Atlanta 2011, and Las Vegas 2012), Eco Summit 2012 (Cleveland, OH),
Association for Advancement Computing Information (AACE) (Montreal, QC), virtually presented at the 5 th
Annual International Conference on Education, Research, and Innovation (ICERI) (Madrid, Spain), and will soon
present his accepted papers at the Society for Applied Learning Technologies (SALT) Conference (Orlando, FL)
in March 2013, Florida Academy of Sciences (Miami, FL) in March 2013, and virtually at the 7 th International
Technology, Education, and Development (INTED) (Valencia, Spain) in March 2013.
 Bessette has also published in peer reviewed journals for the Intellectbase International Consortium as well as
reviewed graduate work for the Academy of Management.
 In addition, he will have a total of 5 book chapters published by the end of 2014.
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17. Dr. Maurice Dawson’s Profile
 Dr. Maurice Dawson serves as an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) of Management Information
Systems at Alabama A&M University and a Visiting Research Scholar (Honorary) at of Industrial and
Systems Engineering at The University of Tennessee Space Institute - Knoxville.
 Dawson has over 13 years of industry experience within the defense industry. He has served in roles of
increasing responsibility from systems engineering to program management of multi-million dollars
portfolios. Dawson has taught from the undergraduate to doctoral levels in computer science, project
management, and systems engineering at research universities.
 In relation to academic scholarship Dawson has 6 book/encyclopedia chapters published or in review, 1
forthcoming book, 20+ referred journal publications, 80+ referred proceedings, and over 80+ peer
reviewed academic conference presentations.
 Dawson is currently serving as the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Information Systems Technology &
Planning, and associate editor for the International Journal of Science in Society. Additionally, he
serves as an international advisory board member for the Issues in Information Science and Information
Technology. He is reviewer for the Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, International
Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, International Journal of Cyberspace Sciences and Emergency
Management, International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, and International Journal of System of
Systems Engineering.
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School of Quality Management without prior written consent from the National Graduate School of Quality Management. For information, please call
800.838.2580 or visit www.ngs.edu. © 2013 The National Graduate School of Quality Management.
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