VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Updating Vocational Curriculum in Two Year Diploma Programs at One Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology to Align with Current Industry Practices

One of the most important functions of a College of Applied Arts and Technology is to provide vocational training and thus supply employers with skilled employees. Job skills include technologies and processes that change over time, and the academic program curricula at a College of Applied Arts and Technology must be updated regularly to align with current and near-future industry practices. How does a College of Applied Arts and Technology identify current worker competencies? How is the curriculum updated to incorporate these changes to reflect current and near-future industry practices? The answer to these questions at one College of Applied Arts and Technology is the focus of this study. This study describes, for four academic programs at one Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, the processes used by the college, corresponding accreditors and the government to identify current job skills, and the processes used to update academic programs and standards at each organization. Programs studied spanned the spectrum of Regulated, Accredited and Unregulated programs. Cyclical update processes for college curriculum, Ministry Program Standards and Accreditor competencies were examined and they map to the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle used in Quality Improvement processes. Activity Theory provides a system model framework that is used to examine the college program curriculum, and the external standards including the Ministry Program Standards and Accreditor competencies for practice. The transitions systems literature reveals that in a liberal market economy, the qualification for regulated programs tightly matches the job in the labour market and the qualification for broad occupational areas loosely matches the jobs in the labour market. This study proposes a framework for understanding the relationship between vocational education curriculum and the labour market.

Keywords: activity theory
community college
curriculum
higher education
quality improvement
vocational education
Advisor: Bascia, Nina
Under Construction: Developing Mathematical Processes and Discourse Through Dialogue in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environments

This study investigates the use of Google Classroom as a tool for teachers of students aged 10-12 years old in facilitating and developing mathematics activity and to investigate how Google Classroom can increase engagement for their mathematics students. Qualitative data were collected in the form of pre- and post- meetings, semi-structured interviews, video and audio-recordings in person and on the phone, student and teacher work samples. Quantitative data were collected in the form of front loading a Google form listing the semi-structured interview questions to all participants prior to the interview. The eight major findings are: (1) Creating a safe and respectful environment and classroom community is a critical component for fostering mathematics activity in Google Classroom; (2) Posting student voice publicly on Google Classroom may be a powerful tool that increases student engagement; (3) Teachers in this study develop mathematical activity online in Google Classroom with different frequencies due to their background experience and comfort level; (4) Designing purposeful tasks online with Google Classroom that engage students in mathematics activity is difficult for some teachers; (5) Teachers who lack self-efficacy in teaching mathematics may rely on Google Classroom to present curriculum and to answer questions from their students or parents because the asynchronous nature affords a delay in response; (6) Google Classroom is most often used by teachers in this study to communicate with parents about students and to communicate mathematics homework; (7) Teachers may be able to calm parent anxieties about student learning by providing online mathematics resources through Google Classroom; and (8) Providing parents with access to online mathematics resources on Google Classroom has the potential to increase parent engagement in mathematics. Implications from this study suggest that teachers use Google Classroom to develop discourse and mathematical processes, but their overall background knowledge in mathematics and comfort level with technology dictates how it is used. Teachers can increase student engagement in mathematics by providing course content and additional resources to parents through the use of Google Classroom. Suggestions for areas for further research are included at the end of the study.

Advisor: McDougall, Doug
"But You're a Violinist - Why Do You Compose?": Narratives of Experience of Three Composer-Performers

In the past century, a perception has arisen of a decline in the practice of musicians who both compose and perform. Classical musicians, such as Frédéric Chopin, Maurice Ravel, and Camille Saint-Saëns, historically emulated their mentors by composing alongside maintaining a performance career. However, present-day musicians have become increasingly specialized in the fields of performance and composition; those that continue to pursue both simultaneously can now be defined specifically as a "composer-performer," a term that was irrelevant in the past, as both composition and performance were already integrated in a musician's career. The purpose of this study is to explore the definition of "composer-performer" in contemporary music careers. The second objective of this study is to begin a discussion on why and when the career paths for performers and composers became increasingly divided, exploring possible key factors that may have motivated the specialization of composers and performers. The last objective is to provide a platform for the voices and stories of modern-day composer-performers. In this study, the experiences, philosophies, and challenges shared by composer-performers participating in the research process will be discussed. This study utilizes narrative methodology in order to tell the stories of contemporary composer-performers first-hand, and to represent their experiences in their own voices. Conversational interviews were conducted with two composer-performers, their narratives analyzed and themes categorized. The resulting data was put into conversation with themes and perspectives data extracted from my personal narrative on my experiences as a composer-performer. This study provides insight on the dual role of the modern composer-performer in a society that rewards specialization. It also proposes questions for future research.

Keywords: Alice Hong
Composer
Jessie Montgomery
Norbert Palej
Performer
Violin
Advisor: Dolloff, Lori A
Studying the Effects of Polymer Crystallization and Blending on Conductive Network Formation in CNT-Based Conductive Polymer Composites

The main objective of this thesis was to reduce the percolation threshold of conductive polymer composites (CPCs) through selective localization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), taking advantage of (i) polymer-filler interactions and (ii) polymer blending. The first part of this study reports on the effects of polymer-filler interactions, particularly the effects of the conductive fillers on the matrix crystallization behavior, on the evolution of the conductive networks. Experimental results indicated that changes in the crystallization behavior and crystal nucleation of a PP matrix in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) had substantial effects on the formation or destruction of the conductive networks. Based on our experimental results, promotion of heterogeneous crystal nucleation ability of CNTs in CPCs with semicrystalline matrices resulted in wrapping of the conductive fillers with insulating layers of polymer crystals. Such effects resulted in disruption of conductive network formation in CPCs even at high filler contents. Interestingly, current-voltage characterizations showed that in such CPCs, even at a high CNT content of 10 wt.%, electron tunneling was the dominant electron conduction mechanism, signifying a lack of direct contact between the adjacent CNTs. As the second phase of this study, a novel technique was developed to use polymer blending for controlling the conductive network of flexible CPCs with high mechanical properties. We produced thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)- based CPCs, with segregated structure, via the incorporation of fine pre-vulcanized rubber (PVR) particles into maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE)/CNT composites. Inclusion of the PVR particles resulted in selective localization of CNTs in the MA-g-PE matrix which significantly reduced the percolation threshold. More importantly, our experimental results confirmed that strong chemical bonds formed between the PVR particles and the MA-g-PE matrix which led to excellent interfacial adhesion between the two phases. This engineered structure increased the CNT-based nanocomposites’ stretchability by over 200%, while their percolation threshold was decreased by 50%. The cyclic electromechanical properties were also improved, suggesting the nanocomposites’ great potential for flexible and stretchable electromechanical applications. Such TPV-based CPCs were further studied for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications, which require highly conductive polymer composites with flexible and stretchable structures.

Advisor: Park, Chul B
Filleter, Tobin
The American Hope-Dream: Implications for Democracy and Public Education

Current crisis and pessimism enshroud the state of democracy and public education. This dissertation interrogates how representative philosophers, beginning with Plato, have conceptualized hope. The early philosophers considered also include Spinoza, Hume, Descartes and Kant. From the more recent past, I investigate Hannah Arendt, Ernst Bloch, John Dewey, and Jane Addams. Contemporary philosophers with the hope canon are also canvassed for insights on democratic hope and education relevant to democracy and public education, including Bernstein,Boler, Bredo, Calhoun, Freire, Garrison, Green, Kompridis, Koopman, Seigfried and Westbrook. The philosophical history is rooted in what is termed in this dissertation “The American hope- dream,” referring to the historic American Dream as a national aspiration of exemplary ethico-moral leadership to the world, especially with reference to its distinctive form of governance. The thesis investigates the dynamics of hope that accompanied the settlement, evolution of the new nation, and the emergent interlinking spirit of independence, democracy, and education of the new nation. It analyses key values germane to hope, such as freedom and equality, which surfaced within the context of governance, education and social justice. There is special attention to the work of American Pragmatism, and the work of John Dewey and Jane Addams. Their orientation to the need for philosophically relating democracy and education to one another is addressed. My project probes their ethical and epistemological insights with a view to appropriating relevancies for the 21st Century Arguments are advanced for important epistemic connections of hope in promoting imagination and creative thinking, and investigate the role of hope in the radical social reforms of Addams with special attention to inclusivity, care and equality. The thesis references tragic hope, and the failures of leaders, past and present, to realize many of the promising ideals of the American Dream. In sum, the dissertation interrogates the American Dream, with focus on democracy and public education, with shards of past, present and prospects undergoing philosophical analysis to justify hope as an initiating, nurturing force for political and educational renewal.

Keywords: American Dream
Caring
Democratic Processes
Hope
Inclusion
Public Education
Advisor: Boler, Megan
Strategies for Enhancing Education Governance and Management in Egypt: International Organizations’ Perspectives

With the aim of realizing a better understanding of the governance and management of the pre-university education sector in Egypt, this study explores perspectives of twelve officials working for international organizations. It presents genuine, authentic and valuable contributions and inputs from highly experienced and well-qualified professionals, fills a gap in the knowledge and provides perspectives that are difficult to obtain from official reports as there is a tendency in official reporting to avoid criticizing national contexts, national education sectors, their leaders and performance in a direct way. Utilizing the qualitative method and gathering its data from semi-structured interviews, the study identifies governance weaknesses that affect negatively the education sector and its performance and defines governance strengths that can be built on and maximized. The ultimate goal of this study is to reach applicable strategies that may be of assistance to the Egyptian Government and Ministry of Education to enhance education governance and management as an entry point to reform the whole pre-university sector and improve its performance.

Keywords: Education Governance
Education Management
International Organizations
Leadership
Participation
Partnership
Advisor: Bascia, Nina
Cell Topology Change by the Physical Engagement of Neighboring Cytoskeletal Networks

Cell topology changes are often associated with neighboring zones of distinct actin cytoskeletal networks and regulators, such as lamellipodium and lamella in migratory cells, branched and unbranched actin networks at cell-cell contacts, and concentric rings of Rho family GTPases during wound healing. Neighboring networks can cooperate, antagonize and interconvert through both physical and chemical mechanisms, but how these interactions modulate overall cell shape remains unclear. My research examined the metaphase furrowing mechanism of the syncytial Drosophila embryo. Prior to furrowing, an actin cap, consisting of Sponge (Spg, a Rac GEF), SCAR/WAVE, and Arp2/3, forms on top of each nucleus. Each cap is encircled by actomyosin borders, enriched with Rho signaling effectors (Rok, myosin, Dia, anillin, and anillin-recruited septins). Each network has only been studied individually. To understand their dynamics together, I first tracked them in the live embryos. Strikingly, the cap networks expand, meet the segregated actomyosin borders, and then bend downward to coat the nascent furrows. Concomitantly, the myosin borders become restricted to the furrow base. These observations let us hypothesize both networks antagonize each other through physical interaction. Indeed, increasing or decreasing myosin contractility resulted in restricted or enhanced actin cap growth, respectively, indicating myosin borders restrict and organize the expanding caps. Inversely, the cap growth physically pushed the actomyosin borders, displacing mesoscale structures into the furrows. Their physical contact not only refines the organization of each network but also induces buckling of the embryo cortex for metaphase furrowing. Buckling of the actin caps appears to be sufficient for forming the compartments, but normally these domains also swell through the contraction of the neighboring actomyosin borders. Overall, my thesis outlines mechanisms to explain how the physical interplay between mutually exclusive actin domains patterns the cortex and drives cell topology change. These mechanisms could be broadly applicable to systems involving the formation of a small compartment from a bigger cell.

Keywords: Actin
Drosophila
embryo cleavage
Myosin
Syncytium
Advisor: Harris, Tony J.C.
Structural Neuroimaging in Anorexia Nervosa: Cortical Surface Architecture and White Matter Microstructure in Acute and Remitted Patients, their Unaffected Sisters, and Unrelated Healthy Controls

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a heritable psychiatric disorder characterized by starvation and emaciation. Although AN is widely considered a brain-based disease, its neuroanatomical correlates are poorly understood. As such, we aim to characterize cortical surface architecture and white matter microstructure in acute and remitted patients (acAN, recAN), their unaffected sisters (sibAN), and unrelated healthy controls (HC). Methods: Neuroimaging and assessment data was collected from 84 women (24 acAN, 24 recAN, 12 sibAN, 24 HC). T1/diffusion-weighted MRI data was acquired on a 3T GE scanner with 60 gradient directions, and it was processed with Freesurfer and FSL pipelines. Group differences in vertex/voxel-wise cortical thickness (CT), cortical surface area (CSA), local gyrification index (LGI), fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) were tested with separate univariate analyses of covariance. Relationships among vertex/voxel-wise CT, CSA, FA, and MD and empirical measures of clinical and cognitive impairment were tested with separate linear regressions. Results: We detected significant group differences in CT in frontal and temporal regions (acAN

Keywords: Anorexia Nervosa
Cortical Surface Architecture
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Eating Disorders
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
White Matter Microstructure
Advisor: Kaplan, Allan S
Orientation to Teaching as a Lifelong Career in Sub Saharan Africa – A Tanzanian Case Study

Many developing countries in Sub Saharan Africa are facing mounting pressure to seek effective and efficient approaches to recruiting, preparing, supporting, and retaining committed teachers in the education sector. This research project explores recruitment, and retention factors that may influence a commitment to teaching of secondary school teachers in rural Tanzania. This study draws on a framework developed by Sher (1993) of three factors that affect the commitment and retention of teachers working in rural schools: teachers’ characteristics, conditions and compensation. Data included semi-structured interviews with 16 secondary school teachers from four secondary schools and a focus group interview with retired teachers from the Geita district in Tanzania. The interviews and focus group explored teachers’ commitment to teaching, and their perceptions of recruitment and retention factors that influence commitment to the teaching career. The findings show that participants believe highly committed teachers identify with educational goals and values, demonstrate positive job performance behavior and a desire to maintain membership within the education sector. The findings also confirm the influence teachers’ characteristics, working and living conditions, and compensation on teacher commitment, recruitment and retention. In addition, the societal status and image of teachers emerges as an important factor. This study discusses implications for education practices and policies that develop and support teachers’ commitment in the rural context.

Keywords: Teacher characteristics
Teacher commitment
Teacher compensation
Teacher condition
Teacher recruitment
Teacher retention
Advisor: Anderson, Stephen E
Avrahm Galper’s Influence on Clarinet Pedagogy

The purpose of this study is to explore the pedagogical method and approach of clarinetist Avrahm Galper (1921-2004), the former principal clarinetist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and author of clarinet method and study books. Galper was an esteemed pedagogue with numerous students who are members of professional orchestras, faculty members at distinguished institutions across Canada and the United States of America, and innovators in the music field. This study strives to answer this question: How has Avrahm Galper influenced and contributed to the field of clarinet pedagogy as a teacher? An examination of his teaching provides insight on the impact private instructors can have on students as individuals and on his impact on the clarinet community. This is a case study of the individual practice of a significant figure in the development of music education in Canada. The study includes an overview of Avrahm Galper’s pedagogical methods based on his own published materials in conjunction with the interviews with his students. A literature review of standard clarinet repertoire and pedagogical materials provides the foundation to this study. Through the transcription and analysis of semi-structured interviews, the documentation reveals the unique personal relationship between teacher and student. Nine former students were interviewed for this study. Interviewees represented students who studied with Galper over the span of four decades from the 1960s to the 2000s, thus providing an overview of Avrahm Galper’s teaching career. At the core of Avrahm Galper’s teaching philosophy was the need to develop and maintain a strong foundation stemming from the mastery of the low register of the clarinet. Significant attributes of Avrahm Galper’s teaching include his concern for the development of the whole person in his students, his adherence to core principles of pedagogy with flexibility within structure to best respond to the needs of the students, and the fact that Galper was constantly learning, evolving as a teacher, and adapting his approach to teaching. Galper’s students have been deeply influenced by their time with him and have adapted aspects of Galper’s teaching in their own teaching.

Keywords: Avrahm Galper
Canadian
clarinet
pedagogy
teaching
woodwind
Advisor: Walter, Cameron
Molecular and Nanoscale Strategies for Enhanced Biosensing

As personalized medicine advances, the need continues to grow for new sensors in applications ranging from clinical diagnostics to therapeutic development. Biosensors are powerful tools and their evolution will play an important role in healthcare by enabling the detection of specific analytes that are clinically significant. The central aim of this thesis is to formulate new sensing strategies to detect clinically relevant biomolecules in a sensitive and specific manner. Many target analytes are present at extremely low concentrations while remaining relevant. The utility of a biosensor is limited by its sensitivity; but also, as we investigate herein, its ability to maintain its function in a heterogeneous environment. Here, we develop a novel sensing method for low concentration analysis of soluble signaling factors by coupling DNA hybridization engineering and antibody-capturing chemistry with an electrochemical-based reporting method. This technique – when combined with a chip-based approach – allows for both sensitive and rapid detection. Through the use of nanostructured electrodes, we showcase our technologies in applications that include protein quantification and low-level light detection. We design a device that analyzes multiple small signaling proteins in stem cell cultures with 10 pg·mL-1 sensitivity and validate our results by comparing them to the gold standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with more suitable integration capability and in-line monitoring along with smaller sample sizes and decreased process times. This platform is improved by further developing a reusable, multiplexed one-step assay and sensor, simplifying and speeding up the steps required to obtain readout. Finally, we report on nanogap-separated fractal electrodes as a method for the formation of nanoscale features, exhibited by the fabrication of quantum dot photodetectors with nearly a one hundredfold improvement in performance over that of conventional devices. Overall, these strategies present important steps toward the development of more sensitive and faster sensors. By demonstrating low concentration analysis in complex environments and unprecedented performance with novel methods, we forge a pathway to more cost-effective and powerful sensing.

Keywords: Biosensor
Electrochemistry
Electrode
Nanostructure
Photodetector
Protein Detection
Advisor: Sargent, Edward H