Date of Award

Spring 5-2006

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership and Research

Committee Chair

Thelma Roberson

Committee Member 2

Kyna Shelley

Committee Member 3

Ronald A. Styron

Committee Member 4

Gary Peters

Committee Member 5

Taralynn Hartsell

Abstract

The Internet has changed the way many organizations, including public and private schools, recruit and select employees. It has also changed the way many people research and pursue employment opportunities, including those seeking positions in education. The school Web site is often the medium of first contact between a school or school district and a potential employee. That first contact can influence the potential employee’s decision to actively pursue employment with a school or a school district.

This research measured the reactions o f preservice teachers who visited three grade-level appropriate school Web sites of “poor,” “average,” and “best” distinction. The results indicated that preservice teachers interested in a high school position favored the best of the three Web sites more strongly than did preservice teachers interested in elementary or middle school positions. The results also indicated that while a poor-quality Web site places a school at a distinct “virtual” recruiting disadvantage, the difference between an average and a good Web site is not clear.

The results also indicated that not all preservice teachers viewed school Web sites the same. There are differences between specific demographic groups including age and race, as well as differences between teachers with varying degrees of computer efficacy. The school Web site’s role in the employment process does not appear to be the same for all teachers.

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