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An Investigation into the Development of a Professional Online Identity through a Professional Development Course

Price, J. Michelle
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1375717573

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Instructional Technology (Education).
The qualitative approach of grounded theory was used to better understand the perceptions of students concerning a professional online identity and the value of an eportfolio. Extensive research in the area of student created e-portfolios exists in the context of majors that have specific accreditation or licensure requirements. These majors, such as teachers, engineers, lawyers or those in the medical professions, have their own set of criteria that assist their students in forming a concept of what it means to be a professional in those given fields. The major of Retail Merchandising & Fashion Product Development at Ohio University does not have these types of guidelines or requirements and encompasses elements of both fashion and business. Because of these issues students find themselves in conflict with little guidance as they begin their transition from student to young professional. To further complicate today's creation of a professional identity is the fact that students already have an online identity that is available for employers to search as they transition to the work force. Because e-portfolios can be shared online they have the potential to help students create and manage their professional online identity as it develops. This study entailed analyses of students’ blogs completed as part of a professional development course, focus groups and individual interviews. The combination of students’ past experiences combined with the course content of the professional development class aids them as they explore what it means to be professional within their chosen industry and form their own professional identity. The eportfolio functioned as a means for students to actively engage in the process of what it means to be a professional in the fashion industry through the visual and content decisions they had to make. It also made them aware of possible consequences, both positive and negative, of sharing information online. E-portfolios can help faculty assist students in the transition from university to professional work. In addition, the creation of an e-portfolio provides the opportunity to create and manage a positive online identity as applicable to students in Retail Merchandising & Fashion Product Development. This knowledge can help to improve curriculum for students and act as a means of outreach to those in industry.
Teresa Franklin (Advisor)
David Moore (Committee Member)
John Hitchcock (Committee Member)
Phyllis Bernt (Committee Member)
189 p.
Business Education; Higher Education
e-portfolio; professional identity; identity theory; qualitative; fashion merchandising; professional development

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Price, J. M. (2013). An Investigation into the Development of a Professional Online Identity through a Professional Development Course [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1375717573

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Price, J. Michelle. An Investigation into the Development of a Professional Online Identity through a Professional Development Course. 2013. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1375717573.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Price, J. Michelle. "An Investigation into the Development of a Professional Online Identity through a Professional Development Course." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1375717573

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1375717573
569
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.