Abstract

The ability to extend educational research beyond the research community could have a great impact on end-users such as teachers, students, or educational administrators. One way to extend the use of educational research is to create tangible educational products; such as virtual simulations, instructional videos, and printed materials; which can be easily and widely distributed. In order to transform research into products, members of the research community must adopt and implement certain product commercialization processes. Effective processes, if not recognized by members of the community, are not helpful for ensuring that quality end products are reached. Likewise, a supportive community would not be able to create successful products without clear processes for doing so. For this reason, this study relied on research on communities of practice and product commercialization to set the foundation for discovering how a product commercialization community could be established. Interviews with faculty and administrators of the McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University were conducted. Qualitative methodology was used in the analysis of the interview data to allow themes to emerge that were important to the researchers. These themes included issues of project funding, human support, time, marketing experience, interaction with existing products, faculty reward system, and community structure and communication practices. Based on analysis of the interviews, the researcher identified several guidelines that would assist administrators in strengthening a community of educational product development among the members of the research community. These guidelines included focusing on motivators other than money, improving communication among members of the community and administrators, adding structure to the existing community, and conducting “quick-win" pilot programs. While this study did not attempt to implement any of these suggestions, it is anticipated that the results will provide a useful foundation for future studies addressing the issue in greater depth.

Degree

MS

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Instructional Psychology and Technology

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2007-03-26

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd1799

Keywords

communities of practice, product development, commercialization, educational research, education, educational products

Language

English

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