Shepard, MaryFriend

MaryFriend Shepard is a professor and the Coordinator of the Ph.D. specialization in Educational Technology at Walden University. She has been on faculty at the University of Cincinnati, Florida State University, and Thomas University. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Studies Education from Florida State University

Use of Instructional Technology in Dealing with Disasters: How Universities Used It During Hurricane Katrina

2009 0-7734-3887-4
This qualitative multiple case study examines the problems of six colleges on the Gulf Coast of the United States that physically closed for an extended period following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The study determines how communication was maintained with employees and students, and how instruction was continued. Findings revealed that IT staff had not been included in the highest-level disaster-preparedness planning, which hampered the institution’s ability to maintain contact and delivery of instruction.