Press Release

Innovative and Relevant Training for Coal Mine Supervisors
George Mason University graduate students undertake challenging mine supervisory training project

Fairfax, Va., February 23, 2006—George Mason University professor Nada Dabbagh has been commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) to develop a state-of-the art training program for coal mine supervisors.

“Our country is relying on coal more and more as the demand for energy and alternatives to oil become more important,” said Dabbagh. “As coal mines ramp up production to meet the demand, increased mine safety and well-trained supervisors are a critical component to this production. This training has become increasingly relevant as a result of the escalating number of recent mine safety incidents.”

Dabbagh and a team of six graduate students enrolled in the Instructional Technology program at George Mason University’s Graduate School of Education are challenged with conducting an in-depth analysis of what goes into a mine supervisor’s day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Armed with this information, the team will develop a technology-based training strategy utilizing state-of-the-art instructional design principles and processes. “This training strategy will comprehensively address each component of the mine supervisor’s job and provide the critical knowledge and skills necessary to perform this job in the safest and most efficient manner,” said Dabbagh.

The students began their analysis of mine supervisory duties in the fall of 2005 and will complete the design of the training strategy in May 2006. The training strategy and related prototypes will then be made available to MSHA for implementation. It is envisioned that the eventual full-scale implementation of this training strategy will result in improved mine productivity, reduction of maintenance costs and an improved safety record of the nation’s mines. MSHA officials also hope that states, mining associations, mining schools, private contractors and individual mine operators will benefit from this training strategy.

About the IT program
Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources for learning. It also includes analysis of learning needs and systematic development of instruction. The IT program provides professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to achieve educational goals within community, corporate and public settings. The program utilizes foundations of technology development and integration with practical hands-on experiences in using state-of-the-art technologies.

About George Mason University
George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. Enrollment now tops 29,600, with students in 148 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William. George Mason currently offers credit classes in Loudoun County, and university officials project its new Loudoun County campus will open in fall 2009. In fall 2006, the university is establishing a campus at Ras Al Khaimah in the Middle East. This expansion is part of George Mason’s mission to further establish itself as a distributed university in which each of its campuses has a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the economy of its region.

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Additional Media Contacts:
Dan Walsch, (703) 993-8785 or dwalsch@gmu.edu

Instructional Technology

George Mason University







Project > Resources > Press Release Innovative and Relevant Training for Coal Mine Supervisors George Mason University graduate students undertake challenging mine supervisory training project Fairfax, Va., February 23, 2006—George Mason University professor Nada Dabbagh has been commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) to develop a state-of-the art training program for coal mine supervisors. “Our country is relying on coal more and more as the demand for energy and alternatives to oil become more important,” said Dabbagh. “As coal mines ramp up production to meet the demand, increased mine safety and well-trained supervisors are a critical component to this production. This training has become increasingly relevant as a result of the escalating number of recent mine safety incidents.” Dabbagh and a team of six graduate students enrolled in the Instructional Technology program at George Mason University’s Graduate School of Education are challenged with conducting an in-depth analysis of what goes into a mine supervisor’s day-to-day duties and responsibilities. Armed with this information, the team will develop a technology-based training strategy utilizing state-of-the-art instructional design principles and processes. “This training strategy will comprehensively address each component of the mine supervisor’s job and provide the critical knowledge and skills necessary to perform this job in the safest and most efficient manner,” said Dabbagh. The students began their analysis of mine supervisory duties in the fall of 2005 and will complete the design of the training strategy in May 2006. The training strategy and related prototypes will then be made available to MSHA for implementation. It is envisioned that the eventual full-scale implementation of this training strategy will result in improved mine productivity, reduction of maintenance costs and an improved safety record of the nation’s mines. MSHA officials also hope that states, mining associations, mining schools, private contractors and individual mine operators will benefit from this training strategy. About the IT program Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management and evaluation of processes and resources for learning. It also includes analysis of learning needs and systematic development of instruction. The IT program provides professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to achieve educational goals within community, corporate and public settings. The program utilizes foundations of technology development and integration with practical hands-on experiences in using state-of-the-art technologies. About George Mason University George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. Enrollment now tops 29,600, with students in 148 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William. George Mason currently offers credit classes in Loudoun County, and university officials project its new Loudoun County campus will open in fall 2009. In fall 2006, the university is establishing a campus at Ras Al Khaimah in the Middle East. This expansion is part of George Mason’s mission to further establish itself as a distributed university in which each of its campuses has a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the economy of its region. ### Additional Media Contacts: Dan Walsch, (703) 993-8785 or dwalsch@gmu.edu

	Instructional Technology	George Mason University