Education Commons^™

Open Access Scholarship: Amplifying Reach, Enhancing Collaboration, And Empowering Education, Yvonne Earnshaw, Matthew Schmidt

All Things Open

In this presentation, we highlight three benefits of leveraging open educational resources in academia. Our experiences as open access advocates and key contributors to OER projects will be supported by compelling analytics, highlighting the potential of open access publishing. We will first discuss how OER increases impact and visibility in that it liberates research from paywalls, granting unrestricted global access. This wider reach leads to greater readership, amplifying the influence of research within and beyond academia. Next, we will discuss enhanced citations and collaboration, highlighting how open access fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing and community across disciplines, thereby reducing the …

Ksu's Digital Course Repository (Dcr), Kimberly S. Loomis, Heather Hankins

All Things Open

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, KSU faculty saw an opportunity to teach in the digital space and developed many effective courses in online and hybrid formats. The KSU Distinguished Course Repository (DCR) was created to catalog, recognize excellence, and showcase these courses, and to provide access to others, all in support of ongoing student success. Submitted courses are required to have a Creative Commons Attribution-4.0 International Public License, since they are expected to be shared and modified by future faculty. Publication in the DCR is beneficial to faculty, students, and programs, and the DCR itself is an excellent example of …

Changing The Habitat At Academic Conferences: Using A Learning Ecosystem With Active Learning During A Panel Presentation, Gail Morton, Lee Olson, Stephanie Miranda, Adam Griggs, Kristen Bailey, Christian Pham, Kathryn Wright

Georgia Library Quarterly

Abstract

In order to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of an active learning event during a panel presentation at an academic conference, Mercer University librarians presenting at the Georgia Libraries Conference switched the traditional way panel presentations are modeled. Instead of the question and answer session following a brief overview of the presentation, we moved our physical position in the room, closer to the participants in order to have a more intimate conversation with attendees. Using two active learning techniques, discussion and brainstorming, the presenters started a conversation with attendees about project ideas involving teaching faculty members, librarians, and students …

Strategic Aspects Of E-Commerce Related To V-Commerce, V-Learning, And Disaster Relief, Alan D. Smith

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Designing Visually Interactive Learning Modules To Promote Students' Critical Thinking In Mathematics, Linda Vu, Ying Xie

Master of Science in Computer Science Theses

This Innovative Practice Full Paper presents our study of promoting critical thinking and achievement in mathematics with the use of technology via easily accessible resources. We believe that creating easy-to-use learning modules that are accessible for students everywhere is a great way to help students comprehend abstract logic process in problem solving. More specifically, we developed a series of learning modules that interactively visualize and illustrate the steps of Geometry proofs by using GeoGebra, a dynamic learning platform for mathematics [5, 10]. Survey study shows that our interactive learning modules are beneficial in promoting students’ learning interests and ability of …

Tracing Sources Of Design Uncertainty And Controversy In Web 2.0 Facilitated Collaborative Design Process, Lockias Chitanana Dr, Desmond Wesley Govender Dr

The African Journal of Information Systems

The integration of Internet-based collaborative tools such as Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate the design process has rendered collaborative design a chaotic practice filled with controversy and uncertainty, with the inevitable risk of unintended consequences. The purpose of this study was to trace the sources of design controversy in a Web 2.0 facilitated collaborative design process. The study employed an Actor Network Theory (ANT) methodological framework to explore design controversy in five design teams comprising of 4 to 6 undergraduate engineering students. Data was constituted by following the traces left by the actors, both human and nonhumans, their actions and …

An Evaluation Of Educational Values Of Youtube Videos For Academic Writing, Gbolahan Olasina

The African Journal of Information Systems

The aim is to assess the impact of YouTube videos about academic writing and its skills on the writing performance of students. Theoretical perspectives from constructivism and associated learning models are used to inform the purpose of the research. The contextual setting is matriculation students awaiting admission to higher institutions. The population is 40 students belonging to a class aimed at assisting disadvantaged students in their academic writing in Scottsville, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The students are broken into two groups – control/traditional teaching and the treatment/YouTube facilitated groups. Consequently, a dominant qualitative approach is adopted using focus group …

Crowdsourcing Cognitive Presence: A Quantitative Content Analysis Of A K12 Educator Mooc Discussion Forum, Kathryn Dawson Shields

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer participants opportunities to engage with content and discussion forums similar to other online courses. Pedagogical components of MOOCs and the nature of learning are worth of examining due to issues involving scale, interaction and the role of the instructor (Ross, Sinclair, Know, Bayne & McLeod, 2014). The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework provides a basis for measuring cognitive presence in online discussion forums. As voluntary point of entry to a community of learners, it is important to consider the nature of participant contributions in terms of cognitive presence. This study focused on an educator …

Animations And Diagrams In Virology: Their Effects On Student Learning, Mary N. Reynolds

KSU Journey Honors College Capstones and Theses

The contrast in the manner that students receive and interpret information has been a topic of conversation for years. It has been widely debated whether or not the addition of animations have any benefit to a student’s learning and grades. This study was conducted to discover if students learn better, in the context of Virology, from animations or diagrams when presented new information. Participants were chosen from students who attended Kennesaw State University. They were asked to meet in a classroom setting and presented either three animations or diagrams then asked to answer questions on what they had been shown. …

The Role Of Educational Technology In Design And Delivery Of Curricula Programmes: A Case Of Steps At A University Of Technology, Patient Rambe Dr

The African Journal of Information Systems

While Universities of Technologies (UoTs) regard the adoption of educational technology for the creation of effective learning environments as one of their defining features, there is limited research on these universities’ innovative use of technologies to transform their curricula design and delivery. This research explores the extent to which educational technology has been integrated into the implementation of new and recurriculated educational programmes under the Strategic Transformation of Educational Programmes and Structures (STEPS) at a UoT. The research employed document analysis and interview data from middle level managers (Deans), curriculum designers and educational technologists. The findings suggest that, except for …

Students' Attitudes Towards Textbook Types: Are Students Really Ready For E-Textbooks?, Diane R. Edmondson, Cheryl Ward

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

Textbook selection is just one of the many decisions a professor has to make when teaching a class. These selection decisions are sometimes made by the individual professor while other times it is made by committee or department. In many cases, students are not taken into consideration when making these decisions. However considering many professors complain that students do not buy or use the required textbook (Kingkade 2014, Paxhia 2011, Robinson 2011), maybe it is time to think about student’s attitudes and preferences before making textbook adoption decisions. Unfortunately there are only a few studies (e.g. Daniel and Woody 2013) …

The Dos And Don'ts Of Teaching Online: Practical Advice And Suggestions For Teaching Online, Anita Whiting

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

Many colleges and universities are focusing heavily on online learning (Holzweiss, Joyner, Fuller, Henderson, & Young 2014). Over sixty-six percent of higher education institutions report that online learning is an important part of their long term strategy (Allen & Seaman, 2014). Over seven million students took online courses at higher education institutions in 2012 (Baran & Correia 2014).

Demand for online classes is growing. Students are expecting more online teaching and universities are requesting that more classes be taught online. According to Hart (2014), online teaching has become almost expected at most universities.

Perceptions Of Blended Learning: A Case Study On Student Experiences In An Advanced Placement Macroeconomics Course, Daniel A. Gagnon

Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to use a case study design to examine the impact of a blended learning instructional model on students in an Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics course. Using an instrumental case study design, the researcher investigated blended learning and students’ perceptions of their own interactions with the materials as well as perceptions of overall performance in the course. The study also used grade point averages (GPA), LMS Usage Reports, and AP exam scores to triangulate with the interview data. The key factors influencing the students’ views were discussed, an enhanced model of blended learning was proposed, …

When My Sub-Editor Is A Nit-Picking Bot: Mediating Roles Of A Tv News Scriptwriting Exercise, Andrew Deacon, Catherine Wynsculley

The African Journal of Information Systems

Online learning activities have promised new ways to engage students. This paper describes the design and use of the NewsScripts online learning exercise over a decade. This web-based television news scriptwriting exercise is used with media students at the University of Cape Town to expose them to news scriptwriting practices. Students write a script to match a video, employing a television news writing style. The more important transformational opportunity is deepening students’ own critical media analysis skills. Our focus is how the NewsScripts design evolved and changed over time to remain part of the curriculum. Underlying the curricula of university …

Towards A Shared Understanding Of Emerging Technologies: Experiences In A Collaborative Research Project In South Africa, Daniela Gachago, Eunice Ivala, Judy Backhouse, Jan Petrus Bosman, Vivienne Bozalek, Dick Ng’Ambi

The African Journal of Information Systems

While the practice of using educational technologies in Higher Education is increasingly common among educators, there is a paucity of research on innovative uses of emerging technologies to transform teaching and learning. This paper draws on data collected as part of a larger study aimed at investigating emerging technologies and their use in South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to improve teaching and learning. The research employed a mixed method research design, using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods—quantitative data from a survey of 262 respondents from 22 public HEIs in South Africa and qualitative data gathered from 16 …

Considering Two Audiences When Recording Lectures As Lecturecasts, Brandon I. Collier-Reed

The African Journal of Information Systems

This article presents the outcome of an investigation into the provision of lecturecasts to students. The objective was to ensure that both those who attended live lectures of a second-year engineering course and/or watched recorded versions of the lectures had an experience that supported their learning. A range of data was drawn on including the personal reflection of the lecturer of the course, questionnaires, and student interviews. The qualitative data were analysed through an inductive process that drew on the principles of grounded theory and the findings that emerged included the role of the “talking head” in recordings, balancing the …

Integrating Information Literacy Instruction In An Upper-Division Writing-Intensive Class, Ellen K. Wilson, Jeffrey M. Blankenship

The Southeastern Librarian

Writing-intensive courses are a required component of undergraduate education at the University of South Alabama, but often the courses are designed to test students’ writing skills, rather than to teach the research and writing process. In the fall of 2008, an instruction librarian and an assistant professor in political science collaborated to redesign one writing intensive course, Public Administration (PSC 401), in an attempt to address this dilemma. This project was born out of frustration – frustration on the part of the professor about the generally poor quality of writing and research skills by students in the course the previous …

The Use Of Audience Response Systems In Nursing Education: Best Practice Guidelines, Nicole Mareno, Marie Bremner, Christie Emerson

Faculty and Research Publications

The use of Audience Response Systems (ARS) or 'clickers' as an active learning strategy in nursing education has been steadily on the rise. ARS technology allows the dynamic engagement of students in the classroom by providing immediate two-way communication between faculty and students. ARS can be used to explore knowledge and common misconceptions, act as a springboard for classroom discussions, and can be used for testing or evaluation. The aim of this paper is to present best practice guidelines for both novice and experienced ARS technology users. A summary of the state of the research in this area will be …

An Innovative Approach For Creating A Self-Guided Video Tour In An Academic Library, John H. Sandy, Mangala Krishnamurthy, Wayne Rau

The Southeastern Librarian

Millions of students visit academic libraries each year, hoping to achieve success in the classroom and make progress with their research. Many of these students need help in navigating the complex services, collections, and facilities of a large academic library. Librarians often respond to this need by offering in-person orientation tours. However, with this approach, library personnel are unable to reach all who need assistance. Furthermore, the schedules of busy students and busy librarians do not always coincide, and students may prefer to learn about the library in a more flexible, self-paced fashion. It’s known that in-person tours are a …

Building Collaborative Reference And Instructional Services For Distance Education Students, Angela P. Whitehurst, Carolyn N. Willis

The Southeastern Librarian

To meet the needs of rigorous educational programs, academic libraries must make a commitment to serve growing distance education (DE) populations. Students who participate in distance education are typically older, nontraditional students with unique characteristics who need special services provided by their university library in order to obtain an education equal to their on-campus counterparts. Creating a successful reference and instructional service for distance education students not only takes planning, collaboration, and assessment, but also requires knowing your audience, constantly experimenting with new technologies, expecting the unexpected, and being ready to problem-solve at a moment’s notice. In this article, the …

Employee Development Using Webct Vista, Jennifer Link Jones

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article reports on the technology upgrade at Georgia State University Library in Atlanta, Goergia. It offers a look at renovations of its facilities and exterior. More than 350 computers were installed in its new Information Commons and Learning Commons. The library officials jointly worked with the school's Information Systems & Technology department and established two computer technical support desk within the library. It is noted that its library employees need to further their knowledge and undergo training about various issues in library science. It also explores various library technology issues, which include public services technology competencies, construction of learning …

Ict Integration Efforts In Higher Education In Developing Economies: The Case Of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, Dawit Tibebu, Tridib Bandyopadhyay, Solomon Negash

Faculty and Research Publications

A situational modified version of Tearle’s model (2004) is utilized in this study to understand the integration of ICTs in the educational process. The study evaluated self efficacy beliefs, institutional support and policy in the context of developing economies where challenges of inadequate resources and insufficient skills persist. We assess the state of affairs, and the challenges faced by teachers and management at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The results show that educators are generally appreciative of ICTs role in the teaching/learning process.

Animated Courseware Support For Teaching Database Design, Meg C. Murray, Mario Guimaraes

Faculty and Research Publications

Database technologies are a core component of computing technology curricula. Their importance will only continue to expand as more and more data are retained in database systems. An effective database system is predicated on a good data model. Database design is the conceptualization of an underlying data model that progresses from identifying user requirements to graphically depicting those requirements and finally mapping the graphical models to a set of tables implemented in a physical database system. The abstract nature of much of database design makes it challenging to teach. This paper presents a set of software animations designed to support …

From Traditional Delivery To Distance Learning: Developing The Model, Marie F. Holbein

Faculty and Research Publications

Today’s classrooms are no longer bound by geography. Distance learning has provided an attractive and increasingly highly regarded alternative to traditional face-to-face instruction. However, effective implementation requires a shift in thinking for both students and instructors. The purpose of this article is to describe a model for applying a traditional campus-based graduate course to a distance format.

Register And Charge: Using Synonym Maps To Explore Connotation, Darren Crovitz, Jessica A. Miller

Faculty and Research Publications

To "help students think carefully about specific words and their uses," Darren Crovitz and Jessica A. Miller conceive a diagram that visually expresses the spaces and ties between words. Students eagerly explore contextual connotations and defend subtle shifts in word meaning, discovering how time, use, and circumstance all influence meaning.

Scrutinizing The Cybersell: Teen-Targeted Web Sites As Texts, Darren Crovitz

Faculty and Research Publications

Darren Crovitz explains that the explosive growth of Web-based content and communication in recent years compels us to teach students how to examine the “rhetorical nature and ethical dimensions of the online world.” He demonstrates successful approaches to accomplish this goal through his analysis of the selling techniques of two Web sites targeted to a teen audience and his description of a project in which team members devise ways to teach students to consider the language and design elements of a selected site.

Assessing Online Discussion Forum Participation, Matthew Shaul

Faculty and Research Publications

As a socially constructive learning tool, discussion forums remain central to online education. They have continued to evolve in functionality, acquiring ever-increasing usability features. However, development has lagged in providing instructors the means to assess student work in forums. The author submits an overview of his software program that provides instructors with the means to evaluate forum work quickly, easily, and repeatedly. The software accomplishes this by accessing the forums' underlying database, searching for manifest and latent data, and calculating data associated with an array of metrics. This is a Web-based tool built on Open Source and standards-based languages, providing …

Webquest: A Solution For Online Learning, Ellen W. Wiley

The Southeastern Librarian

Designing and developing meaningful and engaging online activities presents a challenge when preparing to teach a totally online course for the first time. How do you structure the activities so that the learner can focus on the content instead of the delivery system? How do you effectively communicate the content and activity instructions so that the learner can easily follow the flow of information? These are two of the questions that must be asked as one approaches the design and development of a totally online course.