Education Commons^™

Instructional Guidance In Microblogging-Supported Learning: Insights From A Multiple Case Study, Tian Luo

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Microblogging tools such as Twitter show potential to enrich classroom experience and benefit student learning. Research shows that instructional guidance is particularly necessary in computer-assisted learning environments, but no research has been done to study the effects of instructional guidance in microblogging-based learning. Using a multiple-case study design, the researcher examined student learning in terms of the amount of participation, ability to focus on task, and depth of thinking in guided, semi-guided, and unguided modes. The findings suggest that in guided environments, students achieved higher levels of learning, especially with respect to focusing on task and depth of thinking. Variations …

Virtually There: Examining A Collaborative Online International Learning Pre-Departure Study Abroad Intervention, Carrie Wojenski

Global Engagement Publications

As more guided study abroad interventions move online and into a collaborative format, it is important to not only examine the influence of students’ social interactions as related to their intercultural development and experiences in the interventions, but also understand which variables influenced the success of an intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influenced students’ intercultural development and experiences in a collaborative online international learning pre-departure study abroad intervention. To explore these questions I designed a collaborative online international learning intervention for pre-departure study abroad students.

Pre-departure U.S. study abroad students and international students coming …

Close Examinations Of Texts By Online Learning Communities Through The Final Word Protocol, Matthew Borgmeyer

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study documents a potential approach to rich discussions around complex texts by using a combination of protocols and synchronous technologies. The shortcomings of both online text discussion technologies and protocols can be overcome by using best practices from both approaches. Includes a series of documents, guidelines, and instructional screencasts that will illustrate the implementation of the Final Word protocol using the technologies of Google Docs and the iPad app Subtext. Finally, the study discusses potential applications of this approach for leadership contexts both in K-12 education and higher education.

Using Web-Based Key Character And Classification Instruction For Teaching Undergraduate Students Insect Identification, Douglas A. Golick, Tiffany M. Heng-Moss, Allen L. Steckelberg, David W. Brooks, Leon G. Higley, David Fowler

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of the study was to determine whether undergraduate students receiving web-based instruction based on traditional, key character, or classification instruction differed in their performance of insect identification tasks. All groups showed a significant improvement in insect identifications on pre- and post-two-dimensional picture specimen quizzes. The study also determined student performance on insect identification tasks was not as good as for family-level identification as compared to broader insect orders and arthropod classification identification tasks. Finally, students erred significantly more by misidentification than misspelling specimen names on prepared specimen quizzes. Results of this study support that short web-based insect identification …

Competencies Of Expert Web-Based Instruction Designers, Yonghui Chen

Wayne State University Dissertations

Web-based instruction has been increasingly accepted in education, business and industry, military and government, healthcare and other sectors as a dominant means to deliver instruction beyond time and geographical constraints. However, the overall quality of WBI courses or programs remains a concern. The reasons for the ineffectiveness can be many, of which is the lack of sufficient competencies and skills in existing professionals. This study attempts to identify the domains, competencies, performance statement for instructional designers in WBI at the expert level. IBSTPI competency model has been used as the conceptual framework, utilizing mixed methods.

As a result, 91 performance …

Best Instructional Practices For Distance Education: A Meta-Analysis, Robin Michael Roberts

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Recent meta-analyses on the efficacy of distance education have concluded that no significant difference exists between face-to-face and distance education. At the same time, these meta-analyses noted that considerable heterogeneity existed between the individual studies used in the meta-analyses. Investigation of moderators responsible for that heterogeneity suggested that four things other than media delivery were primarily responsible for the majority of variation between study outcomes: methodological quality, instructor involvement, type of interaction, instructional methods and time-on-task. A comparative meta-analysis was performed to further investigate these moderators. Methodological quality, maturational differences in students and any undetermined media effects were controlled for …

Testing The Efficacy Of Merrill’S First Principles Of Instruction In Improving Student Performance In Introductory Biology Courses, Joel Lee Gardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One learning problem is that public understanding of science is limited. Many people blame at least part of the problem on the predominant lecture approach for students' lack of science understanding. Current research indicates that more active instructional approaches can improve student learning in introductory undergraduate biology courses. Active learning may be difficult to implement because methods and strategies, ranging from in-class collaborative problem-solving to out of class multimedia presentations, are diverse, and sometimes difficult to implement. Merrill's First Principles of Instruction (hereafter referred to as "First Principles" or "First Principles of Instruction") provides a framework for implementing active learning …

Avatars, Media Usage, And The Linkages To E-Learning Effectiveness, Jason P. Royals

Theses and Dissertations

A fast-growing trend in e-learning environments is the investment in avatar technology to deliver an engaging and interesting learning experience. E-learning itself has limited and inconsistent research into its learning effectiveness, and this is especially true for innovative avatar instructional methods. The purpose of this research was to develop a generalizable theory that can be used to assess the learning effectiveness of various media types used in e-learning environments. A research model was developed and used to study a U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School Distance Learning program that used avatar, video, audio, and text-based scenarios to reinforce learning objectives. …

Creating A Content Management System To Support K-12 Teachers Implementing A Web Enhanced Classroom, Marc Thomas Drescher

Theses Digitization Project

Using instructional design methodology, this project identified the features of an effective classroom website and incorporated them into the design of a Course Management System (CMS) for K-12 teachers. The purpose of this CMS is to deliver online information to students and parents while meeting the needs of K-12 teachers.

Using Webpages And Streaming Audio Instructions To Support Students In The Completion Of Assignments In A Biology Class, Daniel Checo

Theses Digitization Project

This project focused on the development of a group of web pages that provided support to students enrolled in Biology and Advance Placement Biology classes at Colton High School. It was developed using a modified user-centered methodology. It incorporated streaming audio technology to assist student in the completion of assignments.

Assisting Students With Concept Acquisition In Basic Skills Reading Through The Use Of An Interactive Website, Michele Barbara Laveaux

Theses Digitization Project

This project creates an interactive website on the literature surrounding reading and concept acquisition skills in adult learners. This website used in conjunction with the Basic Skills English 10A course given in community colleges will enhance reading and concept acquisitions skills enabling student the self cofidence, encouragement and motivation to complete the course.

A Clinical Instructor Online Training Course For Radiologic Technologists, Christine Marie Beaudry

All Graduate Projects

An online training module was developed for Radiologic Sciences Clinical Instructors at Clinical Education Centers for Yakima Valley Community College. This training module orients new Clinical Instructors to accreditation standards, as well as orients them to student and technologist requirements for the Radiologic Sciences Program.