Education Commons^™

The Effect Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Participation On Students' Performance In Online Accounting Courses, Keith Duncan, A. L. Kenworthy, Ray Mcnamara

Keith Duncan

This article examines the relationship between MBA students' performance and participation in two online environments: a synchronous forum (chat room) and an asynchronous forum (discussion board) at an Australian university. The quality and quantity of students' participation is used to predict their final examination and course grade performance outcomes. We find that the total quality of students' participation is positively related to final examination performance but the total quantity of students' participation is related to overall course performance. We also find that synchronous engagement with the course (combined quality and quantity) drives these results and has twice the examination and …

The Effect Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Participation On Students' Performance In Online Accounting Courses, Keith Duncan, A. L. Kenworthy, Ray Mcnamara

Amy L. Kenworthy

This article examines the relationship between MBA students' performance and participation in two online environments: a synchronous forum (chat room) and an asynchronous forum (discussion board) at an Australian university. The quality and quantity of students' participation is used to predict their final examination and course grade performance outcomes. We find that the total quality of students' participation is positively related to final examination performance but the total quantity of students' participation is related to overall course performance. We also find that synchronous engagement with the course (combined quality and quantity) drives these results and has twice the examination and …

University Business Models And Online Practices: A Third Way, Beth Rubin

Beth Rubin

Higher Education is in a state of change, and the existing business models do not meet the needs of stakeholders. This article contrasts the current dominant business models of universities, comparing the traditional non-profit against the for-profit online model, examining the structural features and online teaching practices that underlie each. It then offers a third option for existing non-profit universities that would enable them to continue offering multiple value propositions while increasing efficiency and quality of outcomes. This involves emphasizing online instruction, separating research from teaching, and adopting a more complex structure based on differentiated faculty roles that would enable …

The Online Disinhibition Effect And Its Impact On The E-Learning Environment, Monica Brooks

Monica Brooks

No abstract provided.

Business Models For Online Learning: An Exploratory Survey, Karen Vignare, Christine Geith, Stephen Schiffman

Stephen Schiffman

Despite the rapid growth in the adoption of online learning, there is a dearth of detailed information on effective business models, business strategies and effective practices on which to build sustainable online education programs. A survey instrument was developed as an initial attempt to define business models and business strategies for online learning. The survey results yielded some interesting data about which online learning financial models seem to have more or less "control" of which business functions. The sample was a convenience one and as such will require further filtering of data. It is also clear that more needs to …

Digital Social Networking : Implications For Education, Gerry White

Dr Gerald K. White

Social networking in education continues to be a controversial topic, with debatable benefits for learning. There is persistent confusion about this due to social networking's dual purposes: formal education and private entertainment. But the impact of self-directed learning using online services is equally important as formal learning. The use of social networking in education, coupled with face-to-face engagement, can enable greater inclusiveness for learners, although the role of teachers needs to be well supported to develop successful digital pedagogies. Research indicates that the learning gains from using social networking in education are significant and so courses about how to use …

Learning Designs: Bridging The Gap Between Theory And Practice, S. Bennett, S. Agostinho, Lori Lockyer, Lisa Kosta, J. Jones, R. Koper, Barry Harper

Professor Lori Lockyer

This paper summarises the work being conducted in an ongoing research agenda focused on exploring how the ‘learning design’ construct can be used to support university educators to create both pedagogically sound and interoperable e-learning experiences. The premise of this work is that a learning design can be used to support the pedagogical design process and the integration of international e-learning standards, such as learning object metadata and IMS-LD, enabling resources and tools to be technically interoperable across different standards-compliant systems. The paper presents the rationale guiding this research focus, describes the features of the research that is underway, and …

A Study Of Teachers' Use Of Online Learning Resources To Design Classroom Activities, Mimi Recker, Andrew Walker, S. Giersch, X. Mao, B. Palmer, D. Johnson, Heather Leary, B. Robertshaw

Heather Leary, Ph.D.

While much progress has been made on the technical design and development of digital libraries, much less is known about how and why education digital library content and associated tools can support and enhance the activities of educators in their professional work. This article elaborates a conceptual framework that characterizes teachers' practices when using online learning resources (called 'teaching as design'), and a professional development model aimed at increasing teachers' capacity for designing learning activities in the context of authentic practice. Findings from two workshop implementations showed positive impacts on teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and subsequent behaviours using online learning resources. …

Reinvigorating Educational Design For An Online World, Meg O'Reilly

Dr Meg O'Reilly

With changes to higher education being significantly impacted by the rapid pace of technological evolution in the new millennium, there is a need to find greater humanity in the course development process. As traditional mediators and creative collaborators in the process of course design, educational designers are well positioned to bring spirit and soul to their work with academic staff. This paper explores the need for reinvigorating teaching and learning relationships through creative, post-egoist meaningful approaches to educational design in times of enormous technological and workplace change.

Case Studies Of Online Assessment, Meg O'Reilly, Sue Bennett, Michael J. Keppell

Dr Meg O'Reilly

This paper outlines the progress to date of a project to compile, analyse and share examples of innovative online assessment activities using; online testing; teamwork and collaboration; simulations and role plays, and dialogue with experts and across cultures. The aim of this research is to provide teaching academics and educational developers with examples of assessment strategies that have been successfully applied in higher education, and to derive a number of key principles about online assessment that will be useful for future research. The project involves case studies from two Australian universities, which have been used to develop an initial set …

Group Processes Online: Teaching Collaboration Through Collaborative Processes, Kath Fisher, Renata Phelps, Allan Ellis

Dr Renata Phelps

While many subject areas lend themselves well to off-campus distance education delivery, there have always been some which do not necessarily adapt well to non face-to-face provision, in particular, those subjects where interpersonal interaction is integral. This paper discusses a course teaching group processes which had been previously offered on- and off-campus, and its subsequent redesign for online delivery. The online design of the unit is shown to have enabled many of the on-campus, face-to-face features integral to the teaching of this subject matter to be incorporated for online students. The experience provided an excellent opportunity for students to learn …

Using Scenarios To Train Peer Mentors Online, Jenny Worsley, Pauline Taylor

Associate Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy

Improving Medical Students’ Learning Outcomes: Teaching A Web-Assisted Elective Course For 4th Year Medical Students, Misa Mi, Marlene A. Porter, Jolene M. Miller, Jodi Jameson, Gerald R. Natal

Gerald R Natal

Since 1997, the Mulford Health Science Library at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus (formerly the Medical College of Ohio) has been offering a 3-credit-hour elective course for 4th year medical students. The goal of the course is to provide students with skill sets that are important for them to develop as current students and future health care practitioners.

The purpose of this poster is to demonstrate the process of redesigning the elective as a learner-centered course; and to evaluate the effectiveness of the course on students’ learning and learning outcomes.

Enhancing Authentic Assessment Through Information Technology, Beth Rubin

Beth Rubin

This chapter provides a framework to analyze the opportunities to enhance authenticity when assessment is mediated by information technology (IT), as well as the limitations of IT mediation on authenticity. The potential degree of authenticity is determined by several aspects of the competence being assessed: the chronicity of access to and use of information; the durability of the display; the use of written, oral and non-verbal communication; and computer use. The framework is used to identify IT tools that enable more authentic assessment as well as sample approaches and limitations on authenticity.

A Constructivist Approach To Professional Development In Ict Leadership: Creating A Learning Community, Renata Phelps

Dr Renata Phelps

Management of ICT has emerged as a critical issue for schools and one which is impacting significantly on the work of principals and other senior staff. Theory, knowledge, information and even ideas relating specifically to ICT management in school contexts is not yet readily available. Much of the most valuable knowledge and information can be found in the day-to-day experiences and theorising of practitioners. This paper describes the constructivist approach being taken to ICT management through a particular unit in a postgraduate level professional development course at Southern Cross University. It is argued that engaging educational leaders in constructivist learning …

Fulfilling The Dream : An Online Early Childhood Teacher Education Course, Pauline Taylor

Associate Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy

Distance Education In The Classroom: Lessons Learned, Sandie Waters

Sandie H Waters

No abstract provided.

The Mean Reply Depth Algorithm: A Correlational Study Of Quantitative Versus Qualitative Measures Of Threaded Discourse, Sandie Waters

Sandie H Waters

In the world of online learning, instructors look for the keys that open the door to student learning, engagement, satisfaction, retention, and ability to transfer newly acquired knowledge to real-world situations. One of the most common communication tools in online courses is the threaded discussion. With a growing number of students participating in online education comes the potential for an increase in faculty load. The reviewed courses provided over 1500 threads for two sections of a graduate course at a Mountain Region University. The number of threads that are produced by a student accounts for countless hours of reading, processing, …

The Best-Laid Plans: A Case Of Cross-Cultural Online Learning, Beth Rubin

Beth Rubin

This article describes a case of cultural barriers affecting the success of an online course developed in one country and co-taught from two locations, and analyzes the cultural, communication and procedural factors that contributed to failure.

Differentiating The Curriculum : A Lot Of Effort For Little Gain, S Atkins, Gayl O'Connor, L Rowe

Gayl O'Connor

The Learning Federation (TLF) project employs emerging technologies to produce online curriculum content to encourage student learning and support teachers in Australian and New Zealand schools. Teachers and students in 20 schools participated in a field trial of a differentiated curriculum model that incorporated online curriculum content and associated assessment components. Teacher and student interviews were conducted to collect information in accordance with the study aims, which were to ascertain the extent to which the Differentiated Curriculum model resulted in increased knowledge by the teacher of individual student achievement; increased knowledge of the next appropriate activity for teaching and learning; …

Are Learning Technologies Making A Difference? A Longitudinal Perspective Of Attitudes, Katherine Dix

Dr Katherine Dix

Twenty Guidelines For Successful Threaded Discussions, Sandie Waters

Sandie H Waters

No abstract provided.

A Thousand Resources For Science Teachers, Gayl O'Connor

Gayl O'Connor

The Science Education Assessment Resource (SEAR) project is an online resource bank of science assessment tasks for the compulsory years of schooling (P-10). The bank includes a variety of items that can be used for diagnostic, formative or summative assessment purposes. The Australian Council for Educational Research is responsible for the overall management of the project, working in collaboration with Curriculum Corporation and other organisations.

A Review Of 2000-2003 Literature At The Intersection Of Online Learning And Disability, Shelley Kinash, Susan Crichton, Weol Soon Kim-Rupnow

Professor Shelley Kinash

Ist Masters @ A Distance Program: Course Design And Development Process, Paul Alford, Sandie Waters, Semiral Oncu, Hasan Tuzan

Sandie H Waters

No abstract provided.