Education Commons^™

Karma Points For Contributions [Book Chapter], Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

About this book: "For those who think online learning can't be truly interactive, Patti Shank and her colleagues clearly demonstrate--in hundreds of examples--that it can. The real lesson in The Online Learning Idea Book is that technology doesn't build interactive learning; creative thinking and good, solid instructional design does. Using even a smidgen of the great ideas in this book will increase the learning effectiveness of any online program."--Marc J. Rosenberg, consultant, and author of Beyond E-Learning "Patti Shank has collected great ideas about online learning and teaching from all over the globe. If you are an online instructor or …

Anonymous Weekly Survey [Book Chapter], Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

About this book: "For those who think online learning can't be truly interactive, Patti Shank and her colleagues clearly demonstrate--in hundreds of examples--that it can. The real lesson in The Online Learning Idea Book is that technology doesn't build interactive learning; creative thinking and good, solid instructional design does. Using even a smidgen of the great ideas in this book will increase the learning effectiveness of any online program."--Marc J. Rosenberg, consultant, and author of Beyond E-Learning "Patti Shank has collected great ideas about online learning and teaching from all over the globe. If you are an online instructor or …

Using Guided Reflective Journaling Activities To Capture Students’ Changing Perceptions, Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

Many professions are increasingly emphasizing the role of reflection, encouraging educators to look for appropriate ways to help students engage in reflective practice during their professional preparation. Journal writing is an insightful and powerful instructional technology utilizing strategies that foster understanding and the application of concepts, enhance critical thinking, improve achievement and attitude, encourage student reflection and capture changes in students' perception. Examples from three different professional preparation courses illustrate the power of journal-writing activities as a way of encouraging students' reflective thinking, and giving faculty a way to assess students' reflective practice and perceptual changes. Based on the author's …

What Sunshine Is To Flowers: A Literature Review On The Use Of Emoticons To Support Online Learning [Book Chapter], Joanna Dunlap, D. Bose, Patrick Lowenthal, C. York, M. Atkinson, J. Murtagh

Joanna Dunlap

About this book: Emotions, Technology, Design, and Learning provides an update to the topic of emotional responses and how technology can alter what is being learned and how the content is learned. The design of that technology is inherently linked to those emotional responses. This text addresses emotional design and pedagogical agents, and the emotions they generate. Topics include design features such as emoticons, speech recognition, virtual avatars, robotics, and adaptive computer technologies, all as relating to the emotional responses from virtual learning.

Workload Reduction In Online Courses: Getting Some Shuteye, Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

Instructors are a key component of any successful facilitated, asynchronous online course. They are tasked with providing the infrastructure for learning; modeling effective participation, collaboration, and learning strategies; monitoring and assessing learning and providing feedback, remediation, and grades; troubleshooting and resolving instructional, interpersonal, and technical problems; and creating a learning community in which learners feel safe and connected. Accomplishing these objectives is labor and time intensive, often requiring instructors to be constantly online. Besides being impractical, this can lead to questionable instructional quality and eventual instructor burnout. Fortunately, there are instructional strategies that can help achieve instructor presence without requiring …

Teaching Intricate Content Online: It Can Be Done And Done Well, Donna Sobel, Deanna Sands, Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

Despite a plethora of online course offerings over the past decade, we continue to see resistance to this platform for course delivery, particularly with content that is ostensibly too sensitive or difficult to deliver in this format. This article describes an approach to online course planning and design, with attention paid to creating rich and meaningful student-tocontent interactions, as well as student-to-instructor interactions. The instructors approached the design of this course to address personalization (student-to-instructor interaction), meaningful engagement (student-to-content interaction), and ongoing checks of student understanding (student-to-instructor and student-to-content interactions). After using this approach to develop and then teach a …

Learning, Unlearning, And Relearning: Using Web 2.0 Technologies To Support The Development Of Lifelong Learning Skills [Book Chapter], Joanna Dunlap, Patrick Lowenthal

Joanna Dunlap

About the book: The emerging knowledge society places new requirements on the educational sector to support the needs of individuals and organizations. In the discipline of lifelong learning, which is one of the most important forces driving education in the 21st century, e-learning has become a collaborative and community-based process. This necessitates tools to support the autonomous and dynamic creation of lifelong learning communities and new distributed e-learning services. E-Infrastructures and Technologies for Lifelong Learning: Next Generation Environments provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art technologies for e-learning and lifelong learning, examining theoretical approaches, models, architectures, systems and applications. It addresses …

Software Engineers Helping Themselves: The Web Resource Collaboration Center, Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

No abstract provided.

Preparing E-Learning Designers Using Kolb's Model Of Experiential Learning, Joanna Dunlap, J. Dobrovolny, David Young

Joanna Dunlap

In this article, Joanna Dunlap, Jackie Dobrovolny, and David Young describe their approach to the design of a real-world learning experience that prepares online graduate students to work as e-learning designers and specialists. Using Kolb's model of experiential learning to support their instructional design decisions, Dunlap, Dobrovolny, and Young have created a series of online instructional-design courses in which students use a variety of e-learning technologies and tools to discuss instructional strategies and to provide support and feedback to each other on the e-learning products they design individually. This approach allows school and the real world to be integrated in …

From Pixel On A Screen To Real Person In Your Students' Lives: Establishing Social Presence Using Digital Storytelling, Patrick Lowenthal, Joanna Dunlap

Joanna Dunlap

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework is a comprehensive guide to the research "and" practice of online learning. One of the most challenging aspects of establishing a CoI in online courses is finding the best way to attend to each element of the CoI framework in a primarily text-based environment. In our online courses, we have examined the use of digital storytelling as a way to break down the barriers that can get in the way of achieving a healthy and productive CoI. In this paper, we describe how we use digital storytelling to establish our social presence as instructors.

Collaborative Writing With Google Docs, John F. Murphy

John F. Murphy

No abstract provided.

Elaboration Theory And Cognitive Psychology, M. Merrill, Jeffrey Kelety, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

Describes the Elaboration Theory of Instruction (ETI) and charts its correspondence with several major principles drawn from contemporary cognitive psychology. Components of the ETI are related to current models of knowledge representation, schema theory, memory processes, and earlier cognitive based instructional frameworks. Fifty-three references are listed.

How Do Instructional Designers Evaluate? A Qualitative Study Of Evaluation In Practice, David Williams, Joseph South, Stephen Yanchar, Brent Wilson, Stephanie Allen

Brent Wilson

This study employed a qualitative research design to investigate how instructional designers use evaluation in everyday design practice. While past research has examined how designers spend their time, how they generally make decisions, and expertnovice differences, little attention has been paid to use of context, input, process, or product evaluation, from the perspective of practicing designers. Based on interviews of practitioners, our findings included ten themes regarding how designers use evaluation to improve their products. While these results substantiate to some degree the claim that practitioners believe clients will not pay for formal evaluations, they also suggest that practitioners use …

Using Content Structure In Course Design, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

The purpose of this article is to suggest some strategies for analyzing and organizing concepts in a given content area, following the elaboration theory of instruction. Based on three main kinds of structure — taxonomies, procedures, and models — the following principles are presented: 1) teach content structure explicitly through diagram, figures, and text cues, 2) use content structure in the organization of lessons; that is, course structure should reflect content structure, and 3) sequence instruction in a general-to-detailed order, building upon central constructs in an elaborative cycle. Following these basic principles should enhance the meaningfulness of what is learned, …

It Research Leaders: A Conversation With Brent Wilson, Brent Wilson, D. Surry

Brent Wilson

No abstract provided.

Expert System Shells: Tools To Aid Human Performance, Jack Welsh, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

Examines expert system shells and the role a microcomputer-based expert system can play as an intelligent job aid. Characteristics of traditional and automated job aids techniques are described, and the role of instructional designers in developing expert systems within organizations is discussed.

Co-Teaching An Online Action Research Class, Brent Wilson, Jennifer Vanberschot

Brent Wilson

Two instructors report their experience co-teaching an online action research (AR) course required as part of an e-learning master’s degree. Adopting a practice-centered stance we focus on the course activities of participants (instructors and students), with particular attention to the careful crafting of course elements with the goal of achieving an excellent learning experience for students. The case narrative describes the course and ways in which we have modified the course based on a variety of considerations. We also outline problems and areas still in need of improvement. We reflect on the role of theory in our own pursuit of …

Building Expert Systems In Training And Education, R Grabinger, David Jonassen, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

This volume presents a process for developing expert systems. As the field of instructional technology matures it is becoming clear that technological process, not technological devices, is the single most important factor in designing effective instruction. Computers as devices are helpful, but their primary advantage may be the discipline placed on thinking and design processes by using them. The process used when examining a problem determines the quality of information entered into a program and the ultimate effectiveness of the solution. The process in this volume is intended for small-scale expert system solutions that contribute to the solution of instructional …

The Tenure Decision: A Readers Theater On Constructivism, Brent Wilson, Stevem Smith

Brent Wilson

This script, which portrays a discussion by a five-person committee about whether to grant tenure to faculty member, is a vehicle for discussing the meanings of scholarship and standards, the nature of truth and realism, and the constructivist view of learning. The argument about the quality of the faculty member's scholarship leads into a consideration of whether she is being judged by white male standards. The discussion evolves into a consideration of realist philosophy, the meaning of truth, and the prevalence of a dialogical coherence philosophy. The construction of meaning is explored briefly before the characters adjourn to consider the …

Contrasting Forces Affecting The Practice Of Distance Education [Book Chapter], Brent Wilson, Patrick Parrish, Nathan Balasubramanian, S. Switzer

Brent Wilson

About this book:

This book makes a contribution to the field of distance education by presenting key perspectives on the state of the field and examining and discussing specific current trends and issues faced by the distance learning community. To this end, the book brings together Quarterly Review of Distance Education’s most respected authors and other internationally known experts in the field of distance education to provide insight into a wide array of themes revolving around current work on communities of learning in distance education.

A Practice-Centered Approach To Instructional Design [Book Chapter], Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

No abstract provided.

Trends And Issues In Online Learning And Teaching: A Nowcasting Exercise [Book Chapter], Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

About this book:Over the last decade, the field of distance education (and e-learning) has substantially strengthened and assumed a more international scope. There has been an impressive growth in the conceptual, empirical and experiential foundations of the field. Trends and Issues in Distance Education: International Perspectives (2nd Ed) captures a representative snapshot of the breadth of current global trends and issues in distance education theory, research, and practice. Through 21 chapters (from over 30 international authors), the book documents new developments in distance education scholarship and practice, presenting a diverse set of viewpoints on the trends and issues affecting this …

Xtreme Learning Control: Examples Of The Open Source Movement’S Impact On Our Educational Practice In A University Setting, Joanna Dunlap, Brent Wilson, David Young

Brent Wilson

This paper describes how Open Source philosophy – a movement that has developed in opposition to the proprietary software industry – has influenced our educational practice in the pursuit of scholarly freedom and authentic learning activities for our students and ourselves. This paper provides a brief overview of the Open Source movement, and describes three Open Source-inspired Web-based tools/environments developed to promote open sharing and constructing of scholarly work on the Web.

The Impact Of Constructivism (And Postmodernism) On Id Fundamentals [Book Chapter], Brent Wilson, R. Osman-Jouchoux, James Teslow

Brent Wilson

No abstract provided.

Situated Instructional Design: Blurring The Distinctions Between Theory And Practice, Design And Implementation, Curriculum And Instruction, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

A view of situated instructional development (ID) is presented which incorporates a constructivist, situated view of learning and expertise, while at the same time viewing the ID process itself in situated terms. The purposes of this paper are to offer several reflections about the relationship between design and implementation of learning environments and instructional products, and to offer a number of specific recommendations for practicing ID from a situated/constructivist perspective. Several points of reflection are offered pertaining to the practice of ID as it relates to real-world contexts: (1) implementation and design are ultimately inseparable; (2) questions of curriculum and …

Instructional Design In Transition [Book Chapter], M. Merrill, T. Kowallis, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

No abstract provided.

Integrating Informal Learning With Programs At The University/College Level, Brent Wilson, Aysenur Ozyer

Brent Wilson

No abstract provided.

Raising The Bar For Instructional Outcomes: Toward Transformative Learning Experiences, Brent Wilson, Patrick Parrish

Brent Wilson

Most instructional technologists understand that instruction aims to be effective, efficient, and appealing. These three quality indicators have proven useful in establishing desired outcomes. In this article the authors suggest an expanded set of indicators, with more attention to social impact, engagement, and the learner's experience. By broadening and deepening expectations, the authors hope to encourage more research on instruction, leading to powerful or transformative learning.

Learning By Design: Teachers And Students As Co-Creators Of Knowledge [Book Chapter], Nathan Balasubramanian, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

About this book: Numerous educational technology programs and strategies have been developed on all continents to ensure that technology is used effectively for the benefit of student learning and achievement. The impact of technology on learning and instruction is still not clear. This book addresses several concerns of educators who rub elbows with a new technology. The book offers global research-based data on educational technology. The book consists of nine independent blind peer-reviewed scientific articles written by thirteen authors, four from Europe and nine from the USA. The authors present diverse views on social technologies and integration of ICT (information …

How To Study: The Neglected Basic, Wayne Wilcox, Brent Wilson

Brent Wilson

This paper examines knowledge of studying--knowing how and when to apply study strategies. Study strategies may be classified into three categories: memory strategies, comprehension strategies, and problem-solving strategies. Memory-study strategies help students remember what they study. Five attributes often characterize memory strategies: meaningfulness, organization, association, visualization, and attention. Some memory strategies include rhymes, patterns, acronyms, acrostics, the link system, the loci system, and the peg system. Comprehension strategies help students understand what they study. Activities in comprehension strategies include identifying important information (e.g., underlining main ideas or taking note of headings); paraphrasing and summarizing important information; generating examples and questions; …