Education Commons^™

Maximizing Accessibility In Online Courses, Linda Huglin, Shannon Rist, Bob Casper

Bob Casper

In their creation of online courses, instructional designers may inadvertently overlook the needs of learners with disabilities. However, creating accessible online courses isn’t merely a "nice to do" activity; it is required by federal law. Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, for example, specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by any federal agency receiving federal funds; this includes colleges and universities.

Educational Technology : A Review Of The Research, Ann Thompson, Michael R. Simonson, Connie Hargrave

Constance P. Hargrave

Educational Technology: A Review of the Research, 2nd Edition was written with the teacher, trainer, graduate student, professor, and media specialist in mind. It provides a brief, yet comprehensive, overview of the theories and research that support the use of technology in teaching and learning. In addition to including a historical perspective on the research and theory foundations of the profession of educational technology, Educational Technology: A Review of the Research, 2nd Edition presents current research that constitutes the basis for use of newer technologies.

Tablets As Powerful Tools For University Research: Teaching The Relevant Skills, Robin Canuel, Chad Crichton, Maria Savova

Maria Savova

The increasing popularity of tablet computers in recent years is beginning to transform the way that library users, and in particular postsecondary students and faculty, find and engage with digital content. In response to these changes, university librarians are tailoring information literacy instruction to highlight the advantages of these technologies to their constituencies and to ensure that their users understand the myriad issues involved in effectively leveraging these advantages to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their research. Chapter 6 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 48, no. 8) “Rethinking Reference and Instruction with Tablets” examines the creation of university library …

Examination Of An Emerging Community Of Practice For Instructional Designers: A Descriptive Case Study In A Midwestern University, Jiaqi Yu, Connie Hargrave

Constance P. Hargrave

This study examined the functioning of a group of instructional designers (IDs) in higher education through the lens of Communities of Practice (CoPs). The study particularly focused on whether and how the grouping of experienced and novice IDs operated as an effective CoP from the perspective of novices. The findings indicated that a group of IDs working in a midwestern university was able to cultivate a CoP within a clearly defined domain, a well-established community, and the shared practice with a specific body of knowledge. Particularly from the perspectives of novices, they highlighted the positive impact while participating in the …

Extending The Conversation About Teaching With Technology, Marlina Davidson, Timi Barone, Dana Richter-Egger, Ryan Schuetzler, Jaci Lindburg

Ryan Schuetzler

Over the past two years, UNO has increased the number of online course selections by nearly 50 percent, offering seven fully online undergraduate programs, seven fully online graduate programs, and an assortment of online minors, certificates, and endorsements. The need to expand the conversation about teaching with technology and cultivating effective online teaching environments has never been more important, as UNO seeks to maintain our growth in online learning and retain our current students taking online courses. A strategy introduced in 2017 that has been extremely effective has been the Faculty Liaisons for Instructional Design Program, co-sponsored by the Office …

A Study Of Video-Mediated Opportunities For Self-Directed Learning In Required Core Curriculum, Debra T. Bourdeau, Donna Roberts, Beverly Wood, Johnelle Korioth

Beverly Wood

Improving a required course in our curriculum that has proven to be a challenge for our students was the focus of this study. Surveys of both students and instructors attempted to identify specific problem areas. Using the information from these surveys, the researchers developed a series of videos to explain vital course concepts and deployed these into the course sections. The purpose of the videos is to provide consistency across the multiple modalities in which we offer our courses (including online, classroom and via videoconferencing) and to improve overall student understanding. This project seeks to determine how supplemental content focusing …

Top Ten Online Instructional Strategies Preferred By Students, Firm Faith Watson

Firm Faith Watson, Ph.D.

Informing Online Doctoral Course Development Using Student Feedback, Haydee M. Cuevas, Jan G. Neal

Haydee M. Cuevas

This paper describes the initial development and continuous improvement of DAV 715: Human Factors in Aviation, an online post graduate course in the Ph.D. in Aviation program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), from the perspectives of the subject matter expert (SME)/course instructor and the instructional designer/course builder as well as with consideration of student feedback. The process was guided by the 3-Phase Design (3PD) model developed by Sims and Jones (2003). The first section of the paper presents a definition of instructional design and development and salient instructional design challenges. This section also includes descriptions of the Ph.D. in Aviation …

Who You Calling Racist?: Oer’S Role In Addressing Institutional Discrimination, Laurel Traynowicz, Michael Strickland, Bob Casper, Jasmine Roberts

Bob Casper

Getting On The Online Education Train: The Journey Of A Small Higher Education Institution, Anthony Williams, Maria T. Northcote

Maria Northcote

Many universities have instituted professional learning centres that support academic teaching staff in their capacity to facilitate student-centred learning. Some of these centres also extend their reach to incorporate scholarship and research. This paper reports on one such case, in which a small higher education institution in Australia established what has become known as the Centre for Advancement of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). From its inception, the CASTL’s intentions have been multi-dimensional, in that its programs, activities and resource development span the following areas of scholarship: 1) learning and teaching; 2) researcher education and support of postgraduate …

Integrating The Scholarship Of Teaching, Learning And Assessment Into One Institution’S Homegrown Professional Learning Resources, Maria Northcote, Anthony Williams, Kevin Petrie, John Seddon, Sherene Hattingh

Maria Northcote

Many professional learning (PL) programs in universities aspire to support tertiary educators to perform duties associated with teaching, student learning and assessment. Additionally, because much of a university academic’s work is associated with conducting scholarly research and supervising students’ research, PL programs also need to provide support associated with supervision and research activities. Faced with these multiple PL demands, one small Australian higher education institution developed a suite of resources to support faculty teaching staff and researchers in their professional capacities using a heuristic (self-determined) approach to resource development. The content of the resources drew on the principles of the …

Problems And Promises Of Using Lms Learner Analytics For Assessment, Valerie Beech, Eric A. Kowalik

Eric A. Kowalik

Designing An Online Course That Promotes Deep Learning, Firm Faith Watson

Firm Faith Watson, Ph.D.

Unpacking The Influence Of Online Students’ Perceived Course Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction On Their Performance, Firm Faith Watson, Debra Ferdinand-James

Firm Faith Watson, Ph.D.

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Teaching Presence In Distance Education Courses: A Mixed Methods Examination, Judith Slapak-Barski

Judith Slapak-Barski, Ed.D.

This applied dissertation was designed to provide deeper insight to current knowledge about establishing teaching presence (TP) in online courses. Distance education environments are considered more convenient than traditional learning environments, as they provide more opportunities for learning that occurs in various settings. In distance education environments, effective learning should focus on the interaction between e-learning technologies and educational practice in higher education. Online courses are typically devoid of the visual cues and interaction of the traditional classroom. Online learners may experience an isolation effect as a result of learning in the perceived absence of their peers and instructor. Feelings …

Unpacking The Influence Of Online Students’ Perceived Course Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction On Their Performance, Firm Faith Watson, Debra Ferdinand-James

Firm Faith Watson

A Full Flip: One Catholic University’S Journey With Campus-Wide Flipped Instruction, Carrie Lewis Miller

Carrie Lewis Miller, Ph.D.

A campus-wide flipped curriculum model was initiated at a new, private, Catholic university in a large southwestern suburb. The design and development of the curriculum is presented. A formative evaluation was conducted mid-semester to determine the effectiveness of the initiative. Surveys and interviews were conducted with both faculty and students and classroom observations were conducted. Results from the evaluation indicate that students and faculty like the flipped model and that the students have a high level of engagement with the instructional content. Areas for improvement include organization of course materials and the inclusion of pre-recorded lectures. Further training support for …

The Flipped Training Model: Six Steps For Getting Employees To Flip Out Over Training, Quincy Conley, Heather S. Lutz, Carrie Lewis Miller

Quincy Conley

One of the latest trends in education is ‘flipping’ the classroom. The premise behind this form of blended learning is to reframe the role of the teacher in the classroom, to shift the focus towards the student as the constructor rather than receptor of information. As such, a stepwise framework for flipping the classroom is presented in this paper, serving as a starting point for training practitioners interested in how to flip the corporate classroom.

Multiple Purposes Of Eportfolios In Higher Education: A Case Study Of One Department, Lesya M. Hassall

Lesya Hassall

This case study was designed to investigate how the multiple purposes of ePortfolios in support of learning, program assessment, and institutional accountability were expressed in one department. The research site was purposefully identified: the most mature constituency of the eDoc electronic portfolio system initiative at Iowa State University (ISU), the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN), integrated the practice of ePortfolios in its undergraduate curriculum to track student progress, assess the quality of its programs, and prepare for accreditation.;A qualitative interpretive approach was adopted for this research. Rich in content and depth, data were collected from a variety …

Brainbook: An Impact Study Of A Statewide Concussion Awareness Training For High-School Athletes, Quincy Conley, Willi Savenye

Quincy Conley

With so much recent attention given to the diagnosis of, treatment of, and recovery from brain injuries, the sports world is now recognizing concussions as a major public health concern. This paper examines the impact of an e-learning course designed to improve student engagement by replicating popular social network features such as blog posts, videos, and the like. Also, this paper outlines the program overview, evaluation procedures, results, implications of the resulting data, and recommendations for further action. Evidence shows that learning took place as a result of taking the Brainbook course. Furthermore, it was found that high-school students had …

Slow Edtech: Pedagogical Principles, Collaborative Explorations, And Persistent Challenges, Peter Taylor, Felicia Sullivan, Jeremy Szteiter

Jeremy Szteiter

This article describes two “Slow EdTech” initiatives, using this label to denote a focus on learning and the development of capacities for learning along with a mindful approach to the uptake of new digital tools that become available. One initiative, dating from 2001, is a set of guidelines about specific situations and specific ways in which specific educational technologies are of significant pedagogical benefit. The other, dating from 2013, is online Collaborative Explorations (CEs) for moderate-sized open online collaborative learning. The tools and processes used in CEs for inquiry, dialogue, reflection, and collaboration are designed to be readily learned by …

Analysis Of The Supporting Websites For The Use Of Instructional Games In K-12 Settings, Mansureh Kebritchi, Wendi M. Kappers Phd, Atsusi Hirumi, Renee Henry

Wendi M. Kappers, PhD

This article identifies resources to be included in a website designed to facilitate the integration of instructional games in K-12 settings. Guidelines and supporting components are based on a survey of K-12 educators who are integrating games, an analysis of existing instructional game websites, and summaries of literature on the use of educational software in K-12 settings and teacher technology training. The results indicate that educators face three main challenges when integrating games, including: (a) technical and logistical requirements, (b) curriculum integration, and (c) teacher training. To overcome these challenges, K-12 educators should be provided with: (a) curriculum resources, (b) …

Play Education Video Games On Their Terms, Wendi M. Kappers

Wendi M. Kappers, PhD

It is imperative when utilizing educational video games in K-12 classrooms that student preferences with regard to game play, purpose, and design be considered in order to maximize game play efficiency for learning. As Web 2.0 content infiltrates our educational medium, student customization is key. This manuscript intends to share customization requests gleaned during an 18-week experimental study examining educational video game effects upon 7th graders enrolled in Mathematics and Mathematics 2 courses.

Interactive Multimedia Learning On Health Care Among Lebanese Women: An Exploratory Study, Joanna R. Kassem, Zeinab H. Houssein, Leila Halawi

Leila A. Halawi

Multimedia learning greatly enhanced the learning outcome and experience of learners exposed to it. The proposed study will explore the usefulness of multimedia learning software devised to educate Lebanese pregnant women who have a low level of formal education about pregnancy and early infant care. The study will be based on the media richness theory. It is expected that through media rich programs, communication of information is facilitated, promoting the resolving of indecisiveness and ambiguity that stems out of the lack of knowledge or information about a given a subject and the inability to convey a meaning of what is …

Lecture Video Capture In Csu System, Zhi-Xue Xu

Zhi-Xue Xu

Peer-Tutoring In Web-Based Concept Tests, Thomas E. Furtak, Joanna C. Dunlap, T. G. Ruskell, Susan A. Tucker, R. Ivatt

Joanna Dunlap

No abstract provided.

Math Class "Unsettled": Teaching And Learning Mathematics Within And Across Multiple Spaces, Jeremiah I. Holden

Remi Holden

No abstract provided.

Sociomathematical Participation: Participatory Culture And Mathematics Pre-Service Teacher Education, Jeremiah I. Holden

Remi Holden

Despite intersections between discipline-specific mathematics content and classroom social norms and learning practices, little research documents relations between social and mathematical activity as examined through social and digital media. Drawing upon complementary theoretical perspectives concerning social media and mathematical activity, this research investigated the participatory culture of mathematics pre-service teachers. Data suggest multiple social practices, including collective intelligence, distributed cognition, and appropriation, that were exhibited through a discursive classroom activity structure.

The Social Media Instructional Design Model: A New Tool For Designing Instruction Using Social Media, Quincy Conley, Kent E. Sabo

Quincy Conley

Social media is a pervasive force in the lives of 21^st century learners. Social media offers a user experience that encourages students to create and share new content while enabling communication unlike any other learning technology. In this paper, we explore how learning with social media could be more effective by leveraging appropriate learning theory and instructional design. We begin with examples of how social media is currently being used in educational contexts, and then review the available research that investigates the connections between social media and education. To understand how social media may be better utilized for learning, …

E-Learning Authoring Software Selection: How Do Instructional Designers Gain Competency Using And Selecting Appropriate Digital Media Development Tools?, Lisa Giacumo, Quincy Conley

Quincy Conley

Given the recent rapid innovation of e-learning authoring tools, academic programs responsible for preparing future training practitioners are faced with the difficult task of deciding how best to design curriculum for e-learning production skills for aspiring instructional designers and multimedia developers. To be able to appropriately design curriculum in academic programs, it would be valuable to know what tools experienced e-learning designers and developers frequently learn to use and how they select specific tools. This is important because, although many authoring tools advertise similar functionality, experienced instructional designers (IDs) and multimedia developers understand that there are subtle differences that need …