Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Simulating Instructional Roles Through Pedagogical Agents, Amy L. Baylor, Yanghee Kim

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper describes the design and empirical validation of three distinct pedagogical agent roles (Expert, Motivator, and Mentor) for college students within the MIMIC (Multiple Intelligent Mentors Instructing Collaboratively) agent-based research environment. The pedagogical agent roles were operationalized by image, animation, affect, voice and script, and were developed in Poser 4 and implemented via Microsoft Agent. Two controlled experiments validated the instantiation of the three roles according to learner perception (N=78) and actual impact on motivation and learning (N=71). The results confirmed that the agent roles were not only perceived by the students to reflect their intended purposes but also …

Perceptions Of Effective Web-Based Design For Secondary School Students: A Narrative Analysis Of Previously Collected Data, Michael K. Barbour

Education Faculty Publications

In this article, I present the findings of a study on the perception of course developers and electronic teachers on the characteristics of effective web-based design for secondary school students. Through interviews, the perceptions of these participants on the use of various web-based components, how to incorporate sound instructional strategies into the web-based material, and the effectiveness of both the asynchronous web-based content and the synchronous delivery of that content are investigated in a virtual high school context.

Design-Based Research Strategies For Developing A Scientific Inquiry Curriculum In A Multi-User Virtual Environment, B. Nelson, D. J. Ketelhut, Jody Clarke-Midura, C. Bowman, C. Dede

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This National Science Foundation funded project is studying graphical multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) to investigate whether using this interactive medium in classroom settings can simulate real-world experimentation and can provide students with engaging, meaningful learning experiences that enhance scientific literacy. In the project's River City curriculum, teams of middle school students are asked to collaboratively solve a digital 19th century city's problems with illness, through interaction with digital artifacts, tacit clues, and computer-based 'agents' acting as mentors and colleagues in a virtual community of practice. This article describes the design-based research strategy by which we are currently extending an educational …

Collaborative Information Filtering: A Review And An Educational Application, Andrew Walker, Mimi Recker, Kimberly Lawless, David A. Wiley

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper reviews the literature surrounding an information filtering technique, collaborative information filtering, which supports the discovery of resources in a way that is sensitive to the context of users. Moreover, via statistical clustering techniques, the system supports automated, personalized filtering and recommendation of relevant resources and like-minded users for particular user communities. The paper also describes an educational implementation of this approach, called Altered Vista, and presents results from a 3-month trial use of the system, aimed at evaluating the educational effectiveness and usefulness of the approach.

All For One And One For All: Designing Web-Based Courses For Students Based Upon Individual Learning Styles, Michael K. Barbour, Morris Cooze

Education Faculty Publications

As e-learning begins to proliferate into secondary schools and is opened up to learners of all abilities, it is important that the effects different learning styles have upon how online instruction is provided are taken into consideration. In this study, students from a secondary-level business education class completed a learning styles inventory to determine their strengths in the traditional learning styles and in Gardner’s intelligences. A variety of web-based instructional methods were utilized throughout the school year and the students’ overall performance in the course was monitored.

Exploring A Cognitive Basis For Learning Spatial Relationships With Augmented Reality, Brett E. Shelton, Nicholas R. Hedley

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Augmented reality (AR) is an emergent class of interface that presents compelling possibilities for advancing spatial visualization. We offer a brief overview of AR technology and current research with in the educational realm. AR interfaces appear to provide a unique combination of visual display properties, modes of user manipulation, and interaction with spatial information. Drawing upon aspects of proprioception and sensorimotor function, we discuss how AR may have a unique and powerful link to spatial knowledge acquisition through visuo-motor involvement in the processing of information. We identify key properties of AR interfaces and how they differ from conventional visualization interfaces, …

Supporting ‘Word-Of-Mouth’ Social Networks Through Collaborative Information Filtering, Mimi Recker, Andrew Walker

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Altered Vista is an instructional system that supports a form of ‘contextual’ collaborative learning. Its design incorporates an information filtering technique, called collaborative information filtering, which, through computational and statistical means, leverages the work of individuals to benefit a group of users. Altered Vista is designed to provide, upon request, personalized recommendations of Web sites. It can also provide recommendations of like-minded people, thus setting the stage for future collaboration and communication. An empirical study involving in-service and pre-service teachers was conducted using Altered Vista and presents results from an empirical study. The study examined the feasibility and utility of …

A Non-Authoritative Educational Metadata Ontology For Filtering And Recommending Learning Objects, Mimi Recker, David A. Wiley

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Digital libraries populated with learning objects are becoming popular tools in the creation of instructional technologies. Many current efforts to create standard metadata structures that facilitate the discovery and instructional use of learning objects recommend a single, authoritative metadata record per version of the learning object. However, as we argue in this paper, a single metadata record — particularly one with fields that emphasize knowledge management and technology, while evading instructional issues — provides information insufficient to support instructional utilization decisions. To put learning objects to instructional use, users must examine the individual objects, forfeiting the supposed benefits of the …

Genetics In Practice A Template For Interactive Case Studies, Erin Edwards, Andrew Walker, Kathleen Bergeson, John Louviere, Kris Robinson, J. W. Higgins

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Genetics & Your Practice, began in 1994 as a course for primary health care practitioners to get Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits and to help health care providers learn about the importance of genetic counseling and the fundamental difference between genetic counseling and traditional health care. In a collaborative project between the March of Dimes and Idaho State University Departments of Nursing (ISU) and Continuing Education/Special Programs, the course was converted to an online asynchronous course. Since the course was primarily didactic, ISU approached a team of graduate students at Utah State University’s Department of Instructional Technology (USU) to develop …

“Pass The Remote…! Interactive Classroom Review For The 21st Century: Bringing Remote Response Pads Into Your Classroom, Lisa Michelle Lucas

MA TESOL Collection

This project describes a form of computer-assisted interactive classroom instruction, which is particularly useful in the ESL context. Not only does this project show how to integrate instruction with ever advancing technology, it also demonstrates how to integrate interactive class work with the diverse and relevant learning styles of each learner in the classroom. This project will show how easy it is to use this technology in conjunction with thematic units or projects-whatever the level of the ESL student. Enclosed are examples of instructional materials, created for the ESL High Beginner and examples of how they relate to the paper …

Harnessing User Communities For Website Location And Evaluation, Tim Beal, Mimi Recker

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

The AsiaWeb Project is looking at the problem of accessing quality and relevant information on the Web. It is the product of collaboration between two disciplinary standpoints. Dr Mimi Recker is approaching the problem from a generic, systems viewpoint, seeing the information domain as a case study and Dr Tim Beal has an interest in the computer access and manipulation of information on Japan, and Asia generally. We are taking business information on Asia as the general subject and within this Japan is a priority area. However, it is considered that the techniques developed could be applied to any subject …

Emerging Practices In K-6 Multimedia Methods Of Instruction In The Bethel School District, Glenn E. Malone

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess and describB the conditions and practices in the Bethel School District's elementary schools with regard to the use of a multimedia approach to instruction. A sample of the 260 classroom teachers, 13 principals, and 13 learning resource center specialists in the Bethel School District's 13 elementary schools (K-6) were surveyed using questionnaires covering the implementation of multimedia methods of instruction. The results showed current multimedia methods of instruction are rare in the elementary classrooms of the Bethel School District because of a lack of technological inservice and current multimedia hardware.

The Effects Of Computer Assisted Esl Instruction On Limited English Proficient Students, Raul M. Sanchez

All Graduate Projects

A study was conducted to determine whether computer assisted instruction or the traditional ESL teaching method was more effective in teaching Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, English language proficiency. Twenty-two second grade subjects were separated into two groups at one elementary school in Yakima, Washington. The experimental group received computer assisted ESL instruction, while the control group was instructed with the traditional ESL teaching method. Analysis of the results supported the research hypotheses for one of the three dependent variables. The null hypothesis could not be rejected for a second variable, while for a third variable, a significant difference was …

Group Lesson Training Packet(S) On The Selection And The Uses Of Personal Computers In Ther Home, Cora Gladys Vowell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project report was to provide a group lesson training packet on the selection and the uses of personal computers in the home including information on their history, their basic components, the criteria to evaluate the need for one, and resource materials available on the topic. The instructional materials developed included: a leader's guide, visual aids, a videocassette tape, an activity sheet, information sheets, two evaluation tools, and a partial listing of existing Extension instructional materials on microcomputers.

Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction: Some Reservations, Gary Clifford Korn

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

The Rationale For Computer-Aided Instruction, Robert Charles Clark

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

A Postscript On Gary Korn's Reservations About Cai, Robert Charles Clark

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Reprographic Media Education, Ross H. Regan

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative investigation of five basic processes in the duplicating field that are readily available to teachers in British Columbia. Forty teachers from fourteen schools, kindergarten through grade twelve, were surveyed to determine present practices and needs for this method of communication. Cost, efficiency, and quality comparison are included.

Recommendations include the need for teacher in-service, guidelines for determining the most suitable means of reproducing learning materials on paper, and suggestions for additional research.

Innovative Instructional Materials For Eighth Grade English, Mary Lou Clerf

All Master's Theses

This study was undertaken for the purpose of reviewing current literature and developing new instructional materials suitable for classroom use by teachers of eighth grade English.

A Comparison Of Media Between The Linear And Broadview Approach In Self-Instruction, Leslie T. Cotter

All Master's Theses

For this study, two groups of students were exposed to two different sets of self-instructions using a linear and broadview format. Each student was then asked to demonstrate, without the aid of instructions, operation of three machines selected by a laboratory assistant. The present study is investigative in nature and seeks to clarify the following question: whether a difference exists in student performance using linear or a broadview format.

A Comparison Of Emphasis Of Training And On-The-Job Effectiveness Of Media Personnel, Roy E. Williams

All Master's Theses

It has long been recognized in our society that formal training plays a strong role in the development of attitudes, and that attitudes are important determinants of behavior. Consequently, the behavior of one whose formal training has been oriented in a particular direction is often somewhat different from the behavior of one whose training has been oriented in a different direction. Does the training orientation of instructional materials personnel affect their on-the-job effectiveness? Will a person who is primarily oriented toward print materials be more or less effective in promoting the use of instructional materials than one whose orientation is …

A Survey Of The Quantitative Elements Of The Media Programs Available In The Public Schools Within The Estacada Union High School District, Vernon Edward Hess

All Master's Theses

Information regarding staff, budget, facilities, equipment, materials and services provided by the media programs of the public schools within the Estacada Union High School District was not available. The problem was to gather data on each specific item and present it in a usable manner. The purpose of this study was to determine the weaknesses that could be identified by comparing the quantitative elements of the media programs available in the individual school with evaluative criteria provided by the requirements and recommendations of state and national media standards.

Past And Possible Future Preferences For 8-Mm And 16-Mm Projectors: First-Class School Districts Washington State, Milton E. Ruth

All Master's Theses

Educators recognize the contributions motion picture films make in the classroom learning situation. However, the problem of determining budget expenditures necessitates a continual evaluation of the utility of specific equipment. This study was an attempt to ascertain the past and future preferences for eight millimeter and sixteen millimeter motion picture projectors. For purposes of this investigation, the following null hypothesis was used: Given a hypothetical grant, there would be no significant difference in preference for purchasing eight millimeter motion picture projectors over sixteen millimeter motion picture projectors by first-class school districts in the state of Washington.

A Study To Determine The Anticipated Qualifications And Competencies Of Audiovisual Specialists In The Community Colleges Of The State Of Washington, Garred Allen Giles

All Master's Theses

The problem considered in this study is to determine the relationship between the responsibilities and duties of the audiovisual services administrator and the competencies and qualifications necessary to perform those responsibilities and duties satisfactorily and professionally.

Audio-Visual Program Lewis And Clark Junior High School Yakima, Washington, Wesley Clay Crago Jr.

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is (1) to consider and identify the problems related to establishing an effective audio-visual program; (2) to establish the audio-visual requirements for students and teachers; (3) to define the duties and responsibilities of a building audio-visual coordinator; and (4) to develop a specific program for administering audio-visual equipment and materials in Lewis and Clark Junior High School.

A Study Of Centralized Technical Services For The Organization Of Learning Resource Materials With Examples From Three Selected School Districts, Marilyn Ann Drengson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the methods used by three school districts--a small district, a medium-sized district, and a larger district--which have set up centralized technical services for the organization of learning resource materials, thereby relieving the individual librarian within the buildings of certain necessary, but time-consuming tasks. These methods will be set down herein and studied with the possibility in mind that districts which do not now provide these services may find some suggestions to consider in deciding upon the feasibility of such services.

Elementary Secondary Education Act, Title Ii Non-Print Expenditures For 1965-1966 In Washington State Public Schools, Edward C. Noack

All Master's Theses

The purpose of doing this study was to compile, categorize, report and evaluate the data concerning the purchases of non-print materials by Washington State Public Schools with Federal funds provided through Title II Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The data was collected from Title II applications submitted by Washington State Public Schools to the State Department of Public Instruction as of June 12, 1967.

Developing And Utilizing Audio-Visual Aids In The Naches Valley School District, James P. Ward

All Master's Theses

The problems confronted by the present study included (1) identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the audio-visual program in the Naches Valley School District; (2) determining possible changes; and (3) implementing changes, if found necessary.

A Study Of Selection, Duties, And Responsibilities Of The Television Teacher, Robert Dean Larsen

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to develop guidelines for: (1) selecting a television studio teacher; and (2) introducing him to his duties and responsibilities.

An Audiovisual Program: The Selection, Utilization And Evaluation Of Audiovisual Materials For The Morgan Junior High School Seventh Grade Physical Science Program, William S. Craig

All Master's Theses

Through this study the writer will attempt to: (1) identify and investigate the current standards of an effective audiovisual program; (2) identify and evaluate the rationale which can be used in determining the basis for the utilization of audiovisual materials in the field of science education; (3) use this rationale as a basis for selecting appropriate audiovisual materials for the seventh grade physical science curriculum in Morgan Junior High School; and (4) develop recommendations concerning the utilization of audiovisual materials in the science curriculum at Morgan Junior High School in Ellensburg, Washington.