Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Voice As A Tool For Learning: Using Personal Narratives To Eliminate Boundaries, Alexandra Reyes

Middle Grades & Secondary Education: Faculty Presentations (1999-2023)

In educational linguistics, educators rely on social interactions and real-world experiences to inform pedagogical practice. Such hands-on learning opportunities are not always accessible to students, due to a variety of external factors. Narratives have long been used as tools for teaching and learning in various contexts, particularly when field experiences are unavailable or unfeasible. Personal narratives can be especially powerful, as they provide insight to others’ lived experiences and transcend cultural, geographic, historical, generational, and linguistic worlds. In this presentation I explore the use of written and video personal narratives as a meaningful supplement to (and potential substitute for) field …

Connected At A Distance: Experiences And Efforts Within A Synchronous, Online Mathematics Specialist Program, Laura E. Bitto, Pamela E. Johnson, Beth Terry

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Online learning offers flexibility and convenience to students regardless of their proximity to a traditional campus. However, online programs can also feel isolating. Beth, a mathematics specialist candidate, completed a graduate program while living 7000 miles and seven time zones away from her instructor and peers. Through intentional planning by instructors, Beth found community by making personal connections, celebrating life experiences, and sharing a passion for mathematics education with her peers. Furthermore, Beth felt empowered to take academic risks and expose professional vulnerabilities in the learning community. The instructors within the program valued learning as a social construct and therefore …

Using Online Games To Engage Students In Transition Skills, Emily Miller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For this project, a game will be designed to assist students in transition skill-building. It will be presented at a minimum of one teacher's conference, and after the conference, I will be assisting in designing custom games for conference participants if they request to have a game made. During the conference, I will be talking about my experiences with using the Breakout EDU platform to design educational games and how learning the platform went for me. It will be a very beneficial experience for me, learning how to utilize an engaging online platform that I can use in my future …

Book Clubs In A Pandemic: Student Choice And Flexible Pedagogies As We Learned More About Ourselves And The World, Naitnaphit Limlamai

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Abstract: In this narrative, the author relays the experience of meeting virtually with two small book clubs, one sixth grade and one eighth grade, during the 2020-2021 school year. Meeting over Zoom, choosing books to read, and creating their own community, the members of the book club explore three major themes in their time together talking about books: connecting reading and writing, learning more about themselves, and building understandings about the world. Weaving the book club members’ voices with her own pedagogical decision-making, the author illustrates new ways to think about teaching as she centers student choice and flexible pedagogies.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Online Teaching At A Rural Community College: How Do Faculty Prepare To Teach Online?, Gwendolyn Davidson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Supporting online faculty at the community college level to prepare them to teach online can be a complex matter. Faculty who are first entering the online teaching environment often start with training to help them prepare to teach online. Supporting faculty who are teaching online means understanding faculty and their needs. The purpose of this study was to answer the question, how do faulty prepare to teach online and the objectives (1) identify the faculty's years of experience teaching both in-person and online, and the different types of training or professional development that faculty have complete to help them prepare …

Comparing Success Rates Of Online Courses To Traditional Courses In A Small Rural Community College, David Lee Frazier

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how academic performance of the online learning mode compares with the traditional face-to-face mode in rural community colleges. As online learning has become a popular instructional offering among many rural community college students seeking to advance their opportunities, so has the level of scrutiny. The perception of online courses is to be of lesser academic rigor and quality than their face-to-face counterparts. In this study I will (1) examine the demand for online courses in rural community colleges, (2) explore how state governments are linking community college funding to course success rates, …

The Effect Of Virtual Learning On Parents During Covid-19, Sheila Reeves

Master's Theses

Parents were affected in numerous ways by the sudden shut down of schools and switch to virtual learning in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these ways included use of technology, income, race, time, mental health, family life and parent insecurities. This study investigates parents' perspectives of some ways they were affected in regards to the virtual learning of their child(ren). All parents with children enrolled at Madison Campus Elementary School were invited to participate in the study, as they had at least one year's experience with their child(ren) in virtual learning.

Data was collected using a …

Learning To Anticipate In An Online Class: Perspectives Of An Instructor And A Mathematics Specialist Candidate, Kristina C. Anthony, Melody O'Quinn

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper will highlight two perspectives, a course instructor and a mathematics specialist candidate working together in an online course, on the practice of anticipating how a learner will approach a task or assignment. The candidate shares her experiences in developing an understanding of what it means to anticipate student responses and implement mathematical practice in the classroom. She also shares how learning to anticipate has impacted her teaching. The instructor reflects on her experiences (or lack thereof) in anticipating how students would engage in the online environment. From the instructor and the candidate perspectives, learning to anticipate helped to …

Teaching Special Education In The Midst Of Covid-19: Current Conditions Of Delivering Special Education Services During Distance Learning, Kalvin Davis

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The COVID-19 outbreak led to restrictions, school closure, sickness, hospitalization, humanitarian crisis, and the rise of death total. With efforts from healthcare and government officials, the best reactive response was to limit personal interactions amongst large groups and to keep a certain distance to limit the spread of COVID-19. With these limitations, school environments have drastically changed to meet student’s educational needs by using distance learning. Special education provides an opportunity to educate students who have specific educational, social, and behavioral needs in which they are given individualized education programs (IEPs) where principles are met for their services. As education …

Pedagogical Methods And Advances For Synchronous/Asynchronous Instruction Of Laboratories In Engineering Technology Programs, Nestor Escobales, Alok Verma

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Significant research has been done on the subject of distance learning (DL) instruction for many academic disciplines. However, when it comes to engineering technology (ET) programs, particularly, engineering laboratory work, limited studies are available. It is unquestionable that engineering laboratory work is essential for the successful preparation of individuals enrolled in ET programs. The focus of ET programs is on the correct use and application of engineering principles with a direct focus on practical application rather than on theory alone. The difficulties increase significantly when laboratories are offered in DL mode, particularly for ET programs. It is well known that …

Freedom For The (Distance Education) People! Ten Practical Ways To Bring Liberatory Pedagogy To Your Online Class, Jason Johnston

Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings

With the rapid growth and adoption of online programs in higher education comes a concern that education is becoming even more industrialized, reducing student liberty. This paper first critiques online learning with the concept of industrialized education. Then, it outlines and applies the revolutionary approaches of liberatory pedagogy. Finally, this paper explores and describes ten practical ways for teachers and instructional designers to apply liberatory pedagogy in online courses to empower students as partners in their own learning.

Ada Compliance In Online Courses: Free Tools And Resources For Creating An Inclusive Environment For Both Students And Instructors, John Huss, Shannon M. Eastep

Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings

Online courses must be accessible to students with disabilities, yet instructor training in accessible design is often an afterthought, leading to legal vulnerability and a breakdown in the learning partnership between student and instructor. Based on feedback from faculty members who shared their familiarity with expectations from the American Disabilities Association (ADA) and Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act, as well as challenges and perceived barriers, this session demonstrated free tools, practical suggestions, and important design tips for bringing all courses into compliance., even for those instructors with less than sophisticated technological expertise.

Learning With Technology During Emergencies: A Systematic Review Of K‐12 Education, Helen Crompton, Diane Burke, Katy Jordon, Samuel W.G. Wilson

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Emergency situations that cause damage to educational buildings or require the closure of schools due to unsafe health, environmental, or political conditions can be an unwelcomed interruption to education. Indeed, the recent COVID‐19 pandemic created the largest disruption of education in history, affecting 94% of the world's student population. In emergencies, technology is often utilised as part of a crisis response protocol by continuing education using emergency remote education (ERE). The purpose of this study is to determine how technology has been used to continue K‐12 learning remotely during an emergency. This systematic review included an aggregated and configurative synthesis …

Estrategias Para El Uso Efectivo De La Tecnología Y La Inclusión De La Cultura En Clases En Línea De Español Como Lengua Extranjera A Nivel Universitario En Los Estados Unidos, Daniel Tamez

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Developing culturally responsive knowledge and practices for the online Spanish classroom is increasingly important as campuses across the country have moved to online and hybrid delivery due to the emergence across the world of the novel Coronavirus, Covid-19, in 2020, and continuing technological enhancements and opportunities to conduct successful classes in using an online or hybrid delivery model. While it was clear that faculty and staff would need support to develop their skills and knowledge for using new technologies and methods for teaching in the online environment, it was not as clear that designing a curricular experience that was culturally …

Hello, Are You There? Creating And Measuring Online Student Engagement, Kirsten Passyn

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Engaging students in an online environment is frustrating for faculty and a concern of administration. Faculty and students report lower levels of satisfaction and lower engagement in online versus face to face learning. Dropout rates in fully online courses are often two times higher than face to face courses. This research attempted to engage online students by embedding a gamification-based scavenger hunt in an online course. Engagement was measured using a combination of quantitative and qualitative measurements. Although the scavenger hunt didn't significantly engage low performing students, it did motivate and deepen top-performing students' engagement. Interestingly, qualitative-based engagement measures proved …

Supporting Urban-Oriented Teacher Candidates To Value Rural Schooling: The Story Of A Virtual Adapted Practicum, Joanne Pattison-Meek

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In the fall of 2020, due to the institutional impacts of COVID-19, the Master of Teaching Program in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto (Canada) transitioned to a modified practicum program. In this article, I draw on self-study (Kitchen et al., 2020) to examine and share my experiences as a Practicum Advisor tasked to design and deliver a four-week virtual practicum program for 30 teacher candidates, without access to high school classrooms. I reflect on how my rural teacher and researcher selves informed my practicum design in one of Canada’s largest urban faculties of education, including …

"Letters", James V. Koch, Seth Forman

Economics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Interprofessional Reflective Journals: Content Themes And Self-Regulated Learning, Joan M. Tunningley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Self-reflection has been linked with clinical reasoning, academic, and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reflective journal entries from thirty students for interprofessional core competencies and for self-regulated learning components. The text data was analyzed using an in-depth three cycle coding process, thoroughly described in the methods. The findings were structured into two themes confirming interprofessional content learning: collaboration, team, and communication; and respect and roles. One additional theme emerged, transformation and relatedness, which indicated self-regulated learning components as well as supporting transformative learning. This qualitative case-study contributed to the research of occupational therapy students’ self-reflection …

Working With Human Subjects: Data Access, Use, Storage, & Sharing, Emily Faulconer, Jeremy Ernst

Publications

Researchers must protect the rights, welfare, and safety of human research subjects.

Research: systematic investigation that develops generalizable knowledge Human Subjects: living individuals targeted by an investigator for conducting research by obtaining data through:

• intervention or interaction with the person
• identifiable personal information

Discussion Board Facilitation, Emily Faulconer

Publications

Setting expectations allows students to take responsibility for their learning Discussion Board Engagement Guidelines

• Participation
• Analysis and Interpretation
• Scholarly Dialogue Clear due dates Detailed rubrics Gradebook feedback and feedforward
• Explain your role and be visible
• Model your expectations Idea

Engaging In Scholarly Activities: Conferences & Publication, Emily Faulconer, Amy Riordan

Publications

Scholarly activities have key characteristics.

• Intellectually rigorous
• Expands disciplinary knowledge or creative expression
• Documented
• Validated by the relevant community of professionals

Personalizing The Online Learning Experience Part 1: Persona & Social Presence, Emily Faulconer

Publications

• Instructor Presence
• Learner Profiles
• Building Persona
• Building Social Presence
• Discussions
• Online Office
• Wrap Up

Personalizing The Online Learning Experience Part Ii: Instructional Presence, Emily Faulconer

Publications

• Instructor Presence
• Persona
• Social Presence
• Instructional Presence
• Learner Profiles
• Instructional Presence
• Providing Instructions
• Gradebook Feedback
• Checkpoints
• Wrap Up

Safety Made Simple: Online, Emily Faulconer

Publications

An e-training program can address many logistical factors that limit effectiveness

• 24-Hour remote access
• Long-term access to materials
• Self-paced learning
• Accessible with disabilities
• Long-term record
• Allows program assessment
• Scalable

Does "Significant Difference" Hold True? Comparing Student Performance In Online Vs. Traditional Science Courses, Emily Faulconer, John C. Griffith

Publications

Meta-analysis studies comparing student outcomes in online and traditional courses indicate no significant difference (or a slight improvement in online courses)

Scientific And Information Literacy In Online Discussion Forums, Emily Faulconer

Publications

Scientific Literacy

• identify a valid scientific argument
• analyze scientific evidence including graphical representations of data
• use mathematical information, and critical thinking in decision-making processes

Does Instructor Quality Affect Student Grades?, Emily Faulconer, John C. Griffith, Bobby Mcmasters

Publications

High quality instructors positively influence student outcomes.

• Course design with strong organization
• Feedback
• Community of inquiry presences
• Cultural responsiveness

Exploring The Relationship Between Clout And Cognitive Processing In Mooc Discussion Forums, Robert L. Moore, Cherng-Jyh Yen, F. Eamonn Powers

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between clout and cognitive processing in massive open online course (MOOC) discussion forum posts. Cognitive processing, a category variable generated by the automated text analysis tool, Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC), is made up of six sub-scores (insight, causation, discrepancy, tentativeness, certainty and differentiation). Clout is a nontransparent summary variable in LIWC that can be used to understand the level of confidence conveyed in the text. Because clout is nontransparent, we do not know the algorithm used to calculate its value. To better understand this variable, this study examined cognitive …

Lights, Camera, Activity! A Systematic Review Of Research On Learner-Generated Videos, Bridgette Shade Epps, Tian Luo, Pauline S. Muljana

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Aim/Purpose

The current literature discusses the use and benefits of learner-generated videos (LGVs). However, it rarely addresses any correlation between the types of subjects that are best suited for using these videos or what techniques should accompany the use of LGVs.

Background

This systematic review synthesizes current literature to identify patterns and implications that develop from the use of LGVs so that their future use can be both consistent and effective. This paper also reviews the studies to establish the most consistent educational benefits that emerge from this activity.

Methodology

Employing the Preferred-Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses …

Comparative Review On Information And Communication Technology Issues In Education Sector Of Developed And Developing Countries: A Case Study About Pakistan, Aasma Akram, Moshin Nazir, Tayyaba Batool, Muhammad Imran Zulfiqar, Maria Nazir, Habiba Azhar, Sadia Murawwat

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The use of information and communication technology is very beneficial in the education sector because it can enhance the quality of education. However, the implementation of ICT in the education sector of developed and developing countries is a challenging task. This paper explains the comparative study of ICT issues in the education sector of developed and developing countries. In particular, we compare issues between Pakistan and high-tech countries. Our study reveals the fact that the education sector is facing numerous ICT problems that are based on culture, finance, management, infrastructure, lack of training, lack of equipment, teacher’s refusal, and ethical …