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Online Learning News and Research
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Saturday, March 13, 2004
An Online Multimedia Exchange between the U.S. and Spain - Douglas Morgenstern, Adolfo Plasencia, Rafael Seiz; Syllabus
Foreign language students spend much of their time communicating with each other, and with the teacher, who strives to use language tailored to the perceived level of lexical, syntactic and cultural awareness of the class. Study abroad, a potentially transformative immersion experience, is an ideal opportunity for practice in less artificial situations; nevertheless, relatively few students are able to participate in a study abroad program. One solution is to use the Web as a simulated immersive experience, so students can access authentic languages and images. Many educators concentrate on providing paths for students, or equipping them with enabling strategies to find useful paths themselves, through the vast quantity of webpages available (Perez). This solution favors reception, since the learner essentially collects, rearranges and analyzes extant material. (0) comments
Modeling Web-based Educational Systems - Franca Pantano Rokou, Elena Rokou, Yannis Rokos; Educational Technology & Society
Abstract: Using modeling languages is essential to the construction of educational systems based on software engineering principles and methods. Furthermore, the instructional design is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the design and development of educational systems. Although several methodologies and languages have been proposed for the specification of isolated educational multimedia systems, none has optimum results for the description of these systems and, especially, for their pedagogical aspect. Of course this is due primarily to how these systems function and are applied; it is not due to the language itself, although its special characteristics contribute substantially to the development of these systems sometimes positively and sometimes negatively. In this paper, we briefly describe the introduction of stereotypes to the pedagogical design of educational systems and appropriate modifications of the existing package diagrams of UML (Unified Modeling Language). The main objective of these new stereotypes is to describe sufficiently the mechanisms of generation, monitoring and re-adapting of teaching and student’s models which can be used in the educational applications. (0) comments
Technology Plumbs the Affective Learning Domain - Sam S. Adkins, Learning Circuits
Until very recently, it has been prohibitively expensive and impractical to attempt to develop learning technologies that mapped to the affective domain. Now there’s a broad category of products known as Affective Computing and a specific product category called Affective Learning Technology. Both are being used to develop products designed for the affective learning domain. (0) comments Friday, March 12, 2004
FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATIONAL THEORY FOR ONLINE LEARNING - Mohamed Ally, Theory and Practice of Online Learning
Introduction: There is ongoing debate about whether it is the use of a particular delivery technology or the design of the instruction that improves learning (Clark, 2001; Kozma, 2001). It has long been recognized that specialized delivery technologies can provide efficient and timely access to learning materials; however, Clark (1983) has claimed that technologies are merely vehicles that deliver instruction, but do not themselves influence student achievement. As Clark notes, meta-analysis studies on media research have shown that students gain significant learning benefits when learning from audio-visual or computer media, as opposed to conventional instruction; however, the same studies suggest that the reason for those benefits is not the medium of instruction, but the instructional strategies built into the learning materials. (0) comments
Review could change UKeU elearning framework - Mark Samuels, UK Computing
The UKeU's public sector partners are awaiting the outcome of a review that could result in major changes to the operations of the government-funded elearning scheme. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) is currently in discussions with UKeU to agree a restructuring plan. Computing last week disclosed that the scheme has consumed £28m and attracted just 900 students, at a cost of £30,000 per student.... The online learning project was launched in February 2000 and the government allocated £62m to the project to help students across the world earn online degrees from UK universities. (0) comments
eScholars of the World, Unite! The University of California Revolutionizes Publishing Paradigm - Marla Misek, eContent
.... With 100-plus libraries on 10 campuses housing more than 31 million items, the University of California reportedly operates the world's largest research collection. As digital technologies evolved and campus budgets constricted in the 1990s, UC librarians, researchers, and administrators began acknowledging three challenges that could not be ignored: the economics of publishing were changing rapidly; scholarly communication needed to innovate; and sustaining comprehensive collections was becoming increasingly harder to do. With these challenges in mind, UC representatives began conceptualizing a plan "to harness the system's resources at a time when the budget was very bad and the possibilities of technology seemed endless," explains Catherine Candee, director of scholarly communication initiatives for UC's California Digital Library. "The whole notion from the start was, ‘Let's improve the capacity of the library to support the university's mission, which is research and teaching.'" (0) comments Thursday, March 11, 2004
DISTANCE EDUCATION: Improved Data on Program Costs and Guidelines on Quality Assessments - Government Accounting Office
While federal restrictions on the size of distance education programs affect only a small number of schools’ ability to offer federal student aid, the growing popularity of distance education could cause the number to increase in the future. GAO found that 14 schools were either now adversely affected by the restrictions or would be affected in the future; collectively, these schools serve nearly 225,000 students. Eight of these schools, however, will remain eligible to offer federal student aid because they have been granted waivers from the restrictions by Education.... According to Education, the Demonstration Program revealed no evidence that waiving the current restrictions results in negative consequences, and in its most recent report on the program, Education said that there is a need to amend the laws and regulations governing federal student financial aid to expand distance education opportunities. (0) comments
Scottish Executive reports on National Grid for Learning in Scotland - Public Technology
The Scottish Executive Education Department has published its third progress report which covers the implementation of the National Grid for Learning in Scotland. The progress report sets out background information, the contribution of the Scottish Executive, and records the progress in the three key ICT areas of infrastructure, training and content development. The delivery of staff development and the growth of network infrastructure and access to ICT have allowed attention to be turned to the true goal of NGfL, the embedding of ICT into everyday use in Teaching and Learning. (0) comments
Marshall University E-course policy increases benefits - Abigail Kimberlain, the Parthenon
Revisions to the e-course policy define course ownership rights of faculty and the university, and provide individual colleges with increased participation. The Information Technology Committee assessed the modifications. David W. Johnson, director of extended education, said property rights are clearly explained in the policy. "It clarifies when the course content belongs to the university, when it belongs to the faculty, or when ownership is shared by both," Johnson said. (0) comments Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Eduventures Forecasts Fully Online U.S. Student Enrollment Will Top One Million in 2005 - Buisness Wire
Eduventures, the leading independent research firm exclusively focused on the learning markets, announces the forthcoming release of its new report, Online Distance Education Market Update: A Nascent Market Matures. While updating Eduventures' research on the size and segmentation of the online education market in terms of revenue opportunity and student enrollment, this report also offers analysis on the development and maturation of the market and identifies key drivers for growth.... According to the report's findings, the fully online distance-learning market grew more than 50% in 2002 to reach $3.7 billion and will maintain growth rates in excess of 30% for a number of years to come. (0) comments
Intensive distance learning methods via the internet can have great effect - Kishan S Rana, Business Standard
It is natural that new-fangled techniques like the use of the internet for distance learning should be compared with the traditional learning method, the classroom and face-to-face interaction. Can one really overcome distance or replicate the “vibrations” that a good teacher generates with her or his students? Looking into the eyes of his class, a good guru evaluates the learning that’s been absorbed. No video conference or on-line chatroom can match that. True. But surprisingly, intensive distance methods via the internet provide other things that teacher learning matches only imperfectly. Let us consider the oft-overlooked potential of the new methods. (0) comments
Turnitin controversy reaches Brock - Travis Lowry, Brock Press
A taskforce of Brock students was initiated at a Senate meeting last week to look into alternatives to the use of anti-plagiarism Web sites such as Turnitin.com. Official as of Wednesday, Mar. 3, the Committee on Academic Policy approved a motion suggested by student senator and fourth year student Charles Hill - to form a taskforce to investigate alternatives to the policy of using Turnitin.com, whether the policy is legal or not, and broadly looking at the ethics of this policy. (0) comments Tuesday, March 09, 2004
UIS receives federal funding to address math teacher shortage
“This is a great day for UIS,” said Chancellor Ringeisen following the announcement Monday that this campus has received $250,000 in federal funds to help address the shortage of math teachers in the state of Illinois. The funding will be used to establish an online math teacher certification program that will be offered by UIS for the first time this fall. (0) comments
E-Learning Provides Answers - Wezi Tjaronda, New Era
Minister of Regional, Local Government and Housing, Joel Kaapanda has said providing education to the ever increasing population hungry for education and qualifications, requires institutions to develop flexible learning systems. Kaapanda said last week that people's search for knowledge pressurised governments to develop systems of education that could allow skilled workers work within the knowledge system and global economy. Speaking at an Electronic Distance Training in African Local Governments on Sustainable Development conference (EDITOSIA) last week, Kaapanda noted that with electronic e-learning countries could help those interested in pursuing further education, overcome barriers such as time and availability of space. (0) comments
Blackboard files for $75 mln IPO, Reuters
Educational software company, Blackboard Inc., filed with U.S. regulators on Friday for an initial public offering worth an estimated $75 million. Blackboard did not say how many shares it plans to offer or estimate a price per share in a preliminary prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those details are expected in future filings. (0) comments Monday, March 08, 2004
Second Language Acquisition Theories as a Framework for Creating Distance Learning Courses - Eileen N. Ariza and Sandra Hancock, IRRODL
Abstract: Moore and Kearsley (1996) maintain distance educators should provide for three types of interaction: (a) learner-content, (b) learner-instructor, and (c) learner-learner. According to interactionist second language acquisition (SLA) theories that reflect Krashen’s theory (1994) that comprehensible input is critical for second language acquisition, interaction can enhance second language acquisition and fluency. Effective output is necessary as well. We reviewed the research on distance learning for second language learners and concluded that SLA theories can, and should, be the framework that drives the development of courses for students seeking to learn languages by distance technology. This article delineates issues to consider in support of combining SLA theories and research literature as a guide in creating distance language learning courses. (0) comments
Classes in China spur enrollment for Hays college - KATHERINE LEAL UNMUTH, Wichita Eagle
As Fort Hays State University professor Keith Campbell sleeps, hundreds of his students in Xinzheng, China, prepare for class.... By tying itself to Sias and two other universities in China, Fort Hays has used its Virtual College program to create a niche in global distance learning, boosting enrollment and tuition revenue in an era of declining state support for universities.... Fort Hays' China program began in 2000 with 25 students. Last fall, it had 1,200 students generating about $1.2 million in tuition and fees for the semester. The students pay an additional international fee of $35 on each credit hour cost of $112. (0) comments
Electronic Reserves and Fair Use - ARL
With recent changes to the U.S. Copyright Law, including the passage of the TEACH Act, there is renewed interest in identifying library best practices in applying fair use to electronic reserves operations. In the late 1990s, electronic reserves were a primary focus of the Conference on Fair Use (CONFU). Libraries and higher education associations rejected the draft CONFU electronic reserves guidelines because they were highly proscriptive and did not provide the necessary flexibility inherent in fair use. Instead of guidelines, the library community has developed a statement to serve as a framework within which libraries may assess risk in terms of applying the four fair use factors to electronic reserves operations. (0) comments Sunday, March 07, 2004
Toward a Theory of Online Learning - Terry Anderson, Theory and Practice of Online Learning
Introduction: Theory has both been celebrated and condemned in educational practice and research. Many proponents have argued that theory allows—even forces—us to see the “big picture” and makes it possible for us to view our practice and our research from a broader perspective than that envisioned from the murky trenches of our practice. This broader perspective helps us to make connections with the work of others, facilitates coherent frameworks and deeper understanding of our actions, and perhaps most importantly allows us to transfer the experience gained in one context to new experiences and contexts. (0) comments
Degrees of separation - Nicole Manktelow, The Age Australia
There are no easy answers for teaching online - it can either bridge vast distances or make students feel even more isolated. Ian, a postgraduate student, took his first online subject last year. He logged in ready for class, but no one else turned up. For the rest of the semester Ian was the only member of his marketing class ever to post questions to the website and communicate online with the lecturer. "I was starting to think I must be stupid if I was the only one who was asking questions," says Ian, who is general manager of sales for a biomedical supplier. He studies externally via Central Queensland University. There was a chat room set up, but when I went there, there was no one home." (0) comments
Sakai and the Four Cs of Open Source - Kenneth C. Green, Syllabus
The 2003 Campus Computing Survey reveals that about one-third of all college courses make some use of a CMS, up from 15 percent in 2000. Equally significant in tracking the rise of CMS: fully four-fifths (82 percent) of the colleges and universities participating in the 2003 Campus Computing Survey report that their institution has established a “single product standard” for the campus CMS—typically Blackboard or WebCT. CMS emerged in response to an institutional need: how do we “make it easy” for faculty to use the Web in instruction? While CMS may not be the mythical “killer app” of the Internet, CMS products—from Blackboard, eCollege, WebCT and other providers—have certainly become an integral component of campus IT offerings. (0) comments Online Learning News Blog Archives OTEL - Ray's Home Page - Notebook - UIS Online - U of I Online - UIS Home Fair Use |
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