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Online Learning News and Research
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Saturday, March 12, 2005
The Language of Online Intercultural Community Formation - Justine Cassell and Dona Tversky, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication
This article examines how linguistic interaction patterns changed over time among a geographically and ethnically diverse group of young people in an online virtual community, the Junior Summit '98 online youth forum. The tools of word frequency and content analyses are paired with evidence from post-hoc interviews. Results demonstrate the ways in which these young people from different cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds increasingly constituted themselves as a community, speaking in the collective voice, converging on a linguistic style, and concurring on the topics of conversation, the goals of the group, and strategies for achieving them. (0) comments
72% of districts will expand distance ed - eSchool News
Nearly three-fourths of public school districts in the United States plan to expand distance-learning programs, the federal government reported March 2. According to the first federal study of the issue (titled Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students), the popularity of distance education has spread from colleges to earlier grades, as students in more than one-third of U.S. school districts take courses over the internet or through video conferences. From social studies and math to English and computer science, thousands of basic courses are being taught in an unconventional way--with the teacher and student in different places. (0) comments
More students learning from long distance - Aman Batheja, Star-Telegram
Chris Bigenho was in the midst of teaching an advanced-placement environmental science class Wednesday when he had to leave early to make another appointment. So he typed to his students, who had gathered in an online chat room, that they were to continue reviewing the lesson plan without him. "I told them I'd be pulling the transcript up later to check their work," said Bigenho, director of technology at Greenhill School, a college-preparatory day school in Addison. He then closed his laptop and began leading a discussion in downtown Fort Worth on the use of Web-based learning. (0) comments Friday, March 11, 2005
Leading the Transition from Classrooms to Learning Spaces - Diana Oblinger, Educause Quarterly
One of the most important activities of a college or university is enabling student learning. Historically, the place where faculty and students came together for formal learning was in the classroom. However, the Internet has changed notions of place, time, and space. Space is no longer just physical; it incorporates the virtual. New methods of teaching and learning, based on an improved understanding of cognition, have emerged, as well. As a result, the notion of a classroom has expanded and evolved; the space need no longer be defined by “the class” but by “learning.” Learning space design has emerged as an important consideration for colleges and universities. (0) comments
Web-based learning helps rural schools in New Zealand - New Zealand Government
A project that will enable seven small rural schools in the Thames/Coromandel area to work together using a web-based learning environment was launched today by Education Minister Trevor Mallard. "This exciting new initiative, called the Kopu project, will allow schools to share learning experiences using a range of online technologies including interactive whiteboards, shared computer programs and video conferencing," Trevor Mallard said. "The schools will work together using a web-based learning environment named KnowledgeNet. "The three-year project will begin this year in Parawai, Maramarua and Opoutere Schools, and will grow to include another four schools in 2006-07. (0) comments
Revenue jumps 60 percent for eCollege - Denver BizJournal
Online education provider eCollege on Thursday reported record revenue of $24.4 million for the fourth quarter, ending Dec. 31, 2004. That's up 60 percent from the $15.2 million in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2003. The Q4 revenue include $9.3 million from the company's elearning division and $15.1 million from its enrollment division, Datamark Inc., which it acquired Oct. 31, 2003. (0) comments Thursday, March 10, 2005
The Virtual University: From Turf to Surf-Same Journey Different Routes - Lalita Rajasingham, EURODL
The modern university developed in response to the needs of the industrial society and was enabled by the railways. The virtual university is emerging in response to the needs of the global knowledge society, and is enabled by the Internet. The core business of universities is the creation, storage, processing and dissemination of knowledge a primary factor of production and competitive advantage in the global economy. While the modern university responded to national needs, the virtual university will respond to the needs of an increasingly interconnected, multicultural, multilingual and globalised world. As a means of addressing the pressures of rising enrolments and increasing fiscal constraints, universities worldwide are assuming virtual dimensions to address the issues of globalisation itself. This article examines some implications. (0) comments
Preventing Professorial Plagiarism: How an Online University Uses Technology to Prevent Faculty Plagiarism, Ensure Academic Rigor - Business Wire
The people who have condemned widespread student plagiarism are being found to be guilty of the same crime. Pervasive student plagiarism used to be the dirty little secret in higher education, but the plague of plagiarism by professors is the dirtier secret now being told. A recent expose in a respected publication for higher education presented evidence that faculty plagiarism is probably widespread and that the academic community has done little to address it. However, while technology has made pilfering prose easier than ever, technology exists that is making it tougher - when that technology is used. While gaining increasing acceptability for student work, the technology as yet remains relatively rarely used in ensuring faculty originality. (0) comments
Open eBook Forum: Soaring Prices and Digital Technologies Pressure Adoption of Alternatives to Print
Will digital textbooks replace print? Do eBooks offer improvements in learning? These questions and presentations on the advantages of using digital media to deliver educational content will be center stage at the eBooks in Education Conference, Thursday, April 14th, 2005 at the McGraw-Hill Auditorium in midtown Manhattan. The Open eBook Forum (OeBF) is sponsoring this one-day event to present the latest developments in digital reading technologies, case studies on eBooks in the classroom, new business models for online curriculum, and legislative initiatives for digital textbooks. Presenters include educators, and representatives from textbook publishers, software companies, and online learning companies. (0) comments Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Peer Teaching in Web Based Threaded Discussions -William F. Brescia, Jr., James Swartz, Cathy Pearman, Richard Balkin, and David Williams; JIOL
This study is, as an inquiry into the effectiveness of discussion leadership taxonomy, designed to help online discussion leaders support and facilitate discussions conducted by undergraduates. Participants were approximately two hundred preservice undergraduate students taking an Introduction to Educational Technology course. Each week students had access to online lectures and text materials, and participated in Web-based topical discussions. Data for this study came from open-ended interviews conducted with thirty-seven volunteer participants, and from all discussion posts. Analysis of the data showed that while some students had difficulty assuming the role of discussion leader, many felt that it was a stimulating challenge. The Tips for Online Leaders proved to be useful in promoting learning and provided discussion leaders with a variety of support strategies. While some students were resistant to Web-based learning, all students found that the discussions helped in learning the assigned material. Finally, the students were able to expand their own knowledge by observing the multiple perspectives presented by other students. (0) comments
'Digital Divide' Narrowing Fast, World Bank Says - Thomas Atkins, Reuters
The "digital divide" between rich and poor nations is narrowing fast, the World Bank said on Thursday, calling into question a costly United Nations campaign to bring hi-tech telecommunications to the developing world. As some 1,700 international experts gathered in Geneva to prepare for the U.N.'s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the World Bank said in a report that telecommunications services to poor countries were growing at an explosive rate. "The digital divide is rapidly closing," the report said. "People in the developing world are getting more access at an incredible rate -- far faster than they got access to new technologies in the past." Half the world's population now enjoys access to a fixed-line telephone, the report said, and 77 percent to a mobile network -- surpassing a WSIS campaign goal that calls for 50 percent access by 2015. (0) comments
Washington State Bills address growing field of online learning - Kelly Kearsley, Associated Press
Daniel Clark's blindness doesn't hinder his passion for writing. But his school's inability to offer specialized courses did make it more difficult to study poetry — until the Washington State School for the Blind tapped into the power of the Internet. On a recent morning the high-school senior hunched toward his computer keyboard, his hands flying through the key commands he uses to navigate the Web site of his poetry course. Special speech software reads him a poem written by one of his online classmates. "I have a creative spirit and I love to write," he said. "This is one of the best things I've done." No brick-and-mortar school can offer every course its students desire, but online courses can offer a broader range of classes. That's why educators around the state are keeping close track of legislation that promises to increase Washington students' access to Internet courses. Bills winding their way through both state houses outline for the first time how the state should pay for online courses taken by public-school students. Under the current rules, most Internet classes aren't eligible for state money. (0) comments Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Perceptions of Online Presence and their Relationship to Cognitive and Affective Learning - Tracy Russo and Spencer Benson, JETS
This study investigated the relationship between student perceptions of others in an online class and both affective and cognitive learning outcomes. Data were gathered from student survey responses and instructor evaluation of performance. Results from this study indicated significant correlations between student perceptions of the presence of other students in the class and scores on an attitudes scale and their satisfaction with their own learning. This finding demonstrates the salience of other students in the learning environment to affective learning outcomes. Perceptions of the instructor’s presence were significantly correlated with both affective learning and with student learning satisfaction. This outcome in an online class is consistent with findings on teacher immediacy literature in traditional classes and highlight the role of the teacher in establishing a learning environment. Results relative to cognitive learning showed that student reports of their perception of their own presence in the class were significantly correlated with performance in the class and with the grade they would assign themselves. (0) comments
Electronic media expands students' learning options - Robyn Joyce, Cincinnati News Record
Distance learning has become a new way to experience college classes and gives students a chance to interact on a different level. The College of Business is offering the option for students to work toward their degrees away from the main campus. Classes are being offered at Raymond Walters and Clermont College. However, the traditional classroom setting is not the only way to learn. Distance learning allows students to take courses through television, the Web, videotapes, satellite broadcasting and videoconferencing. "Distance learning is a wonderful thing," said Dave Hubble, the assistant director in the Media Support Office at Raymond Walters. "It gives students, who may not have the opportunity to learn, the chance to do so." (0) comments
An e-Learning Systems Engineering Methodology - Gilbert, L., Wang, C. and Sim, Y. W. , Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies
A methodology for e-learning systems engineering is offered for use in the development of e-learning materials. The methodology draws upon the practices of software engineering to identify the key stages and steps required for the development of effective e-learning materials. A technical team assembled for the task of developing an e-learning system is usually professionally familiar with the principles of software engineering but may not be sure of how to go about the particular tasks associated with the development of e-learning materials and systems. The principles of software engineering may be readily applied to the development of e-learning rather than software, and this paper provides a “translation” of a version of the conventional “waterfall” model [1]. A good development methodology helps a technical team develop pedagogically as well as technically sound units of learning. Conversely, the lack of a good methodology causes schedule slippage, budget over-run, or outright failure to meet learner, sponsor, and stakeholder needs. (0) comments Monday, March 07, 2005
Elements of Effective e-Learning Design - Andrew R. Brown and Bradley D. Voltz, IRRODL
Preparing and developing e-learning materials is a costly and time consuming enterprise. This paper highlights the elements of effective design that we consider assist in the development of high quality materials in a cost efficient way. We introduce six elements of design and discuss each in some detail. These elements focus on paying attention to the provision of a rich learning activity, situating this activity within an interesting story line, providing meaningful opportunities for student reflection and third party criticism, considering appropriate technologies for delivery, ensuring that the design is suitable for the context in which it will be used, and bearing in mind the personal, social, and environmental impact of the designed activities. Along the way, we describe how these design elements can be effectively utilized by contextualizing them with examples from an e-learning initiative. (0) comments
Meet me in cyberspace - Linda Rosencrance, Computer World Australia
E-meeting systems have evolved into more than ways to save time and money on travel. We see how three companies are finding that they can track and shape projects as they produce more-focused meetings. Virtual meetings conducted over the Internet were once viewed as little more than a clumsy stopgap when time or the company travel budget made in-person meetings impossible. But improved technology that streamlines workflow, facilitates knowledge management and allows corporations to do more in less time and at a lower cost has transformed e-meetings into one of the best choices for many kinds of group communication, according to users. Features of e-meeting software can include integrated audio- and video-conferencing, application sharing with markup capabilities, real-time feedback, whiteboards, instant surveys and text chat. In addition, some technologies automatically record meetings for editing and playback and store recordings and materials such as agendas, minutes and presentations for easy retrieval. (0) comments
The University of Notre Dame and Bisk Education to Offer New Online Business Negotiation Course - Yahoo News
Bisk Education's University Alliance Online division ( http://www.universityalliance.com ), America's largest provider of Internet-based degree and certificate programs from the nation's leading universities, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the University of Notre Dame as the exclusive online provider of a Master Certificate in Business Negotiation. The University of Notre Dame's Business Negotiation Master Certificate is the first to deliver a mastery of business negotiation disciplines from one of the top business schools in the country. The Business Negotiation Master Certificate track is comprised of three 8-week courses in business negotiation, each containing up to 16 hours of streaming video presentation, independent exercises, and exams. These 8-week courses can also be taken individually if desired. Students are awarded certificates honoring the fulfillment of each course. Completion of all three courses will earn the student a Master Certificate in Business Negotiation from the renowned University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, ranked in the top 30 business schools by both U.S. News & World Report and BusinessWeek in 2004. (0) comments Sunday, March 06, 2005
Understanding Innovation in Education Using Activity Theory - Donna L. Russell and Art Schneiderheinze, Journal of Ed. Tech & Society
The purpose of this study was to describe how four teachers in four different cities in Missouri implemented a constructivist-based learning environment (CBLE) that included an innovation cluster that paired an emerging online technology with a unit design framework. The motivating question for the study originated from prior research on teacher reform efforts including the adoption of technology innovations in the classroom, new theories of constructivist-based learning and the principles of professional development for educators implementing reform. Using a multiple case study research method, the researchers collected and analyzed data to (1) identify how effectively each of the teachers implemented the CBLE unit based on their goals for adopting the innovations while participating in online collaborative professional development and (2) identify cross-case issues that arose as the teachers implemented the unit. Conclusions in the study suggest that the teachers implemented innovation into their classrooms with varied levels of effectiveness based on their initial goals for the reform process. Aspects that influenced the effectiveness of their unit and the implementation of the innovation included (1) the teacher’s ability to benefit from online collaborative professional development forums, (2) the teacher’s problem-solving strategies for resolving conflict issues related to their local school environment, and (3) their prior conceptions about teaching and learning and their compatibility with the reform instructional pedagogy. (0) comments
ICT - As you like it - John Rose, Hindu Business Line
One of the most evident successes in higher education is through Web-based teaching. Many universities are using this to provide high-quality education, either entirely virtually or in combination with face-to-face teaching, either on the Internet or through local campus intranets. One of the most useful applications has been in teacher education, including improving teachers' ICT competence, where a large, dispersed target group must be supported in improving their skills throughout their careers. Professional and technical challenges include how to interest and train the teachers, and how to allocate the necessary resources for equipment and infrastructure. Others, more importantly, concern policy. Some universities, particularly in industrialised countries, have seen ICT-based teaching as a cash cow instead of a way to provide better education. So how does one decide to accredit virtual universities, including those based in other countries or regions, and to avoid potentially damaging competition between them and national education systems? (0) comments
Jamaica to launch e-learning project - Paul A. Reid, Jamaica Gleaner
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has announced that the government will shortly be introducing an e-learning project to assist with the delivery of education. Mr Patterson said the government has realised the importance of moving education into the computer age and that the project will be a multi-agency one, "driven by the Ministry of Industry, Technology and Commerce but anchored in the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture." The prime minister made the announcement at Thursday's official opening of the Frome Technical High School in Westmoreland, adding that the teachers would have to be upgraded "because they will not be comfortable trying to transmit knowledge in a field in which the students are more adept and more advanced than they are." (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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