The Multiple Meanings of “Hybrid”: Studying Adult Student Experiences in Hybrid (Web-Enhanced) Classes While Learning How to do Qualitative Research

This paper has a two-fold or “hybrid” purpose: (1) to discuss the results of a qualitative study of adult students experiences of web-enhanced or hybrid classes, and (2) to briefly discuss the process of learning to do qualitative research while conducting this study in a qualitative research methods class

Making music together: The blending of an on-line learning environment for music artistic practice

Music curricula have become increasingly systematised in universities. This means that students may be segregated into class groupings that do not naturally support active participation in knowledge sharing, networking, moving between expert groups, socialisation and professional success. This may result in students graduating still unprepared for professional workplaces

Enhancing Online Learning: Design Principles for More Effective Educational Web Forums

Online educational web forums are increasingly being used in tertiary education settings to either supplement or replace face-to-face teacher-learner interactions. However, much use of such forums tends to be ad-hoc and ineffective which invariably results in dismal learner participation levels. This paper will report on a particular research inquiry into the design principles of a more effective and strategic use of educational web forums within particular coursework contexts and in relation to a range of possible learning outcomes. It will therefore focus especially on the design challenge of two issues in particular. The first is the inherent communication limitations as well as opportunities represented by typical web forum functions. A second related issue lies in the challenge of reconciling in practice both participant-related factors and course-design related factors. Participant-related factors include personal profiles, prior learning experiences and educational perspectives. Conversely course-design related factors include the quality and quantity of assessment items, the communication of unit requirements and the underlying approach to learning and facilitation of the unit. In this way the paper will explore how a more strategic negotiation of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors of coursework participation can be a design basis for more effective online learning and active learner participation

How optional usage of the Web affects reading comprehension

The purpose of this investigation is to consider whether using web-enhanced material improves proportionally students\u27 reading comprehension skills. In addition student attitudes are considered. Two groups of students at the University of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico were chosen as a census: a group of nursing students taking a course on reading comprehension of nursing articles in English and a group of students studying to be teachers of English as a foreign language. Reading selections were uploaded on the internet using the WebCT platform. The students were to read the selections and answer quizzes. The students took a pre- and post-test to determine if there was improvement in reading comprehension. At the end of each of the tests there was a section to determine the attitudes of the students toward reading and use of the web. Results show improvement in reading comprehension and evidence a positive change of attitude toward web usage

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThe availability of online education in universities and colleges across the nation has significantly increased during the past decade. The increase has been due in part to recent federal policy changes authorizing access to financial aid for online higher education students. The dramatic growth in the number of students taking online courses and the corresponding increase in online offerings from United States (U.S.) colleges and universities have followed this policy change. Questions related to institutional compliance with national online quality standards remain unanswered in the extant literature. The exploratory study first examines the three phases in the development of online quality standards for U.S. higher education. It next considers the institutional context and commitment to online courses and degrees as well as the current online curriculum and instruction policies and practices of Doctoral/Research-Extensive Universities in the U.S. The study explores issues related to the quality and types of instructor and student support. Online evaluation and assessment are also considered in the context of the U.S. higher education experience. A survey instrument elicited data from university Chief Information Officers in the five key areas of online institutional activity defined by the agencies that accredit all U.S. colleges and universities. The findings provide new information on the online policies and practices of 25 U.S. Doctoral/Research-Extensive Universities in the areas of: 1) institutional context and commitment, 2) curriculum and instruction, 3) faculty support, 4) student support, and 5) evaluation and assessment. An analysis of the data provides new understanding of institutional policies and practices in light of both extant research and accrediting agency standards for online higher education. Implications for online policy and practice are explored in some depth as are a number of directions for further research. Limitations of the study are noted

A LEARNER INTERACTION STUDY OF DIFFERENT ACHIEVEMENT GROUPS IN MPOCS WITH LEARNING ANALYTICS TECHNIQUES

The purpose of this study was to conduct data-driven research by employing learning analytics methodology and Big Data in learning management systems (LMSs), and then to identify and compare learners’ interaction patterns in different achievement groups through different course processes in Massive Private Online Courses (MPOCs). Learner interaction is the foundation of a successful online learning experience. However, the uncertainties about the temporal and sequential patterns of online interaction and the lack of knowledge about using dynamic interaction traces in LMSs have prevented research on ways to improve interactive qualities and learning effectiveness in online learning. Also, most research focuses on the most popular online learning organization form, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and little online learning research has been conducted to investigate learners’ interaction behaviors in another important online learning organization form: MPOCs. To fill these needs, the study pays attention to investigate the frequent and effective interaction patterns in different achievement groups as well as in different course processes, and attaches importance to LMS trace data (log data) in better serving learners and instructors in online learning. Further, the learning analytics methodology and techniques are introduced here into online interaction research. I assume that learners with different achievements express different interaction characteristics. Therefore, the hypotheses in this study are: 1) the interaction activity patterns of the high-achievement group and the low-achievement group are different; 2) in both groups, interaction activity patterns evolve through different course processes (such as the learning process and the exam process). The final purpose is to find interaction activity patterns that characterize the different achievement groups in specific MPOCs courses. Some learning analytics approaches, including Hidden Markov models (HMMs) and other related measures, are taken into account to identify frequently occurring interaction activity sequence patterns of High/Low achievement groups in the Learning/Exam processes under MPOCs settings. The results demonstrate that High-achievement learners especially focused on content learning, assignments, and quizzes to consolidate their knowledge construction in both Learning and Exam processes, while Low-achievement learners significantly did not perform the same. Further, High-achievement learners adjusted their learning strategies based on the goals of different course processes; Low-achievement learners were inactive in the learning process and opportunistic in the exam process. In addition, despite achievements or course processes, all learners were most interested in checking their performance statements, but they engaged little in forum discussion and group learning. In sum, the comparative analysis implies that certain interaction patterns may distinguish the High-achievement learners from the Low-achievement ones, and learners change their patterns more or less based on different course processes. This study provides an attempt to conduct learner interaction research by employing learning analytics techniques. In the short term, the results will give in-depth knowledge of the dynamic interaction patterns of MPOCs learners. In the long term, the results will help learners to gain insight into and evaluate their learning, help instructors identify at-risk learners and adjust instructional strategies, help developers and administrators to build recommendation systems based on objective and comprehensive information, all of which in turn will help to improve the achievements of all learner groups in specific MPOC courses

An analysis of factors that influence community college students' attitudes toward technology

This study investigated the factors that influence community college students' attitudes toward technology, particularly in teaching and learning experiences. Studies on post-secondary students' attitudes reported in the literature are limited. Factors cited previously as having an effect on attitudes towards technology and toward computers included: gender; age; presence of a computer in the home; completion of a formal technology course; and comfort with technology. The subjects in this study were 372 students in freshman level credit English classes in the five colleges of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District located in the greater metropolitan Houston area. Previous research instruments and studies to measure students' attitudes toward technology were reviewed. A modified version of the Secondary Students Attitudes' Toward Technology (SSATT) was developed for this study because of the content, reliability, and applicability to the postsecondary population. The instrument was administered in the spring of 2005. The fact that 95.4% of the participants reported having a computer at home and that 70.2% reported having had a formal technology class provided insight into the integration of technology in the lives of this community college sample. A correlation matrix of all variables and analysis of variance were performed. Factor analyses were performed to identify subcomponents of the instrument. Eight factors were identified: (1) need for technology competence, (2) technology benefits, (3) negative aspects of technology, (4) technology and the workplace, (5) impact of increased use of technology, (6) video games, (7) technology and job creation, and (8) technology and safety. A conclusion of the study was that neither age nor gender had a significant effect on the post-secondary students' attitudes toward technology, which differs from the findings in some of the previous studies. Females reported being as comfortable, if not more so, with technology in teaching and learning experiences as the males in the study. Exposure to technology, completion of a formal technology class, and the use of computers appeared to positively affect community college students' attitudes toward technology

Application of Multiple Intelligence Theory to an E-Learning Technology Acceptance Model

With the speed of doing business on the rise, employees must learn to adapt to new technologies and improved performance expectations without losing productivity or time on task. Students looking to enter the workforce must understand that education does not end with graduation rather the expectation is that everyone will be life long learners. To meet the challenge, education providers are looking for alternative ways to bring education to the student and enhance the learning experience. With e-learning, students enjoy flexible scheduling, businesses can realize improvements in workforce skills while reducing education expenditures (i.e. improved Return On Investment, ROI) and education providers extend their campuses at minimal cost. E-learning is fast becoming a preferred method of delivering quality education any time, any where. Educators, however, have mixed feelings on the subject. Many have embraced the new technology and report positive results. Others question the effectiveness of e-learning, pointing to the high dropout rate in e-learning courses and bias in the literature supporting e-learning. The cautious are concerned about rushing in on uncertain ground. They recall the advent of television and the unmet promises of that technology with respect to education. The purpose of this study is to develop an e-learning adoption model that is firmly founded in education research (especially with respect to learning) coupled with what is understood about the diffusion and acceptance of (information) technology. The goal of developing such a model is to identify and pair crucial learning characteristics of students with the acceptance of the technology used to deliver educational content electronically so as to foster mastery learning. Students can use the results of this study to help decide whether or not to enroll in an e-learning course or what additional strategies they may need to employ so as to maximize the experience. Businesses may benefit from an understanding of how to match the needs of thei

Application of Multiple Intelligence Theory to an E-Learning Technology Acceptance Model

With the speed of doing business on the rise, employees must learn to adapt to new technologies and improved performance expectations without losing productivity or time on task. Students looking to enter the workforce must understand that education does not end with graduation rather the expectation is that everyone will be life long learners. To meet the challenge, education providers are looking for alternative ways to bring education to the student and enhance the learning experience. With e-learning, students enjoy flexible scheduling, businesses can realize improvements in workforce skills while reducing education expenditures (i.e. improved Return On Investment, ROI) and education providers extend their campuses at minimal cost. E-learning is fast becoming a preferred method of delivering quality education any time, any where. Educators, however, have mixed feelings on the subject. Many have embraced the new technology and report positive results. Others question the effectiveness of e-learning, pointing to the high dropout rate in e-learning courses and bias in the literature supporting e-learning. The cautious are concerned about rushing in on uncertain ground. They recall the advent of television and the unmet promises of that technology with respect to education. The purpose of this study is to develop an e-learning adoption model that is firmly founded in education research (especially with respect to learning) coupled with what is understood about the diffusion and acceptance of (information) technology. The goal of developing such a model is to identify and pair crucial learning characteristics of students with the acceptance of the technology used to deliver educational content electronically so as to foster mastery learning. Students can use the results of this study to help decide whether or not to enroll in an e-learning course or what additional strategies they may need to employ so as to maximize the experience. Businesses may benefit from an understanding of how to match the needs of thei