Group items tagged

This article references a number of pieces of research on online learning and distance education. This includes six elements of a distance learning program as well as descriptions of which students may be served by online vs. traditional education.

This article reflects the theoretical views on what inhibits learning within online classes. It begins by identifying students enrolled in higher ed today as differing significantly for those considered to be "traditional" students. Students today want a "stripped down", as stated by the author, version of education. They don't want to pay for that which they won't use. Contemporary students are more interested in high quality courses that focus on learning the topic at hand, rather than the extra experiences one can attain by attending university in a traditional fashion.

One of the more interesting points regading the pedagogical element of online learning is that higher ed instructors don't take classes in how to teach students, which can make for some less than stellar instructors. And, this phenomenon is exaccerbated by technology and distance learning. In other words, those with poor classroom teaching skills are generally worse online teachers.

*This article is on the older side (2002), but I liked that it addressed distance learning as a category and highlighted general barriers to distance learning. Perhaps all problems are related to the LMS.*

This is an exhaustive study of the effectiveness of online learning conducted through an LMS. The study looks at how well learners can apply knowledge once they have completed tasks within an LMS. This is a resource for effectiveness and barriers to learning.

A good resource regarding online learning in the K-12 environment. This provides insight into the social learning process from the point of view from both the student and the teacher (i.e. student collaborating with students / students collaborating with teachers).

This article outlines ten principles for the design of both online and traditional learning environments. The article links and references research on how the mind works as a basis for these principles. It addresses topics such as what interactions should occur in learning, how to address a variety of learners, the role of mentors, directors and facilitators, and the development of knowledge based on individual experiences.

This is a blog post from the blog link that Cory provided on my behalf, below. Thank you, Cory! It indicates that building a class from the LMS up is not the way to go. It is better to start building a course first and then select an LMS based on what suits the needs of the course. What is interesting is that many of the barriers to online learning seem to link to elements other than the LMS itself. Hmmmmmm. The perspective of the author is from private industry, but I'm not so sure that is much different that formal education.

This is an article from Campusreporter.com. It has student feedback about the Desire2Learn LMS. The comments from students are both positive and negative. Using the commentary in this article some of our own testing can be directed. Essentially, see if what the students said for the article still hold true.

This is an older article dating in the late 90's but it is interesting to note that some of the same problems still exist, just in a more modern version. Firstly, contact and communication with the instructor and class, is still a contemporary issue. We think this has been solved with email, texting and skype, but if the instructor doesn't believe that as much interaction needs to be given to online students as campus ones, then it still stands as a barrier. Also, technical skills of students and faculty is listed and still true today, as well as the lack of support services.

This small portion of the Horizon Report discusses "Critical Challenges" of using technology as a method for delivering content to students. The four main areas that present challenges according to the New Media Consortium, the organization that publishes the Horizon Report, are: A. Digital Media Literacy: We all know it is important, the challenge is that there isn't a consensus as to what skills constitute literacy. B. Assessment lags behind as new technologies emerge quicker than committees and such can adjust curriculum accordingly. C. The traditional university instruction models are being challenged by constantly emerging technologies that offer more economic ways to deliver content so that high quality courses are still offered. D. Instructors and students must be diligent to keep pace with emerging technology, which challenges both groups' to learn and develop literacy as it quickly evolves.