Group items tagged

Peer facilitation is proposed as a solution to counter limited interaction in asynchronous online discussions. However, there is a lack of empirical research on online peer facilitation. This study identifies, through cross-case comparison of two graduate-level blended courses attended by Asian Pacific students, the actual peer facilitation techniques that could encourage online interaction. Analyses of interviews and online discussion transcripts suggest that techniques such as 'showing appreciation' and 'considering others' viewpoints' encourage online interaction. However, instructors intending to incorporate peer-facilitated online discussions should also consider the influence of factors such as the design of the online discussion activity and learners' cultural background as some participants could consider challenging others' ideas culturally inappropriate and need to be encouraged through techniques such as 'general invitation to contribute'. Facilitators might also re-consider the use of certain traditionally recommended strategies such as directing an online message at specific participants to encourage responses. This study suggests that doing so could sometimes backfire and discourage online contributions.

Royal society publishing philosophical transactions B Discussion Meeting Issue 'Autism and talent' organized by Francesca Happé and Uta Frith Table of Contents - May 27, 2009, 364 (1522)

This article is just perfect for discussion this week. It comes at a great time for us when we are discussing NCLB and how those tasks set forth in "A Nation at Risk" and "A Democracy at Risk" are affecting us today.

This interview series and the community are devoted to providing an opportunity for those who care about education to share their voices and ideas with others. It's a place for thoughtful discussion on an incredibly important topic.

Best Practice Guide on Technology Enhanced Learning Following a call for case studies earlier in the year, the UCISA Academic Support Group has now put together a Best Practice Guide on engaging academics in the use of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). The guide contains ten case studies which look at a variety of methods for engaging academics such as: * Setting up communities of practice; * Developing intensive training and support programmes; * Incorporating TEL into Postgraduate Certificate courses; * Encouraging academics to publish their research in TEL. Each case study describes the activity and the approach taken, provides an evaluation of the activity and discusses future developments and transferability.

Since its inception, the life history calendar (LHC) methodology has been primarily used for large-scale quantitative life course research. In a methodological innovation, the study described in this article explores the potential of a semistructured LHC to facilitate qualitative life course research. By merging the characteristic detail across multiple domains of the LHC with in-depth interviews, this semistructured protocol succeeds at producing nuanced longitudinal data. The author highlights benefits and limitations of this methodological innovation, as well as implementation advice. Practical matters discussed include choosing time cues, defining domain cues, allowing for multiple starting points, recommended materials, and data analysis. The article includes examples of semistructured life history calendars from a qualitative study of Latino young adults' educational trajectories.

It's about discussed. Procrastination, Procrastination definition, how to stop procrastinating, define procrastination, procrastinate meaning, laziness. Etc

Online communities depend upon the commitment and voluntary participation of their members. Community design - site navigation, community structure and features, and organizational policies - is critical in this regard. Community design affects how people can interact, the information they receive about one another and the community, and how they can participate in community activities. We argue that the constraints and opportunities inherent in online community design influence how people become attached to the community and whether they are willing to expend effort on its behalf. We examine two theories of group attachment and link these theories with design decisions for online communities. Common identity theory makes predictions about the causes and consequences of people's attachment to the group as a whole. Common bond theory makes predictions about the causes and consequences of people's attachment to individual group members. We review causes of common identity and common bond, and show how they result in different kinds of attachment and group outcomes. We then show how design decisions, such as those focused on recruiting newcomers versus retaining existing members, constraining or promoting off-topic discussion, and limiting group size or allowing uncontrolled growth, can lead to common identity or interpersonal bonds among community members, and consequently to different levels and forms of community participation by those so motivated.

Intercultural competence and related global learning outcomes are increasingly becoming a priority for postsecondary institutions to assess. This chapter discusses the complexities of assessing this outcome.

Connecticut school is going back to the basics with their math instruction. They are going online to provide lessons for their students and THROWING OUT the textbook. Its just what we discussed in a prior reading about the girl getting up in the middle of the night to do algebra on the computer. I find it interesting that their approach to getting back to the foundations of math has already improved student retention of material and better standardized test scores. Could this be a trend for more courses to come??

Here is a new look at the much-discussed subject of women bridging opportunities in science. While women who get jobs in science seem to be holding them and doing well, they are still a small percentage in the applicant pool.

This article discusses pre-college remedial courses that many high school graduates must take before entering their first year of college. There is a push to get high schools and colleges more in sync in order to avoid this and make sure high school students are given the skills they will need in college.

The benefits of afterschool programs are discussed in this article, including funding issues and risks for younger students who are unsupervised between the end of school and when their parents get home from work. Although the benefits of afterschool programs are widely known, many parents choose not to enroll their children in these programs for various reasons.

This article discusses the conclusion to a Supreme Court case that was described in an article I book-marked earlier in the semester. The Supreme Court has ruled that parents of special-education students may seek reimbursement for private school tuition.

Incredibly interesting article about the use of technology and how it can positively and negatively effect learning. As stated in our discussions earlier this week, the use of technology can - at times - undermine the real classroom experience. In the case of sites which are explained in this article, I think it highlights the need and importance of 'real' classroom learning to help with questions and curb cheating.

In addition to the discussion we were having about marketable majors and careers, I find this article about financial professionals transitioning into teaching incredibly interesting. This article details a program called "Traders to Teachers", a grant that is federally funded that allows professionals with extensive experiences in financial fields to transition into math teachers in secondary schools. In addition to helping ease the need for mathematics teachers, this also sends a great message to students about future careers and puts emphasis on having strong math skills.