Group items tagged

Retrospective analysis of existing curriculum according to an activity taxonomy

"A total of 125 students taking a first year seminar course for pre-health professional majors participated in this study (70 in the experimental group and 55 in the control group). With the experimental group, Twitter was used for various types of academic and co-curricular discussions. Engagement was quantified by using a 19-item scale based on the National Survey of Student Engagement. To assess differences in engagement and grades, we used mixed effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) models, with class sections nested within treatment groups. We also conducted content analyses of samples of Twitter exchanges. The ANOVA results showed that the experimental group had a significantly greater increase in engagement than the control group, as well as higher semester grade point averages. Analyses of Twitter communications showed that students and faculty were both highly engaged in the learning process in ways that transcended traditional classroom activities."

Nuancing Prensky and introducing the 'digital stranger'. Useful although not sure how much of a cultural and economic argument is being layered on.

Studying Connectivism in the context of personal 'keeping up to date' rather than in a MOOC context. Acknowledges it is a limited study but it is first steps in this area. Available from our library.