Name: Kayla SmithDegree Program: Master’s of Education in Educational Technology – USC ColumbiaCourse: ED ET 755 – Evaluation of Information Access and Delivery

Research and Practice in Distance Education

Course Rationale:The course provides an opportunity for an in-depth examination of distance education and issues related to instructional delivery, connectivity, and distribution methods. We will explore current thinking about the field and its significance, and review the research conducted by scholars in the field. We also will review and evaluate current practice in the field. Finally, using what we have learned from theory and practice, we will construct our own models of distance education.

Course Objectives:The candidate will

1. Create a plan for a topic of a content area (e.g., a thematic unit, a text chapter, an interdisciplinary unit) to demonstrate application of the principles of macro-level design. (1.1.2a )

2. Create instructional plans (micro-level design) that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs. (1.1.2b)

3. Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning. (1.1.2d )

4. Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies. (2.4.2 )

5. Identify policies and regulations which apply to the utilization, application, and integration of distance delivery technologies. (3.4.5 )

6. Demonstrate leadership attributes with individuals and groups (e.g., interpersonal skills, group dynamics, team building). (4.0.1 )

Introduction:Below is a description of the assignments, activities, and projects that

I have completed in this course. Each artifact demonstrates how I have reached the following goals:

Goal One: To be knowledgeable about research in aspects of distance education and the use of telecommunications in educational and other settings.

Relevant Examples:Assignment: Discussion Boards (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/Discussion+Boards)Assignment: Chapter Thirteen Presentation (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/Chapter+Thirteen+Presentation)Assignment: Research Synthesis (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/Research+Synthesis)

Throughout this semester, we completed numerous assignments and activities where we examined the information in our textbook, The Theory and Practice of Online Learning, edited by Terry Anderson. As a class, we reflected on two of the chapters using discussion board forums in our course management system, Blackboard. In chapter one, I became both knowledgeable and aware of the benefits as well as the implications involved with online learning. This chapter also reviewed several of the learning theories that we have studied in previous classes, such as, Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. All of these theories are important and should be displayed in an educator’s pedagogy because they allow students to learn using various approaches. Chapter one also presented several key ideas on the role of technology and how these tools should be implemented into the classroom. These instruments not only enhance instruction, but also allow the students to get actively involved in the content. In chapter two, I learned a great deal of information about effective learning environments (learner-centered, knowledge-centered, assessment-centered, and community-centered) as well as the different forms of interaction (student-student, student-teacher, and student-content). All of the learning environments discussed are equally important and should be used to help each student succeed. This chapter also talked about the significance of a learning community and provided helpful ways for students to build strong relationships with both their instructors and peers in order to collaborate, interact, and become deeply involved with others in the educational process.

Additionally, we analyzed chapters ten and thirteen in our textbook, The Theory and Practice of Online Learning, by creating and narrating presentations of our thoughts and reactions to the content. In chapter thirteen, I explored the dilemma that is currently occurring in online education, and furthermore, I developed an understanding of the quality

assurance standards that are emerging into practice. These standards and principles ensure that higher-education institutions are providing credible and appropriate courses and programs for their students. Furthermore, the standards guide instructors in the creation of these courses to substantiate that the instruction is useful, valuable, and of the highest quality.

Lastly, we were given the opportunity to complete an annotated bibliography on a topic of our choice. I decided to gather information and research the topic on learning and teaching strategies for those (students and teachers) involved in distance education. In this assignment, I developed a thorough list of both scholarly articles as well as research studies in order to become an expert in this field of distance education. These articles contained numerous strategies for students enrolled in online education and provided effective means for success and achievement. Both technology and distance education continue to grow and progress. Though there are challenges and difficulties that many students encounter with this type of learning, the development of new, innovative technological tools as well as the complex network of connections that students are given (Internet) allow for success in an online environment. Distance education has impacted the nation because of its convenience, flexibility of pace, location, and time, and opportunity to obtain higher education while working a job and raising a family. In conclusion, the research studies conducted proved that all of these strategies assisted students with several important components, including, motivation, metacognition, and resource management skills. A student should aim to develop the aforementioned skills in order to promote meaningful learning, engage with other students, the instructor, and the content, and become involved through a deeper approach that allows students to expand their knowledge through personal meaning, prior experience, and applicable real-life examples.

Goal Two: To critically evaluate examples of distance education implementation in educational and business settings.

Relevant Examples:Assignment: LMS Rubric (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/LMS+Rubric)Assignment: LMS Evaluations (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/LMS+Evaluations+One+%26+Two)

Another project that I was involved in this semester was the creation of an LMS rubric. In this assignment, I collaborated with two other team members (Mandy & Keith) to identify several components that should be included in an effective online course. Collectively, our team developed a rubric where we specified many significant elements which were used in the evaluation of two online courses produced by different professionals in the field of education. As a group, we determined that the most important areas were based on the following criterion in the evaluation of online courses: Design, Content, Interaction, and Assessment. We discussed and elaborated

on this information and decided to assess the courses according to these measurable categories: Target, Acceptable, and Unacceptable. Both courses were lacking in a few areas, especially Interaction and Assessment. However, we all gained a lot of valuable information that we could potentially use in the creation and implementation of our own online course by assessing these strengths and weaknesses. Together, the completion of the rubric as well as both of the evaluations helped us to recognize the important aspects to consider in the development and design of an effective online course.

Goal Three: To construct effective delivery of courses, topics, or training by using existing CMS tools.Relevant Examples:Project: LMS Build Project (http://tinyurl.com/86ueppz)Assignment: LMS Build Reflection (http://smith755.wikispaces.com/LMS+Build+Reflection)

While all of the information that I have learned this semester has been useful and beneficial, I consider the LMS Build Project to be the most important and worthwhile. In this project, I interacted with a great team of students from this class (Mandy, Michelle, Israel, & Dennis) to develop and design an online course on the integration of iPads into the K-5 environment according to Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. We found an informative article to incorporate into our course on various iPad applications that enhance each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Our team also included a module to introduce the iPad and a module to present an overview on Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. In addition, we provided the students with other valuable tools, such as instructional guides, narrated presentations, and helpful resources. Through the attainment of this knowledge, we allowed the participating students to interact in various discussion board forums to converse about the information learned. These students were given multiple opportunities to learn the content and participate in the course. Ultimately, this project helped me to implement the knowledge that I have gained from this course as well as the information that I have learned from both of the assignments that we completed previously with the rubric and the evaluations. With the identified criteria from the rubric, I was able to establish the effective components of an online course and display those elements in a mock simulation that we conducted as instructors with our participating students.

Conclusion:All of the artifacts presented in this portfolio show my growth from

the beginning of the semester until now. It has definitely been a long and difficult journey, but I must say that I have learned a vast amount of information about the research practices involved in distance education. Ultimately, I will apply this information to my own life by utilizing the content from this class (assignments, activities, & projects) throughout the

rest of my graduate career and also with potential job opportunities that may emerge after the completion of this degree. Each assignment and project has positively impacted my life – both personally and professionally – as I have gained knowledge about different teaching and learning strategies to help me stay motivated and determined as well as succeed in this class and the remainder of my graduate coursework, became proficient in identifying and evaluating the components that should be displayed in an effective online course, implemented these skills into practice by collaborating in a group to create a useful online course on the topic of iPads in the K-5 environment according to Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy, and learned a great deal of new information by reading, reviewing, and reflecting on our text and the content associated with several different theoretical perspectives and the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, as well as the importance of mobile learning and the significance of interaction and collaboration in an online environment to enhance the educational process for all and build a strong community of learners.