THEME 2: DISTANCE AND ELEARNING
Conducting Research, Annotated Bibliography & Journal Analysis |
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Annotated Bibliography: Multimedia Principle to Enhance Learning
EAC 586 Submitted February 19, 2012 Distance and E-Learning Theme |
Journal Analysis Report: Challenges and Research in Distance Education
EAC 585 Submitted September 16, 2012 Distance and E-Learning Theme |
The second step in the progression of my growth in the distance and e-learning theme is the practice of conducting research. I selected two assignments to demonstrate my evolution. I selected a journal analysis and an annotated bibliography. Both assignments serve as tools to conduct research. First the annotated bibliography is focused on subject matter spanning across multiple journals and media. Second, the journal analysis is focused on one journal spanning across multiple subject matter angles.
The annotated bibliography is from EAC 586: Methods and Techniques of Training and Development. The assignment is significant as it was my first experience in serious graduate level research. I learned how to conduct research spanning many different perspectives. Most importantly I learned to critically evaluate the articles. The subject matter I chose is Multimedia Learning. My original purpose for pursuing a graduate degree was to expand my knowledge of e-learning. This course introduced me to a book that I still reference almost daily, E-Learning and the Science of instruction by Clark and Mayer. This is the book that introduced me to the multimedia principles. The book took many intuitive design decisions and made my knowledge explicit. The subject matter in the book prompted the annotated bibliography subject. The multimedia principles and the research I conducted for this assignment and others have been translated directly into improvements in the e-learning I develop. I have also taken this information one step further and have begun to offer professional development talks to our training and development department. We offer e-learning and web-based distance learning and these principles have had a direct and positive effect on all our developers work.
The journal analysis is from EAC 585: Integrating Technology into Training and Development. Similar to the annotated bibliography, the journal analysis is an exercise in research and critique. It was actually a decent primer for this capstone project. I reviewed two years of the journal Distance Education to isolate current themes, challenges, opportunities and areas of research in distance education. Through this exercise I isolated four key themes. First, I began to note the particular challenges of teaching online. It requires a much different skill set than classroom teaching. Second, learners may not be ready to learn online. Assessment of your learners and their readiness is necessary to proceed with any success. Third is the debate between synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Meaningful learning can occur in both, but again an analysis of learners and content is necessary to make that decision. Final is the use of Open Educational Resources to facilitate learning on a global level.
The most important lesson that I am taking away is that we should never base our instructional decisions on personal preference or historical processes. We need to conduct research and become learning-oriented professionals always seeking out current and relevant research to support our work.
Access PDF copies of the assignments by clicking the links below
The annotated bibliography is from EAC 586: Methods and Techniques of Training and Development. The assignment is significant as it was my first experience in serious graduate level research. I learned how to conduct research spanning many different perspectives. Most importantly I learned to critically evaluate the articles. The subject matter I chose is Multimedia Learning. My original purpose for pursuing a graduate degree was to expand my knowledge of e-learning. This course introduced me to a book that I still reference almost daily, E-Learning and the Science of instruction by Clark and Mayer. This is the book that introduced me to the multimedia principles. The book took many intuitive design decisions and made my knowledge explicit. The subject matter in the book prompted the annotated bibliography subject. The multimedia principles and the research I conducted for this assignment and others have been translated directly into improvements in the e-learning I develop. I have also taken this information one step further and have begun to offer professional development talks to our training and development department. We offer e-learning and web-based distance learning and these principles have had a direct and positive effect on all our developers work.
The journal analysis is from EAC 585: Integrating Technology into Training and Development. Similar to the annotated bibliography, the journal analysis is an exercise in research and critique. It was actually a decent primer for this capstone project. I reviewed two years of the journal Distance Education to isolate current themes, challenges, opportunities and areas of research in distance education. Through this exercise I isolated four key themes. First, I began to note the particular challenges of teaching online. It requires a much different skill set than classroom teaching. Second, learners may not be ready to learn online. Assessment of your learners and their readiness is necessary to proceed with any success. Third is the debate between synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Meaningful learning can occur in both, but again an analysis of learners and content is necessary to make that decision. Final is the use of Open Educational Resources to facilitate learning on a global level.
The most important lesson that I am taking away is that we should never base our instructional decisions on personal preference or historical processes. We need to conduct research and become learning-oriented professionals always seeking out current and relevant research to support our work.
Access PDF copies of the assignments by clicking the links below
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to the theme page |