Sunday, October 14, 2007

Assignment 4, Lauer Chapters 5 & 6

1. Locate a quantitative study. Then provide the following:
a) Correct APA style Bibliographical reference and URL for the study
Marie Therese Rush, (2003). Teaching Development, Invertebrate Zoology Review Modules
http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=227661

b) List and Explain the research method

This is an experimental research method. In this study they are trying to prove if a multimedia teaching aid (MTA) developed for Invertebrate Zoology is effective as a teaching aid. The research goal is to investigate the impact of using MTA on students’ performance.

c) Explain the research method, any instruments and how they were developed or chosen. Be sure to indicate the type of instrument (survey, interview, focus group etc.)

Twenty-five students were randomly chosen to participate in this study as a treatment group and twenty-five randomly selected as the control group. The treatment group received the InvertZoo CD who later asked if they could share the CD with their lab partner. The treatment group was granted permission and the lab partners became the sharing group.


d) List the research questions and the answers the study arrived at for those questions.

Are the InvertZoo Modules effective as a teaching aid?
InvertZoo modules proved to be effective as a teaching aid because the students in the treatment group scored higher in their test than the control group. The sharing group also scored higher than the control group but lower than the treatment group.

e) Evaluate the effectiveness of the research design, methods and instrument(s) of this study.

Students in the treatment group using the InvertZoo CD had higher test cores that students in the control group which proves that the CD was beneficial to the students. A survey was conducted in which the students felt that the InvertZoo CD was a helpful teaching aide. Having a sharing group was a key element because it reinforced the conclusion that the InvertZoo was a key component in students learning.

2. Locate a qualitative study. Then provide the following:

a) Correct APA style Bibliographical reference and URL for the study
Brad Belbas, Christina Goodland, (2006). Mapping the Terrain for Online Teaching and Learning Practices.
http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=263509

b) List and Explain the research method

The research method is implemented through ethnographic interviews with faculty members, key collaborators and students. The course WebVista sites were analyzed because they provided evidence of interactions, and how activities of teaching and learning are carried out. For case studies they are using Activity Oriented Design Method. In AODM the researcher examines the context in which humans and computers interact.

c) Explain the research method and how it was developed or chosen.

This multi-year case study is called Pictures of Practice. Each semester two or three faculty members that have developed online learning environments with WebVista were asked to participate in the study. The study intends to investigate online teaching and learning.

d) List any research questions and the answers the study arrived at for those questions.

How do faculty members design and develop online learning environments?
Faculty members design and develop online learning environment through WebVista.
How do faculty members facilitate teaching and learning in online environments?
They facilitate teaching and learning through online group discussions using WebVista.
How do faculty members assess student learning on online environment?
They assess student learning through Vista assignment tool, students turn in assignments by attaching a document or typing in the text box.

e) Evaluate the effectiveness of the research design, methods and instrument(s) of this study.

This study was effective because they were able to receive feedback from professors regarding Vista. One of the TA stated that it was better when students turned in their assignments as attachments, because they contained less grammar errors resulting in better scores for the students. Another complain with Vista was that the Professors and TA’s were not able to view all the students scores in one page that resulted in them having to print the scores individually. Having access to the teachers websites was a key element in the study. The researchers were able to see how each class participated in group discussions and how instructional material was presented.

3. Describe a quantitative approach to answer the question: What is the effect of using only a podcast for content transmission on student learning in graduate classes?

A quantitative approach to the answer the question “what is the effect of using only a pod cast for content transmission on student learning in graduate classes” would be to randomly select a group of students. It would be a good idea if the students were pursuing different graduate degrees so different subject areas would be tested. There would be a control and treatment group, the treatment group would be given pod cast lectures an the control group would sit in a classroom with a professor. Both the control and treatment group would be given the same educational material. Both groups would be given the same exam, and depending on the overall result you would determine whether podcast deliver the same or greater result than sitting in a classroom with a professor.
4. Describe a qualitative approach to answer the question: What are the effects of using podcasts for content transmission on student learning in graduate classes?

A qualitative approach to determine whether using podcast for content transmission would be determined by observations and interviews. You may interview students by asking them how they feel about podcast lectures.
Possible questions:
Does a podcast lecture hold your attention?
Do you prefer a podcast lecture to a visual lecture?
Do you feel like you have an understanding of the material after the you listen to the pod cast.
What grades do you receive in courses were podcast are utilized compare to courses were pod cast are not utilized.
Once you have interview at least 100 students you may look at your responses to determine if the majority of the students are receiving better grades on the classes were pod cast are the norm compared to courses that do not employ podcast.

No comments: