Marlene Zentz

This week, we were joined by Maggi Savin Baden, professor of Higher Education Research at Coventry University in the UK. She has been investigating problem based learning for a number of years and is currently pursuing research into applications within Second Life.

Topics include:

This week, Jennifer Maddrell discusses the focus for her dissertation work: the Community of Inquiry framework: http://communitiesofinquiry.com/. Her primary research question focusses on whether there is a relationship between learner's perceptions of "community" and actual learning outcomes as identified by grades, papers, tests, etc. The discussion took a very practical turn as we sought to identify particular strategies that may be used by instructors to develop community within online courses.

Professor Charles Reigeluth from Indiana University shares his thoughts on Instructional Theory for education in the Information Age. Charles and Allison Carr-Chellman recently co-edited Volume III of the seminal Instructional Design Theories and Models (The Green Book): http://www.amazon.com/Instructional-Design-Theories-Models-III-Knowledge/dp/0805864563

This week, we discussed how to promote learning through asynchronous discussions, in many cases, the heart of online courses. Issues considered include: developing a sense of community, structuring discussions, setting expectations, assessment and strategies for facilitating quality interactions.

Resources mentioned:

Joanna Dunlap: Down and Dirty Guidelines for Effective Discussions in Online Courses

Today, Danielle Wozniak, Assistant Professor in the UM School of Social Work, discussed her thoughts on developing online community and utilizing online supplements in her graduate and undergraduate courses.

References: George Lakoff, Metaphors We Live By: http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml

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