Enhancing Student Learning in Online Courses

In this research, we investigated whether online discussions can significantly benefit students’ learning in online courses. We designed an experiment by dividing 129 students who enrolled in four fully online “Introduction to Microeconomics” courses taught by the same instructor into four groups (one control group and three experimental groups). We adopted econometric analysis to investigate the issue. Our empirical evidence demonstrated that online discussions can significantly benefit students’ exam performance in online courses only when instructors are effectively engaged in discussions. Instructors who do not effectively engage in online discussions had a less than significant effect on students’ exam performance even when peer-responses were required. On the other hand, the effect was positive and significant when instructors effectively engaged but the level of significance was weak (at the 10% level of significance) and began with a later exam (Exam 4, out of a total of five exams) rather than the first exam or earlier. Detailed discussions about these phenomena are offered as are several possible reasons for these findings. We recommend significantly increasing weights for online discussions in the final course grade and including exam questions that directly reflect online discussion questions (including serious participation in discussions and requiring that students provide answers to instructors’ follow-up questions). These additions would significantly benefit students’ learning in online courses.

A study examined American Advertising Federation (AAF) National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team faculty advisor beliefs regarding the value of the competition for themselves and students. The value for the advisors is assessed according to intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, career goals, and tenure, promotion, and/or merit prospects. The value for students is assessed according to the educational, experiential, and career-orientation benefits afforded students who participate in the competition. A survey of 121 faculty advisors from all AAF districts contained 15 statements with responses to those statements arranged on a continuum interval scale from disagree to strongly agree, plus 4 open-ended questions regarding issues of, for instance, benefits and drawbacks for student competition. Results indicated that advisors believe an equitable extrinsic reward structure does not exist for them and suggest faculty advisor dissatisfaction or skepticism regarding extrinsic rewards attached to career advancement. Findings also suggest the strength of intrinsic rewards for both students and advisors. (Contains 5 tables of data and 12 references.) (Author/CR) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied'by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Student Advertising Competitions: Faculty Advisor Beliefs Concerning the AAF National Student Advertising Competition U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) iThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. CI Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. James L. Marra Department of Journalism Temple University Philadelphia, PA 19122 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Jim Avery Department of Journalism and Public Communications University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK 99508 Maria Elizabeth Grabe School of Journalism Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405 Submitted for consideration as part of the Advertising Division Professional Freedom & Responsibility paper presentations, AEJMC, August, 19%

In a trend common to most western countries, Australia has in recent years experienced an apparent move towards sexual equality in schooling, offering the possibility of a significant change in girls' lived experiences of schooling (Foster, 1995; 1998; Weiner et al., 1997). This, potential, however, has not been realized because both Australian education policy and curriculum development have failed to address the public-private dialectic in social life and in schooling itself, and men's and women's different and asymmetrical relations with that dialectic. The term 'dialectic' is used here to emphasize the interconnected and shifting aspects of public and private life, which nevertheless remain fundamentally gendered in character.

Academic self-concept mediates the effect of online learning engagement on deep learning in online courses for Chinese nursing students: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundHigher education institutions (HEIs) shifted from in-person attendance to blended and online learning due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. ObjectiveThis study investigated the students' perception of satisfaction, convenience, engagement, and learning towards blended and online courses conducted before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. MethodsA longitudinal study design was adopted to examine the students' perception of online and blended learning courses before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The subjects consist of Health science students (N = 130) belonging to two different colleges of a public university and the study period includes three academic years (i.e., six semesters) (2018–2021). A survey tool was developed to collect data from students studying the computer fundamentals course through blended and online learning modes from 2018 to 2021. ResultsOver 95% of students have been satisfied with the course offered through various blended learning formats since 2018. The blended 0.50-course format is the most preferred one for the students; however, the Blended 0.75-course format is highly rated by the students regarding their satisfaction and engagement than other learning formats during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Following adaption after COVID-19, the students reported a high perception of learning towards the course when delivered through 100% online learning mode. ConclusionStudents' achievement is significantly associated with the learning modes, exam modes, and various student batches. The blended 0.75-course format group shows a higher achievement than the other three-course format groups. Likewise, those students who appeared in their exams online showed higher achievement than those who appeared physically. Further, the students felt equally convenient with Blended 0.75 and 100% online learning course formats. These findings would also help HEIs choose appropriate learning and examination modes while designing courses.

The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate students’ perceptions of online learning courses at a 4 year mid-level mid-western university and whether or not these perceptions influenced their decision to continue taking online courses or not. The findings of this study concur with Lim (2004) in that thorough preparation prior to online course work can help to curb dropout rates and can better prepare learners for successful completion of the course.

This paper discusses the 21st century urban school superintendency, noting new challenges for urban superintendents. Currently, schools are much larger, media coverage is extensive, racial minorities settle most often in the city, and cities cope with vast social problems. School boards have an enormous effect on the success or failure of superintendents. The composition of school boards in many cities has changed significantly. In most urban districts, school boards are more diverse and representative of changed demographics. The old corporate paradigm of school board service is no longer operable in most urban school systems. One of the advantages of the earlier trusteeship boards was their interlocking political and economic connection with the city's power structure. Efforts were made to reconnect schools with the aforementioned power brokers with mixed success. A new politics of education preempted traditional school leadership, with business and political leaders increasingly pushing for standards and accountability measures. A new leadership model evolved with stronger mayoral involvement and employment of noneducators as superintendents. Urban school superintendents were held responsible for improving education. Cities are now rethinking the urban superintendency. Strategies used to improve urban school governance include increasing mayoral involvement; altering the selection and composition of school boards; appointing nontraditional superintendents; increasing involvement of business leaders; and creating new teaming arrangements. (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. RETHINKING THE URBAN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENCY: NONTRADITIONAL LEADERS AND NEW MODELS OF LEADERSHIP PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY HA). 0scicuA____ Insti.2_ftuy04. stu TO THE EDUCATIO AL S URCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) his document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. ° Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. A paper presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois, April 21, 2003 A condensation of a chapter found in American Educational Governance on Trial: 2003 Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. BEET COPY MARLENE Michael D. Usdan Senior Fellow The Institute for Educational Leadership Joseph M. Cronin Senior Fellow Nellie Mae Educational Foundation

This study attempts to answer Andrews' (1991) question, do perceptions of advertising in general vary cross-culturally? Eighty-two undergraduate students from the former Soviet Union republic of Kazakstan were questioned about their beliefs about advertising. The analysis revealed predominantly negative feelings toward advertising in general. Findings indicate unfamiliarity or general distrust of advertising and uncertainty about the role and potential of advertising to improve the quality of life in the country. A discussion about advertising in Kazakstan's emerging capitalist economy is also included. (Contains 29 references and 2 tables of data.) (Author/RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Perceptions of Advertising in the Newly Independent States: Kazakstani Students' Beliefs About Advertising Jami A. Fullerton, Ph.D. (University of North Texas) Assistant Professor of Advertising School of Journalism and Broadcasting Oklahoma State University 206 Paul Miller Building Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 ph. 405/744 6848 fax: 405 / 744-7104 e-mail: jamia@okstate.edu Tom Weir, Ph.D. (University of Missouri) Assistant Professor of Advertising School of Journalism and Broadcasting Oklahoma State University 206 Paul Miller Building Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 e-mail: tweir@okstate.edu PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY A. Fultelion T. v411 TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) March 2001

We are currently experiencing the rapid growth of technology-based distance learning courses and programs in higher education, K-12 education, training, and other non-traditional learning contexts. With the proliferation of e-Learning courses and programs, it is important that instructional designers, instructional technologists, and others think critically about the nature of their research and practice. A number of questions and issues need to be addressed. For example, many individuals use the terms virtual space, virtual learning, and virtual learning communities when discussing e-Learning design and development. Do we all attach the same meaning to these terms? Probably not. As we design Web-based courses, should we try and use the structure of the traditional classroom as the metaphor for the “online” classroom? This is certainly an open question, given the criticisms that many students and trainees voice concerning traditional classroom instruction and training. Are the relevant instructional design, development, and policy issues the same for higher education, K-12 education, and training in the private sector? What are the implications and effects of using templates and various server software including WebCT, Blackboard, and other programs when designing and developing e-Learning programs? Finally, what can be learned from those individuals who have made pioneering efforts to design and develop online courses? The contributors to this issue of the Quarterly Review of Distance Education directly address many of these questions.Richard Schwier discusses the concept of learning communities in general and virtual learning communities in particular. Schwier describes three aspects of virtual learning communities including the elements, purposes, and the catalysts of virtual learning communities. The catalysts discussed include alignment, engagement, and interaction. In addition, a number of research issues concerning virtual learning communities are presented.The implications of the rapid growth of e-Learning in training, academic education, and non-traditional learning environments for instructional designers are discussed by Wellesley (“Rob”) Foshay, who argues that each context will place different demands on instructional designers. In particular, Foshay discusses the issues and events that are affecting academic organizations, training organizations, and non-traditional educational settings, and the implications for instructional design research and practice in each of the three environments.The implications of using various server-based courseware tools for developing Web-based courses are discussed by Douglas Harvey and Jung Lee. Certainly, courseware tools can help instructional designers and developers be more efficient when developing online courses. But at what cost? Harvey and Lee provide a critical discussion of how effective template-based approaches are for the development of online learning courses. In particular, some of the specific issues discussed include the pedagogical impact of courseware tools, the visual interface, navigation layout, and interaction implications for online courses. Finally, the instructional design implications when using online development tools and server software are discussed.In the final two articles in this issue, the authors identify some lessons learned from the development and delivery of online courses. Barbara Bichelmeyer, Melanie Misanchuk, and Larissa Malopinsky discuss the adaptation of an existing residential course to a Web-based course. Lessons learned from three different literature bases and results of the adaptation, design, and development processes are also analyzed. Tiffany Koszalka and Mary Beth Bianco focus on the importance of instructors in online learning courses. Specific issues and lessons learned by instructors who have “taught” online courses are described and specific areas and questions for research in online learning environments are presented.Critical issues, both for research and development, that instructional designers and instructional technologists will need to think about as they transition their work to e-Learning environments are identified and discussed in this issue of the Quarterly Review of Distance Education. Much potential as well as problems exist for the design of instruction in an e-Learning environment. Critically important is that individuals in the field of instructional design and technology be actively involved in theory development, research, and the design and development of online learning courses and programs.

The online learning, which is now widely implemented owing to the constraints imposed by COVID-19 pandemic, offers many advantages when compared to the traditional teaching. The online teaching course is available to student any time and can be accessed from any location, providing there is a connection to the Internet, which allows remote learning at home using a fl exible and convenient study schedule that does not disturb other daily activities. The online course contains more informative learning materials, because the multimedia software enables to combine a variety of diverse elements within a given teaching unit, such as texts, PowerPoint presentations, computer animations, video clips, and audio fi les. The amount of time needed to go through the topics of the online course can be variable for different students, depending on their basic knowledge and motivation for learning, thus supporting more personalized learning experience. In contrast to the traditional teaching, that applies a teacher-centered approach, with online teaching the students become independent learners taking the main responsibility for the knowledge acquisition. Therefore, the students’ ability to succeed with online learning is critically determined by the self-discipline, rational time management skills, and monitoring the individual progress. While traditional teaching is largely based on passive learning through memorization of information by student, the online course offers multiple opportunities for self-directed, active learning, including questions for self-assessment, the web links to the relevant learning resources, and the interaction with peers using text messengers, discussion forums and web chats. The weak points of the online learning approach are that the self-studies are easy to procrastinate when the student is not strongly motivated to learn, and that it limits social contacts, leading to the feeling of isolation. Importantly, when developing the online learning course, the computer technology is supposed to be just a technical instrument, whereas the main emphasis is placed on the quality of teaching materials and their relevance to the objectives of the medical curriculum.

This research combines computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, innovation diffusion theory, the technology acceptance model, and a proposed new hybrid technology acceptance model to study adolescents' behavioral intentions to use online learning courses. The results of the study show computer self-efficacy, compatibility, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use have a great positive effect, and computer anxiety has a great negative effect, on the behavioral intention to use online learning courses. By explaining adolescents' behavioral intentions from a user's perspective, the findings of this research provide insight into the best way to promote new e-learning tools for adolescents.

Demand for online learning is increasing in US colleges and universities. Learning does not occur in a vacuum; students learn independently and collaboratively. But, is there room for collaborative learning in online courses? This chapter presents information on how a teacher educator designed and implemented collaborative learning in a developmental reading online course for preservice and inservice educators in grades P-12. The author presents details on course design issues, instructional practices, benefits, and challenges associated with collaborative learning in this online course, and implications for further development and evaluation of collaborative learning in teacher preparation programs. The author also provides recommendations from lessons learned for promoting collaboration in online teacher education courses.

Online education has become a ubiquitous and convenient method by which to complete courses at institutions of higher education across the globe. To achieve this level of parity between course delivery methods (online or face-to-face), the instructor or course designer must understand the complex relationship between the technology and instructional design theories being leveraged in these contexts. Within the context of this chapter, these barriers manifest themselves within Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance, a theory which states that the transactional distance between stakeholders (whether it is instructor-learner or learner-learner communication) has the potential to obstruct the path for comprehending the information being presented as well as influencing the level of rapport between students. This chapter examines the obstacles that are present because of Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance and the influence that social presence has on learners in online courses from the perspective of student satisfaction and positive learning outcomes.

Objective – The aim of this study is to assess and compare the metacognitive awareness of university students in online and in-person learning environments. Secondly, the study aims to explore the students’ preferences for online and in-person learning to compare themetacognitive awareness of students based on their preferences. Methods – A total of 79 university students completed the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory, providing self-reported data on their metacognitive awareness. The study used a paired sample t-test to compare mean scores of metacognitive awareness between online and in-person classroom settings. Additionally, participants evaluated their experiences with online and in-person learning using a pairwise comparison as a scaling method. Results – The t-test results indicate statistically significant differences in metacognitive awareness between online and in-person classroom settings. Specifically, significant differences were found in declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, conditional knowledge, planning, information management strategies, monitoring, debugging strategies, and evaluation of learning. Students showed higher levels of metacognitive awareness across all facets in traditional in-person learning setting. Descriptive analysis of scaling pairwise comparison revealed that online learning was strongly preferred for comfort, while in-person learning was preferred modality for motivation to study and active participation. In oppose to t-test results, ANOVA did not reveal significant differences in metacognitive awareness based on students’ preferences in online nor in traditional learning settings. Conclusions – The results provide valuable information on the metacognitive awareness and preferences of the students in two different learning environments.

Quality Matters is recognized as a rigorous set of standards that guide the designer or instructor to design quality online courses. We explore how Quality Matters standards guide the identification and analysis of learning analytics data to monitor and improve online learning. Descriptive data were collected for frequency of use, time spent, and performance and analyzed to identify patterns and trends on how students interact with online course components based on the Quality Matters standards. Major findings of this article provide a framework and guidance for instructors on how data might be collected and analyzed to improve online learning effectiveness.