Course Map

Research and Distance Education

Reading Assignments

Issues in Web-Based Pedagogy
Ch. 2 Using the Internet for Teaching & Research, Ch. 13 The Scholarship of Web-Based Teaching, Ch. 24 Teaching Research Skills using the Internet
Teaching and Learning at a Distance
Ch. 3 Research & Distance Education, Ch. 12 Evaluating Teaching & Learning at a Distance

Discussion Questions:

• Many distance education researchers are now concentrating on learner-centered approaches in distance education environments. What are educators saying about the need for learner-centered approaches in regular face-to-face classrooms?
• The Scholarship of Web-based Teaching and Using the Internet for Teaching and Research chapters discuss the traditional practice in higher education of valuing research over teaching. How is using the Internet for teaching fueling the movement to redefine and reexamine the roles of teaching and research in higher education?
• Read and comment on at least two of the team reports posted in the Research forum.
• List areas where additional distance education research in needed. Why?
  

Assignment 1: Library Research

The Internet is a great way to access information, but traditional library resources should always be utilized when conducting research. The links will walk your through the process of locating research material through Penrose Library at the University of Denver:

• Help with Research
• Evaluating Resources Tutorial
• Finding Books Tutorial
• Finding Articles Tutorial

The tutorials will guide you through evaluation criteria, different searching methods, and help with locating different resources on the Penrose web site.

Assignment 2 - Team Project - Research Review

Choose one of the three research areas (student participation, technology used in distance education, or student satisfaction) from the NCES Profile of Participation in Distance Education: 1999-2000 report. Pick one or two conclusions from your research area. Summarize and compare the findings to other distance education literature. Use the guidelines from the online tutorials to help guide your search and refer to the resources listed at the end of Lesson Two. Discuss your findings in a 4-5 page paper. Include the following in your paper:

• The research area and finding from the NCES profile report.
• Your sources (title, publication).
• Does your research back-up or contradict the findings from the NCES report?
• Include a brief summary of the search process.
• Include a bibliography of sources used as well as additional resources to investigate (books, journal articles, etc.).

  Summarize your findings in 3-4 paragraphs in the "Research" forum in the discussion board.

© Copyright 2003 by Kathy Keairns