Skip Administration Administration | Learning EffectivenessOnline learning is reaching a more mature stage in development and evaluation. Comparative research is being replaced by research explaining learning effectiveness and theory development. Papers submitted to this track should reflect this with a focus on theory and/or research-based approaches to the design and delivery of online or blended learning.People who may benefit from this track: teachers, corporate trainers, faculty developers, instructional designers, department chairs, administrators Examples of topics: applications of learning theory to the design of online learning environments; quantitative and qualitative research on the effects of particular aspects of course design on student learning; the changing nature of learning online; innovative design of online courses or course activities to support collaboration and community; ways of assessing student learning in online courses; creating affective outcomes toward development of the whole person; diversity perspective and cross-cultural issues; and faculty approaches to promoting learning online. Student Services and Learner SupportStudent services are critical to the support of learning at any institution of higher education. When programs move online, student services need to be reconceived in ways that are not always obvious. Papers submitted to this track should focus on issues surrounding the provision of student services to online and/or blended learners.People who may benefit from this track: support personnel, support administration, Moodle administrators, student services administration, library personnel Examples of topics: library services for students learning at a distance; emerging technologies used in recruitment and retention initiatives; accessibility concerns and solutions; the development of community in online programs; orientation to online programs; advisement and counseling for online learners; services for diverse students; outsourcing of student services; perspectives on the global environment; how student services data (student survey findings, summaries of support desk calls, etc.) can inform faculty and course development services; and how student services can promote student success. Moodle and Emerging Learning EnvironmentsMoodle is evolving to include multiple blended approaches, new media for online learning, and new kinds of learning environments. The existence of new learning environments have a multitude of consequences - curricular, administrative, and pedagogic—as well as impacts on cognition—both individual and cultural “habits of mind”. Additionally, changes in learning environments have individual and cultural consequences for what it means to be literate. This track invites papers that investigate each of these areas.People who may benefit from this track: people making technology decisions at an organization, such as school or campus administrators, teacher/faculty or student technology committee members, directors of academic technology, online teaching and learning coordinators, CIOs Examples of topics: the design, development, and assessment of innovative environments for learning (e.g. the role and impact of gaming, mobile learning, simulations, e-portfolios, etc); the use and impact of new kinds of computer-mediated communications; designs for and the impact of incorporating multimedia in online courses; real-world, case-based learning designs and their outcomes; the changing nature of literacy in the age of “YouTube” and other visual media; effective blended learning strategies; environments to promote diversity of students, content, and learning approaches; immersive virtual-worlds; and other quantitative and qualitative research on such new learning environments. Faculty Development and SupportResearch continues to show the important role online faculty play in student learning. It still seems to be the case, however, that many faculty are reluctant to teach online. Papers submitted to this track should address issues of both faculty training and faculty support in the context of faculty satisfaction or instructional effectiveness.People who may benefit from this track: faculty, faculty support personnel, faculty technologists, instructional designers, support administration, directors of academic technology, online teaching and learning coordinators Examples of topics: innovative faculty development programs; quantitative and qualitative research on faculty satisfaction with online and/or blended teaching; studies of the relationship between faculty development and faculty and student satisfaction; studies of the relationship between faculty effectiveness and student retention and achievement; administering faculty development efforts in online and blended environments; and unique approaches to faculty support. Leadership, Values and SocietyOnline learning is one way that higher education institutions are responding to social change and the changing expectations society has for higher education. Online learning is transforming all aspects of higher education including teaching, student services, finance, and administration, impacting and challenging the underling values of the academy. Institutions and institutional leaders are designing new structures to deal with the opportunities and challenges online learning affords.People who may benefit from this track: information technology directors, CIOs, faculty administration, community organizers, open source advocates, purchasing directors Examples of topics: changing technologies; diversity and student and faculty demographics; economic, social, and civic capacity development; engagement and partnership, globalization and internationalization of education; open education; access to education; outcomes based education. Proposals may focus on leadership in terms of governance, policy, or programs, and should be supported by examples of practice. |
