Researchdriven Design

1
Research-driven Design

• The role of an LMS in supportingan embedded
  research culture.
• Doug MacLachlan
• Calgary Board of Education
• Innovative Learning Services
• dmaclachlan_at_cbe.ab.ca

2
Presentation Outline

• What is embedded research?
• Data collection methodologies
• Innovation and research at the Calgary Board of
  Education
• Using D2L to collect data
• Discussion

3
What is Embedded Research?

• Pervasive - across the system
• Inclusive all staff and students involved
• Valued all accept the importance of research
• Undertaken by many research conducted, results
  shared
• Sustainable
• Leader has built capacity
• Independent of key individuals

4
Research and Innovation at the Calgary Board or
EducationGuiding Questions

• How is research used to inform and guide
  technology enhanced practices?
• How are educators supported and encouraged to be
  informed by and to inform current and emergent
  research on how technology might be used
  effectively to improve thinking and learning?

5
Research and Innovation at the Calgary Board or
Education

• Promising Practices
• Addressing Diversity
• Professional Development
• Institutional Change
• Data-driven Decision-Making
• Distributed Learning for all Learners

6
Some current research projects

• Text-to-speech software
• Junior high students with learning disabilities
• Kurzweil software
• Handheld technology project
• Comprehensive, special education, gifted and
  talented
• Handheld devices e.g. IPAQ
• CBE libraries
• Teachers, teacher librarians, students
• Online libraries elementary, junior high,senior
  high

7
Data Collection Methodologies

• Focus groups
• Audio
• What about using chat or audio-graphic tools to
  conduct focus groups? (Net-based focus groups)
• One-on-one interviews
• Video
• Text analysis of asynchronous discussions
• Text analysis of chat sessions
• Online surveys

8
D2L Survey Tool

• Advantages
• Possible to make available at the organization
  level as well as the course level
• Easy to generate reports
• Can make anonymous or include identity
• Can allow user to edit or make multiple attempts
  during survey availability
• Can make available through selective release
• Disadvantages
• Exported files are not easy to use

9
Some research at the CBE using D2L

• TLC e-PD course
• Informed consent
• Entry survey
• Conditional release of content
• Exit survey
• Analysis of discussions

10
References

• Anderson, T. Kanuka, H. (2003). e-Research
  Methods, Strategies, and Issues. Allyn and
  BaconToronto.
• Andrews, D., Nonnecke, B., Preece, J. (2003)
  Electronic survey methodology A case study in
  reaching hard to involve Internet Users.
  International Journal of Human-Computer
  Interaction (2), 185-210.Retrieved September 30,
  2005, from http//www.ifsm.umbc.edu/preece/Papers
  /Online_survey_design_IJHCI04.pdf
• Doyle, D. (2003). Data-Driven Decision Making Is
  It the Mantra of the Month or Does It Have
  Staying Power? T.H.E. Journal, May 2003.
  Retrieved June 2005, from, http//www.thejournal.
  com/magazine/vault/articleprintversion.cfm?aid441
  9
• Meyer, K. (2005). Evaluating online discussions
  Four different frames of analysis. Journal of
  Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8(2). Retrieved
  October 24, 2005, from http//www.sloan-c.org/publ
  ications/jaln/v8n2/v8n2_meyer.asp
• Navarro, P., Shoemaker J. (2000). Performance
  and perceptions of distance learners in
  cyberspace. American Journal of Distance
  Education, 14(2), 1534.

Websites

• http//www.websurveyor.com
• http//projects.cbe.ab.ca/sss/edtech/