ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Using Computer-Based Testing as Alternative Assessment Method of Student Learning in Distance Education
Author: Sapriati, Amalia
Date: 2010-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Alternative Assessment,Distance Education,Computer Assisted Testing,Computer System Design,Courseware,Evaluation Methods,Student Evaluation,Pretesting,Feasibility Studies,Test Construction,Test Items,Item Banks,College Students,College Programs,Online Courses,Electronic Learning,Foreign Countries,Program Implementation

This paper addresses the use of computer-based testing in distance education, based on the experience of Universitas Terbuka (UT), Indonesia. Computer-based testing has been developed at UT for reasons of meeting the specific needs of distance students as the following: (1) students' inability to sit for the scheduled test; (2) conflicting test schedules; and (3) students' flexibility to take examination to improve their grades. In 2004, UT initiated a pilot project in the development of system and program for computer-based testing method. Then in 2005 and 2006 tryouts in the use of computer-based testing methods were conducted in 7 Regional Offices that were considered as having sufficient supporting resources. The results of the tryouts revealed that students were enthusiastic in taking computer-based tests and they expected that the test method would be provided by UT as alternative to the traditional paper and pencil test method. UT then implemented computer-based testing method in 6 and 12 Regional Offices in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The computer-based testing was administered in the city of the designated Regional Office and was supervised by the Regional Office staff. The development of the computer-based testing was initiated with conducting tests using computers in networked configuration. The system has been continually improved, and it currently uses devices linked to the internet or the World Wide Web. The construction of the test involves the generation and selection of the test items from the item bank collection of the UT Examination Center. Thus the combination of the selected items compromises the test specification. Currently UT has offered 250 courses involving the use of computer-based testing. Students expect that more courses are offered with computer-based testing in Regional Offices within easy access by students.
Rough Way for Academics: Distance Education
Author: Gursul, Fatih
Date: 2010-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Distance Education,College Faculty,Correlation,Teacher Attitudes,Surveys,Asynchronous Communication,Synchronous Communication,Teaching Methods,Conventional Instruction,Statistical Analysis,Content Analysis,Foreign Countries

This study aims to compare the academics' perceptions about face to face and distance education, beside finding out the contributions of distance education to them, difficulties they experience in synchronous and asynchronous distance education environments and suggestions for possible solutions of the existing problems. The sample consists of 52 instructors providing distance education courses actively at 7 universities in Turkey, in 2009-2010 academic year. As data collection tool, a survey called &quot;Lecturer Opinion About Distance Learning and Face to Face Education Comparison&quot; is utilized. In the analysis of the data, content analysis, frequency distribution, independent and paired samples T tests and pearson correlation were used.
The Use of Facebook for Online Discussions among Distance Learners
Author: Lim, Tina
Date: 2010-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Social Networks,Computer Mediated Communication,Distance Education,Web 2.0 Technologies,Nursing Education,Legal Education (Professions),Study Skills,Computer Uses in Education,Use Studies,College Students

With the advent of Web 2.0 tools, educators are looking to these new technological tools to examine its potential in enhancing teaching and learning. While its runaway success as a social networking tool is now renowned, the use of Facebook for educational purposes may be considered still at its infancy stage. This paper describes the use of Facebook as a platform for academic discussions among distance learners. It offers a glimpse into how mobile learning via SMS together with Facebook was used to support and enhance the blended learning approach at Open University Malaysia for three courses: Learning Skills for Open and Distance Learners, Company Law and Renal Nursing. Data on user interactions collected were from the &quot;Page Insights&quot; tools available to Page administrators for the whole duration of a course semester. Facebook interactions examined include total number of fans, total interactions, interactions per post, post quality and unique page views. Findings indicate that Facebook does have the potential to draw distance learners to engage in meaningful academic conversations but the quantity and quality of posts very much depends on the timing as well as the topics of discussion.
Choice of Instructional Media of B.Ed. Students of Ignou from Two Indian Metropolises
Author: Bose, Sutapa
Date: 2010-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Media Selection,Educational Media,Questionnaires,Student Surveys,Use Studies,Technology Uses in Education,Preservice Teacher Education,Student Teacher Attitudes,Instructional Systems,Delivery Systems,Distance Education,Multimedia Instruction,Preferences,Action Research,Barriers,Usability,Intermode Differences,Teaching Methods,Foreign Countries

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) of India uses multiple media and modes for reaching out to its distant learners. For most of the programmes offered to these learners, print is the master medium and other media supplement it. Instructions for the Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.), one of the popular programmes of IGNOU, are also delivered similarly. A survey was undertaken to determine the extent of utilization of instructions provided through various media by the students of B.Ed of two Indian metropolises--Delhi and Kolkata, having high penetration of advanced communication technologies. As the students of B.Ed. happen to be teachers who are supposed to be using ICT for teaching in their schools, the survey aimed to determine whether they were also using ICT for learning. The survey was carried out with a questionnaire with closed and open ended questions. It was found that only print medium was used for learning while the other media of the multimedia package remained mostly unused. The reason for this trend was found to be mainly the perception that the print medium is sufficient for assessment purposes. Suggestions have been made that to utilize the multiple media instructional system, interesting programmes that can hook learners be developed for delivery by electronic media and that gradually ICT may be integrated into the programmes from the present supplementary mode so that complacence in using it is reduced among learners.
A Critical Analysis of Managerial Skills Competencies of Secondary School Heads Trained through Distance Mode of Allama Iqbal Open University
Author: Akhlaq, Muhammad
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Administrator Education,Open Universities,Secondary Schools,Administrator Effectiveness,Distance Education,Foreign Countries,Interpersonal Communication,Communication Skills,Teamwork,Feedback (Response),Technological Literacy,School Administration,Masters Programs,Principals,Teaching Methods,Management Development,Generalization,Surveys

The premise of this article is to analyze the managerial skills competencies of secondary schools heads trained through distance mode of education in Pakistan. For this purpose a sample 300 secondary school teachers and 100 secondary schools head-teachers trained through distance mode and working in the Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI) functioning under the administration of Pakistan army. The objectives of the study were: 1) to describe the M.Ed programme of AIOU, 2) to identify the managerial skills competencies of secondary school heads trained through Allama Iqbal Open University, 3) to find-out the managerial problems faced by the secondary school heads of FGEI, 4) to suggest some further suggestion to improve the managerial skills competencies of working heads of FGEI. The study focused on the following categories of skills: interpersonal communication skills, planning skills, collaboration/ teamwork skills, proficiency skills, organizational skills, feedback skills, basic technology knowledge, and technology access knowledge. Major recommendations of the study were: 1) the scheme of study of M.Ed of Allama Iqbal Open University program be changed as per need of administrator and it should focus on management and administration, 2) For better performance of heads, an induction course covering all the managerial skills relevant to the job principalship should be arranged after each term and be continue throughout the service 3) the present scheme of study of M.Ed program focus on teaching methodology, one additional semester be included that should cover the management courses and, 4) as the present study was delimited to the Federal Governmental Educational Institutions to analyze the managerial skills competencies of working heads of secondary schools. One logical avenue for future is to replicate this study on the whole the country to generalize the results.
Comparative Study of the Use of ICT in English Teaching-Learning Processes
Author: Zare-ee, Abbas
Date: 2010-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Comparative Analysis,College Faculty,Educational Quality,Universities,Medical Schools,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Questionnaires,Likert Scales,Reliability,Statistical Analysis,Access to Computers,Computer Literacy,Teaching Methods,Teacher Surveys,Measures (Individuals)

The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in cultural, political, social, economic, and academic activities has recently attracted the attention of many researchers and it should now be an important component of the comparative study of education. The present study was conducted to compare the amount and quality of ICT use in English teaching-learning processes among the faculty members of Medical and Non-medical Universities in Kashan, Iran, and to explore the dimensions in which the two groups can benefit from one another and from ICT training in this respect. Out of a total of 255 full-time university teachers teaching at medical and no-medical universities in the region, 193 were chosen to participate in the study using a simple random sampling technique and the Morgan &amp; Kritjki table for sample selection. A researcher-made 5-point Likert scale questionnaire containing 50 items was used to collect the necessary data on the amount of access and use ICT in the two environments. The Cronbach Alpha reliability for this instrument was shown to be 0.8. To answer the research questions, t-test and the analysis of variance were used and the differences in ICT use for learning and teaching were analyzed. The results of the analyses showed that there was a significant difference in the amount of ICT use among the faculty members of medical and non-medical universities. For reason considered in length, teachers at medical universities used ICT significantly less than the other group. Results also indicated that there was a significant difference between the two types of universities with regard to the availability of computers and the amount of ICT training and use. No significant effects on the use of ICT in education were observed for age, teaching experience, and university degree. University teachers with different fields of study showed significant differences only in non-medical universities. Based on the findings of the study suggestions are made for the improvement of teaching and learning activities through the use of ICT.
Are New Technologies Influencing the Academic Results Achieved by Students? An Exploratory Study
Author: Gargallo-Castel, Ana
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,College Students,Instructional Effectiveness,Program Effectiveness,Web Based Instruction,Case Studies,Labor,Student Characteristics,Gender Differences,Academic Achievement,Comparative Analysis

The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) within tertiary education in a Spanish University. We analyze the results of a new initiative developed by the University of Zaragoza through an innovative project for a virtual campus called &quot;Anillo Digital Docente.&quot; Data relating to the degree of WebCT's use is analyzed, as well as the academic results achieved by the students using it. These results are compared with the results achieved by other students studying in a traditional teaching setting. Several conclusions are drawn from this comparison: firstly, on how effective these technologies are within regulated university education; and secondly, on how beneficial the extension of its application would be to other educational areas.
Pre-Service Teachers' Views on Web-Based Classroom Management
Author: Boyaci, Adnan
Date: 2010-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Qualitative Research,Preservice Teacher Education,Preservice Teachers,Student Teacher Attitudes,Web Based Instruction,Electronic Classrooms,Electronic Learning,Distance Education,Classroom Environment,Teacher Role,Performance Factors,Change Strategies,Semi Structured Interviews,Educational Practices,Educational Change,Foreign Countries

With the invention of World Wide Web in 1992, delivery of distance education via internet and emergency of web-based classrooms have rapidly gained acceptance as an alternative and supplement to traditional face to face classroom instruction (Alavi, Yoo &amp; Vogel, 1997; Rahm &amp; Reed, 1997), which represents a paradigm shift challenging all traditionally accepted assumptions concerning dynamics of classroom management. Classroom is highly complicated environment with its features of multi-dimensionality, simultaneity, immediacy, unpredictability, publicness and history. And web based classroom is more complicated than traditional classroom because the web technology is added. Students' views are considered by many researchers as one of the critical and valid source data in evaluating the teaching effectiveness and learning settings. The purpose of this study is to find out views of pre-service teachers about web based classroom management. With qualitative research method, particularly descriptive technique 20 pre-service teachers' views were evaluated. Research findings revealed that students defined web-based classroom management with extra workloads of the students thus effectiveness is associated with students' roles. Guiding/mentoring on technical issues, on the field knowledge, classroom interaction were defined by the students as the essential leadership roles of teachers. Concerning interaction while student to course content/material interaction was perceived as satisfactory, level of student to student interaction was reported as low. Web-based instruction itself and being free form time and place emerged as motivating factors. Besides, discipline is identified within the responsibility of students and accessing information without time/place limitation was perceived as advantageous side of web based classroom.
Live Authority in the Classroom in Video Conference-Based Synchronous Distance Education: The Teaching Assistant
Author: Karal, Hasan
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teaching Assistants,Semi Structured Interviews,Observation,Videoconferencing,Teaching Methods,Architecture,Sampling,College Students,Case Studies,Distance Education,Departments,Classroom Techniques,Undergraduate Study,Graduate Study,Expectation,Student Attitudes,Validity,Reliability,Foreign Countries

The aim of this study was to define the role of the assistant in a classroom environment where students are taught using video conference-based synchronous distance education. Qualitative research approach was adopted and, among purposeful sampling methods, criterion sampling method was preferred in the scope of the study. The study was carried out during the spring semester of the 2008-2009 academic years. A teaching assistant and a total of 9 sophomore or senior students from the Department of City and Regional Development, Faculty of Architecture, Karadeniz Technical University, participated as subjects. The students included in the study sampling were taking lessons from the Middle East Technical University on the basis of synchronous distance education. Among the qualitative research methods, case study method was used and the study data were obtained from the semi-structured interview and observation results. Study data were analyzed with descriptive analysis methods. Data obtained at the end of the study were found to support the suggestion that there should be an authority in the video conference-based synchronous distance education. Findings obtained during the interviews made with the students revealed that some of the teacher's classroom management related responsibilities are transferred to the assistant present in the classroom during the synchronous distance education. It was concluded at the end of the interviews that a teaching assistant's presence should be obligatory in the undergraduate synchronous distance classroom environment. However, it was also concluded that there may not be any need for an authority in the classroom environment at the postgraduate education level due to the profile and expectations of the student, which differ from those of students at lower educational levels.
Prezi: A Different Way to Present
Author: Yee, Kevin
Date: 2010-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Courseware,Computer Software Reviews,Intermode Differences,Technology Uses in Education,Usability,Multimedia Materials

In this article, the author discusses Prezi and compares it to other forms of presentation software. Taking a completely different approach to the entire concept of software for presentations, Prezi stands alone as a unique and wholly viable competitor to PowerPoint. With a &quot;Prezi&quot;, users display words, images, and videos without using &quot;slides&quot; at all. Instead, individual pieces of the presentation are digitally deposited on a single oversized canvas, and the creator has the option to zoom in (or out) surprisingly far, so that elements of the presentation remain hidden until it becomes time for them to come into focus on screen. After all elements are in place, the creator establishes a click-path, so that when the presentation is finally run for an audience, the &quot;camera&quot; whisks around the canvas, panning as needed, zooming in and out, and even swirling around in spirals when moving from one waypoint to the next. The transitions are smooth, mesmerizing, and infinitely more interesting than the transitions and animations available in PowerPoint and similar products.
A Conceptual Model for Effective Distance Learning in Higher Education
Author: Farajollahi, Mehran
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Distance Education,Learning Theories,Educational Planning,Active Learning,Teaching Methods,Feedback (Response),Formative Evaluation,Summative Evaluation,Models,Learning Processes,Specialists,College Faculty,Foreign Countries,Teacher Attitudes,Institutional Mission

The present research aims at presenting a conceptual model for effective distance learning in higher education. Findings of this research shows that an understanding of the technological capabilities and learning theories especially constructive theory and independent learning theory and communicative and interaction theory in Distance learning is an efficient factor in the planning of effective Distance learning in higher education. Considering the theoretical foundations of the present research, in the effective distance learning model, the learner is situated at the center of learning environment. For this purpose, the learner needs to be ready for successful learning and the teacher has to be ready to design the teaching-learning activities when they initially enter the environment. In the present model, group and individual active teaching-learning approach, timely feedback, using IT and eight types of interactions have been designed with respect to theoretical foundations and current university missions. From among the issues emphasized in this model, one can refer to the Initial, Formative and Summative evaluations. In an effective distance learning environment, evaluation should be part of the learning process and the feedback resulting from it should be used to improve learning. For validating the specified features, the opinions of Distance learning experts in Payame Noor, Shiraz, Science and Technology and Amirkabir Universities have been used which verified a high percentage of the statistical sample of the above mentioned features.
A Simultaneous Mobile E-Learning Environment and Application
Author: Karal, Hasan
Date: 2010-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Educational Technology,Student Attitudes,Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Instructional Design,Teleconferencing,Computer Science,Departments,Graduate Students,Distance Education,Learning Activities,Electronic Learning,Handheld Devices,Sampling,Telecommunications,Semi Structured Interviews

The purpose of the present study was to design a mobile learning environment that enables the use of a teleconference application used in simultaneous e-learning with mobile devices and to evaluate this mobile learning environment based on students' views. With the mobile learning environment developed in the study, the students are able to follow a teleconference application realized by using appropriate mobile devices. The study was carried out with 8 post-graduate students enrolled in Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies (CEIT), Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science. The students utilized this teleconference application using mobile devices supporting internet access and Adobe Flash technology. Of the 8 students, 4 accessed the system using EDGE technology and 4 used wireless internet technology. At the end of the application, the audio and display were delayed by 4-5 seconds with EDGE technology, and were delayed by 7-8 seconds with wireless internet technology. Based on the students' views, it was concluded that the environment had some deficiencies in terms of quality, especially in terms of the screen resolution. Despite this, the students reported that this environment could provide more flexibility in terms of space and time when compared to other simultaneous distance education applications. Although the environment enables interaction, in particular, the problem of resolution caused by screen size is a disadvantage for the system. When this mobile learning application is compared to conventional education environments, it was found that mobile learning does have a role in helping the students overcome the problems of participating in learning activities caused by time and space constraints.