Research

Mining the Gold of Conflict - Myrna Lewis

Deep Democracy offers a range of tools for dealing with diversity in conflict situations

Exploring the role of dance in architectural education

Publication available on ResearchGate

Some of the readings I have been exploring during this course...

THEORY
The fear that online learning is lesser than or of little value is a commonly held perception by many people embarking on this path. The need to support online learning with sound pedagogical theory would go a long way to alleviate these fears.

Theories and Frameworks for Online Education: Seeking an Integrated Model[1]
Anthony G. Picciano

An examination of some theoretical frameworks relevant to the online education proposes that an integrative model could be developed in which to ground online teaching.

 

Interaction and Immediacy in Online Learning[2]
Robert H. Woods Jr.
Jason D. Baker

The theoretical framework for interaction an immediacy are discussed in the context of online (and distance) learning.

PEDAGOGIC TOOLS
Understanding the value of the pedagogic tools available means that these can be ‘transferred’ to online teaching so where they can strive to achieve the same outcomes.

In-Class Debates: Fertile Ground for Active Learning and the Cultivation of Critical Thinking and Oral Communication Skills
Ruth Kennedy

Students learn in different ways and exploring the various ways in which the facilitator can structure discussion and debate amongst students means that an environment can be created where active learning and critical thinking take place. The space of online learning should not be relegated to a passive transfer of information.

ONLINE VS FACE TO FACE
An interesting perspective which starts to make online teaching a comfortable proposition is to compare it with face to face teaching. From this it becomes easier to assess what might be missing when it comes to online teaching and begin to address this.

Online vs. Face-to-Face Learning[3]
Aida Barrera
Carolyn Ho
Ida Garcia
Tomoko Traphagan
Yi-Fan Chang

Technology such as computers appears to be replacing traditional body-cantered education such as music, art and physical education. Using these merely to deliver information misses the opportunity for a ‘revolutionary’ transformation of learning and education.

Key Differences Between Online and Face-to-Face Teaching[4]
Hope Cotner

Both online and face-to-face teaching shares common characteristics even though they are manifest differently. One of the challenges however is that learner behaviour differs and the course material and structure needs to address this.

THE ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY
Going forward I want to start creating online courses from which I can earn additional income. This topic fascinates me as it is about retention and referral. Marketing a course and enrolling learners is one aspect but keeping them engaged and interested is even more important. A satisfied ‘customer’ becomes invaluable in marketing as a source of word or mouth referrals.

6 Tips to Build A Thriving Online Learning Community[5]
Scott Cooper

The way to build an online community is to ensure that the facilitator’s presence is felt by the learners. This can be achieved through various interactive activities involve the students in various ways.

Building an Online Learning Community[6]
Yu-Chien Chen

Building an interactive online community facilitates and enhances student learning as it recognises that we are social beings. Learning is increased and built through an interactive learning environment that includes both the material and the people involved.

A Theory of Online Learning as Online Participation[7]
Stefan Hranstinski

Online participation cannot only be measured quantitatively as for example the number of messages learners write. There are different forms of participation which may involve active and passive ways of interaction. The process of creating and maintaining relationships is complex.

Building Online Communities: The Barriers and the Bruises[8]
Brian Kelly
John Heap

A number of barriers exist to the move towards online collaboration and teaching. Younger people may tend to find it easier to adapt than the older generation. Online communication and platforms are also viewed as a security risk with a loss of privacy.

Teaching Tip: Encouraging Online Participation[9]
Wing Lam

Techniques for encouraging online participation include structured and formal platforms as well as informal areas. Each of these serves a different function but together created an environment for peer and collaborative learning.

Professors Share Ideas for Building Community in Online Courses
Sharon O’Malley

Online courses that act solely as “just a repository of articles” create an environment that isolates the learners. By engaging student in discussion amongst each other and with the facilitator a social presence is created which engages learners on a human and emotional level.

How to Build an Engaged Online Learning Community[10]
Olivia Molteno

An effective strategy for building an online community requires the active participation of the facilitator with an enhanced teaching presence. The tools and activities for engagement and interaction need to be structured so as to create the right environment for learning.

Five Ways to Build Community in Online Classrooms[11]
Melissa Wehler

A sense of belonging to an online community increases learner engagement and success. This can be achieved by the facilitator who is accessible and engaging while also encouraging engagement among the learners.

JOURNAL WRITING
My biggest resistance on this course was to writing up in the Learning Journal. At first I thought of it as an invasion and was very reluctant to engage. I think part of the problem is seeing the journal as a product for someone else to ‘consume’. It really helped to turn this around and see journaling as a very personal process which one does for oneself.

Using Journal Writing to Enhance Reflective Practice[12]
David Boud

Journal writing can fulfill many functions. It can be a tool for simply recording events, processes and facts; a form of self-reflection; and even a form of therapy.

DEEP WORK
Given the overwhelming demand on one’s time be it student interaction, answering emails or hopping between a range of urgent deadlines it seems like effective time management becomes important. One of the strategies for creating focus and increasing productivity is through a technique known as Deep Work.

Adam Grant uses 'Deep Work' for maximum productivity

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Four Rules for Eliminating Distractions

The Complete Guide to Deep Work

---

[1] Anthony g. Picciano, “Theories and Frameworks for Online Education: Seeking an Integrated Model,” Online Learning 21, no. 3 (2017): 166–90, https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v21i3.1225.

[2] Robert H. Woods and Jason D. Baker, “Interaction and Immediacy in Online Learning,” International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 5, no. 2 (2004), https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v5i2.186.

[3] Aida Barrera et al., “Online vs. Face-to-Face Learning,” Edb.Utexas.Edu, accessed June 22, 2020, https://www.academia.edu/1576750/Online_vs._Face-to-Face_Learning.

[4] Hope Cotner, “Key Differences Between Online and Face-to-Face Teaching,” n.d., 2.

[5] Scott Cooper, “6 Tips To Build A Thriving Online Learning Community,” eLearning Industry, June 16, 2016, https://elearningindustry.com/6-tips-build-thriving-online-learning-community.

[6] Yu Chien Chen, “Building an Online Learning Community.,” 2004.

[7] Stefan Hrastinski, “A Theory of Online Learning as Online Participation,” Computers & Education 52, no. 1 (January 31, 2009): 78–82, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.06.009.

[8] Brian Kelly and John Heap, “Building Online Communities: The Barriers and the Bruises,” 2004, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216570903_Building_Online_Communities_The_Barriers_and_the_Bruises.

[9] Wing Lam, “Teaching Tip: Encouraging Online Participation,” Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE) 15, no. 4 (2004): 345–48.

[10] Olivia Molteno, “How to Build an Engaged Online Learning Community | GetSmarter Blog,” getsmarter, accessed July 8, 2020, https://www.getsmarter.com/blog/research-hub/how-to-build-an-engaged-online-learning-community/.

[11] Melissa Wehler, “Five Ways to Build Community in Online Classrooms - Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning,” accessed July 8, 2020, https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/five-ways-to-build-community-in-online-classrooms/.

[12] David Boud, “Using Journal Writing to Enhance Reflective Practice,” New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 2001, no. 90 (2001): 9–18, https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16.