Re-Thinking E-Learning Research
May 6, 2009
Norm Friesen · Thompson Rivers University, Canada
In education, novel practices, applications, and forms - from bulletin boards to Webcasts, and from online educational games to open educational resources - have been proliferating rapidly. However, research of these changing forms and practices has gravitated towards the methods and philosophical frameworks used to investigate and design earlier instructional technologies and practices: Technical progress is seen as single-handedly "impacting" education, human action is understood as fundamentally rational and rule-bound, and phenomena like education and communication are understood according to strictly functional models. In this talk, Dr. Friesen will describe how these understandings have been contradicted by unpredictable developments in technology and practice, and by changes in the theory underpinning research itself. Referring to his 2009 book, "Re-Thinking E-Learning Research: Foundations, Methods and Practices", he will outline ways in which research in distance education and e-learning can be re-thought, to catch up to new theoretical, technical, and empirical developments.
RELATED INFORMATION
SIMILAR SESSIONS
Introducing the CoI Blog: A Community of Inquiry for the Community of Inquiry
Garrison, D. Randy; Cleveland-Innes, Martha; Vaughan, Norman; Wilton, Dan
The goal for this CIDER session is to provide an introduction to the creation of a blog that will initiate and facilitate discussion with regard to recent research and emerging issues associated with the Community of ...
Match: research
State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada
Barbour, Michael; LaBonte, Randy
The State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada report continues to be Canada's unique benchmark for the expanding use of technology-supported blended and online learning in Canada. This ninth edition of the annual ...
Match: e-learning
A Proposed e-Learning Policy Field for the Academy
Parchoma, Gale
In this session, Gale Parchoma will discuss her article "A Proposed e-Learning Policy Field for the Academy" published in the International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2006). The article ...
Match: e-learning
Revisiting Mega-Universities
Rubin, Eugene; Schweber, Claudine
In this CIDER Session, Gene Rubin and Claudine Schweber discuss John Daniel's 1996 book, Mega-Universities, the rapid rise of the for-profit universities in the U.S., and the new Asian oriented for-profit consortiums, ...
Match: e-learning
Research for Effective Online Learning
Anderson, Terry
This session with Terry Anderson overviewed Distance Education research, design-based research and the 'CIDER solution'.
Match: research
Using 3D Virtual Worlds: Engaging Learners and Providing Social Support
Annand, David; Schwede, Gunnar; Heller, Bob; Eliott, Colin
Demonstrating how an avatar-based 3-D learning environment can more fully engage learners in their online educational experience, the volunteer team of developers from Athabasca University will showcase a prototype of a ...
Match: e-learning
State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada
Barbour, Michael; LaBonte, Randy
The 2017 issue of the State of the Nation: K-12 E-Learning in Canada report marks its 10th year, and the fifth year of the Canadian eLearning Network's (CANeLearn) support of this research. The report continues to be ...
Match: e-learning
Project Management Process and Practices for Your e-Learning Efforts
Pasian, Beverly
Universities represent an organizational model on their own unique path toward project management maturity. Over the last decade, they have embraced project management practices in an attempt to apply a greater degree ...
Match: e-learning
Exploring Research Issues
Anderson, Terry
In this session, Professor, former Canada Research Chair, and CIDER host Dr. Terry Anderson will overview the contents of a new open access book to be released by AU press this fall. The book overviews the major issues ...
Match: research
Research on Formal Virtual Learning Communities in Higher Education
Schwier, Richard
This session by Dr. Richard Schwier and colleagues discusses the use of transcript analysis of computer conferences.
Match: e-learning
