Learning Technologies (learning + technology)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Unintended Effects in Using Learning Technologies

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION, Issue 88 2000
Allan Herrmann
Although unintended effects cannot be anticipated, practitioners can use various frameworks to recognize and manage them. [source]


Radio as a Learning Technology

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION, Issue 88 2000
May Maskow
A recent initiative in educational radio successfully used a new design,a doculecture,to attract credit learners and interested members of the public. [source]


Computer Self-Efficacy and Motivation to Learn in a Self-Directed Online Course

DECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 1 2009
Marcia J. Simmering
ABSTRACT Despite the increased use of new learning technologies, there is still much to be learned about the role of learner characteristics in online learning. The purpose of this study was to examine how subjects' characteristics normally associated with effective training (i.e., initial motivation to learn and self-efficacy) related to learning in a self-directed online course. From an analysis of 190 respondents, computer and Internet usage prior to the start of class were positively related to individuals' computer self-efficacy and computer self-efficacy was positively related to learning. However, contrary to expectations, computer self-efficacy was not related to initial motivation to learn and motivation to learn was not related to learning in the class. Post hoc analysis of qualitative data enabled a rich explanation of the findings, including an evaluation of the unexpected relationships among the variables of interest and the nature of self-directed courses in virtual learning environments. [source]


Standardized test outcomes for students engaged in inquiry-based science curricula in the context of urban reform

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 8 2008
Robert Geier
Abstract Considerable effort has been made over the past decade to address the needs of learners in large urban districts through scaleable reform initiatives. We examine the effects of a multifaceted scaling reform that focuses on supporting standards based science teaching in urban middle schools. The effort was one component of a systemic reform effort in the Detroit Public Schools, and was centered on highly specified and developed project-based inquiry science units supported by aligned professional development and learning technologies. Two cohorts of 7th and 8th graders that participated in the project units are compared with the remainder of the district population, using results from the high-stakes state standardized test in science. Both the initial and scaled up cohorts show increases in science content understanding and process skills over their peers, and significantly higher pass rates on the statewide test. The relative gains occur up to a year and a half after participation in the curriculum, and show little attenuation with in the second cohort when scaling occurred and the number of teachers involved increased. The effect of participation in units at different grade levels is independent and cumulative, with higher levels of participation associated with similarly higher achievement scores. Examination of results by gender reveals that the curriculum effort succeeds in reducing the gender gap in achievement experienced by urban African-American boys. These findings demonstrate that standards-based, inquiry science curriculum can lead to standardized achievement test gains in historically underserved urban students, when the curriculum is highly specified, developed, and aligned with professional development and administrative support. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 922,939, 2008 [source]


A review of evaluation outcomes of web-based continuing medical education

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 6 2005
Vernon R Curran
Introduction, The Internet and worldwide web have expanded opportunities for the provision of a flexible, convenient and interactive form of continuing medical education (CME). Larger numbers of doctors are accessing and using the Internet to locate and seek medical information. It has been suggested that a significant proportion of this usage is directly related to questions that arise from patient care. A variety of Internet technologies are being used to provide both asynchronous and synchronous forms of web-based CME. Various models for designing and facilitating web-based CME learning have also been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the nature and characteristics of the web-based CME evaluative outcomes reported in the peer-reviewed literature. Methods, A search of Medline was undertaken and the level of evaluative outcomes reported was categorised using Kirkpatrick's model for levels of summative evaluation. Results, The results of this analysis revealed that the majority of evaluative research on web-based CME is based on participant satisfaction data. There was limited research demonstrating performance change in clinical practices and there were no studies reported in the literature that demonstrated that web-based CME was effective in influencing patient or health outcomes. Discussion, The findings suggest an important need to examine in greater detail the nature and characteristics of those web-based learning technologies, environments and systems which are most effective in enhancing practice change and ultimately impacting patient and health outcomes. This is particularly important as the Internet grows in popularity as a medium for knowledge transfer. [source]


New directions for lifelong learning using network technologies

BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
Rob Koper
The requirements placed on learning technologies to support lifelong learning differ considerably from those placed on technologies to support particular fragments of a learning lifetime. The time scales involved in lifelong learning, together with its multi-institutional and episodic nature are not reflected in today's mainstream learning technologies and their associated architectures. The article presents an integrated model and architecture to serve as the basis for the realisation of networked learning technologies serving the specific needs and characteristics of lifelong learners. The integrative model is called a ,Learning Network' (LN) and its requirements and architecture are explored, together with the ways in which its application can help in reducing barriers to lifelong learning. [source]


The Role of Effective Modeling in the Development of Self-Efficacy: The Case of the Transparent Engine,

DECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 1 2007
Kevin P. Scheibe
ABSTRACT Computing technology augments learning in education in a number of ways. One particular method uses interactive programs to demonstrate complex concepts. The purpose of this article is to examine one type of interactive learning technology, the transparent engine. The transparent engine allows instructors and students to view and directly interact with educational concepts such as Web-enabled software development. The article first presents a framework describing transparent engines. The framework details four types of transparent engines: (1) enactive mastery/manipulatable, (2) enactive mastery/nonmanipulatable, (3) vicarious experience/manipulatable, and (4) vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable. Following this, we present the results of an experiment designed to examine this framework by testing its predictions for one quadrant, vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable. The results support the framework in that students taught concepts with the aid of the vicarious experience/nonmanipulatable transparent engine had significantly higher domain-specific self-efficacy compared to those taught the same concepts without this tool. [source]