It has been a few months since I posted one of these entries, but earlier this semester one of my colleagues sent me the following query.
I am compiling a list for my college regarding must-reads for all education professionals who are new to K-12 online learning. Could you send me a list of what you think are the most crucial readings for someone (whether it be a teacher, school librarian, education technologist, administrator, school psychologist, school counselor, etc) who is just getting started in our field?
While I sent that colleague a list at the time, I thought it would make a good top # entry. So, my top three must reads for graduate students in K-12 online learning.
1. (a) Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2010). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: An annual review of state-level policy and practice. Vienna, VA: North American Council for Online Learning. Retrieved from http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/KeepingPaceK12_2010.pdf
1. (b) Barbour, M. K. (2010). State of the nation study: K-12 online learning in Canada. Vienna, VA: International Council for K-12 Online Learning. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/research/docs/iNACOL_CanadaStudy10-finalweb.pdf
1. (c) Powell, A., & Patrick, S. (2006). An international perspective of k–12 online learning: A summary of the 2006 NACOL international e-learning survey. Vienna, VA: North American Council for Online Learning. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/research/docs/InternationalSurveyResultsSummaries.pdf
It is always good to know what is happening in your particular jurisdiction. This is a good starting place and the following resources are for those who live in (a) the United States, (b) Canada, and (c) internationally.
2. (a) Barbour, M. K. (2009). Today’s student and virtual schooling: The reality, the challenges,the promise… Journal of Distance Learning, 13(1), 5-25.
2. (b) Barbour, M. K., & Reeves, T. C. (2009). The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. Computers and Education, 52(2), 402–416.
2. (c) Cavanaugh, C., Barbour, M. K., & Clark, T. (2009). Research and practice in K-12 online learning: A review of literature. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(1). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/607
2. (d) Rice, K. L. (2006). A comprehensive look at distance education in the K-12 context. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(4), 425-448.
These are the main reviews of the literature that have been published in the last five years. A good way to get a general overview of the existing literature, and research, into K-12 online learning.
3. (a) Blomeyer, R. L. (2002). Online learning for K-12 students: What do we know now? Naperville, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved from http://tinyurl.com/29h38v5
3. (b) Smith, R., Clark, T., & Blomeyer, R. L. (2005). A synthesis of new research on K-12 online learning. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates. Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/tech/synthesis/synthesis.pdf
These are two good reviews that outline a research agenda for the future. While one is eight years old and the other is five years old, both are still relevant today.
Are there others that someone else might suggest?
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The first one in the list is probably the best of the bunch. It really does matter how recently a review has been done; on-line learning is evolving way too fast to rely on things written 5 years ago.
#1 also has the problem of being sponsored by Blackboard. Do Apex and Blackboard really dominate k-12 online learning as this paper suggests? I don’t have the stats, but I think Moodle is making some big leaps if not already the leading LMS in K-12.
I would recommend grad students to just do a Google or Twitter search of online learning or eLearning and start reading. I think Moodle should be a top contender for things to learn about in the field of online learning.
Comment by Dan McGuire — December 15, 2010 @ 4:44 pm |
Dan, I think you’re mistaken. While Blackboard and K12, Inc. along with others, sponsor the Keeping Pace report the Evergreen team does a good job at presenting the current state of affairs in terms of the level of K-12 online learning activity and the regulations governing that activity.
In terms of research and the dating of things, again this is a misnomer often made by people who think that technology affects learning. Good research examples how cognitive theory impacts student learning or how pedagogical strategies or support structures impact student learning. Technology – new or old – does not impact learning. You should look at the response I made to yesterday’s dissertation student (see More Dissertation Advice), specifically the comments about Clark (1983).
If a graduate student does a search on online learning or elearning they will get a whole lot of stuff that isn’t research-based, but is focused on adult learners (and we all know that adolescents and adults learn differently). So my advice remains the same, don’t focus on the technology, look at the reviews of the literature that have already been done, and focus on the existing research (however limited it may be).
Comment by mkbnl — December 15, 2010 @ 4:52 pm |
Top Three Must Reads For Graduate Students…
It has been a few months since I posted one of these entries, but earlier this semester one of my colleagues sent me the following query. I am compiling a list for my college regarding must-reads for all education professionals who are new to K-12 onli…
Trackback by Teaching and Developing Online — December 16, 2010 @ 10:05 am |
Dan McGuire writes, “I would recommend grad students to just do a Google or Twitter search of online learning or eLearning and start reading.” If you are a grad student with decent mentoring, you know this to be poor advice. If for some reason you are considering following this recommendation, STOP. Always start by diving into the peer-reviewed research literature.
Comment by Chuck Hodges — December 16, 2010 @ 10:24 am |
Thanks for this additional advice Chuck!!! Much appreciated!
I think this is a good example of why the research committee of INACOL has lost much of its activity – an influx of K-12 online learning practitioners with this kind of view of research.
Comment by mkbnl — December 16, 2010 @ 10:26 am |
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