SITE Interactive 2023 – Meet the Editors: Publishing About K-12 Online and Blended Learning Research and Practice

As you may have seen yesterday, I mentioned that SITE Interactive 2023 was happening and that I had looked through the schedule to find the K-12 distance, online, and blended learning session.  The sixth one I wanted to blog about was:

Meet the Editors: Publishing About K-12 Online and Blended Learning Research and Practice

KeynoteID: 62766

1. Michael Barbour
   Touro University
2. Mary Rice
   Univ. of New Mexico

Abstract: Take advantage of this opportunity to meet & talk with the editors of the Journal of Online Learning Research (JOLR). We envision this as an informal conversation about crafting your work for JOLR or potentially other venues. Of particular interest may be a new section inJOLR, the Practitioner Corner, which is focused on explanations & reflections on educational innovations. These articles should reveal trends in educational needs & everyday factors that influence K-12 distance, online, and blended learning. Articles in the Practitioner Corner section should go beyond “Did it work?” to explore how interventions function and the boundaries of their scalability. Editors will answer questions about the journals, discuss the submission & review processes, & provide attendees with advice on how to increase the likelihood of publication.

Topic

• Developing the profession: Growing in leadership, academia, and teaching practice

As this was a keynote that I was involved in, I didn’t take notes.  But the slides that we used to start the session are embedded below.

SITE Interactive 2023 – Meet the Editors: Publishing About K-12 Online and Blended Learning Research and Practice from Michael Barbour

SITE Interactive 2023 – Reflective Course Evaluations: Impact on Teaching and Learning

As you may have seen yesterday, I mentioned that SITE Interactive 2023 was happening and that I had looked through the schedule to find the K-12 distance, online, and blended learning session.  The fifth one I wanted to blog about was:

Reflective Course Evaluations: Impact on Teaching and Learning

Virtual Poster/Presentation ExhibitID: 62710

1. Mary Risacher
   Southwest Minnesota State University
2. Sara Fier
   Northwestern Health Sciences University

Abstract: In an effort to advance/improve the practices of teaching and learning in online and hybrid course formats, the researchers incorporated reflective student course evaluations as a complementary addition to the traditional Likert scale course evaluation. The addition of the reflective evaluation provided students with the opportunity to reflect on the course, provide feedback regarding improvement or potential changes which could lead to improvement in the teaching and learning practices for both the student and instructor. This practice provides an opportunity not only for improvement but a means to nurture student needs and suggestions for improvement leading to deeper course engagement.

Topic

• Beyond Emergency Remote Teaching: Supporting Learning and Engagement in Online and Blended Environments

I was a little late in getting to this session, so missed most of the content.  However, I did discover that this session was focused solely on higher education.  So I probably shouldn’t have included it in the list of sessions that may be of interest to readers of this space.

SITE Interactive 2023 – How Educational Technologists and Teacher Educators can help Bridge the Research to Practice Gap

As you may have seen yesterday, I mentioned that SITE Interactive 2023 was happening and that I had looked through the schedule to find the K-12 distance, online, and blended learning session.  The fourth one I wanted to blog about was:

How Educational Technologists and Teacher Educators can help Bridge the Research to Practice Gap

KeynoteID: 62774

1. Richard Ferdig
   Kent State University

Abstract: Educational research does not always impact practice in ways that researchers and practitioners would like. This is an enduring problem that also impacts educational technology and teacher education. In attempt to address this problem, an open-access, edited book was compiled by AACE titled, “What PreK-12 teachers Should Know About Educational Technology in 2023: A Research-to-Practice Anthology.” (Available here: https://learntechlib.org/p/222690/) This recently released book provides 45 chapters and over 450 pages of text written from authors around the world who are helping to support the move from research to practice. In this invited presentation, the editors of the book will briefly discuss the origin of the book as well as broad findings from the process. Several authors from the book will also be present to briefly discuss their chapter, talk about the research-to-practice gap, and answer questions about their work. Bio: The moderator for this session, Richard E. Ferdig, Ph.D., is the Summit Professor of Learning Technologies and Professor of Educational Technology at Kent State University. He works within the Research Center for Educational Technology and also the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University. He has served as researcher and instructor at Michigan State University, the University of Florida, the Wyzsza Szkola Pedagogiczna (Krakow, Poland), and the Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy). At Kent State University, his research, teaching, and service focus on combining cutting-edge technologies with current pedagogic theory to create innovative learning environments. His research interests include online education, educational games and simulations, the relationship between faith and technology, international education, and what he labels a deeper psychology of technology. In addition to publishing and presenting nationally and internationally, Ferdig has also been funded to study the impact of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and K-12 Virtual Schools. Rick was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gaming and Computer Mediated Simulations (http://www.igi-global.com/ijgcms), the past Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education (http://www.aace.org/pubs/jtate/), a Consulting Editor for the Development Editorial Board of Educational Technology Research and Development (http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/learning+%26+instruction/journal/11423), and the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Interactive Learning Research (https://www.aace.org/pubs/jilr/).

Topic

• Developing the profession: Growing in leadership, academia, and teaching practice

I was one of the presenters from this session, so I don’t have any notes to post.  I can tell you that our general plan is for Rick Ferdig, Richard Hartshorne, and Emily Baumgartner to host the session in roughly this format:

• a brief welcome and intro explaining the purpose of the book (<5 minutes)
• each of the 6 chapter presenters (4-5 minutes)
  1. Briefly discuss what you covered in your chapter. Highlight important research findings and practical implications.
  2. While the book was written for PreK-12 teachers, talk about the main findings that might impact teacher educators (this is a TE inspired conference)
  3. Talk about what you learned in the move from translating research to practice
  • The order will be as follows:
  1. 1. Activating Universally Designed Supports in One-to-One Learning Environments: Low Investment, High Reward:  Andrea Harkins-Brown, Lisa Carey, Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Jennifer Kouo, and Eric Moore
     2. Girls Just Wanna STEM: Active Engagement and Mentorship in a Middle School STEM Class for Girls:  Jillian R. Powers, Ann T. Musgrove, and Susannah L. Brown
     3. Misuse of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Assignments: Can AI-Written Content Be Detected?  Ferit Kiliçkaya and Joanna Kic-Drgas
     4. Digital-Based Video Games and 21st Century Skills:  Grace Morris
     5. Getting Teachers Truly Prepared for PreK–12 Online and Blended Instruction:  Michael K. Barbour, Charles B. Hodges, and Richard E. Ferdig
     6. The Blended Teaching Journey: Research, Resources, and Guidance for Successfully Navigating Blended Environments: Jered Borup, Michelle Jensen, Cecil R. Short, Karen Arnesen, Leanna Archamabualt, and Charles R.  Graham
• a Q/A with questions of their own to start and then questions from the audience
• closing

In case that helps some.

SITE Interactive 2023 – Methods of Teaching Accessibility in Online Learning

As you may have seen yesterday, I mentioned that SITE Interactive 2023 was happening and that I had looked through the schedule to find the K-12 distance, online, and blended learning session.  The third one I wanted to blog about was:

Methods of Teaching Accessibility in Online Learning

Virtual Poster/Presentation ExhibitID: 62715

1. Aubrey Statti
   The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
2. Kelly Torres
   The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Abstract: This poster session seeks to present the importance of accessibility in online learning as well as opportunities for students to explore and demonstrate their understanding of accessibility measures. Further, the role of the instructor in cultivating an accessible, inclusive learning environment is captured, and relevant resources and examples will be presented. The targeted audience for this poster session includes instructional designers and faculty in K-12 and higher education, specifically educators teaching in the online classroom and those using technology-based sources in the classroom. Examples of accessible technologies that will be included are AI writing tools, Loom, LucidChart, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Nearpod, and voice-to-text. In addition, the importance of adding captions or including a transcript will be covered. This poster session will present ideas for including accessible content in online courses and resources for creating and maintaining an accessible learning environment.

Topic

• Developing the profession: Growing in leadership, academia, and teaching practice

Unfortunately I am presenting during this slot.  But if anyone was able to attend, please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

SITE Interactive 2023 – Where Did We Go Wrong? An Exploration of the Failure to Prepare for Mass School Closure

As you may have seen yesterday, I mentioned that SITE Interactive 2023 was happening and that I had looked through the schedule to find the K-12 distance, online, and blended learning session.  The second one I wanted to blog about was:

Where Did We Go Wrong? An Exploration of the Failure to Prepare for Mass School Closure

Interactive PanelID: 62758

1. Michael Barbour
   Touro University
2. Chuck Hodges
   Georgia Southern University
3. Mary Rice
   University of New Mexico

Abstract: Why were schools simply unprepared for the mass closures induced by COVID-19? Why were educators ill equipped to be able to provide instruction in modalities other than the traditional classroom? Why did teacher education program fail to prepare pre-service teachers with the skills that would be needed in the Spring of 2020? While most scholars fail to realize this, but the literature in the field documented numerous instances of distance learning being used to provide continuity of learning in the face of disaster. Further, a variety of government agencies warned the field that this was a possibility and they needed to be prepared. Finally, national plans had been advising teacher education of the importance of online learning for over a decade. So where did we go wrong? This interactive panel will explore these questions.

Topic

• Beyond Emergency Remote Teaching: Supporting Learning and Engagement in Online and Blended Environments

As this was a panel that I led, I didn’t take notes.  The slides that we used to start the session are embedded below.

SITE Interactive 2023 – Where Did We Go Wrong? An Exploration of the Failure to Prepare for Mass School Closure from Michael Barbour

In case it is help, the original proposal for the panel – which includes the background – is available by clicking here.