Nichelle+Middleton

My research interests relate to the design, development and implementation of effective and engaging online learning environments that produce learning outcomes. In particular, I am interested in accessibility issues related to online learning. Many institutions are in a hurry to start online programs in an effort to keep their current revenue. They place traditional instructors in online settings without address online learning pedagogy.
 * Research Interest **

I am also interested in collaborative and active learning environments. My interest relates to how can instructors created effective and efficiently learning environments. Also, how can these environments be accessed effectively? Are rubrics the key?

A theoretical framework is essentials for providing credibility to ones research. Sector, et al. (2008) identifies four areas of research in educational technology: "psychology of learning, communication and human-computer integration and instructional design and development." Instructional design and development and the psychology of learning are two theoretical foundations that are relevant to my research interests.
 * Theoretical Foundation **

Online instruction that is pedagogical driven produce effective and efficient learning outcomes. Instructional design and development involves the process of designing and developing effective and efficient learning environments that are grounded on proven instructional, learning and pedagogical theories. Instructional design and development is essential for creating online environments that address accessibility issues and engaging collaborative learning environments.

The psychology of learning is a theoretical approach that relates to understanding how one learns. Understanding how we learn is essential for creating online learning environments that produce learning outcome. Course designers must understand how there students learn in order to create effective and efficient online learning environments.

References Spector, J. M., Merrill, M. D., Merrienboer J. V., & Driscoll, M. P. (Eds.). (2008). //Handbook of research on educational communications and technology// (3rd ed.). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

1.Traditional institutions seeking online presences Because of the emergence of for profit institutions, traditional learning institutions are beginning to seek an online presence. What are the pedagogical implications associated with starting an online program? Research in this area may include comparing for profit institutions with traditional institutions. 2.Instructional design methods for online instruction There are many instructional design approaches for the design and delivery on online instruction. Which method is more appropriate usually depends on the instructional setting? Research in this area may include comparing the effectiveness of instructional design methodology. 3.Learning Management Systems and Accessibility There are many learning/content management system on the market. However, all of these systems are not created equally. Many of these systems were not created using concepts of universal design. Research in this area may include comparing learning management systems and their accessibility. 4.Training traditional instructors to teach online As many institutions begin to move online, traditional instructors are being tasked with developing online learning environments. How can institutions effectively train traditional instructors for the online environment? Research in this area many include the experience of traditional instructors moving to online learning environments. 5.Learning styles and online learning Many instructors teach how they learning. An effective learning environment must appeal to the diverse learning needs of all students. Research in the area may include creating learning environment that appeal to all students.
 * Literature Review **

There have been many studies comparing the effectiveness of online collaboration methods with traditional collaboration methods; describing the benefits of using collaborative and active learning tools for delivering instruction; and how to successfully implement collaborative tools in the online environment. However, there is currently a gap in the research regarding best practices for facilitating collaborative and active learning environments and ways for assessing collaborative environments.
 * Gaps in Research **

How can class participation be effectively assessed in an online learning environment? What are teacher's perceptions toward applying active learning strategies in math science courses?
 * Research Questions **

Many traditional institutions are moving their courses online. The same methods for creating traditional instruction may not apply to online learning environments. Online collaboration and active learning environments must engage student well beyond reading PowerPoint presentations and textbook reading assignments. However, some instructor's struggle with how to effectively apply active learning strategies to math science courses that are taught online. Also, they struggle with how to effectively assess student participation in an online environment. Recent studies focus on the tools that can be used to facilitate online collaborative and active learning environments. They fail to report how these environments may be used and assessed in online courses.
 * Problem Statement **

Vygostsky's social development theory may be applied to my study. The theme of this theory is that social interaction plays an integrate part in the formation of cognition. Vygostsky believed that collaboration and active learning is required in order for learning to take place.
 * Theory **


 * Methodology **


 * ** Research Methodology **

** Methodologies include grounded theory, case study, factor analysis, experimental, etc. ** ||  ** Strengths **  ||  ** Limitations **  ||  ** Authoritative Primary Source for This Methodology **  ||  ** Why I Will or Will Not Use This Method **  ||
 * Case Study || The data collection methods and analysis are flexible. Researchers may use various kinds of methods. || Case studies are subjective. || Yin, R. K. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. || I will use this method. It is appropriate for questions regarding the characteristics of a group ||
 * Experimental || Experimental research is adjustable and flexible. || May not be generalized because the subject are not a representation of the general populations || Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (1963). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. || I will not use this method. It is best suited for cause and effect questions. ||
 * Mixed Methods Paradigm || The strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research methods may be applied to mixed methods. || May be very expensive and time consuming. || Raenkel, J. and Wallen, N. (2006). How to design and evaluate research in education. New York. McGraw-Hill. || I will not use this method. Both methods are not needed to describe ones option. ||


 * ** Research Questions ** ||  ** Methodology **

** You may use the same methodology for each question, or not, depending on the questions you are asking. ** ||  ** Sample **

** You may only have one sample for your study, or several different groups/individuals. ** ||  ** Data Collection **

** Data collection methods include interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, pre-post tests, etc. **

** If there are multiple forms of data for one research question, list them all. ** ||  ** Statistical Analysis **

** If you are able to provide this, please do so. ** ||
 * 1.

How can class participation be effectively assessed in an online learning environment? || Case Study ||  ||   ||   || Chi Square(?) ||
 * ^  ||^   || Teachers teaching courses online at an institution of higher education || Interview || ANOVA
 * 2.

What are teacher's perceptions toward applying active learning strategies in math science courses? || Case Study ||  ||   ||   ||
 * ^  ||^   || Instructors teaching math science courses online at an institution of higher education. || Questionnaire || ANOVA ||


 * Significance of the Study **

There have been many studies comparing the effectiveness of online collaboration methods with traditional collaboration methods; describing the benefits of using collaborative and active learning tools for delivering instruction; and how to successfully implement collaborative tools in the online environment. However, there is currently a gap in the research regarding best practices for facilitating collaborative and active learning environments and ways for assessing collaborative environments.

According to Vygotsky (1978) social interaction is an integral part of cognition development. With my research, I can add to the field of education technology by relating to others best was to assess online learning environments.

My research will effect positive social change by providing ethical and reliable results that can be used to help instructors create effective and engaging learning environments that can produce learning outcomes.

Reference Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). //Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes//. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.


 * Dissemination of Research **

I would like to submit an article on my research to the following journals. These journals provide relevant peer-reviewed articles in the field of educational technology. They contain articles that contribute to the field of educational technology.

Journal of Education and Technology // American Journal of Distance Education // Journal of Research on Technology in Education

I would like to present my finding at the following two conferences. AECT EDUCAUSE

AECT provide leadership and guidance in the field of educational technology. They provide standards for the design and development of online courses in higher education.

EDUCAUSE provides leadership and guidance in education both K-12, undergrad and graduate education.