Online Learning Research and Innovation

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium deals with the tension between innovative application of online learning and research on the effectiveness of online approaches. Key findings from synthetic overviews of research findings for virtual schools and online degree programs, K-12 applications of blended learning, and online and blended courses within traditional higher education institutions will be contrasted with the practices of rapidly growing online innovations. The different perspectives on evidence of developers, researchers, and practitioners will be described. Presenters will propose a model for collaborative research and development using backend data from digital learning systems as well as conventional sources of student data within a continuous improvement effort.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Online Teaching and Learning

Chair

• Barbara M. Means, SRI Education

Papers

• Personalized, Blended Learning in K-12: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Directions - Robert F. Murphy, SRI International

• What Research Does (and Doesn’t Say) About Cyberschools and Online Degree Programs - Marianne Bakia, SRI International

• Making Sense of Claims and Counterclaims About Online Higher Education - Barbara M. Means, SRI Education; Louise G. Yarnall, SRI International

Discussants

• Michael D. Preston, Columbia University

• Peter Shea, University at Albany - SUNY