abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the community of practice model in providing professional development to improve K-12 teacher’s knowledge, skills, self-efficacy with regard to the implementation of personal learning. The study also examined the extent to which the community created value for individuals and the organization. The study employed two theoretical frameworks: Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and Wenger’s communities of practice. The study employed a concurrent mixed methods approach. Eighteen teachers participated in a 9-month blended learning professional development focused on the implementation of personal learning. Participants took pre and post self-efficacy tests. In addition, qualitative data was collected from feedback surveys, online postings, a research journal, and individual interviews. The teachers demonstrated greater levels of self-efficacy with regard to the implementation of personal learning after their participation in the professional development community. Teachers reported increased confidence with regard to personal learning in the areas of planning, risk-taking, implementation, making modifications for continuous improvement, and sharing their knowledge with others. The teachers also reported learning about themselves, their students and colleagues, as well as gaining knowledge of content related to teaching, and personal learning. Participants reported the development of a variety of skills including design and problem-solving skills, technology skills, and facilitation and PL strategies. They also reported changes in certain dispositions such as flexibility and open-mindedness. The community created value for both the individuals and the organization. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2018

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2017-03-15T15:54:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Suzan Severo de Severo_.pdf: 2197379 bytes, checksum: 9a2c7a9d65120c15d1f440355c9fd7c7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-15T15:54:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Suzan Severo de Severo_.pdf: 2197379 bytes, checksum: 9a2c7a9d65120c15d1f440355c9fd7c7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-09 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / PROSUP - Programa de Suporte à Pós-Gradução de Instituições de Ensino Particulares / Este estudo parte de um contexto de aprendizado misto ou b-learning, em que se experimentou o uso do WhatsApp, uma ferramenta comunicacional largamente utilizada na sociedade, para a promoção de diálogos espontâneos entre aprendizes de Inglês como LE, incentivando a prática da LE. Dentro de uma perspectiva sociocultural e considerando-se que a aprendizagem se dá através da mediação de artefatos socioculturais e na interação com outros sujeitos (VYGOTSKY, 1978), este trabalho objetiva compreender como se dá a mediação da aprendizagem através da ferramenta WhatsApp. Mais especificamente, pretendeu-se analisar a produção dos aprendizes de inglês como LE durante a interação na língua que aprendem através de grupos formados no WhatsApp, buscando compreender como se organizam as interações através do aplicativo e como elas poderiam contribuir para o aprendizado da LE. O resultado demonstrou que os aprendizes, na medida em que trocavam mensagens com seus colegas e com a professora, testavam hipóteses, percebiam lacunas em seu conhecimento e engajavam-se em análises metalinguísticas (SWAIN,1985,1995,2005). Além disso, através da interação, foi possível perceber que os aprendizes apoiavam uns aos outros e buscavam formas de expandir o conhecimento e manter-se no diálogo, seja através da pesquisa de palavras em dicionários, seja apoiando-se na primeira língua (L1) ou, ainda, fazendo uso de táticas conversacionais para a negociação de sentido (LONG, 1983, 1996), o que permitiu aos estudantes manterem-se engajados nas conversas e tanto pedir apoio quanto oferecer apoio no processo de produção e aprendizagem da LE. / This study was developed in a blended learning context in which there was an experiment on using WhatsApp, a largely used and well known tool for communication, as a means for fostering spontaneous dialogues among learners of English as a foreign language. Based on a sociocultural perspective and considering that learning happens through interaction mediated by sociocultural artifacts (Vygotsky, 1978), this work aims at understanding how the process of learning is mediated as students chat on WhatsApp. More specifically, it aims at analyzing students’ production of the foreign language as they interact using the language they learn through the group on WhatsApp and how it could, in some way, contribute with their learning process. Based on the data and the students’ opinions, it was found that WhatsApp can be an effective resource to engage students in producing the language they learn so that they have more opportunities for hypothesis testing, noticing gaps in their knowledge of the foreign language as well as engage them in metatalk (SWAIN,1985,1995,2005). Moreover, through their chatting, it was possible to notice that learners scaffolded each other and searched for means of maintaining themselves engaged in the dialogue by searching words in online dictionaries, using the first language as a support or using conversational tactics for negotiating meaning (LONG, 1983, 1996), what allowed students to get engaged in conversations and ile maintaining themselves engaged in conversations and both ask for and give support on the process of producing and learning the foreign language.

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an interprofessional blended learning course on medical and pharmacy students’ patient-centered interpersonal communication skills and to compare precourse and postcourse communication skills across first-year medical and second-year pharmacy student cohorts. Methods. Students completed ten 1-hour online modules and participated in five 3-hour group sessions over one semester. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) were administered before and after the course and were evaluated using the validated Common Ground Instrument. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to examine pre/postcourse domain scores within and across professions. Results. Performance in all communication skill domains increased significantly for all students. No additional significant pre/postcourse differences were noted across disciplines. Conclusion. Students’ patient-centered interpersonal communication skills improved across multiple domains using a blended learning educational platform. Interview abilities were embodied similarly between medical and pharmacy students postcourse, suggesting both groups respond well to this form of instruction.

Teaching at an online school is so different from classroom teaching that traditional training includes few of the skills necessary to be a successful online teacher. New teachers to an online environment face a steep learning curve in how they'll use the instructional technology, prioritize their time, and establish relationships with their students. The literature has advice for these teachers about effective online practices, but there has been little research to establish which strategies are most effective in motivating students. This pre-experimental study, conducted at an online 6th-12th grade hybrid school, investigated the practices used more often by the most effective teachers. Teacher effectiveness was measured by the number of assignments their students had not completed on time. Recognizing that the effectiveness of different practices will vary from student to student, the research analysis included two covariates, measured by surveys: the academic identity and motivational resilience of the students, and the students' self-reported preferences for motivational strategies. More effective teachers were found to make videos more frequently, both of the teacher for motivational purposes and recorded by the teacher to help students move through the curriculum. Quick grading turnaround and updating a blog were also more common with all effective teachers. Distinct differences between middle and high school students came out during data analysis, which then became a major point of study: according to the data, more effective middle school teachers emphasized individual contact with students, but the less effective high school teachers spent more time on individualized contact. The surveys used in this study could be modified and implemented at any online school to help teachers discover and then prioritize the most effective strategies for keeping students engaged.

The purpose of implementing educational reform is to improve the academic achievement and social skills of graduating students, but evaluating the benefits of a particular instructional method or curriculum design can be complicated. In an online and problem-based learning environment that allows students to choose content and assessment projects and self-pace, the motivation of students to learn and their engagement in the learning process significantly influences the success of the program. This generic qualitative study focused on the experiences of middle school students participating in an online and problem-based educational setting. The study included interview data and self-evaluation questionnaires about students' levels of motivation and engagement. Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD), Bandura's theory of self-efficacy, Dewey's experiential learning theory and other motivational theories provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study of personalizing learning in constructivist environments. The data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis with constant comparison. The findings highlighted the student perspective and identified factors that influenced students' buy-in to this type of personalized education. The results from this study may be used to help teachers plan and design curriculum and instructional strategies that encourage student motivation to learn and engagement in the learning process. Students who are motivated to learn and engaged in the learning process are more likely to graduate from school with the knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce and become productive knowledge workers in a knowledge economy.

E-learning is a fast growing trend worldwide but it is still not universally accepted and practice does not always reach national government and tertiary institution expectations, especially in Taiwan. While issues around the effective implementation of e-learning to produce high quality education are being raised internationally, very little research has been undertaken in Taiwanese tertiary institutions, particularly for science education. No research was found that addressed the various perspectives of the stakeholders involved in blended courses which had both face-to-face and online learning components. The link between e-learning practice and views of learning had also received little attention. This study investigated how e-learning practice was perceived and experienced at a national research-based university in Taiwan. The main focus was to identify the challenges, benefits and related success factors of e-learning practice as part of blended learning courses from the perspectives of university administrators, support people, instructors and students. An interpretative methodology using questionnaires and interviews was employed to generate data from these participant groups. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. This study provides empirical evidence that e-learning practice is perceived and experienced as a technology-mediated and collaborative practice that is socially and culturally situated. The study supports the view that e-learning practice as a whole is a socio-cultural system, although when looking at instructor and student preferences for instructional design and learning processes there is a fit with both behaviorist and constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. However, instructors and students need to be active and self-managed to find e-learning efficient and effective. Students, instructors, support people and administrators held very similar perceptions of the benefits of and influences on lecturer and student use of e-learning as a component of blended learning. Based on the findings, an explanatory model for the influences on e-learning practice as part of blended learning in a Taiwan university context was developed. E-learning teaching and learning approaches are initiated by and created within a multi-layered context. At the first level, e-learning practice is accomplished via instructor and student engagement in day to day teaching and learning and as an educational reform it cannot separated from the ICT technologies which mediate their interaction. Put another way, because instructor and student participation in e-learning as part of blended learning is voluntary students are included with instructors and the technology in the core enactment zone for practice. At the next level this three-way instructor-student-technology interaction is affected by and nested within the university instructor professional community and student peer community, which in turn is shaped by and nested in university-wide policies and practices. These three levels are nested in and influenced by the national policy context, external professionals, private enterprise and the public at large. The model and associated suggestions presented in this study are expected to assist governments and universities to play a more constructive role in the development and implementation of e-learning education to improve the quality of courses for students and instructors. The hope is that the findings will contribute to enhanced teaching and learning supported by better administrator decision-making regarding institutional policies and practices including investment in learning technologies and support services for e-learning.

This study analysed the students&rsquo / perceptions about the web based instruction in a blended learning environment. Students&rsquo / perceptions, expectations and comments about their blended learning experiences, course web site and their communication experiences with the instructor were investigated. This case study was conducted within the Information Technology in Education II Course (CEIT 112). This course was delivered for the undergraduate course at the Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department (CEIT), Middle East Technical University, during the 2004-2005 Spring semester. Number of the participants was 25 and all of them were first year CEIT students. This course was delivered as a blended learning which combined face-to-face instruction with the web based instruction. The questionnaire was used to identify the students&rsquo / perceptions about the web based course at the end of the semester. Interviews were conducted at the end of the semester in order to take students&rsquo / comments, expectations and recommendations with respect to the course. Also, an interview was conducted with the instructor to identify his perceptions about the blended instruction experiences at the end of the semester. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered at the end of the semester. Data results showed that students had positive perceptions about the blended learning environment and to some extent neutral about the effectiveness of the course website. According to the instructor&rsquo / s point of view, the blended learning was beneficial for the students, but the efficient utilization of computer mediated communication would be better supported. This study can contribute the following research studies related with the blended learning. Also, the instructor of the course can benefit from this research result in order to improve the productivity of the course for the next terms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of learners in the blended course relative to the use of Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. Additionally through the motivational requirements specified by Keller&rsquo / s ARCS motivational design model, students&rsquo / motivations were analyzed. Thus the study was designed to determine student motivation in a blended environment in relation to Keller&rsquo / s ARCS motivational design model. For these research aims, a traditional course was redesigned with the support of online applications by taking Good Practice Principles as the framework. A triangulation mixed method approach was utilized as the primary design of the study by employing both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study. The study participants included 47 preservice teachers in an undergraduate teacher education program of Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department in the Middle East Technical University who took the course (School Experience I) in blended design mode in 2005-2006 spring semester. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through three different surveys, student interviews, and forum transcripts. The data were analyzed concurrently according to both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. The analyses of qualitative and quantitative data showed that students&rsquo / perceptions in the blended course and perceptions in relation to each good teaching principles were mostly positive. Results reveal that students perceive six of the principles including student faculty contact, cooperation, time on task, diversity and ways of learning, feedback, and active learning helpful to their learning. Additionally, the students think that the other one principle which is expectations needs to be improved. In addition, high motivation scores were gathered in the blended course. Results show that attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction subscores revealed significantly higher levels of motivation among students.

This study aims to investigate the preservice teachers&rsquo / perceptions about online communication in blended learning. The study tries to understand strengths and weaknesses of online communication from the learners&rsquo / point of view. To reach this aim, four research questions are asked: (1) What are the learners&rsquo / perceptions about the online synchronous communication tool? (2) What are the learners&rsquo / perceptions about web-based support? (3) What are the learners&rsquo / perceptions about collaboration with online communication? (4) What are the learners&rsquo / perceptions about the roles of the instructor at blended learning as (a) administrator, (b) facilitator, (c) technician, and (d) evaluator? To answer the research questions, a case study in line with action research design was conducted. An undergraduate course in blended learning form was selected as a case and both synchronous and asynchronous communication tools were utilized throughout the semester. At the end of the semester, data about perceptions was collected via four questionnaires and interviews with the students. Both qualitative and quantitative results showed that the online communication facilities in the case were perceived to be adequate by the students. Yet, the students reflected diverse thoughts about preference of communication modalities in synchronous communication. Moreover, the value of asynchronous communication was pointed out. It is concluded that communication needs, communication partner and other contextual factor have impact on selection of communication modalities.

The e-learning system is one of many educational methods that allow flexible learner-centered education. It is also an information system based on the Internet. Hence, the increasing use of the e-learning has provided an inter-disciplinary research opportunity to information systems and educational engineering fields. But the benefits of an e-learning are subjected to the organization¡¦s learning environments, readiness and the acceptance of self-directed users. In other words, self-directed learning (SDL) is a prerequisite to e-learning success. It is important to evaluate the readiness of self-directed users and their acceptance of e-learning system. This paper focuses on examining the applicability of both the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in explaining adult self-directed users¡¦ acceptance of e-learning system in a blended learning context. The combination of user groups (adult learners), the technology (e-learning system), and the context (blended learning in a higher education institution) is new to IT acceptance researches. The purpose of this research is to shed light on more effective ways to motivate part-time adult learners to use e-learning system in a higher education institution. This study extends both the TAM and UTAUT models with self-directed learning (SDL) concepts. A questionnaire was developed based on previous works in the areas of technology acceptance and SDL. Based on responses from 433 adult blended learners, both SDL-based TAM and UTAUT models were evaluated in terms of overall fit, explanatory power, and their causal links. Overall, findings suggest that TAM may be more appropriate than UTAUT for examining high SDLRS score user group¡¦s e-learning acceptance behaviour; UTAUT may provide e-learning designers and management teams some crucial suggestions to enhance low SDLRS score users¡¦ system utilization. This study also asserts that the successful transition to an e-learning environment requires that the self-directed learners be actively encouraged and supported by their organizations. Results of this study provide reliable and valid SDL-based TAM and UTAUT instruments for organizations to determine whether their learners had the necessary skills for SDL-based blended learning before investing huge budget and time in a large-scale e-learning project. As more organizations experiment with e-learning systems, the SDL-based TAM and UTAUT models could be used to (a) assess the degree of users¡¦ self-directed readiness before e-learning implementation; and (b) evaluate the factors affecting users¡¦ acceptance of new e-learning system and provide useful remedies for improving system utilization rate after e-learning implementation.