Blended learning is the fastest-growing modality in North America and much of the world. However, research and training in blended learning is far outpaced by its usage. To remedy this gap, we developed a competency framework and self-survey instrument to help teachers and researchers evaluate teacher readiness for blended environments. The purpose of this research is to prove that the model and accompanying survey instrument are reliable for use with teacher candidates both before and after going through a blended teaching course. To accomplish this, we sent out a survey instrument to 326 teacher candidates studying in a blended teaching course at a university in the western United States. The teachers took the survey at the beginning of class, and then once again, three months later. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we determined that the pre-class survey results fell within the range of the four fit statistics cutoffs (RMSEA=.056, CFI=.906, TLI=0.900, SRMR=.04). And with slight modification, the post-class survey results did as well (RMSEA=.052, CFI=.914, TLI=.907, and SRMR .058). We also showed that the factor loadings and communalities were statistically significant. By testing the factors in this way, we make a case for the survey to be a valid and reliable instrument in assessing teacher competency, and make a case for thinking of blended teaching competencies in terms of our model. We then tested for measurement invariance, but were unsuccessful in making a case for it. The results of our findings provide teacher educators, teacher candidates, and researchers a new pedagogically-oriented framework and scientifically validated self-survey to use in order to improve and personalize teacher education and professional development for blended settings.

This dissertation centers on competencies for K-12 online and blended teaching. Article 1, published in Distance Education, is the literature review, which compares K-12 online and blended teaching competencies. We found that online and blended teaching share personalization as the most salient competency, but that blended teaching competencies emphasize pedagogical skill sets and online teaching competencies emphasize managing the online course. Article 2, published in the Journal of Online Learning Research, is an analysis of selected literature from Article 1, which analyzes the modality in which competencies occur (online or digital context, face-to-face context, generic, or blended). Over half of the competencies analyzed were deemed generic, or not specific enough to denote which modality in which they occur, and 30% of competencies were for an online or digital context, and a very few competencies were specifically for face-to-face modality, and blended competencies made up Article 3 is a description of the validation of a Blended Teaching Assessment of five competency areas associated with blended teaching: (a) technology skills, dispositions, and digital citizenship, (b) technology-mediated interactions, (c) blending online and in-person learning, (d) personalization, and (e) real-time data practices. While the confirmatory factor analysis showed minimal evidence of validity, we believe this is an important first step to building an objective assessment of blended teaching skills, and the assessment should be refined and further analyzed if it is to be used for summative purposes.

This dissertation is presented in a journal-ready format and aims to inform professional development designed to support blended teaching. The first is a qualitative study of the practices of secondary educators currently using blended teaching strategies. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified activities teachers use in the online space and how they are connected to in-person activities. Activities aligned with two prior frameworks. Moore's (1989) interaction framework supported classifications of student interactions with content, other learners, and instructors. Kimmons et al.'s (2020) technology use framework supported classifications of student use of online technology in passive, interactive, and creative ways. Participants connected online activities to in-person learning through (a) using data generated while students worked online to inform in-person activities, (b) building relationships in the online and in- person space, and (c) preparing for and reinforcing in-person learning in the online space. These findings lead to recommendations for preservice and inservice teacher professional development as well as future research. The second article is a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of two elementary and two secondary educators new to blended teaching that received coaching support while participating in a professional development program aimed at supporting their implementation of blended teaching practices. Studying these experiences can inform practicing coaches, administrators of coaching programs, and current research regarding what contributes to a successful coaching program to support blended teaching. Coaches supported participants' teaching practice during planning, implementation, and reflection phases. Coaches also built partnership relationships with teachers by conveying credibility, treating teachers as equals, communicating in a positive, non-judgmental way, being readily available, and cooperating with other teaching supports. Future research could address the changing support needs of teachers as they gain experience.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a forma como diferentes participantes de fóruns digitais desenvolvidos em uma sala de aula virtual da plataforma Moodle, marcam sua presença social, cognitiva e de ensino nesse contexto, favorecendo a formação de uma comunidade de aprendizagem. Fundamentam teoricamente este estudo: a) uma reflexão sobre a relação entre tecnologia e ensino, com base em estudos desenvolvidos por Coll (2010), Prensky (2011), Rojo (2012), Castells (2003; 2013), Braga (2013), Levy (2014 [1999]), Mayrink e Albuquerque-Costa (2015), Moran (2003; 2015), entre outros; b) uma discussão a respeito da formação crítico-reflexiva de professores para o uso de tecnologias no ensino, partindo das contribuições iniciais de Dewey (1938) e seus desdobramentos nos estudos de Schön (2000 [1998]), Freire (1987), Perrenoud (2008, [2002]), Liberali (2010) e Mayrink e Albuquerque-Costa (2015); c) o entendimento de Vygotsky (1984) em torno da ideia de aprendizagem colaborativa por meio da interação com o outro e sua repercussão no modelo proposto por Garrison e Anderson (2005), que definem a importância das presenças social, cognitiva e de ensino como base para a formação de comunidades de aprendizagem em contextos de interação online. Os dados foram coletados ao longo do segundo semestre de 2015, no contexto da disciplina Língua Espanhola do curso de Letras de uma universidade pública de São Paulo. Participaram do estudo a professora, duas tutoras e os catorze alunos da disciplina. A pesquisa, de cunho etnográfico, seguiu a abordagem qualitativa-interpretativista. Os dados analisados correspondem ao discurso dos participantes produzidos em três fóruns desenvolvidos na plataforma (um fórum de notícias e dois fóruns de discussão). Também constituem dados deste estudo dois questionários aplicados no início e no fim do curso e os relatórios de participação dos alunos gerados pela plataforma Moodle. A análise focalizou, particularmente, os fóruns digitais, por este ser um espaço profícuo para uma observação da interação entre os participantes, visando à busca de evidências dos indicadores das presenças de ensino, social e cognitiva propostos por Garrison e Anderson (2005). A interpretação dos dados revelou que, considerando a quantidade e qualidade da participação dos interagentes nos fóruns e da forma como estes marcaram, discursivamente, sua presença social, cognitiva e de ensino, o grupo caminhou em direção à formação de uma comunidade de aprendizagem. / This research aims at investigating how different participants of digital forums in a virtual classroom using the open source platform Moodle mark their social, cognitive and teaching presences in this context, in order to contribute to the formation of a learning community. This study is grounded on: a) a reflection upon the relationship between technology and teaching, based on studies developed by Coll (2010), Prensky (2011), Rojo (2012), Castells (2003; 2013), Braga (2013), Levy (2014 [1999]), Mayrink and Albuquerque-Costa (2015), Moran (2003; 2015), among others; b) a discussion about critical-reflective teacher education for the use of technologies in teaching, built on Deweys early contributions (DEWEY, 1938) and their developments in the studies of Schön (2000 [1998]), Freire (1987), Perrenoud (2008, [2002]), Liberali (2010), and Mayrink and Albuquerque-Costa (2015); c) Vygotskys understanding of collaborative learning through interaction with the other (VYGOTSKY, 1984) and its repercussion on the model proposed by Garrison and Anderson (2005), who define the importance of the social, cognitive and teaching presences as the basis for the formation of learning communities in online interaction contexts. Data were collected throughout de second semester of 2015, in the classes of Spanish language, a subject which is part of the Spanish Language Teaching Program at a public university in São Paulo. The professor of this subject, two tutors and fourteen students participated in the study. This ethnographic research followed the qualitative interpretative approach. The data analyzed here are part of the discourse of the participants built in three forums setup on the platform (a news forum and two discussion forums). Two questionnaires applied at the beginning and at the end of the course and reports of students participation generated by the Moodle platform also constitute the data used in this study. The analysis focused on the digital forums in particular since they constitute a rich space for the observation of interaction among participants with the objective of looking for evidences of the indicators of teaching, social and cognitive presences as proposed by Garrison and Anderson (2005). Considering the quantity and quality of the participation of the forum interactants and the way they have marked their social, cognitive and teaching presences discursively, the interpretation of these data showed that the group tended to form a learning community.

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a forma como diferentes participantes de fóruns digitais desenvolvidos em uma sala de aula virtual da plataforma Moodle, marcam sua presença social, cognitiva e de ensino nesse contexto, favorecendo a formação de uma comunidade de aprendizagem. Fundamentam teoricamente este estudo: a) uma reflexão sobre a relação entre tecnologia e ensino, com base em estudos desenvolvidos por Coll (2010), Prensky (2011), Rojo (2012), Castells (2003; 2013), Braga (2013), Levy (2014 [1999]), Mayrink e Albuquerque-Costa (2015), Moran (2003; 2015), entre outros; b) uma discussão a respeito da formação crítico-reflexiva de professores para o uso de tecnologias no ensino, partindo das contribuições iniciais de Dewey (1938) e seus desdobramentos nos estudos de Schön (2000 [1998]), Freire (1987), Perrenoud (2008, [2002]), Liberali (2010) e Mayrink e Albuquerque-Costa (2015); c) o entendimento de Vygotsky (1984) em torno da ideia de aprendizagem colaborativa por meio da interação com o outro e sua repercussão no modelo proposto por Garrison e Anderson (2005), que definem a importância das presenças social, cognitiva e de ensino como base para a formação de comunidades de aprendizagem em contextos de interação online. Os dados foram coletados ao longo do segundo semestre de 2015, no contexto da disciplina Língua Espanhola do curso de Letras de uma universidade pública de São Paulo. Participaram do estudo a professora, duas tutoras e os catorze alunos da disciplina. A pesquisa, de cunho etnográfico, seguiu a abordagem qualitativa-interpretativista. Os dados analisados correspondem ao discurso dos participantes produzidos em três fóruns desenvolvidos na plataforma (um fórum de notícias e dois fóruns de discussão). Também constituem dados deste estudo dois questionários aplicados no início e no fim do curso e os relatórios de participação dos alunos gerados pela plataforma Moodle. A análise focalizou, particularmente, os fóruns digitais, por este ser um espaço profícuo para uma observação da interação entre os participantes, visando à busca de evidências dos indicadores das presenças de ensino, social e cognitiva propostos por Garrison e Anderson (2005). A interpretação dos dados revelou que, considerando a quantidade e qualidade da participação dos interagentes nos fóruns e da forma como estes marcaram, discursivamente, sua presença social, cognitiva e de ensino, o grupo caminhou em direção à formação de uma comunidade de aprendizagem. / This research aims at investigating how different participants of digital forums in a virtual classroom using the open source platform Moodle mark their social, cognitive and teaching presences in this context, in order to contribute to the formation of a learning community. This study is grounded on: a) a reflection upon the relationship between technology and teaching, based on studies developed by Coll (2010), Prensky (2011), Rojo (2012), Castells (2003; 2013), Braga (2013), Levy (2014 [1999]), Mayrink and Albuquerque-Costa (2015), Moran (2003; 2015), among others; b) a discussion about critical-reflective teacher education for the use of technologies in teaching, built on Deweys early contributions (DEWEY, 1938) and their developments in the studies of Schön (2000 [1998]), Freire (1987), Perrenoud (2008, [2002]), Liberali (2010), and Mayrink and Albuquerque-Costa (2015); c) Vygotskys understanding of collaborative learning through interaction with the other (VYGOTSKY, 1984) and its repercussion on the model proposed by Garrison and Anderson (2005), who define the importance of the social, cognitive and teaching presences as the basis for the formation of learning communities in online interaction contexts. Data were collected throughout de second semester of 2015, in the classes of Spanish language, a subject which is part of the Spanish Language Teaching Program at a public university in São Paulo. The professor of this subject, two tutors and fourteen students participated in the study. This ethnographic research followed the qualitative interpretative approach. The data analyzed here are part of the discourse of the participants built in three forums setup on the platform (a news forum and two discussion forums). Two questionnaires applied at the beginning and at the end of the course and reports of students participation generated by the Moodle platform also constitute the data used in this study. The analysis focused on the digital forums in particular since they constitute a rich space for the observation of interaction among participants with the objective of looking for evidences of the indicators of teaching, social and cognitive presences as proposed by Garrison and Anderson (2005). Considering the quantity and quality of the participation of the forum interactants and the way they have marked their social, cognitive and teaching presences discursively, the interpretation of these data showed that the group tended to form a learning community.

No description available.

Denna studie är en intervjustudie som presenterar lärares användning av flerformsundervisning (blended teaching), flippat klassrum (flipped classroom) och fjärrundervisning i engelskundervisning. I studien har totalt fem engelsklärare som undervisar i årskurs 4, 5 eller 6 och som använder sig av fjärrundervisning, flippat klassrum och/flerformsundervisning intervjuats. Resultatet har visat att dessa lärare generellt upplever att deras pedagogiska-, ämnes- och tekniska kunskaper inte påverkas om de undervisar med något av det tidigare nämnda eller i en klassrumsundervisningssituation (face-to-face teaching), vilket kan liknas med att undervisning som sker i klassrummet utan tekniska hjälpmedel. I intervjuerna har det även tydliggjorts för vilka tekniska verktyg och pedagogiska metoder som kan användas i flippat klassrum, flerformsundervisning och fjärrundervisning i engelskämnet. Dessutom uttrycker flera av respondenterna att de under utbrottet av covid-19 fått utveckla sina kunskaper om fjärrundervisning och att de dessutom kommer fortsätta med denna undervisningsform när covid-19 är över.

Throughout life, we continuously accumulate data, information and knowledge. The ability to recall much of this accumulated knowledge commonly deteriorates with time, though some forms part of what is referred to as tacit knowledge. In the context of education, students access and interact with a teacher’s knowledge in order to create their own, and may have their own data, information and knowledge that could be added to teacher’s knowledge for everyone’s benefit. The realization that students can contribute to enhancing personal knowledge is an important cornerstone in developing a mentor (teacher, tutor and facilitator) focused knowledge system. The research presented in this thesis discusses an integrated framework that manages an individual’s personal data, information and knowledge and enables it to be enhanced by others, in the context of a blended teaching and learning environment. Existing related models, structures, systems and current practices are discussed. The core outcomes of this thesis include: • the virtualMe framework that can be utilized when developing Web based teaching and learning systems; • the sniplet content model that can be used as the basis for sharing information and knowledge; • an annotation framework used to manage knowledge acquisition; and • a multimedia object (MMO) model that: o allows for related media artefacts to be intuitively grouped in a logical collection; o includes a meta-data schema that encompasses other metadata structures, and manages context and referencing; and o includes a model allowing component parts to be reaggregated if they are separated. The virtualMe framework provides the ability to retain context while transferring the content from one person to another and from one place to another. The framework retains the content’s original context and then allows the receiver to customise the content and metadata so that the content becomes that person’s knowledge. A mechanism has been created for such contextual transfer of content (context retained by the metadata).

This study was motivated by a desire to address the challenges of introductory programming courses. Ethiopian universities teach such courses in large classes (80+ students) and students complain about the difficulty of the courses and teaching variation of instructors. The study was set to explore optimum course and learning environment design approaches. The research question raised was: how can a blended learning approach be used to improve large class teaching of programming? In an action design research approach, the study was initiated with redesigning two consecutive courses and a supportive blended learning environment on the basis of existing learning theories and educational design frameworks. Two cycles of action research were conducted for a dual goal of refinement and evaluation of the intervention. The action research was conducted during the 2012/13 academic year with 240 students at the beginning. A predominantly quantitative first cycle of action research produced a mixed outcome. The students’ marks from assessment activities were fairly close to results from two other international universities. A pre- and post-implementation survey of students’ approach to learning showed a slight class level change towards the deep learning approach. Conversely, some students were found at-risk (not progressing well) and certain technologies, particularly program visualisation tools, were found underutilised. The second action research cycle aimed to explain the result from the first round. A grounded action research evaluation of data from focus group discussions, interviews and participants’ memos identified plausible factors for meaningful programming learning in a large class. These factors were use of collaborative and pair programming; alignment of learning and assignment activities; integrated use of e-learning; and use of large class strategies like student mentors and team teaching. A critical realist interpretation of the result of the action research suggested that students can learn programming in large classes, 200+ in this study, with a course and learning environment design that keeps them engaged in learning and assessment activities. The study concludes that improved learning of programming can be possible with the use of students as mentors and changed role-dynamics of instructors, which presupposes adaptation of suitable pedagogical approaches and use of technologies. / School of Computing / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Systems)

This study was motivated by a desire to address the challenges of introductory programming courses. Ethiopian universities teach such courses in large classes (80+ students) and students complain about the difficulty of the courses and teaching variation of instructors. The study was set to explore optimum course and learning environment design approaches. The research question raised was: how can a blended learning approach be used to improve large class teaching of programming? In an action design research approach, the study was initiated with redesigning two consecutive courses and a supportive blended learning environment on the basis of existing learning theories and educational design frameworks. Two cycles of action research were conducted for a dual goal of refinement and evaluation of the intervention. The action research was conducted during the 2012/13 academic year with 240 students at the beginning. A predominantly quantitative first cycle of action research produced a mixed outcome. The students’ marks from assessment activities were fairly close to results from two other international universities. A pre- and post-implementation survey of students’ approach to learning showed a slight class level change towards the deep learning approach. Conversely, some students were found at-risk (not progressing well) and certain technologies, particularly program visualisation tools, were found underutilised. The second action research cycle aimed to explain the result from the first round. A grounded action research evaluation of data from focus group discussions, interviews and participants’ memos identified plausible factors for meaningful programming learning in a large class. These factors were use of collaborative and pair programming; alignment of learning and assignment activities; integrated use of e-learning; and use of large class strategies like student mentors and team teaching. A critical realist interpretation of the result of the action research suggested that students can learn programming in large classes, 200+ in this study, with a course and learning environment design that keeps them engaged in learning and assessment activities. The study concludes that improved learning of programming can be possible with the use of students as mentors and changed role-dynamics of instructors, which presupposes adaptation of suitable pedagogical approaches and use of technologies. / School of Computing / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Systems)