Introduction to Dr. Michael Simonson

Introduction to Dr. Michael Simonson

Annotated Bibliography

Frick, T., Chadha, R. & Watson, C. (2009)  College student perceptions of teaching and learning quality. Educational Technology Research and Development, 57(5) p705-720.

This study investigated how learners perceived the quality of instruction.  The study utilized an electronic survey instrument containing nine a priori scales. Students responded from

89 different undergraduate and graduate courses at multiple institutions.  Upon analysis of the data, there was a strong correlation between student self-reports on academic learning

time, how much they learned, their satisfaction with the course, perceptions of their mastery of course objectives, and global course ratings. This study was useful in my research because it indicated  principles with which instructional developers and teachers can evaluate their products and courses, regardless of design processes or method of delivery of instruction. 

Gaytan, J. (2009).  Analyzing online education through the lens of institutional theory and practice: the need for research based and validated frameworks for planning, designing, delivering,

and assessing online instruction.  Delta Pi Epsilon Journal.  51(2).  p62-75.

This study’s purpose was to take a closer examination of the perceptions held by deans, vice presidents of academic affairs, and distance administrators, in regards to online instruction.  This study also looked at the impact colleges’ institutional contexts had on their approaches to online education and the extent to which research-validated frameworks are being used by colleges

to guide in the planning and delivery of online instruction. The study used qualitative research methodology.  The researcher interviewed, through face-to-face and phone, one academic administrator and one administrator of online instruction from eight institutions of higher education to obtain their perceptions regarding online instruction. Study participants were randomly selected from a complete list containing all state-funded institutions of higher education.  Participants were asked several open-ended questions. Initial results indicated that academic administrators placed a relative high value on distance education,  however all administrators preferred face-to-face over the online learning environment and reported that the

quality of online instruction is not as good as the one found in traditional, face-to-face instruction.  This study was useful in my research because it showed the conflicting perceptions with administrators and how the organizational structures in online education can greatly impact the effectiveness of the courses. 

Sweat-Guy, R., Wishart, C. (2008). A longitudinal analysis of the effects of instructional strategies on student performance in traditional and e-learning formats. Issues in Informing Science

Information Technology.  Vol. 5, p149-163.

This study explores student-centered and learner-centered as an instructional strategy. This study utilizes a causal-comparative design to examine the effects of instructional strategies on student performance in two upper-level core business courses developed in both traditional and e-learning formats. The study spanned 3 years, beginning in the fall 2004 concluding in the spring of 2007 Participants included 293 declared business majors. The analysis of the data revealed non-significant differences in student performance based on delivery method and course. However the study showed a greater impact on student performance based on instructional strategies.  This study was beneficial in my research on quality of instruction, because it also concluded that the format did not have a significant impact on student achievement, rather student achievement is affected by the instructional strategies utilized in the course. 

Topper, A.  (2007).   Are they the same?  Comparing the instructional quality of online and face-to-face graduate education courses. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education.

32(6), p681-691.

This study examines how students’ evaluations of learning reflect the overall quality of instruction. It notes how traditional course evaluations are used

for faculty retention, tenure and promotion decisions, while also providing instructors valuable information on the quality of their instruction. This study looks at response rates and compares instructional quality, using student course evaluations along with additional data from online and face-to-face graduate education courses, to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. It also presents a statistical analysis of students’ course evaluations and this analysis showed no significant difference in instructional quality based on the format used. It also compares student work in the online environment and the face-to-face environment to support the findings that there is no significant difference between formats in the area of instructional quality.  The study used quantitative data to measure the difference between traditional face-to-face instruction and fully online courses. The data was comprised of student course evaluations, student work products and survey responses from selected online courses.  The study looked at over two years’ worth of data from traditional and online graduate courses to explore the question of how these might be used to compare instructional effectiveness.  This study was very useful during my project, because it showed how students perceived the quality of instruction they received from the face-to-face courses as well as fully online courses. 

Wickersham, L. and McElhany, J. (2010).   Bridging the divide reconciling administrator and faculty concerns regarding online education.

Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 11 (1). p1-12.

This study was conducted at a regional institution in Northeast Texas.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the concerns of university administrators toward online education and their attitudes concerning the establishment of institutional quality standards in relation to online education. This study used a case study design, where one-on-one interviews were conducted among administrators at the university and questionnaires were distributed to faculty and administrators.  The authors of this study concluded that both faculty and administrators shared similar concerns in regards to online education.  The authors conclude that effective communication is necessary to bridge the divide between administrators and faculty and to reconcile the concerns about online education.  This case study was not essential to my research, however it was quite informative. 

Yang, Y. & Cornelious, L. (2005). Preparing Instructors for Quality Online Instruction. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration , 8(1).

            This article examines the controversies as to the quality of online education.  It looks at suspicions that many have in regards to online education, and the concerns that many have about the quality of online programs.  This article offers suggestions as to way to ensure the quality of online instruction and the prepare instructors for the online format.  I found this article to be informative, however I felt that the content was somewhat lacking.  I would have preferred more information on ways to improve instructional delivery. 

Reference

Dede, C. (1989) The Evolution of Distance Learning: Technology-Mediated Interactive Learning.  A report for the study: “Technologies for Learning at a Distance” (Science,

Education and Transportation Program for the Office of Technology Assessment, Congress of the United States).

Meyen, E. L., Aust, R. J., Bui, Y. N., Issacson, R. (2002). Assessing and monitoring student progress in an e-learning personnel preparation.  Teacher Education and Special Education:

The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, 25 (2), 187-198.

Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (2000). Making the transition: Helping teachers to teach online. Paper  presented at EDUCAUSE: Thinking it through. Nashville,Tennessee. (ERIC Document

Reproduction Service No. ED 452 806).

Schrum, L. (2002). Oh, what wonders you will see: distance education past, present, and future. Learning and Leading with Technology, 30(3), 6-9.