Questions, Methods, Results: Reshaping the Future of E-Learning Research

Note:  I need to listen to the archive, it just went very fast and my notes have holes that need filling.

Speaker 1:  Norm Friesen, Canada Research Chair in E-Learning Practices, Thompson Rivers University
How is the technology being used? 

• Missing lessons if we don't differentiate between the casual use from the innovative use.
• "Domesticating" technologies - using them in but not necessarily in the same ways the designers thought they would but instead making them integral parts of their lives
• Open o many uses, non-use or improvisations

Speaker 2: Terry Anderson, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Distance Education, Athabasca University

Learning:

• Social Learning
• Media rich
• Participatory and connectivist pedagogies
• Umbiquity and persistance
• .....

Open Access Journals have no significant different in citations from closed journals.

Speaker 3:  Katrina Meyer, Associate Professor, University of Memphis

10 pieces of somewhat no-brainer advice

1. Submitting to wrong journal - know their preferences by reading them.  Follow all submission directions. 
2. Poor comprehension of literature.
1. incomplete
2. out-of-date
3. lacks analysis
4. dull
3. Research questions not tied to review
4. Research may not be necessary
1. Comparison studies - does it make a difference?
2. Satisfaction studies -
3. So What?? questions
5. No or poor link to theory.
6. Wrong research method
7. Incomplete methods section - vague or didn't even follow a method
8. Method lacks credibility
1. reliability/validity
2. Sample population
3. Counter evidence
9. Conclusion not tied to results.  Hypothesis beyond what is reasonable
10. Poor or incomplete writing.  Grammar. Spelling. Disconnected sentences

Positive advice:

1. Mechanisms/process of learning online
2. Application of pre-internet theories are desirable
3. .... effectiveness of online learnings
4. Intended/unintended consequences
5. 1/3 literature  1/3 methodology  1/3 results/discussion
6. Attention to careful design
7. Focus on measurements
8. Every word, phrase, sentence out to add to article.