Yu-Mei Wang

Instructors as Architects-Designing Learning Spaces for Discussion-Based Online Courses

Online learning space design becomes a significant issue with the proliferation of online learning in higher education. Never before has the instructor been given such a privilege in building and molding the learning space to fulfill his/her instructional aspirations. However, enormous challenges are present to the instructor in taking advantage of this newly gained freedom. Most instructors have limited awareness of their new roles as learning space designers. Although learning space plays an important role in mediating student learning, it is a topic that is least understood. Therefore, it is important for online course instructors to start a dialogue in learning space design. This article reports our experiences of designing learning spaces in a discussion-based online course to facilitate and organize student learning.

Learning to See Differently: Viewing Technology Diffusion in Teacher Education through the Lens of Organizational Change.

While the discussion on the topic of technology diffusion in teacher education primarily centers on course design, program development, and faculty technology training, this article explores technology diffusion from the perspective of organizational change. Technology diffusion in teacher education is a multi-faceted task and, therefore, requires multi-dimensional approaches. Systemic technology diffusion involves a paradigm shift in thinking about organizational change. The balance of this article applies this paradigm shift to analyze some seemingly puzzling phenomena that has occurred in the technology diffusion process and, thus, to help leaders of IT change initiatives to increase the chances of successful implementation.

Challenges confronting beginning researchers in conducting literature reviews

Conducting literature review is a complicated, sometimes confusing and laborious process that beginning educational researchers, especially graduate students, often find challenging. However, in the past these challenges were hardly considered, but in more recent times they have been increasingly considered by various faculties and graduate schools due to the expanding needs from growing enrolments. To further develop and strengthen the responses to these identified needs, this article reviews literature concerning challenges faced by beginning educational researchers in conducting literature review, aiming to help unpack this complicated phenomenon by constructing a coherent story. Based on our review, we propose a framework to conceptualize four types of challenges. We term them LMCO (linguistic, methodological, conceptual, and ontological) challenges. Discussions centers on the four identified challenges, recommendations for future studies and implications to graduate preparatory programs.

Assessing Online Discussions: A Holistic Approach.

This article reports a holistic approach to assessing online discussions. This holistic approach integrates three assessment methods: assessment of learning, assessment for learning, and assessment as learning. Assessment of learning directly examines students’ learning products to decide whether they have achieved the expected learning through online discussions. Assessment for learning evaluates student learning process through online discussion. Assessment as learning engages students in the assessment process and develops the students’ capabilities to be critical assessors of their own learning. This article discusses designs, practices, and reflections in utilizing this holistic approach to assessing online discussions.