Question: How do students adapt learning strategies when participating in virtual or internet learning environments? The study will primarily focus on adult students (preferably non-digital natives) and will most likely contain some educational theory regarding adult learning methods in general. For my purposes, the internet learning environements will include the AET Zone and its assorted components, course blogs and wikis, and the ASULearn forums.
Background: I, like many of my classmates in the Buncombe cohort, grew up with computers but without a fully-developed internet. As a consequence, we have gained the majority of our online experience post-graduation through jobs or our home computers. Stepping into the AET Zone for our first graduate classes was an entirely new experience for many, as was conducting a large amount of classwork, research, and socail interaction online. The value and effectiveness of such a system has sparked a lot of debates among myself and my classmates, and since it is also an area of personal interest as a future public librarian I have decided to conduct an action research study in this area.
Participants: My main focus, as stated above, will be on adult students. This group will include current Buncombe/other cohort students who have been in the program for more than one year as well as students whose cohorts began in Fall 2008. I would also like to contact at least 2 students who attend classes on campus and 1 or more professors. The role of the professor(s) in the study is yet to be determined. I am also contemplating contacting one of the online library staff as well, but will know more once I get through more literature.
Setting: Fittingly, most research will be conducted via the Zone due to its convenience. I plan to use the coffeehouse lounge for most interviews, but can try the glass classroom if necessary. I feel the Zone offers several advantages, the most important being a great deal of flexibility in scheduling interviews or activities. I also feel that some students, particularly those who I have not met in person, might be more forthcoming and at ease in the Zone and perhaps more willing to volunteer for the study. The Zone might also be a double-edged sword, as students who frequent it during the week for class assignements might be reluctant to give up personal time to reenter an academic setting. In addition, some of the students, particularly the newer ones, could still be uneasy with the Zone and hesistant to speak up during scheduled interviews. The Zone will also make group activities difficult, but I will try to conduct some face-to face interviews when possible and perhaps manage to bring 2-3 people together for group activity to be determined.
Methods: I plan to conduct much of my research through interviews, either face-to-face or in the Zone, but am exploring the idea of group activities both in and out of the Zone. AS my literature review progresses I expect to narrow my focus and discover other opportunities for research methods beyond interviews.
-John Harrington
Comments (3)
John,
I have to admit when I was listening to your conversation, I was a little jealous of this idea! I think it is a fantastic idea to research how this learning impacts strategies students use. I myself have had to change the way I learned, and the ways I have used to approach classes. I was so used to individual, do-it-yourself learning, that I struggled at first in this environment. Once I got the hang of it, though, I was amazed at how easily projects came together with a little teamwork and communication. This research is going to really shed some light on how online learning is changing the way teachers teach!
Posted by Matt Maurer | February 2, 2009 9:17 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 21:17
I am very impressed with the originality of your project. I do hope you are able to overcome the potential obstacles regarding participants in the Zone. Barbara Cloninger
Posted by Barbara Cloninger | February 3, 2009 10:26 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 22:26
I like the way that you have conceptualized this idea since our conversation about it.
I have two suggestions:
1. Use the word "adult learner" rather than students in your research question. You might also want to add "who are pursuing master's degrees".
2. I don't think you need to include professors or library staff. They won't know how students perceive their shift in learning; they could talk about their teaching, but that's another study.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 4, 2009 2:39 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 14:39