Current Research Projects

Interaction in Learner-Paced Learning

Abstract: This report summarizes a study of learner-learner interaction in the context of student-paced undergraduate programming delivered by Athabasca University – Canada’s Open University. The studies utilized review of literature, interviews with Athabasca University faculty and external distance education experts, an online survey of registered students, and documentation of current activities. A new model of community based learning support is proposed to utilize new social computing capabilities of the web to allow for learner-learner interaction in a scaleable and cost effective manner. Principle Investigators: Terry Anderson, David Annand and Norine Wark - Athabasca University Date: January 2004

Assessing early applications of Videoconferencing in Alberta K12 context

The problem with most educational research is that when a study ends, the person who has learned the most typically is the researcher; the person whose practice is influenced by the results, again, is the researcher (and this is not a certainty). Dozens of solutions to this problem have been tested, but the most effective appears to be the most obvious: Allow the practioners to become the researchers. Our proposal, therefore, is for a study in which stakeholders — not just the academics and researchers — collaboratively develop a deeper understanding of broadband videoconferencing in Alberta K-12 settings.

k12 Distance Education - Plans , Barriers and Aspirations for the Alberta SuperNet

The Alberta Supernet is a $300 CDN million dollar project to link, via high speed network, every government office, school and library in 450 communities throughout Alberta. The Alberta Supernet Research Alliance (http://supernet.athabascau.ca is a collaborative research project among social scientists to study the effect of this invention from a multi disciplenary perspective. Contact Terry Anderson - terry@athabascau.ca The article reports on the interview work of three CIDER Fellows, with teachers and administrators of six virtual high schools who are faced with descions relating to the challeneges and oportunties presented by the Supernet technology.

Study of recent mergers of two Canadian single mode distance delivery single-mode distance universities with into dual-mode institutions: Are the times a Changin’?

During the past six months provincial governments in British Columbia and Quebec have announced the merger of their single mode distance education institutions into larger, dual mode institutions. This largely administrative/political decision will have considerable effect on the administration, development, independence and security of these two institutions. Given that these institutions are two of the only three such single mode institutions in Canada, it makes considerable change to the structure of postsecondary distance education in Canada. This study seeks to understand the decision making and extract lessons that can be used to guide not only policy and decision of governments, but as importantly the operation, decision making and practice of institutions using both modes of distance education.

Internet Communication Technologies and Distance Education

Prior research has revealed the need for administrators and policy makers to monitor closely the transformations resulting from advances in Internet technologies in order to better understand the technological drivers of change. Further research is needed to provide guidance on a number of issues, including the reshaping of institutional barriers, learner support, and transformations of intellectual activities. Heather’s current research is on identifying the transformations that Internet technologies are having on traditional research-based and dual mode universities. Her research is providing an overall view of the impact Internet technology is having on distance education, and it is serving as a major source of information and knowledge for further research by students, distance education practitioners, administrators, researchers, and policy makers across Canada and elsewhere. Carrying out a longitudinal study on how Internet technologies are reshaping or transforming scholarship and research, teaching and learning, and administration. The research will provide an overview of the impact of Internet technologies on distance education, and serve as a source of knowledge for future research. Contact Heather Kanuka heatherk@athabascau.ca