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Archive for the ‘Research’ Category

Teaching in an age of ubiquitous computing: A decelerated curriculum

Ubiquitous computing describes the current conditions of our interactive, screen-based habitats where movement between screens has become a defining trope of everyday life. As students and teachers increasingly deploy screen-literacies within the education process where laptops, tablets and mobile phones become the mechanisms by which education is accessed and activated, new ways of thinking about […]

Motivational Design in Information Literacy Instruction

Motivational design theory complements instructional design theory and, when used together, both principles can impact learning, knowledge acquisition, and knowledge retention. In information literacy instruction, motivational design exists throughout the appropriate standards documents. However, there is limited current research on the best practices for using motivation in information literacy or library-based instruction. The existing research […]

A Decade of Critical Information Literacy: A Review of the Literature

As information literacy continues in its centrality to many academic libraries’ missions, a line of inquiry has developed in response to ACRL’s charge to develop information literate citizens. The literature of critical information literacy questions widely held assumptions about information literacy and considers in what ways librarians may encourage students to engage with and act […]

Exploring the factors that affect the intention to use collaborative technologies: The differing perspectives of sequential/global learners

The use of collaborative technologies in learning has received considerable attention in recent years, but few studies to date have examined the factors that affect sequential and global learners’ intention to use such technologies. Previous studies have shown that the learners of different learning styles have different needs for educational technologies. Accordingly, understanding the factors […]

Males are not as active as females in online discussion: Gender differences in face-to-face and online discussion strategies

This study examined the gender difference in students’ perceived discussion strategies in face-to-face and online asynchronous contexts. A survey of 363 university students and follow-up interviews of 20 participants was conducted to examine any gender differences within each context and between the two contexts. The Discussion Strategies Scale was developed to examine students’ discussion strategies […]

A mixed-methods exploration of an environment for learning computer programming

A mixed-methods approach is evaluated for exploring collaborative behaviour, acceptance and progress surrounding an interactive technology for learning computer programming. A review of literature reveals a compelling case for using mixed-methods approaches when evaluating technology-enhanced-learning environments. Here, ethnographic approaches used for the requirements engineering of computing systems are combined with questionnaire-based feedback and skill tests. […]

A review of predictive factors of student success in and satisfaction with online learning

Students perceive online courses differently than traditional courses. Negative perceptions can lead to unfavourable learning outcomes including decreased motivation and persistence. Throughout this review, a broad range of factors that affect performance and satisfaction within the online learning environment for adult learners will be examined including learning outcomes, instructional design and learner characteristics, followed by […]

Universal Design in Online Education: Employing Organization Change

With the rise in online education, universal design is an emerging trend aimed at providing available education opportunities to all students, accommodating for all disabilities. However, universal design in online education remains an ambiguous and lofty goal for an academic organization to undertake. This case analysis employs an organization change theoretical framework via archival document […]

Pedagogical Requirements for Mobile Learning: A Review on MOBIlearn Task Model

Pedagogically sound design for mobile learning application development is a key factor for providing a pleasant and rich learning experience in a mobile environment. In the context of higher education, this need is very critical as institutions and students begin to recognize the importance of bridging the gap between formal classroom and out-of-classroom informal learning […]

How Do Students Use Their Mobile Devices to Support Learning? A Case Study from an Australian Regional University

Though universities are eager to leverage the potential of mobile learning to provide learning flexibly, most balk at the cost of providing students with mobile hardware. The practice of ‘bring your own device'(BYOD) is often mooted as a cost-effective alternative. This paper provides a snapshot of student ownership of mobile devices at a regional Australian […]