Multidisciplinary Methods In Educational Technology Research And Development

Over the past thirty years, there has been much dialogue, and debate, about the conduct of educational technology research and development. In this brief volume, the author helps clarify that dialogue by theoretically and empirically charting the research methods used in the field and provides much practical information on how to conduct educational technology research. Within this text, readers can expect to find answers to the following questions: (a) What are the methodological factors that need to be taken into consideration when designing and conducting educational technology research? (b) What types of research questions do educational technology researchers tend to ask? (c) How do educational technology researchers tend to conduct research? (d) What approaches do they use? What variables do they examine? What types of measures do they use? How do they report their research? (d) How can the state of educational technology research be improved? In addition to answering the questions above, the author, a research methodologist, provides practical information on how to conduct educational technology research--from formulating research questions, to collecting and analyzing data, to writing up the research reports--in each of the major quantitative and qualitative traditions. Unlike other books of this kind, the author addresses some of research approaches used less commonly in educational technology research, but which, nonetheless, have much potential for creating new insights about educational phenomena--approaches such as single-participant research, quantitative content analysis, ethnography, narrative research, phenomenology, and others. "Multidisciplinary Methods in Educational Technology Research and Development" is an excellent text for educational technology research methods courses, a useful guide for those conducting (or supervising) research, and a rich source of empirical information on the art and science of educational technology research. Key Questions in Educational Technology Methods Choice are appended. (Contains 13 figures and 13 tables.) [This publication was produced by the HAMK University of Applied Sciences.].

​This book is the result of a research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology [AECT]. The fifteen chapters were developed by leaders in the field and represent the most updated and cutting edge methodology in the areas of instructional design and instructional technology. The broad concepts of design, design thinking, the design process, and the design studio, are identified and they form the framework of the book. This book advocates the conscious adoption of a mindset of design thinking, such as that evident in a range of divergent professions including business, government, and medicine. At its core is a focus on “planning, inventing, making, and doing.” (Cross, 1982), all of which are of value to the field of educational technology. Additionally, the book endeavors to develop a deep understanding of the design process in the reader. It is a critical skill, often drawing from other traditional design fields. An examination of the design process as practiced, of new models for design, and of ways to connect theory to the development of educational products are all fully explored with the goal of providing guidance for emerging instructional designers and deepening the practice of more advanced practitioners. Finally, as a large number of leading schools of instructional design have adopted the studio form of education for their professional programs, we include this emerging topic in the book as a practical and focused guide for readers at all levels.

As technology and technological advancements become a more prevalent and essential aspect of daily and business life, educational institutions must keep pace in order to maintain relevance and retain their ability to adequately prepare students for their lives beyond education. Such institutions and their leaders are seeking relevant strategies for the implementation and effective use of new and upcoming technologies and leadership strategies to best serve students and educators within educational settings. As traditional education methods become more outdated, strategies to supplement and bolster them through technology and effective management become essential to the success of institutions and programs. The Handbook of Research on Modern Educational Technologies, Applications, and Management is an all-encompassing two-volume scholarly reference comprised of 58 original and previously unpublished research articles that provide cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research and expert insights on advancing technologies used in educational settings as well as current strategies for administrative and leadership roles in education. Covering a wide range of topics including but not limited to community engagement, educational games, data management, and mobile learning, this publication provides insights into technological advancements with educational applications and examines forthcoming implementation strategies. These strategies are ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, educational software developers, and information technology specialists looking to promote effective learning in the classroom through cutting-edge learning technologies, new learning theories, and successful leadership tactics. Administrators, educational leaders, educational policymakers, and other education professionals will also benefit from this publication by utilizing the extensive research on managing educational institutions and providing valuable training and professional development initiatives as well as implementing the latest administrative technologies. Additionally, academicians, researchers, and students in areas that include but are not limited to educational technology, academic leadership, mentorship, learning environments, and educational support systems will benefit from the extensive research compiled within this publication.

This volume gathers some of the methods being developed by evaluators from university settings and the private sector. While providing models and methods, these authors also raise larger questions, such as: "How can schools meet the challenge of educating all children without being limited by the educational legacy of a 'one size fits all' curriculum and normative testing?" More than documenting an "apprenticeship to gadgetry," evaluators are seeking to measure meaningful learning and changes in teaching - investigating approaches that are not possible or that are less accessible when students are in traditional classrooms without technology. In this first volume of the series Research Methods for Educational Technology (RMET) the contributing authors draw upon examples of their work evaluating the implementation and development of educational technology as well as the impact of policies and programs in this field. Within this volume several authors have written about the implementation and evaluation of technology across cultures and national boundaries, pointing to an area of research that will rapidly expand in this decade. The concern for meeting the needs of policymakers is also apparent in several of these chapters, but there is tension between providing them with positive results to support their efforts and reexamining the questions they are asking and how these questions are developed. We know that evaluation is not the extended arm of public relations, and yet it becomes clear that evaluators are often asked to demonstrate a project "is successful" on the threat that the funding will be cut. While this decision-making process fits the timetable of the fiscal year, it does not acknowledge that evaluation can be formative and strengthen programs. This timetable also ignores the investment of time that is needed when implementing innovations like the Internet into teaching and learning. Many of the authors included in this volume write from the context of evaluating federally-funded programs, and they provide valuable insight for future projects which are created and evaluated at the state-level. As technology initiatives are developed and funded outside of the federal arena, more evaluators will be called upon. From approaches developed from federally-funded projects, we can build upon these methods and models for evaluation within regional projects to answer questions related to budgets and accountability. As we answer these immediate questions, we can move forward to examine the long-term impact of technology, and the possibility that exercises in conformity will replace the adventure of human enlightenment for our children.

A volume in Educational Design and Technology in the Knowledge Society Series Editors Stewart Marshall and Wanjira Kinuthia The field of educational technology is one that requires a high level of problem solving critical thinking, and interpersonal skills to solve problems that are often complex and multi-dimensional. Analyzing cases provides an opportunity to explore professional issues through an environment that allows action researchers, practitioners and students to analyze and reflect on relevant theories and techniques to understand a real problem, ponder solutions and consequences, and develop responses. Hence, this book seeks to provide relevant authentic and realistic cases for such exploration. This book is guided by the premise that the cases presented will serve as a platform for researchers, practitioners and students to share experiences and best practices in both developing and developed contexts, in an endeavor to bridge the knowledge divide. Throughout the book, various challenges are addressed and educational technology tools and strategies are subsequently employed in an effort to minimize the issues. Notwithstanding, the book also highlights successes and accomplishments in areas and contexts in which educational technology is being harnessed, including reaching more learners, providing more affordable options, and building capacity. Because of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the field and the cases, this book is useful not only in educational technology, but also in other fields. A "Facilitator Guide" is provided for each chapter for educators with their learners.

An ideal textbook for masters, doctoral, or educational specialist certificate programs, Foundations of Educational Technology offers a fresh, project-centered approach to the subject, helping students build an extensive electronic portfolio as they navigate the text. The book addresses fundamental characteristics of educational technology that span various users, contexts and settings; includes a full range of engaging exercises for students that will contribute to their professional growth; and offers the following 4-step pedagogical features inspired by M.D. Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction: TELL: Primary presentations and pointers to major sources of information and resources ASK: Activities that encourage students to critique applications and share their individual interpretations SHOW: Activities that demonstrate the application of key concepts and complex skills with appropriate opportunities for learner responses DO: Activities in which learners apply key concepts and complex skills while working on practice assignments and/or projects to be created for their electronic portfolios The first textbook to launch Routledge’s new Integrative Approaches to Educational Technology series, this indispensable volume covers the core objectives addressed in foundations of educational technology courses.

Foundations of Educational Technology offers a fresh, interdisciplinary, problem-centered approach to educational technology, learning design, and instructional systems development. As the implementation of online, blended, hybrid, mobile, open, and adaptive learning systems rapidly expands, emerging tools such as learning analytics, artificial intelligence, mixed realities, serious games, and micro-credentialing are promising more complex and personalized learning experiences. This book provides faculty and graduate students with a conceptual, empirical, and practical basis for the effective use of these systems across contexts, integrating essential theories from the fields of human performance, learning and development, information and communications, and instructional design. Key additions to this revised and expanded third edition include coverage of the latest learning technologies, research from educational neuroscience, discussions about security and privacy, new attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion, updated activities, support materials, references, and more.

Educational Technology Program and Project Evaluation is a unique, comprehensive guide to the formative and summative evaluation of programs, projects, products, practices and policies involving educational technology. Written for both beginning and experienced evaluators, the book utilizes an integrative, systems-based approach; its practical emphasis on logic models and theories of change will help readers navigate their own evaluation processes to improve interventions and conduct meaningful educational research. Key features include: evidence-based guidelines for constructing and conducting evaluations practical exercises to support the development of knowledge, skills, and program evaluation portfolios a variety of interdisciplinary case studies references and links to pertinent research and resources Using the TELL, ASK, SHOW, DO model first introduced in this series, Educational Technology Program and Project Evaluation provides comprehensive coverage of the concepts, goals, design, implementation, and critical questions imperative to successful technology-enhanced evaluation.