http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sat, 25 May 2013 11:16:07 PDT Sat, 25 May 2013 11:16:07 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=762743 With the iPad and other tablets, in addition to text, books can now include sound, video, animation and interactivity in the reading experience - what might be called a “bookumentary.” The New Book Press explores these new expressive opportunities. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=762162 Abstract The Hellenic National Support Service for eTwinning provides short, intensive online courses for Greek teachers. (eTwinning is a flexible scheme that enables schools in Europe to work together on collaborative pedagogical projects using information and communication technologies.) This paper discusses the design and implementation of such a course to reflect a learning-oriented assessment (LOA) approach to teaching and learning. The aim of LOA is to strengthen the learning aspects of assessment, and it is premised on the ideas that assessment tasks should be designed as learning tasks, that students should be involved in the assessment process, and that feedback should be forward looking. Evaluation results attest to the effectiveness of the course in terms of its pedagogical design and implementation, and to the significance of the learning experience for participants. The results suggest that LOA is a promising pedagogical approach in online learning contexts for adult learners. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges in the implementation of LOA and the barriers to its wider acceptance, with suggestions made for future research. Keywords: teacher professional development, e-learning, course design, assessment for learning, collaborative pedagogical school projects,PDF Version http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761517 Abstract: Throughout the past decade, web-based teaching and learning have experienced tremendous growth. Yet, research aimed at evaluating determinants of student learning outcomes in online courses is lagging behind. The majority of studies of online student participation have focused on the use of discussion board or other common communication areas. Little attention has been paid to the role time spent online plays in affecting academic performance of college students. The objective of this study was to estimate the relative importance of time spent online, prior grades, and demographic characteristics of students in terms of their academic performance in online sociology courses. Using a multinomial logistic model, the current study examined the odds of attaining one grade versus another depending on the amount of effort and controlling for gender, major, and year in school. Results suggest that among the effects examined in the study, time spent online and previous achievement matter the most.Keywords: study time, online learning, student achievement, sociology, multinomial logistic regression http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761509 Abstract: At institutions of higher learning, there is an increased demand and need for online courses. However, the number of faculty developing and teaching these courses does not match the growth in online education. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived barriers to online teaching experienced by various faculty groups at a public institution located in the southeastern United States using a new survey instrument, which was developed from recent research findings. This study sought to identify the most prevalent barriers to online instruction for the faculty group surveyed. In addition, these findings may identify prevalent barriers for faculty groups in an effort to inform administrative decisions concerning policy, training, and compensation as well as to facilitate involvement for specific types of online instruction for faculty development. A number of novel and important differences were found in the perceived barriers that exist between faculty groups on four constructs identified through an exploratory factor analysis. The factors found were: (1) interpersonal barriers; (2) institutional barriers; (3) training and technology barriers; and (4) cost/benefit analysis barriers. The results of this study may be of use to other institutions as they develop online instruction training programs.Keywords: online education, instructional technology, perceived barriers, survey research, online faculty http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=759749 Explore the life cycles of a variety of species groups, from plants and mammals to amphibians and reptiles, and investigate their similarities and differences. After learning more about the incredible life cycle of the green turtle, students play a turtle life cycle board game to see if they can survive from an egg to an adult turtle. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=759785 Get crafty this Easter with our hands-on Endangered Animal Easter Egg activity. Using ARKive’s vast treasury of images and videos, students research their favourite endangered species and identify key features and characteristics, then decorate an egg using the images as inspiration. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=759139 Timeline of the terraforming process that is required to turn Mars into a livable planet, complete with pictures. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=758750 FELC (short for Field Experience Learning Community) Online is intended to support the needs of anyone and everyone involved in the field experience or practicum component of pre-service teacher education programs. Whether you are a teacher candidate (or student teacher), associate teacher (cooperating teacher), faculty advisor/supervisor, or school administrator, you play a critical role in the field experience/practicum!FELConline, a web-based learning tool, is intended to be a "living" website, so there are areas that are under development, and areas that hopefully grow as we all interact with the content and with each other. First, you need to create a log in and provide a little bit of information, and then you are good to go! We hope you find this learning tool a useful one in supporting the learning and growth of everyone involved in pre-service teacher education! FELConline was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=757029 ״StoryWalk®, an exciting initiative that combines a children’s story with a popular walking route, was developed in September, 2007 by Anne Ferguson, a volunteer with the Coalition. Ferguson selects a children’s book, separates the pages, laminates them, and attaches them to wooden stakes. She then drives the stakes into the ground at regular intervals along paths so readers can follow the story as they walk the route. Ferguson conceived of StoryWalk® as a way to inspire parents, teachers, and caregivers to take young children on a short stroll that will be fun for all. StoryWalk® helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor activity for both adults and children.״ http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=755934 Presentación realizada en la herramienta web Prezi, en donde ser abordan ciertos elementos de la introducción a la informática educativa. Al respecto se revisa el concepto de informática educativa, sus aportes, algunas herramientas y aplicaciones e implicancias en el aula, así como la evolución de la misma.