http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:32:49 PDT Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:32:49 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=768817 Abstract: Online distance education has become another way for institutions of higher learning to reach out to learners. However, learner retention rates in online distance education tend to be well below those in traditional full-time higher education. A clear understanding of what factors contribute to learner attrition, including withdrawal from or non-completion of courses, is necessary in order for online distance learning institutions to formulate appropriate retention strategies. This case study looks at the role of proactive interventions practiced by institutions to retain learners through an examination of data collected from departments within an online distance institution in Malaysia. Results suggest that among the top reasons learners drop out are those related to family matters, job commitments, and poor time management practices. This preliminary study aims to assist online distance institutions in better understanding the pattern of their learners' withdrawal, with the hope that it will lead to the development of guidelines for a more systematic evaluation of proactive retention intervention techniques to be implemented to reduce attrition rates in such institutions.Volume 8, No. 4, December 2012, pp. 312-323HTML / PDF http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768907 Computer Basics and Concepts, ITE 115, covers computer essential components and software. This course gives students the ability to demonstrate their skills using the Computer HW & SW, Internet, Google Drive, Collaboration, Google+, and Microsoft Office 2013 applications. Thefocus of this course is on the use of a set of applications in the Microsoft Office 2013 suite. These applications are MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Access. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768947 Abstract: Instructors have frequently found that some content, such as mathematical formulae, chemistry laboratory experiments, and business practices, are unusually difficult for students to comprehend through text-centered approaches, and that this is especially so for online students. In response, instructor-made videos (IMVs) of three to 10 minutes in length on problematic topics or subject matter areas were produced for business, chemistry, and mathematics courses. The IMVs were intended to scaffold student learning. Initial findings revealed that multimodal IMVs involving the demonstration, illustration, and presentation of key terms, knowledge, skills, and resources can help students understand important procedures, structures, or mechanisms in previously problematic content. Simply stated, IMVs can have a positive impact on student learning.Volume 8, No. 4, December 2012, pp. 298-311HTML / PDF http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768961 Abstract: Utilizing Wang and Chen's notion of online learning spaces, this study examined student perceptions of a hybrid discussion format that required students to interact within their designated small groups while giving them access to discussions in the other groups of the class. The discussion format also featured a high level of instructor presence during discussions. A survey was developed and used to obtain student views of the various features of the discussion format. Forty-two students enrolled in three online courses participated in the study. Both summary statistics and an independent samples t-test were used to analyze the quantitative data from the survey. A review of the qualitative data from the survey was also made to obtain an in-depth understanding of the students' perceptions. The students felt there were benefits and limitations in both small-group and whole-class discussions, and indicated their preference for a hybrid discussion format that combined the positive features of both small-group and whole-class discussions. The students who did not like online discussions were less likely to enjoy whole-class discussions. Students in general welcomed the presence of the instructor during the discussions.Volume 8, No. 4, December 2012, pp. 288-297HTML / PDF http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768965 Collection of online or downloadable resources and activities for academic development http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768445 Allows faculty to create scholarly web pages to announce research, track readership, and optimize impact. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768467 History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877Written by:Catherine LocksSarah K. Mergel, PhDPamela Thomas Roseman, PhDTamara Spike, PhDProduced by:The University System of Georgia http://www.usg.eduPublished by: The University Press of North Georgia http://upng@northgeorgia.eduHistory in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877 is a downloadable, free-to-use textbook licensed under a CC-BY-SA 3.0 unported license.This textbook reviews U.S. History from before European Contact through Reconstruction, while focusing on the people and their history.This book provides strong emphasis on critical thinking about US History by providing several key features in each chapter. Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students to understand what they will learn in each chapter. Before You Move On sections at the end of each main section are designed to encourage students to reflect on important concepts and test their knowledge as they read. In addition, each chapter includes Critical Thinking Exercises that cover chapter content, Key Terms, and a Chronology of events. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768603 An in-class activity that builds skills in academic referencing (this version is for Harvard) and team work. Small groups compete to find and correctly reference a variety of academic texts.In addition to providing an engaging introduction to develop skills in referencing, this is a good 'getting to know you' activity that can be used to get a feel for how groups will work together before embarking on group assessment projects. 'Treasure hunts' have been successfully run both in library spaces and remotely by logging in to the library database in tutorial rooms. This resource includes a student handout and a teacher's master sheet with answers. The activity can be adapted for your content area by replacing texts with items relevant to your course. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768340 Fen ve Teknoloji dersinde Kuvvet ve Hareket konusu anlatılmıştır. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=768346 Abstract: Assessment of student learning is a fundamental aspect of instruction. Special challenges and affordances exist in assessing student learning in online environments. This two-phase study investigated the types of assessment methods being used in online courses and the ways in which the online environment facilitates or constrains particular methods. In Phase One, syllabi from 24 online courses were reviewed in order to discover the types of method being used to assess student learning and contribute to the overall course grade. Five categories emerged: (1) written assignments; (2) online discussion; (3) fieldwork; (4) quizzes and exams; and (5) presentations. Phase Two consisted of a focus group and interviews with eight online instructors to discuss challenges and effective practices in online assessment. Challenges arose due to the impact of physical distance between the instructor and the students, adaptations resulting from the necessity of using technology for communicating with students, workload and time management issues, and the ongoing need to collect a variety of assessment data and provide feedback. Phase-Two interviewees offered strategies and suggestions to counteract the challenges they identified. The paper concludes with recommendations synthesizing the results of this study with those found in the literature.Volume 8, No. 3, September 2012, pp. 198-208HTML / PDF