http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:38:00 PDT Tue, 21 May 2013 14:38:00 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=761941 Abstract: Online courses continue to become increasingly prevalent in higher education. The relationship between computers and writing is natural, as computers are now the primary tool for producing writing. The purpose of this case-study paper is to report on the design, development, and delivery of an online course that was created in response to the identification of a need for effective and efficient delivery of writing instruction to large numbers of university students. The paper describes an online academic writing course that evolved from an elective course enrolling 150 students to a required course enrolling over 2,000 arts and social sciences and engineering students at a mid-sized Canadian university. An account of the history of the course is included, along with discussion regarding institutional and student resistance to the course, technological challenges, use of peer review, cheating, course problems, and course successes. Course effectiveness data are also presented. Suggestions are offered for instructors wishing to create similar online writing courses.Keywords: online writing instruction, academic writing skills, teaching with technology, student peer review, peer assessment http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761953 Abstract:Failure to complete a dissertation or other required research project is a major factor contributing to doctoral program attrition. The challenges of planning and carrying out a research project are daunting for many traditional students and may be increased for students in part-time, predominantly online doctoral programs. This paper describes the Ewing Model© developed and implemented in the Doctor of Health Sciences program at A.T. Still University. The Model is characterized by a highly structured, sequential curriculum; intense facilitation and dialogue; collaborative learning within a cohort model; and performance-based assessment of core research competencies. The Ewing Model benefits students and the University by ensuring that students gain important research competencies and by contributing to high program completion and low attrition rates. Challenges of implementing the Model include addressing students' inexperience with research and scholarly writing, adhering to research ethics, assisting students with defining a manageable project, and navigating a three-person internal/external committee. Preliminary results of the Model have been positive, with a current graduation rate of 73% and positive student feedback regarding the structure and design of the Model.Keywords: doctoral dissertation, research training, distance education, online learning, degree completion rates http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761958 Great simulation explaining how slipped-strand mispairing works in a DNA strand, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761964 Great simulation explaining how conjugation works to transfer genes, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761970 Great simulation explaining how thymine dimers work in the formation and repair of DNA, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761974 Great simulation explaining how tumor suppressor genes work to block cell division, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. This site shows the interactions between cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases that form a complex to block cell division. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761821 Great simulation explaining how one of the first genetic engineering experiment was conducted by Cohen and Boyer in 1973, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761824 Great simulation explaining how vaccines are constructed, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761825 Great simulation explaining how southern blot is used to verify a specific nucleotide sequence, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=761839 Great simulation explaining how complementary DNA works, good voice tutorial, online, easy to display with a pro-board or a projector.