利用Moodle构建混合教学平台

传统课堂教学是教师主导的教学活动,而在线学习是以学生为主体参与的教学活动。混合教学方式是将两者有机地结合起来,同时发挥教师的主导性和学生的主动参与性。利用在线课程管理软件Moodle构建混合教学平台,在传统课堂教学之余,为学生主动参与教学活动提供在线途径,进行知识的发现、共享和积累。教学实践表明,这种混合教学方式,可以促进学生的主动参与性,增强学生对学习过程的控制力,提高学习效果,而且对原有的教学组织影响不大,很容易实现平稳过渡。     

Instructor–Learner Interaction in Online Courses: The relative perceived importance of particular instructor actions on performance and satisfaction

This article examines the relative perceived importance of 19 instructor actions in online courses according to both instructors and students. The instructor actions were culled from guidelines in the online learning literature base and then reviewed and rated by 14 experts. Thirty‐two online instructors and 170 students from their classes at a large public university and a private online university were asked to review and rate these guidelines. Findings show that the instructors believe that learner performance is more likely tied to instructor actions that are focused on course content and provide both proactive (models, expectations) and reactive (feedback) information to learners about their ability to demonstrate knowledge of course material, but learner satisfaction is more likely tied to learners’ feeling that their interpersonal communication needs are met. Learners rated items focused on communication needs and being treated as individuals as most important, aligning their stated preferences with the instructors’ perceptions of what actions are most satisfying to online learners.     

Listening for Silence in Text‐Based,Online Encounters

This article addresses the ways in which learners’ silence plays out within asynchronous and synchronous text‐based, online communication. Our study takes an ethnographic perspective in examining how learners and instructors in two online courses use and interpret silence. The ways in which those learners and instructors eventually integrated silence into their online communication were interpreted as non‐participation, confusion, marginalization, and thoughtful reflection. These findings have implications that are relevant to instructors’ efforts to create constructive online learning environments and view silence as an important aspect of social presence. We thus propose the need for the development of a deeper analysis—both empirical and theoretical—on the notions of online silence, social presence, and communication.     

Mind the gap: Enabling online faculty and instructional designers in mapping new models for quality online courses

Distance education has provided the foundation for new generations of learning, including courses delivered through various web-based educational technologies, also referred to as online learning. Many post-secondary institutions face the challenge of creating processes and systems to support instructors who are required to design, deliver, and frequently update online courses. Effective online course design prioritizes a student-centered pedagogical approach through active learning and meaning-making using modern technologies. This requires a wide spectrum of experience, technological skills, and pedagogical knowledge that is difficult to achieve. On one hand of the spectrum, are instructors with experience in online course delivery, learning technologies, and knowledge of online learning pedagogies. On the other hand of the spectrum, are instructors with insufficient experience, technological skills and awareness of online pedagogies. This disparity in instructors’ experiences, skills and knowledge results at times in a gap in ability. By providing a flexible and interactive model of support to instructors, instructional designers can shorten this gap in theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This paper explores the skill gap that some instructors face in the online learning domain and presents selected approaches to support instructors when transitioning to online courses based on the authors’ professional experiences. This paper considers two models of course design support from two unique higher educational institutions in the United States and in Canada, using different learning management systems. The results show that while these models have different contexts, they offer significant insights about common goals, flexible content, and learner-centered course design.     

基于ISM与AHP的学习者在线学习投入影响因素研究

在线学习投入程度影响在线学习质量,探究在线学习投入影响因素对于改善在线学习效果具有重要意义。将解释结构模型（ISM）和层次分析法（AHP）相结合,在文献研究与专家访谈基础上建立在线学习投入影响因素多层次结构,确定各层级因素的综合权重系数。研究结果表明：学习动机、自我效能感和教学方法是最直接影响因素,网络技术环境、学习动机、自我效能感、教师参与度、学习支持服务和在线交互环境为最主要影响因素。提出引导和激励在线学习者,提供良好的情感支持;提升教师存在感和参与度,提供充足的教师支持;营造积极的在线交互环境,提供多元的学习支持等策略,提升学习者在线学习投入。     

基于云计算和大数据的在线教育交互应用研究

在线教育交互是在线教育研究领域的重要组成部分,云计算和大数据技术的出现及发展为在线教育交互研究提供了新的机遇,对其服务模式与数据处理等方面产生了巨大影响。文章在基于云计算和大数据特征基础上,对在线教育交互所面临的问题进行讨论,并构建在线教育交互平台模型,通通分析平台功能和进行数据挖掘,实现了在线授课者和学习者的高效互动的目的。     

基于内容分析法的网上考试系统源码研究

本研究采用内容分析法,按源代码从开发语言、数据库、代码量级、系统架构类型等角度对网上考试系统进行统计分析。文章认为,当前国内网上考试系统存在资源重复和介绍信息不规范两个问题,并指出建立整合性的学习管理平台,利用先进的互动性学习平台来改善学生的学习体验,是网上考试系统必然的发展方向。这有利于从根本上根除学生为考试而学习的错误动机,让教育朝着健康和正确的方向发展。     

WebIntera-classroom: an interaction-aware virtual learning environment for augmenting learning interactions

Interaction is critical for successful teaching and learning in a virtual learning environment (VLE). This paper presents a web-based interaction-aware VLE – WebIntera-classroom – which aims to augment learning interactions by increasing the learner-to-content and learner-to-instructor interactions. We design a ubiquitous interactive interface that integrates a pen-and-paper interface with a web-based whiteboard to promote effective learner-to-content interactions. We develop a learning analytics tool that instantly shows learners’ learning interactions, with which instructors can supervise learner-to-instructor interactions. We implement a high-granularity Learning Analytics Engine (hgLAE) to broadcast, record and play a lecture recording. The hgLAE identifies hotspots in a lecture recording and raises students’ awareness of the hotspots when they watch the recording. WebIntera-classroom has been deployed in 11 universities in China. The system obtained high satisfaction in the questionnaires (N?=?464) and face-to-face interviews (N?=?60) conducted with the users from China Jiliang University. We compared the students’ performance, respectively, achieved in traditional classroom and in WebIntera-classroom at China Jiliang University during 2012–2013. The result demonstrates that the students could gain performance improvement by using WebIntera-classroom.     

An interactive online course: A collaborative design model

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation results of using an interactive design model for the development of an online course. Specifically, it examines: (a) how an interactive design model was used to develop collaborative and cooperative learning activities; (b) how activities were structured to promote the level and quality of communications among students, as peers, and between students and the instructors; and (c) how students responded to such interactive design model. The paper also provides information about the delivery process and describes what happened when this interactive model was fully implemented and used.     

Designing a constructive learning activity with interactive elements: the effects of perspective-shifting and the quality of source material

When teachers or instructors create computer-based learning environments, they often solely consider technical aspects of interactivity. As a consequence, learners’ main role is to respond to requests of the learning environment (e.g. by answering multiple-choice questions). This aspect of interactivity is, however, not sufficient to understand the complex benefits of interactivity for learners’ knowledge acquisition. In order to create a higher level of interactivity, an instructional task that encourages learners to design learning materials for fellow learners is used in this paper. We will show that this instructional task can induce interactive elements because learners are encouraged to take not only their own perspective into account when designing. In addition, we investigated if the quality of source material affects knowledge acquisition in design tasks. In a two-by-two design, students (n?=?108) had to design either a learning environment for others (i.e. to perform perspective-shifting), or a representation of acquired knowledge for themselves (no perspective-shifting) with less or more coherent information sources. Results indicate that performing perspective-shifting can be a powerful technique for eliciting interactive learning behavior and, thus, for learning. The quality of information sources does not influence knowledge acquisition to a great extent.     

基于对话的网络教学方法策略

交流和沟通是网络教学活动的核心所在，信息的传递与知识的建构均是在交流过程中形成的。对网络教育的施教者和学习者而言，最根本之道就是以对话的理念和原则来开展网络学习，把在线对话作为网络教学的基本方法策略。教师必须转变自身的角色定位，掌握在线对话教学的基本技能。     

Integrating Online Literacy into Undergraduate Education: a case study

The present situation in which students enter tertiary education with different experiences of online literacy poses challenges for instructors of subjects in which content and online literacy are integrated. It is hard for university teachers to predict what can be expected of incoming students in terms of computer experience, or to plan suitable syllabuses. In this article, the online literacy practices of students in one subject offered at an Australian university are examined. These practices are viewed within the context of the subject itself, and in the wider context of tertiary education. It is suggested that studies of the contexts and practices of online literacy can provide information which will help instructors to have some idea of what to expect concerning their students’ online literacy. In turn, this knowledge may make it easier for instructors to plan subject syllabuses which provide for groups of students with mixed online experiences. Areas for further research are also identified.     

Introducing the R2D2 Model: Online learning for the diverse learners of this world

The R2D2 method—read, reflect, display, and do—is a new model for designing and delivering distance education, and in particular, online learning. Such a model is especially important to address the diverse preferences of online learners of varied generations and varied Internet familiarity. Four quadrants can be utilized separately or as part of a problem‐solving process: the first component primarily relates to methods to help learners acquire knowledge through online readings, virtual explorations, and listening to online lectures and podcasts. As such, it addresses verbal and auditory learners. The second component of the model focuses on reflective activities such as online blogs, reflective writing tasks, self‐check examinations, and electronic portfolios. In the third quadrant, visual representations of the content are highlighted with techniques such as virtual tours, timelines, animations, and concept maps. Fourth, the model emphasizes what learners can do with the content in hands‐on activities including simulations, scenarios, and real‐time cases. In effect, the R2D2 model is one means to organize and make sense of the diverse array of instructional possibilities currently available in distance education. It provides new ways of learning for diverse online students, and demonstrates easy‐to‐apply learning activities for instructors to integrate various technologies in online learning. When thoughtfully designed, content delivered from this perspective should be more enriching for learners. The R2D2 model provides a framework for more engaging, dynamic, and responsive teaching and learning in online environments.     

Forecasting reading anxiety for promoting English-language reading performance based on reading annotation behavior

To reduce effectively the reading anxiety of learners while reading English articles, a C4.5 decision tree, a widely used data mining technique, was used to develop a personalized reading anxiety prediction model (PRAPM) based on individual learners' reading annotation behavior in a collaborative digital reading annotation system (CDRAS). In addition to forecasting immediately the reading anxiety levels of learners, the proposed PRAPM can be used to identify the key factors that cause reading anxiety based on the fired prediction rules determined by the developed decision tree. By understanding these key factors that cause reading anxiety, instructors can apply reading strategies to reduce reading anxiety, thus promoting English-language reading performance. To assess whether the proposed PRAPM can assist instructors in reducing the reading anxiety of learners, this study applies the quasi-experimental method to compare the learning performance of three learning groups, which are, respectively, supported by a CDRAS with individual annotations, collaborative annotations, and collaborative annotations with online instructor's support to reduce reading anxiety by the proposed PRAPM. The instructional experiment was conducted on Grade 7 students at Taipei Municipal Wan-Fang high school. Experimental results indicate that the average correct prediction rate of the proposed PRAPM in identifying the reading anxiety levels of learners was as high as 70%. Moreover, analytical results show that the collaborative annotation with online instructor's support for reducing reading anxiety by the proposed PRAPM indeed helps learners reduce reading anxiety, particularly for the male learners, showing that gender difference exists. Furthermore, based on online instructor's support for reducing reading anxiety by the proposed PRAPM, the correlation analysis also shows that the online instructor's interaction with the male learners is significantly correlated with the reading anxiety reduction. Furthermore, English-language learning performance of the three learners groups, which were given a CDRAS with different learning mechanisms, was significantly promoted.     

Mining learning social networks for cooperative learning with appropriate learning partners in a problem-based learning environment

Many studies have identified web-based cooperative learning as an increasingly popular educational paradigm with potential to increase learner satisfaction and interactions. However, peer-to-peer interaction often suffers barriers owing to a failure to explore useful social interaction information in web-based cooperative learning environments. This easily leads to learners being unable to seek appropriate learning partners for facilitating effective cooperative learning. This problem frequently causes poor learning effectiveness in web-based cooperative learning environments. Generally, instructor assigned or learner selected learning peers cannot ensure to compose suitable learning partners for individual learners in cooperative learning environments. A suitable learning partner can help the learner, who is learning in the personal way and encounters the difficulty, to solve problems. Inappropriate learning partners cannot only easily lead to poor learning interaction and achievement, but can also lead to the meaning of cooperative learning being lost. Although many web-based learning systems have already been developed to assist cooperative learning, supporting peer-to-peer interaction in computer-supported cooperative learning (CSCL) is still immature. As a result, this study presents a novel scheme for recommending appropriate learning partners for individual learners utilizing mining of learning interactive social networks in a cooperative problem-based learning (PBL) environment. Results of this study show that the proposed scheme helps encourage learners to interact with learning peers more actively and positively, and facilitates learning performance in a cooperative PBL environment.     

Development and validation of the IMEB-M,a German questionnaire for assessing topic-specific epistemic beliefs

Epistemic beliefs are individual beliefs about knowledge and knowledge acquisition. Empirical studies indicate that learners’ epistemic beliefs influence their learning processes and success (e.g. motivation, text comprehension, learning strategy selection, grades). Teachers and trainers can support their apprentices in developing preferable epistemic beliefs to facilitate learning. To do this, instructors need information on learners’ current beliefs for lesson planning and monitoring epistemic beliefs development. The following paper reports the validation of a tool for generating this kind of information: the Instrument for Measuring Epistemic Beliefs in Marketing. The instrument validation is based on three studies (Study I: 225 university trained business administration students; Study II: 531 vocationally trained retailers/wholesalers; Study III: 179 vocationally trained bank assistants). It reveals high reliabilities (α values about .700), stable factor structures, and incremental validity in comparison to general epistemic beliefs. The new questionnaire is able to predict grades in marketing and can be used to diagnose apprentices’ epistemic beliefs for adjusting instruction to learners’ preconditions. Findings based on the new instrument indicate that apprentices show partly unfavourable epistemic beliefs. As a result, supporting learners in developing preferable beliefs provides an opportunity to increase their learning success.     

情感计算在网络远程教育系统中的应用：功能、研究现状及关键问题

情感能力是人类智能的重要标志,情感的缺失会影响网络远程教育的教学质量和学习者的学习效果。情感计算是和谐人机交互与人工智能领域中新的研究方向。在网络远程教育系统中应用情感计算理论与技术,可以进一步优化网络远程教育的功能,帮助教师监测远程学习者的情感变化,调整教学策略和方法,实时给予学习者情感反馈,使教学质量达到最佳。目前国内外情感计算在远程教育方面的应用研究还处于起步与探索阶段,所构建的远程教学系统对远程教学中师生情感生理特征与心理特征、多模情感信息融合机制及网络虚拟人机情感交互特性等考虑不足,系统原型在情感合成与表达、智能人机情感交互实现上存在着很大的难度。因此,构建与人类情感系统相吻合的、自然和谐的、人性化和智能化的网络远程教育系统,需要有效解决师生面部表情、语音情感特征信号的准确识别与提取,师生多模情感信息融合机制与和谐人机情感交互技术等关键问题。     

论现代远程教育系统的交互

在远程教育中，交互性是决定教育质量的一个重要因素，交互活动直接影响着远程课程的学习效果。现代远程教学模式以现代通信网络为支撑平台，是一种以交互式为中心的自学习模式，它是未来教学模式的主流。交互方式的选择与应用，是进行远程教育课程教学设计的关键组成部分，需要教育工作和课件开发的共同参与和设计。交互技术飞速发展，新技术的出现与应用推动了远程教育的交互方式的变革和交互性的加强。对远程教育活动的交互性评价是衡量远程教育过程质量的一个重要方面，可以从教育的社会本质、教育效果和教育目标、课件、教育和学习等多方面进行评价分析。     

学习管理系统的社会性交互功能比较——基于对Blackboard、Moodle、Sakai的调查与使用体验

教育信息化的快速发展对技术支持的学习环境提出了更高的要求。学习管理系统集教学、学习与管理功能于一身,为辅助教师开展教学活动,以及实现教学交互提供了有力的技术支持。通过对国际和国内使用较为广泛的Blackboard、Moodle和Sakai三款学习管理系统在社会性交互方面的比较发现,三款学习管理系统在支持学习者与教师间的交互方面主要体现在通知、日程、作业、成绩簿、内置邮件、投票、测验等模块,在支持学习者与学习者间的交互方面主要体现在聊天室、讨论区、Wiki、内置邮件等模块。三款学习管理系统在细节设置上各有特色：Sakai的通知和日历功能最为强大,Moodle和Sakai支持在线协作编辑;Moodle在论坛模块的用户界面呈现良好、使用便捷;Blackboard能够方便地支持用户角色设置。因此,教师在选择学习管理系统时,应充分挖掘各类系统的特色功能,综合运用多种交互工具,整合各种教学系统,使之能更好地促进远程学习者的有效交互和有效学习。     

Online Education in an Age of Globalization: Foundational Perspectives and Practices for Technical Communication Instructors and Trainers

Online access and interest in technical communication are increasing on a global scale. The time is therefore right for instructors to consider offering online courses to students located around the globe. Providing effective online courses for such a diverse audience, however, is no simple matter. This article provides an overview of the global market in online education. It presents information and approaches that can help with the development of online courses for international delivery as well as the training and professional development of the instructors, U.S.-based or otherwise, who teach them.