Conference paper
The underpinnings of e-learning evaluation and research
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education
World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2012 (Denver, CO, 25/06/2012–29/06/2012)
2012
Abstract
This paper attempts a fundamental analysis of the nature of research into e-learning. It starts by considering the phenomenon of e-learning, arguing that e-learning is an artificial, designed phenomenon, and that research approaches need to consider how the e-learning environment works and how it can be improved, before we can consider how effective it is. We also establish that e-learning inquiry involves a mixture of evaluation and research, and we discuss this in the context of different disciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches, arguing that e-learning evaluation research involves a varying mixture of a 18search for fundamental understanding 19 and 18consideration of use 19. We apply the preceding arguments to the e-learning lifecycle, identifying five different forms of evaluation research which are appropriate at various stages: Baseline Analysis, Design Evaluation, Formative Evaluation, Effectiveness Research, and Project-management Evaluation. These forms can be used to guide the design of an e-learning evaluation-research study, in a cyclical research approach. We recognize the strength of design-based research in this context, without claiming that it is appropriate in all circumstances. The paper then unpacks the process of conducting evaluation research, through the use of divide-and-conquer techniques to break down the complexity of an e-learning evaluation-research study. The five forms of evaluation research allow us to conceptualise specific research questions at a particular position in the e-learning lifecycle, and evaluation-research matrices assist us to identify sources of evidence to address these questions.
Details
- Title
- The underpinnings of e-learning evaluation and research
- Authors/Creators
- R. Phillips (Author/Creator)
- Conference
- World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2012 (Denver, CO, 25/06/2012–29/06/2012)
- Publisher
- Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education
- Identifiers
- 991005544433407891
- Copyright
- 2012 AACE
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
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