Week 4: Page 3

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Week 4: June 1

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This week we looked at the plethora of research methodologies one can use to investigate research questions in the field of instructional technology. In addition, you should have a better understanding of your research project assignment and how to read, analyze, and critique empirical research.

Your Tab This Week

This will be provided for you each week to make sure you don't forget anything:

Set the table
Decide on a research topic for assignment 3 and email me for initial approval
Reply to at least 3 peers in each of the following threaded discussions related to the menu for last week:
Participate in the following threaded discussions related to the theme for this week:
Would you like to chat this week about course content or projects? If so. our chat time this week will be:
- Monday, June 7, 8:00 - 8:30 PM CST

Next Week's Specials

If you have looked at our course schedule you should notice that next week begins our first alternating week of no new readings. During these weeks you will be expected to spend time reading and responding to threads from the previous week without the burden of also reading a new set of chapters and posting to new threads. These "lighter" weeks should allow you more time to process all the new information you are attempting to integrate and provide some extra time (does anyone have any of that?) for you to work on other course assignments (open mike night and your research project). Of course, if you become bored during these weeks you should always feel free to check out the schedule and begin reading ahead. I know that some of you have probably been overwhelmed these first 4 weeks of the course with getting acclimated to the course, reading new chapters each week, posting to new discussions and replying to old ones. However, I find that it is easier to be busier early in the semester when other courses are slowly gearing up and then have things slow down a pace or two in the latter part so everyone has time to work on projects in this course as well as all the things due in other courses you may be in. I used to do the reverse but have found many students prefer it this way. As always I want to know any feedback you have for me in regards to this.

In 2 weeks we will begin discussion of some current trends in IT. It will also be our first week of "open mike" discussions by cafe regulars. If you need a reminder of when your chapter discussion is due for your open mike night make sure to check out the June/July Specials page. If you have extra time, begin reading the 4 chapters assigned for two weeks from now. You might also want to begin your search for refereed, empirical articles for your research project. It usually takes longer than you think to find acceptable ones.

In 2 weeks (June 15) you will be expected to turn in the references for the four articles you will use for your research project. Try to send the references for your 4 articles to me as early as possible so I can get back to you if you need to find some different articles. Also, you might want to find more than 4 in case some of the ones you find are not acceptable (this is often the case if you are new to identifying empirical, refereed research). Next week we will spend time replying to your discussions for this week.

Call on the Cafe Crew

Need Help? Have a question but can't find the answer? Here are your options:

Email Dr. Curda
Email Melissa
Email listserv and see if a peer knows the answer

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