Online Support for Online Support for Distance Education Distance Education Graduate Students: Graduate Students:

CDE READSCDE READS

Martha Cleveland-Innes, Ph.D.

Sarah Gauvreau, B.Ed.

Athabasca University

The 15th Annual Sloan-C International Conference of Online Learning

CDE READS DefinedCDE READS DefinedCenter of Distance Education

Research Exploration and Discussion Site

A central location for research students to access resources, information, direction and advice regarding 1. distance education research broadly and/or 2. the process of designing and implementing research on the topic of distance education and all its sub-fields.

http://cde.lms.athabascau.ca

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http://cde.lms.athabascau.ca

ObjectivesObjectivesProvide a community of inquiry regarding

research in distance education.Provide a source of advice, information, and

encouragement in a moderated environment to student researchers.

Provide peer interaction opportunities for participants.

Allow identification and pursuit of special interests by participants.

Provide doctoral students an opportunity to moderate and participate in online interaction.

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ResourcesResources

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BeginningsBeginningsCreated late January 2009March 20th 2009: an e-mail was sent out to grad

students announcing the available position of research assistant.

Candidates then received a follow-up e-mail that included a job description and listed three interview questions.

A subsequent e-mail was sent on March 27th, 2009 to find applicants with Moodle experience.

March 30th: Sarah Gauvreau was named successful candidate and Web Master.

Chief responsibility: to create and maintain weekly discussion sessions. 7

Weekly Discussion Weekly Discussion SessionsSessions

Incorporated into CDE READS May 23rd, 2009.Designed to act as “virtual student lounge” to

discuss various topics of research and distance education.

Weekly e-mails are sent to student body announcing topic of discussion.

Discussion sessions often include associated journal readings.

Student interest and response to topics vary widely.

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Student Response to Student Response to READSREADS

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“The General Research Discussion topic is the most useful (for me). Overall I think more traffic would help make the resource more vibrant.”

“I’m not sure what the Professor’s Corners is really meant to do. I have an academic advisor / thesis advisor, wouldn’t I simply go to that person?”

“I believe the site has great potential, especially as more students move into their thesis phase of the program.  Collectively, students have a great body of knowledge.  I hope that we can share our respective expertise.”

“There is nowhere for pre-703/703/704 student to go for this intellectual dialogue and topical thought. This is where I see READS; filling this gap for research students.”

CDE READS StatisticsCDE READS StatisticsViewed 13, 629 times by grad students and

instructorsPostings or additions: 410Most utilized forum: Welcome Forum

1460 views 113 posts

Most popular discussion topic:Life after Athabasca University: 12 postings/318

viewsLeast popular discussion topic:

Research Reflections: 0 postings/ 50 views

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# of posts

# of viewings

Data ThemesData ThemesMany students are visiting the CDE READS

site but few are posting.Students are more inclined to post about

personal experiences and needs.Students are less likely to post during

open/free discussion. Students prefer to post on structured topics,

accompanied by material (e.g. academic articles).

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READS FutureREADS Future

Consider the integration of social networking and learning support.

Improve volume of postings.Incorporate synchronous discussions and

presentations.Increase number of guest speakers.Link to thesis courses.

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