How Habitual Online Practices Affect the Development of Asynchronous Discussion Threads

Jim Hewitt

Journal of Educational Computing Research Vol. 28, No. 1 (2003) pp. 31–45

Discussions of distance education courses develop according to needs/interests of conference participants, course requirements, and nature of the instructor's online facilitation. Findings of this research suggest other factors. Analysis of threads...

Telementoring Through Video Notes

Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2004 (2004) pp. 3067–3072

This paper describes an experiment in which teacher candidates, as part of their teacher education program, mentored fourth grade students over the Internet using a new technology called Video Notes. Video Notes are digital video recordings that...

Topics: Elementary Education, Educational Technology, Mentoring, Video, Students

Toward an Understanding of How Threads Die in Asynchronous Computer Conferences

Jim Hewitt

Journal of the Learning Sciences Vol. 14, No. 4 (2005) pp. 567–589

Previous computer conferencing research has been concerned with the organizational, technical, social, and motivational factors that support and sustain online interaction. This article studies online interaction from a different perspective. Rather ...

New applications for multimedia cases: Promoting reflective practice

Jim Hewitt

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of multimedia cases for the purposes of pre-service teacher preparation. Case-based learning typically involves an analysis of a teaching scenario followed by a discussion of issues that...

Topics: reflective practice

An Analysis of Student Practices in Asynchronous Computer Conferencing Environments

Vanessa Peters; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2005 (Jun 27, 2005) pp. 778–785

While much has been written about the constructivist affordances of asynchronous computer conferencing environments, there have been relatively few studies that examine, in detail, what students actually do online, and how these practices either...

Topics: Distance Education, Students

Different Group Configurations and Different Reading and Writing Activities in Online Graduate Courses

Mingzhu Qiu; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2007 (Oct 15, 2007) pp. 1789–1798

Abstract: Note reading and writing in online courses mediate between the intent of curricular requirement and instruction that occurs in virtual classrooms. Online group configurations almost certainly have important effects on online course...

Students Perspectives of Competition in Asynchronous Computer-Mediated Conferencing

Vanessa Peters; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2006 (June 2006) pp. 445–449

Abstract: The current study explored student perspectives on competition in asynchronous computer-mediated conferencing courses. A Likert-scale questionnaire was distributed to 57 students enrolled in graduate-level distance education programs. Nine ...

Topics: Distance Education

Collaboration in Computer-Mediated Conferencing Courses

Vanessa Peters; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2006 (June 2006) pp. 441–444

Abstract: This study explores the degree to which students feel they are working collaboratively in asynchronous computer conferencing courses. Using a questionnaire and interviews as data sources, the study describes the perspectives of 57 graduate-...

Topics: Distance Education, Students

Using Wikis to Support Knowledge Building in a Graduate Education Course

Jim Hewitt; Vanessa Peters

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2006 (June 2006) pp. 2200–2204

The current study explored how Wikis can be used as a support for knowledge building in a graduate-level distance education course. The course consisted of 15 students who collaboratively constructed a set of Wiki pages on a variety of topics for...

Topics: Distance Education, Educational Technology, Students

Facilitating Social Interaction in Online Learning Environments: New Tools and Approaches

Najmeh Fakhraie; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2010 (Jun 29, 2010) pp. 3345–3349

Internet-based distance education courses have been rapidly expanding throughout the world. These environments have given students of all ages new opportunities to participate in creating and maintaining learning communities, and even to build...

The relationship between class size and online activity patterns in asynchronous computer conferencing environments

Jim Hewitt; Clare Brett

Computers & Education Vol. 49, No. 4 (December 2007) pp. 1258–1271

This study analyzes the relationship between class size and student online activity patterns in a series of 28 graduate level computer conferencing courses. Quantitative analyses of note production, average note size, note opening and note reading...

Language: English

Integrating Computer-based Multimedia Instructional Design into Teaching International English Phonetic Symbols

Mingzhu Qiu; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2005 (Jun 27, 2005) pp. 4365–4372

Is a computer-based multimedia program better than textbooks and tape recorders in learning International English Phonetic Symbols? Does computer animation help adult learners learn IEPS better in this program? This article is to state some theories ...

Topics: Computers, Multimedia, Learning Objects

An investigation of student practices in asynchronous computer conferencing courses

Vanessa L. Peters; Jim Hewitt

Computers & Education Vol. 54, No. 4 (May 2010) pp. 951–961

This study investigated the online practices of students enrolled in graduate-level distance education courses. Using interviews and a questionnaire as data sources, the study sought to: (a) identify common practices that students adopt in...

Language: English

Personalizing and Contextualizing Multimedia Case Methods in University-Based Teacher Education: An Important Modification for Promoting Technological Design in School Science

Larry Bencze; Jim Hewitt; Erminia Pedretti

Research in Science Education Vol. 39, No. 1 (January 2009) pp. 93–109

Results of various studies suggest that multimedia "case methods" (activities associated with case documentaries) have many benefits in university-based teacher education contexts. They can, for example, help to "bridge the gap" between perspectives ...

To Group or Not to Group: A Question for Distance Learning

Olivia Robertson; Vanessa Peters; Jim Hewitt

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2006 (June 2006) pp. 460–467

The online environment lends itself to learner collaboration, both in large or small groups (Kearsley, Lynch, & Wizer, 1995). It is built on the principles of social constructivist learning (Muilenburg & Berge, 2000) which suggest that learning...

Topics: Students, Learning Outcomes

Using Wiki Technologies as an Adjunct to Computer Conferencing in a Graduate Teacher Education Course

Jim Hewitt; Vanessa Peters; Clare Brett

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (Mar 19, 2006) pp. 2240–2243

The current study examines an online course in which a Wiki environment was used in conjunction with computer conferencing to facilitate the collaborative investigations. The course was comprised of 15 teachers who worked together to develop Wiki...

Topics: Computers, Collaboration, Students

Scan Rate: A New Metric for the Analysis of Reading Behaviors in Asynchronous Computer Conferencing Environments

Jim Hewitt; Clare Brett; Vanessa Peters

American Journal of Distance Education Vol. 21, No. 4 (November 2007) pp. 215–231

This article introduces a new computer conferencing metric called Scan Rate, which is a measure of students' and instructors' online reading speed. The term "scan" refers to the practice of either skimming through a message at an unusually rapid...

Competition and Collaboration in a Computer-Mediated Teacher Education Course

Vanessa Peters; Jim Hewitt; Clare Brett

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (Mar 19, 2006) pp. 487–501

Abstract: The current study examined student perspectives on peer collaboration and competition in an online teacher education course. Using a questionnaire and interviews as data sources, the study sought to explore the extent to which students...

Topics: Collaboration, Students

Online Class Size, Note Reading, Note Writing and Collaborative Discourse

Mingzhu Qiu; Jim Hewitt; Clare Brett

International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Vol. 7, No. 3 (September 2012) pp. 423–442

Researchers have long recognized class size as affecting students' performance in face-to-face contexts. However, few studies have examined the effects of class size on exact reading and writing loads in online graduate-level courses. This mixed...

Exploring the Relationships between Facilitation Methods, Students' Sense of Community, and Their Online Behaviors

Krystle Phirangee; Carrie Demmans Epp; Jim Hewitt

Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks Vol. 20, No. 2 (2016) pp. 134–154

The popularity of online learning has boomed over the last few years, pushing instructors to consider the best ways to design their courses to support student learning needs and participation. Prior research suggests the need for instructor...

Student Actions and Community in Online Courses: The Roles Played By Course Length and Facilitation Method

Carrie Demmans Epp; Krystle Phirangee; Jim Hewitt

Online Learning Journal Vol. 21, No. 4 (Dec 01, 2017)

Fostering a strong sense of community among students within online courses is essential to supporting their learning experience. However, there is little consensus about how different facilitation methods influence students\u2019 sense of community...

Influence of group configuration on online discourse writing

Mingzhu Qiu; Jim Hewitt; Clare Brett

Computers & Education Vol. 71, No. 1 (February 2014) pp. 289–302

This study examines the impact of different strategies for grouping students in online, discourse-intensive distance education courses. The mixed methods research focused on note writing productivity (based on 366 participants in 25 classes) and...

Language: English

The Promise of Multi-Media Case Methods: Promoting Science, Technology, Society and Environment (STSE) Perspectives in Science Teacher Education

Erminia Pedretti; Larry Bencze; Jim Hewitt; Ashifa Jiwani; Lisa Romkey

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2004 (2004) pp. 2961–2965

Although rhetoric of science, technology, society and environment (STSE) education has gained some force in science education, practice has not necessarily followed. Teacher education programs can play a critical role in helping prospective teachers ...

Topics: Teachers, Educational Technology, Preservice Teacher Education, Science, Research Methods

Exploring asynchronous and synchronous tool use in online courses

Murat Oztok; Daniel Zingaro; Clare Brett; Jim Hewitt

Computers & Education Vol. 60, No. 1 (January 2013) pp. 87–94

While the independent contributions of synchronous and asynchronous interaction in online learning are clear, comparatively less is known about the pedagogical consequences of using both modes in the same environment. In this study, we examine...

Language: English

Resistance and Renewal: Promoting STSE Perspectives in Physics Teacher Education through Multi-Media Cases

Erminia Pedretti; Bencze Larry; Jim Hewitt; Lisa Romkey

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2005 (Jun 27, 2005) pp. 4492–4496

The STSE movement has become part of curriculum documents and policies worldwide. However, STSE has made far less strides in practice. This research explores the implementation of a multi-media case method focused on STSE education in physics...

Topics: Research Methods, Physical Education, Preservice Teacher Education, Teachers

Capitalizing on social presence: The relationship between social capital and social presence

Murat Oztok; Daniel Zingaro; Alexandra Makos; Clare Brett; Jim Hewitt

Internet and Higher Education Vol. 26, No. 1 (July 2015) pp. 19–24

Online learning literature espouses the benefits of social interaction for meaningful learning and deep processing of course material. Yet, our understanding of the types of interactions that lead to these benefits may be limited by our current...

Language: English

Polysynchronous: Dialogic Construction of Time in Online Learning

Murat Oztok; Lesley Wilton; Daniel Zingaro; Kim Mackinnon; Alexandra Makos; Krystle Phirangee; Clare Brett; Jim Hewitt

E-Learning and Digital Media Vol. 11, No. 2 (2014) pp. 154–161

Online learning has been conceptualized for decades as being delivered in one of two modes: synchronous or asynchronous. Technological determinism falls short in describing the role that the individuals' psychological, social and pedagogical...

Science-specialist Student-teachers Consider Promoting Technological Design Projects: Contributions of Multi-media Case Methods

Larry Bencze; Jim Hewitt; Erminia Pedretti; Susan Yoon; Kirk Perris; Roland van Oostveen

Research in Science Education Vol. 33, No. 2 (2003) pp. 163–87

Reports on science-specialist student teachers' conceptions about science and technology and corresponding priorities for school science. Students' conceptions were measured after interacting with a case documentary that depicted students...

Exploring the Use of Cases and Case Methods in Influencing Elementary Preservice Science Teachers' Self-Efficacy Beliefs

Susan Yoon; Erminia Pedretti; Larry Pedretti; Jim Hewitt; Kirk Perris; Roland Van Oostveen

Journal of Science Teacher Education Vol. 17, No. 1 (March 2006) pp. 15–35

In this study, we hypothesize that cases demonstrating exemplary practice in the science classroom can be used as a source for learning content and pedagogical skills that will improve teachers' self-efficacy beliefs. Twelve preservice elementary...

Martian Boneyards: Scientific Inquiry in an MMO Game

Jodi Asbell-Clarke; Teon Edwards; Elizabeth Rowe; Jamie Larsen; Elisabeth Sylvan; Jim Hewitt

International Journal of Game-Based Learning Vol. 2, No. 1 (January 2012) pp. 52–76

This paper reports on research of a game designed for scientific inquiry in a new and publicly available massively-multiplayer online environment (MMO). Educators and game designers worked together to create a highly immersive environment, a...

Promoting Issues-Based STSE Perspectives in Science Teacher Education: Problems of Identity and Ideology

Erminia G. Pedretti; Larry Bencze; Jim Hewitt; Lisa Romkey; Ashifa Jivraj

Science and Education Vol. 17, No. 8 (September 2008) pp. 941–960

Although science, technology, society and environment (STSE) education has gained considerable force in the past few years, it has made fewer strides in practice. We suggest that "science" teacher identity plays a role in the adoption of STSE...

New Applications for Multimedia Cases: Promoting Reflective Practice in Preservice Teacher Education

Jim Hewitt; Erminia Pedretti; Larry Bencze; Barbara Dale Vaillancourt; Susan Yoon

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education Vol. 11, No. 4 (2003) pp. 483–500

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of multimedia cases for the purposes of preservice teacher preparation. Case-based learning typically involves an analysis of a teaching scenario followed by a discussion of issues that...

Topics: Teaching Methods, Teachers, Social Studies

Using lesson study to guide the development of technological pedagogical content knowledge among teacher candidates

Kim MacKinnon; Jim Hewitt; Andrea Black; Jason Brennan; Sarah Grace; Shawn Lennie; Karen Mann; Rod Missaghian; Amy Paradine; Kelsey Patton

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2010 (Jun 29, 2010) p. 337

Although it is generally incumbent on teacher training programs to help their pre-service students develop the technological competencies important to teaching in the 21st century (ISTE, 2007; 2008), many programs have yet to resolve how to best...