ERIC Number: EJ999563
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1449-5554
EISSN: N/A
The Role of Theory in Learning Technology Evaluation Research
Phillips, Rob; Kennedy, Gregor; McNaught, Carmel
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, v28 n7 p1103-1118 2012
This paper attempts a fundamental analysis of the nature of research into e-learning and the role that theory plays in this. We examine "research" in broad terms, and the nature of phenomena in general. We identify that e-learning is an artificial phenomenon, and that research approaches need to be cognisant of the design elements in e-learning, and the cyclical nature of e-learning development. We identify various desired research outcomes which are appropriate at each stage of the e-learning lifecycle, and argue that studies of e-learning involve a mixture of evaluation and research. We discuss e-learning evaluation research in the context of different disciplinary and interdisciplinary research approaches, recognising that there is no one "right" way to do e-learning evaluation research. However, we recognise that there is a varying mixture of a "search for fundamental understanding" and "consideration of use" in e-learning evaluation research. We use these considerations to discuss the role of theory in educational research, and, in particular, in e-learning evaluation research, before applying the preceding arguments to the e-learning lifecycle, identifying five different forms of evaluation research. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Research Methodology, Educational Research, Evaluation Research, Role Theory, Educational Technology, Technology Education, Scholarship, Information Technology, Formative Evaluation, Summative Evaluation, Influence of Technology, Technology Integration, Learning Processes
Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education. Ascilite Secretariat, P.O. Box 44, Figtree, NSW, Australia. Tel: +61-8-9367-1133; e-mail: info@ascilite.org.au; Web site: http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A