inacol research in review webinar: blended and online learning clearinghouse
DESCRIPTION
Information about the K-12 blended and online learning research clearinghouse.TRANSCRIPT
Research Clearinghouse for K-12 Blended & Online Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute:Joe Freidhoff, DirectorKristen DeBruler, ResearcherJustin Bruno, Research Associate
October 2013
http://k12onlineresearch.org
Overview
1.) Background and evolution of Clearinghouse project
2.) Current use and functionalities
3.) Ideas for future
About MVLRI• Established in 2012 under operation of
Michigan Virtual University
• Charged with producing original research and reports to inform K-12 knowledge and policy regarding online and blended learning
Clearinghouse Initiative
• Result of rewriting of Michigan Public Act 60, known as the State School Aid Act
– Legislation requires its provision to house research reports, academic studies, evaluations, and other information related to online learning
iNACOL & NGLC Partnerships
• iNACOL’s K-12 online research database supported by Next Generation Learning Challenges had considerable overlap
• Avoid duplication – collaborate to manage and offer the site housing resources
Clearinghouse Evolution• Early contributor – UF’s Virtual School
Clearinghouse– Focus on virtual schooling and VS evaluation– Directed by Dr. Rick Ferdig, sponsored by AT&T
Foundation– Shared hundreds of references for this project
• Many references identified by MVLRI and iNACOL staff
Clearinghouse Evolution, Cont.• Current contributor – Center on Online
Learning and Students with Disabilities
• Now houses 493 references to impactful research in the field of online and blended learning
• http://k12onlineresearch.org
Using the Clearinghouse• Recommended browsers: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox• Search functionality includes a number of search criteria (title,
author, keywords, etc.) across 4 separate fields– Using an asterisk “*” after your search term is strongly
recommended. Acts as wildcard and returns more results
Topic KeywordsHyperlinked on the home page to create easy, one-click searches by keyword
Date Added Keywords• One of the most useful search functions is the “Date
Added” keyword search– Allows you to see the most recently added references
to keep abreast of research in the field
Project Contributor KeywordThis keyword search organizes records by the project contributor
Search Results OptionsFrom the results screen after your search, users can click the “Details” link to get more detailed information on the record
Navigating Search ResultsUsers can click the <Record or Record> to navigate forward or backward through search results
Creating a BibliographyTo create a bibliography, place a check next to your selected records from the results, and click the “Bibliography” button from the top of the page
Creating a Bibliography, Cont.Users then have the option of saving or printing the bibliography, in APA 6th edition citation style
Exporting RecordsUsers can export selected records in either RIS or XML format for the purposes of adding to their own reference library. Simply check the box next to your selected records, choose your file type from the drop down menu, and click “Export”
Getting Started Guide
For further assistance, please refer to our “Getting Started” guide at:
http://k12onlineresearch.org/templates/PDF/gettingstarted.pdf
Clearinghouse Future
• MVLRI and iNACOL seek project contributors– Contributors: organizations wishing to provide
research references and promote the Clearinghouse to their audiences
– MOU outlining contribution and promotion expectations
• Project contributor guidelines are located at http://k12onlineresearch.org/templates/PDF/contributorguide.pdf
Clearinghouse Future, Cont.
• Vision: crowd-sourced, community driven by involvement from the field– Maintaining balance of growth while ensuring
quality references
• Sustainability: value-add opportunities?– Linking to paywalled articles from contributors
Ideas for the Future
• Keyword tagging– Selecting a featured keyword for each month– Interested individuals could survey a certain
set of resources for one specific keyword– Identify resources already in your EndNote
library housed in the Clearinghouse, submit your own keywords
Ideas for the Future
• Seeking individuals to help tag resources with appropriate keywords– Many references currently housed are not
exhaustively tagged
• Interested individuals can contact Kathryn Kennedy at [email protected]
Questions? Ideas?
Please use the chat box to submit any questions for the presenters, thoughts, ideas, etc.
http://k12onlineresearch.org