Educational Communications and Technology: Issues and Innovations – serie

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our society, cultural expectations and needs are changing. Social understanding, family roles, organizational skills, and daily activities are all adapting to the demands of ever-present technology, causing changes in human brain, emotions, and behaviors. An understanding of the impact of technology upon our lives is essential if we are to adequately educate children for the future and plan for meaningful learning environments for them. Mind, Brain and Technology provides an overview of these changes from a wide variety of perspectives. Designed as a textbook for students in the fields and interdisciplinary areas of psychology, neuroscience, technology, computer science, and education, the book offers insights for researchers, professionals, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the integration of mind, brain and technology in their lives. The book skilfully guides readers to explore alternatives, generate new ideas, and develop constructive plans both for their own lives and for future educational needs.

Seeing Autism is a comprehensive but easy-to-understand guidebook for caretakers, parents, educators, counselors, therapists, and researchers on various aspects of rearing and supporting children with autism spectrum disorder. It provides textual and visual information on technology tools, symptoms, diagnosis, auditory, sensory, visual, physical, and educational issues, as well as strategies and practices to help children on the Autism Spectrum reach their potential. Seeing Autism uniquely capitalizes on sketchnotes, a visual thinking tool, to communicate information and practices. Sketchnotes provide a unique space that can help the reader think differently, generate a variety of ideas, explore alternatives, and develop constructive points for expressing ideas and developing visual communication aids. This book will assist parents, educators, and professionals in schools (counselors, school psychologists, librarians) who work with childrendiagnosed with ASD; it will help readers increase their knowledge of autism and gain an appreciation for evidence-based practices and forms of technology that can be used to support learners on the autism spectrum. “This book is a call to arms and is as much a resource for the family friend as it is for the provider coming to the home. In the book Seeing Autism, Dr. Demetria Ennis-Cole helps individuals gain an incredible perspective and learn the struggles, challenges and joys of families rearing children, teens and adults on the spectrum.  This book covers the entire spectrum and is a fantastic mix of research, parent perspective, and even sketchnotes for visual learners. The material is well-balanced and is a great resource to support individuals on the spectrum at home, in the community or in the classroom." Brad McGarryFather, Speaker, Author and Director of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst University

This book is the outcome of a research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology [AECT]. Consisting of twenty-four chapters, including an introduction and conclusion, it argues that informational content should not be the main element of education, and that to provide more for learners, it is necessary to go beyond content and address other skills and capabilities. It also discusses the false premise that learning is complete when the information is known, not when learners seek more: their own directions, answers, and ideas. The authors assert that the ability to synthesize, solve problems and generate ideas is not based on specific content, although education often focuses solely on teaching content. Further, they state that content can be separated from the learning process and that instructional design and educational technology must be about the skills, habits, and beliefs to be learned.

This book is the outcome of a research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology [AECT]. Consisting of twenty-four chapters, including an introduction and conclusion, it argues that informational content should not be the main element of education, and that to provide more for learners, it is necessary to go beyond content and address other skills and capabilities. It also discusses the false premise that learning is complete when the information is known, not when learners seek more: their own directions, answers, and ideas. The authors assert that the ability to synthesize, solve problems and generate ideas is not based on specific content, although education often focuses solely on teaching content. Further, they state that content can be separated from the learning process and that instructional design and educational technology must be about the skills, habits, and beliefs to be learned.

This volume is the result of the annual Summer research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The twenty-two chapters in this volume seek to examine how learning and the design of instruction is interdisciplinary and connective in terms of research and practice.The book is generally divided into three areas: Theory, Research, and Application. This framework shaped the authors’ interactions, discussions, and the informal context of the symposium. Writings are included on multiple levels including research and practice on learning across disciplines, including instructional design and how design thinking is inherently interdisciplinary. How learning is designed for general audiences or for purposely integrated educational experiences has also been examined.

This volume is the result of the annual Summer research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The twenty-two chapters in this volume seek to examine how learning and the design of instruction is interdisciplinary and connective in terms of research and practice.The book is generally divided into three areas: Theory, Research, and Application. This framework shaped the authors’ interactions, discussions, and the informal context of the symposium. Writings are included on multiple levels including research and practice on learning across disciplines, including instructional design and how design thinking is inherently interdisciplinary. How learning is designed for general audiences or for purposely integrated educational experiences has also been examined.

This book explores technology-supported andragogical and pedagogical approaches that facilitate teamwork, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving opportunities in diverse disciplines. Collaboration and communication skills are not typically developed in traditional STEM instructional practices.The purpose of the book includes expanding the learning science research base regarding how learning principles and strategies, including structured, collaborative, active, contextual, and engaging instructional settings, can support foundational STEM instruction and improve student interest and achievement. The chapters are classified into three categories: (a) empirical studies exploring the manner in which technology-enabled pedagogical principles and practices facilitate student interest in STEM courses, (b) exploration of logistical factors associated with revisioning STEM education and (c) theoretical underpinnings and literature review of digitally-mediated team learning.The book showcases full-length manuscripts advancing transformative approaches for technology-enhanced team learning within STEM disciplines. Contributions have been sought from interdisciplinary researchers, developers, and educators who engage in the research, development, and practice of adaptable digital environments for highly-effective, rewarding, and scalable team-based and collaborative learning. These include such topics as real-time tools for teams in classroom settings; learning analytics; effective technology-enabled pedagogies; and technology-enabled, collaborative, pedagogical approaches to broaden participation in STEM disciplines.  Promising approaches and technologies to advance digitally-mediated team and collaborative learning are explored including learning analytics to form effective learning teams. Further, innovative cyber-assisted observation approaches for diagnostic/assessment observation and interaction with student teams, educational data mining of large volumes of collected data, and leveraging.  The book will be of interest to Higher Education Faculty in STEM, Learning Scientist, and K-12 educators and learning coaches.

This book explores technology-supported andragogical and pedagogical approaches that facilitate teamwork, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving opportunities in diverse disciplines. Collaboration and communication skills are not typically developed in traditional STEM instructional practices.The purpose of the book includes expanding the learning science research base regarding how learning principles and strategies, including structured, collaborative, active, contextual, and engaging instructional settings, can support foundational STEM instruction and improve student interest and achievement. The chapters are classified into three categories: (a) empirical studies exploring the manner in which technology-enabled pedagogical principles and practices facilitate student interest in STEM courses, (b) exploration of logistical factors associated with revisioning STEM education and (c) theoretical underpinnings and literature review of digitally-mediated team learning.The book showcases full-length manuscripts advancing transformative approaches for technology-enhanced team learning within STEM disciplines. Contributions have been sought from interdisciplinary researchers, developers, and educators who engage in the research, development, and practice of adaptable digital environments for highly-effective, rewarding, and scalable team-based and collaborative learning. These include such topics as real-time tools for teams in classroom settings; learning analytics; effective technology-enabled pedagogies; and technology-enabled, collaborative, pedagogical approaches to broaden participation in STEM disciplines.  Promising approaches and technologies to advance digitally-mediated team and collaborative learning are explored including learning analytics to form effective learning teams. Further, innovative cyber-assisted observation approaches for diagnostic/assessment observation and interaction with student teams, educational data mining of large volumes of collected data, and leveraging.  The book will be of interest to Higher Education Faculty in STEM, Learning Scientist, and K-12 educators and learning coaches.

This edited volume is based on contributions from the TCET-AECT “Human-Technology Frontier: Understanding the Learning of Now to Prepare for the Work of the Future Symposium” held in Denton, Texas on May 16-18, sponsored by AECT. The authors embrace an integrative approach to designing and implementing advances technologies in learning and instruction, and focus on the emerging themes of artificial intelligence, human-computer interactions, and the resulting instructional design. The volume will be divided into four parts: (1) Trends and future in learning and learning technologies expected in the next 10 years; (2) Technologies likely to have a significant impact on learning in the next 10 years; (3) Challenges that will need to be addressed and resolved in order to achieve significant and sustained improvement in learning; and (4) Reflections and insights from the Symposium that should be pursued and that can form the basis for productive research collaborations. The primary audience for this volume is academics and researchers in disciplines such as artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, educational psychology, instructional design, human-computer interactions, information science, library science, and technology integration.

This edited volume is based on contributions from the TCET-AECT “Human-Technology Frontier: Understanding the Learning of Now to Prepare for the Work of the Future Symposium” held in Denton, Texas on May 16-18, sponsored by AECT. The authors embrace an integrative approach to designing and implementing advances technologies in learning and instruction, and focus on the emerging themes of artificial intelligence, human-computer interactions, and the resulting instructional design. The volume will be divided into four parts: (1) Trends and future in learning and learning technologies expected in the next 10 years; (2) Technologies likely to have a significant impact on learning in the next 10 years; (3) Challenges that will need to be addressed and resolved in order to achieve significant and sustained improvement in learning; and (4) Reflections and insights from the Symposium that should be pursued and that can form the basis for productive research collaborations. The primary audience for this volume is academics and researchers in disciplines such as artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, educational psychology, instructional design, human-computer interactions, information science, library science, and technology integration.

This book examines the topic of learning design from a human, interactive, and collaborative perspective. A variety of pedagogic and instructional modalities are thoroughly investigated as methodologies for creating functional and effective designs for students. The book is appropriate for all levels of teaching and learning, but special attention is paid to the special requirement of higher education, graduate education and post-graduate classrooms.Within the research chapters are embedded numerous examples, case studies, and implementation guides. The book is a scholarly yet practical guide to learning design and everyone from educational researchers in all areas of educational technology to instructional designers and instructional technologists will find it useful and inspiring at once.

This book examines the topic of learning design from a human, interactive, and collaborative perspective. A variety of pedagogic and instructional modalities are thoroughly investigated as methodologies for creating functional and effective designs for students. The book is appropriate for all levels of teaching and learning, but special attention is paid to the special requirement of higher education, graduate education and post-graduate classrooms.Within the research chapters are embedded numerous examples, case studies, and implementation guides. The book is a scholarly yet practical guide to learning design and everyone from educational researchers in all areas of educational technology to instructional designers and instructional technologists will find it useful and inspiring at once.

This open access book focuses on making the transition from in-person, classroom education to other feasible alternative modes and methodologies to deliver education at all levels. The book presents and analyzes research questions to explore in this arena, including pedagogical issues relating to technological and infrastructure challenges, teacher professional development, issues of disparity, access and equity, and impact of government policies on education. It also provides unique opportunities and vehicles for generating scholarship that helps explain the varied educational needs, perspectives and solutions that arise during an emergency and the different roles educational institutions and educators may play during this time.Developed from a highly successful Presidential Session at the annual meeting of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), this edited volume presents AECT and its membership as the premier organization focusing on the provision of educational communications and technology leadership. In addition, it functions as a contemporary document of this global crisis as well as a rich resource for possible future emergency scenarios in the educational arena.

This open access book focuses on making the transition from in-person, classroom education to other feasible alternative modes and methodologies to deliver education at all levels. The book presents and analyzes research questions to explore in this arena, including pedagogical issues relating to technological and infrastructure challenges, teacher professional development, issues of disparity, access and equity, and impact of government policies on education. It also provides unique opportunities and vehicles for generating scholarship that helps explain the varied educational needs, perspectives and solutions that arise during an emergency and the different roles educational institutions and educators may play during this time.Developed from a highly successful Presidential Session at the annual meeting of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), this edited volume presents AECT and its membership as the premier organization focusing on the provision of educational communications and technology leadership. In addition, it functions as a contemporary document of this global crisis as well as a rich resource for possible future emergency scenarios in the educational arena.

This book is about the promotion and development of digital solutions for inclusive education, including a variety of hardware, software, digital learning materials, and digital learning content currently available on the market. All of these technological solutions serve as support materials and building blocks for inclusive learning environments but, at the same time, can involve hidden risks which may inadvertently create even greater gaps in inclusive education. This book provides strategies and methodologies that promote the development of opportunities for using digital technologies to support inclusive education. It provides an, understanding how to close the current digital gap while ensuring that the digital technologies selected do not support new risks of exclusion from the digital learning environment, strengthening and augmenting the already existing digital divide.

This book is about the promotion and development of digital solutions for inclusive education, including a variety of hardware, software, digital learning materials, and digital learning content currently available on the market. All of these technological solutions serve as support materials and building blocks for inclusive learning environments but, at the same time, can involve hidden risks which may inadvertently create even greater gaps in inclusive education. This book provides strategies and methodologies that promote the development of opportunities for using digital technologies to support inclusive education. It provides an, understanding how to close the current digital gap while ensuring that the digital technologies selected do not support new risks of exclusion from the digital learning environment, strengthening and augmenting the already existing digital divide.

Technology has developed at a tremendous rate since the turn of the century, but educational practice has not kept pace. Traditional teaching practices still predominate in many educational settings, and educators are often intimidated by new technology. However, as tragic as the COVID-19 pandemic has been, it has caused many people to rethink education and opportunities provided by new technologies for effective teaching and learning. How can educational communities of practice be reimagined to support a growth mindset for learning?  This volume explores innovative visions for 21st century learning. The content explores the experiences of teachers with new technology, presents research studies that highlight effective strategies and technologies, and shares lessons learned from a unique researcher-practitioner mentoring model. Educational approaches that worked well, challenges that were difficult to overcome, and potential benefits of effective technology integration will encourage readers to reimagine education and implement practices that can strengthen the future of online education.

Technology has developed at a tremendous rate since the turn of the century, but educational practice has not kept pace. Traditional teaching practices still predominate in many educational settings, and educators are often intimidated by new technology. However, as tragic as the COVID-19 pandemic has been, it has caused many people to rethink education and opportunities provided by new technologies for effective teaching and learning. How can educational communities of practice be reimagined to support a growth mindset for learning?  This volume explores innovative visions for 21st century learning. The content explores the experiences of teachers with new technology, presents research studies that highlight effective strategies and technologies, and shares lessons learned from a unique researcher-practitioner mentoring model. Educational approaches that worked well, challenges that were difficult to overcome, and potential benefits of effective technology integration will encourage readers to reimagine education and implement practices that can strengthen the future of online education.

This book examines how society has been affected by the social upheaval of the years since George Floyd’s death and efforts by those in education and educational technology to address the concerns of equity, community and social justice.This book is a practical yet scholarly guide in the pursuit of inclusive design, drawing from a diverse range of authors with a broad range of application and theory. The chapters go beyond a narrow view of inclusive learning design, and address issues in a broad range of fields.This book is appropriate for all levels of learning, with a distinct focus on higher education and graduate education.

This book examines how society has been affected by the social upheaval of the years since George Floyd’s death and efforts by those in education and educational technology to address the concerns of equity, community and social justice.This book is a practical yet scholarly guide in the pursuit of inclusive design, drawing from a diverse range of authors with a broad range of application and theory. The chapters go beyond a narrow view of inclusive learning design, and address issues in a broad range of fields.This book is appropriate for all levels of learning, with a distinct focus on higher education and graduate education.

Learning design is an ill-structured process that must account for multiple stakeholders, contextual constraints, and other instructional needs. Whereas many theories outline learning theories, less is known about the formative design process and how it impacts the design and development of learning technologies. This is critical because a formative view considers the issues that educators encounter and how to overcome them during the learning design process.This edited volume provides a multi-faceted look at theories, studies, and design cases that employ formative design in learning across multiple domains. Topics include processes oriented around design thinking, design-based research, and others. Additional chapters provide contextual considerations, such as describing how formative design was used to design learning solutions for STEM learning and food banks, as well as overcoming challenges in emergency remote teaching. In doing so, the book provides an interdisciplinary view that explores how scholars and practitioners engage in formative practices that support a wide array of learners and contexts.

Learning design is an ill-structured process that must account for multiple stakeholders, contextual constraints, and other instructional needs. Whereas many theories outline learning theories, less is known about the formative design process and how it impacts the design and development of learning technologies. This is critical because a formative view considers the issues that educators encounter and how to overcome them during the learning design process.This edited volume provides a multi-faceted look at theories, studies, and design cases that employ formative design in learning across multiple domains. Topics include processes oriented around design thinking, design-based research, and others. Additional chapters provide contextual considerations, such as describing how formative design was used to design learning solutions for STEM learning and food banks, as well as overcoming challenges in emergency remote teaching. In doing so, the book provides an interdisciplinary view that explores how scholars and practitioners engage in formative practices that support a wide array of learners and contexts.

This book is explores the evolving field of Learning Experience Design (LXD). It provides a multifaceted view of LXD, incorporating perspectives from instructional design, educational technology, and beyond, reflecting the transdisciplinary nature of this design approach. This edited volume responds to the growing recognition of LXD as a distinct area of study and practice within instructional design, especially in the context of rapid technological advancements and changing educational landscapes.The subject of this work is Learning Experience Design, a field integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques to create effective, enjoyable, and meaningful learning experiences. The book delves into participatory and co-design, innovative LXD methods, learning-focused usability research, and theoretical and conceptual advancements in LXD. It features design cases that provide real-world insights and applications, making the content rich and relatable for researchers and practitioners alike.Readers will find the sections on participatory design, innovative methodologies, and the transdisciplinary synergies of particular interest. These areas represent areas of LXD that are in need of further investigation, so as to better illuminate how learning experiences can be conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated. The edited volume’s inclusion of learning-focused usability research offers readers further insights into how learners interact with designed learning experiences, highlighting how insights from such studies can lead to ongoing improvements and foster considerations for future designs.The main benefit readers will derive from this work is a deep, nuanced understanding of current and emerging trends in LXD. Practitioners will gain a wealth of practical strategies and insights to apply in their own work; scholars and students will discover a rich source of theoretical and empirical knowledge to advance both research and practice. The book serves as a catalyst for innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, inspiring readers to explore new territories in the learning experience design.This book offers a comprehensive, insightful, and forward-looking exploration of the field. It will complement the growing corpus of LXD literature, providing both breadth and depth on this dynamic and influential approach to learning design.

This book is explores the evolving field of Learning Experience Design (LXD). It provides a multifaceted view of LXD, incorporating perspectives from instructional design, educational technology, and beyond, reflecting the transdisciplinary nature of this design approach. This edited volume responds to the growing recognition of LXD as a distinct area of study and practice within instructional design, especially in the context of rapid technological advancements and changing educational landscapes.The subject of this work is Learning Experience Design, a field integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques to create effective, enjoyable, and meaningful learning experiences. The book delves into participatory and co-design, innovative LXD methods, learning-focused usability research, and theoretical and conceptual advancements in LXD. It features design cases that provide real-world insights and applications, making the content rich and relatable for researchers and practitioners alike.Readers will find the sections on participatory design, innovative methodologies, and the transdisciplinary synergies of particular interest. These areas represent areas of LXD that are in need of further investigation, so as to better illuminate how learning experiences can be conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated. The edited volume’s inclusion of learning-focused usability research offers readers further insights into how learners interact with designed learning experiences, highlighting how insights from such studies can lead to ongoing improvements and foster considerations for future designs.The main benefit readers will derive from this work is a deep, nuanced understanding of current and emerging trends in LXD. Practitioners will gain a wealth of practical strategies and insights to apply in their own work; scholars and students will discover a rich source of theoretical and empirical knowledge to advance both research and practice. The book serves as a catalyst for innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, inspiring readers to explore new territories in the learning experience design.This book offers a comprehensive, insightful, and forward-looking exploration of the field. It will complement the growing corpus of LXD literature, providing both breadth and depth on this dynamic and influential approach to learning design.

This edited volume offers a foundational exploration of the STEM microcredential landscape. Bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, the chapters in this volume demonstrate the flexibility and targeted nature of STEM microcredentials, meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving job market through competency-based learning. It examines the intricate relationships between learners, higher education institutions, and the workforce through sections focused on an overview, frameworks, and topic studies. By delving into the foundational theories and current practices, this volume sets the stage for the practical case studies and future-oriented discussions presented in Volume II, providing a comprehensive look at the STEM microcredential landscape.

This edited volume builds on the foundational insights from Volume I, delving into specific case studies that highlight the practical implementation of STEM microcredentials across various contexts. With sections focused on educators and non-educators, this volume offers an in-depth look at real-world applications. Readers will gain practical insights and strategies illustrating how microcredentials can be effectively developed, implemented, and recognized. This volume equips readers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the world of microcredentials, supporting their educational and career aspirations. By connecting theory with practice, Volume II enhances the understanding of the potential and challenges of STEM microcredentials, offering a complete resource for navigating the evolving landscape of targeted, competency-based education.

​This book is the result of a research symposium sponsored by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology [AECT]. The fifteen chapters were developed by leaders in the field and represent the most updated and cutting edge methodology in the areas of instructional design and instructional technology. The broad concepts of design, design thinking, the design process, and the design studio, are identified and they form the framework of the book. This book advocates the conscious adoption of a mindset of design thinking, such as that evident in a range of divergent professions including business, government, and medicine. At its core is a focus on “planning, inventing, making, and doing.” (Cross, 1982), all of which are of value to the field of educational technology. Additionally, the book endeavors to develop a deep understanding of the design process in the reader. It is a critical skill, often drawing from other traditional design fields. An examination of the designprocess as practiced, of new models for design, and of ways to connect theory to the development of educational products are all fully explored with the goal of providing guidance for emerging instructional designers and deepening the practice of more advanced practitioners. Finally, as a large number of leading schools of instructional design have adopted the studio form of education for their professional programs, we include this emerging topic in the book as a practical and focused guide for readers at all levels.

The promise of online learning--flexible, learner-centered, responsive--was forward-looking and poised to revolutionize education. But too often online learning courses have little room for student engagement and their design does not reflect the potential for interactive and collaborative learning.Design Alchemy counters this trend by synthesizing the art and science of educational design to model a whole that transcends the sum of its parts. Challenging yet accessible,it clearly sets out steps for harnessing innovative strategies and designer creativity to provide educational platforms that reduce learner boredom and instructor burnout, and encourage deeper interaction with subject matter. Activities, assessment methods, and sample course materials are designed toward improving quality, embracing diversity, and adapting positively to change. And the book's palette of resources enables readers to effectively apply the principles in their own practice:The evolution of Design Alchemy in the context of online learning.Alignment with core theories and practice models.The framework: elements of pedagogy and components of practice.Case studies showing Design Alchemy in real-world learning.Tools, templates, and a sample syllabus.The Design Alchemy Manifesto, summarizing key ideas.Researchers and practitioners in technology and education will look to Design Alchemy as a transformative work to help make the most of student potential, learning opportunities, and their own professional growth.

This theory-to-practice guide offers leading-edge ideas for wide-scale curriculum reform in sciences, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics--the STEAM subjects. Chapters emphasize the critical importance of current and emerging digital technologies in bringing STEM education up to speed and implementing changes to curricula at the classroom level. Of particular interest are the diverse ways of integrating the liberal arts into STEM course content in mutually reshaping humanities education and scientific education. This framework and its many instructive examples are geared to ensure that both educators and students can become innovative thinkers and effective problem-solvers in a knowledge-based society. Included in the coverage: Reconceptualizing a college science learning experience in the new digital era.Using mobile devices to support formal, informal, and semi-formal learning.Change of attitudes, self-concept, and team dynamics in engineering education.The language arts as foundational for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.Can K-12 math teachers train students to make valid logical reasoning?Moving forward with STEAM education research. Emerging Technologies for STEAM Education equips educators, education researchers, administrators, and education policymakers with curricular and pedagogical strategies for making STEAM education the bedrock of accessible, relevant learning in keeping with today's digital advances.