Shiyao Zhang's HW(4/1/2012)

Citation source:

1. Cropper, Max H., Bentley, Joanne P.H., and Schroder, Kerstin.(2009). How Well Do High-Quality Online Courses Employ Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction? Questia Online Library. (34.1). 121-140. Retrieved March 31, 2012, from http://www.springerlink.com/content/p404n84jt1012318/.

Summary:

Merrill’s first principles should be included in the myriad of criteria for determining online course quality. Award-winning courses tend to use Merrill’s first principles, and it seems likely that there is still significant room for improvement of even award-winning courses.

Assessment:

Max H. Cropper is a director at Five Star Performance Solutions Member at AECT,Associate at Chapman Alliance. He is graduated from Utah State University. Joanne P.H. Bentley is a assistant professor in the department of Instructional Technology at Utah State University. Kerstin Schroder (Ph.D, M.A., Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior. She is affiliated as an Associate Scientist with the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), the Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC), and the Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC). Therefore, this source is credible to me.

Reflection:

The source offers specific detail about the importance of quality among instructors who teach online courses. The main method to evaluate it is the Merrill's principles, which can also promote to the high-quality online courses employment. 

2. Duh, M. (2010, May 24). Interactive e-learning materials: How to prepare and use it properly? IEEE Xplore Digital Library.833-836. Retrieced March 31, 2012, from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5533536&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D5533536

Summary:

During last decade the advances in the computer science and web technology have changed the perception of the ideal e-learning material. New learning material must be interactive and actively involve students into the learning process. The idea is generally good but the implementation sometimes falls behind.

Assessment: 

M. Duh is a faculty of Education, faculty of Arts at University of Maribor. So his source is credible to me.

Reflection:

The source offers the how to use online materials properly to teach students. In the article it also explain how to involve students into the learning process. What are the right ways to use interactive technologies? How much should it automate and where should it stop?

Images:
1. Distance Learning. (2010). Photo. Flickr. http://www.siskiyous.edu/distancelearning/

This image can be used to show that instructors with many skills about technology must have high quality to teach online courses. 

2. Confused about Internet. (2012). Image. Google. Original image accessed from http://www.gonzostoolbox.com/StoriesFolder/FounditOntheInternet.html

The image can be used to show that instructors lack of training to use software, which leads to misuse of technology.

3. Clipper International. (2006). Image. Google. Original image accessed from http://clipper000.en.ec21.com/offer_detail/Wireless_Internet_Equipment--578862.html?gubun=S

The image can used to show that distance learning must include various devices which cost much money. This case causes hidden cost problem in online courses.

4. “Jigsaw” Approach to Classroom Management. (2010). Image. Google. Original image accessed from http://areliefteachersjourney.blogspot.com/2010/07/back-in-2008-my-reflections-on-my.html

This image can directly show the importance of attitude from teachers in online courses.

5. 10 Continuous Improvement Strategies To Help You Work Smarter...Not Just Harder. (2010). Image. Google. Original image accessed from http://www.real-estate-marketing-link.info/continuous_improvement_strategies.html

The image is used for the part of conclusion and to show that distance learning should be improved well by avoiding those problems.