Summary

Statistics E-learning Platforms Evaluation: Case Study

Second Study:

Evaluation of e-learning is very important for all people involved in learning and teaching system. There are several criteria from which e-learning can be evaluated like: Navigation, Instructional Structure, Interactivity, and Applicability and other.

This study aims to examine the effect on using e-learning platforms in statistics course, through the study course, gender, previous experience with e-learning, understanding statistics, study level, structured format, and self-study, the flexibility and freedom in dealing with the course, interactive environment and e-learning problems.
I will focus in my summary in the following features (all evaluated using survey):

1. 
   
   
   
   Flexibility: it is important for students accessing system at any point. This feature is evaluated using this question: “Do you think that e-learning platforms give you the freedom and flexibility to work with the course? For example MM*Stat or moodle”. The question is re-classified into 4 categories: Yes, partial, no, I do not know.
   
   
2. 
   
   
   
   Structured format: A well-designed e-learning platform can help students learning by help them to develop their insights without getting bogged down in the mathematics. The question was to the students: What is your opinion about the structured format of e-learning platform which you have used? This variable is re-classified into 4 categories: Good, acceptable, bad, I do not know.


3. 
   
   
   
   Self-study: E-learning platforms offer the possibility to students to learn alone. The question was to students: Do you think that e-learning platforms improves and increases your self-study? This variable is re-classified into 4 categories: Yes, partial, no, i do not know.


4. 
   
   
   
   Interactive environment: The question was to the students: What are your opinions about the interactive environment of e-learning platforms? This variable is re-classified into 4 categories: Good, acceptable, bad, I do not know.
   
   
   The research concludes that the features specified before are requirement for learn and interact with statistical applications in the learning process. Al though, it is difficult to estimate whether an e-learning system fulfils the need of every learner.

Reference:
Ahmad .T, H¨ardle.W.( August 31, 2008)Statistics E-learning Platforms Evaluation: Case Study _ CASE - Center for Applied Statistics and Economics Humboldt-Universit¨at zu Berlin. Spandauerstrasse 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Retrived on 14/2/2008 from: http://www.econbiz.de/archiv1/2008/58778_statistics_elearning_platforms.pdf

Summary

The Integrated Studies of Educational Technology:
A Formative Evaluation of the E-Rate Program

First Study:
The E-Rate is intended to reduce the digital divide by equalizing access to telecommunications and advanced digital technologies at public. So it is important to make sure that all studnts have equal access to technology.

This study focused on answering two main questions:

1) To what extent is the E-Rate helping to equalize access to the types of digital technology eligible for program discounts?

2) Are schools and teachers able to use the technology that E-Rate supports? How is it being used in the classroom?

The data was collected using the following data sources:

1) ISET surveys conducted during school year 2000–2001, including the following surveys: a survey of technology coordinator in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, The Survey of District Technology Coordinators, The Survey of School Principals, and The Survey of Classroom Teachers.

2) -Rate administrative data covering all E-Rate applications and funded commitments through January 2000.

Reference:

J. Puma.M, D. Chaplin.D, M. Olson.K, C. Pandjiris.A. (October 2002). The Integrated Studies of Educational Technology: A Formative Evaluation of the E-Rate Program. The Urban Institute. Washington, DC 20037-1207. Retrived on 13/2/2009 from:

http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/410579_ERateFinalReport.pdf