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e-Learning for Educators
Research
West Virginia e-Learning for Educators is an initiative that provides high quality online
professional development courses for K-12 teachers in West Virginia. The purpose of the initiative is to
improve student achievement by improving teacher content knowledge and pedagogy. The e-Learning for Educators
initiative includes the nation's first large-scale study of the effectiveness of online instruction as a means to improve
pedagogy ("the art or science of instruction"). The initiative is funded by a Ready to Teach grant from the US Department
of Education (USDOE). The research studies have been designated as a high priority of the USDOE.
Why is the research study needed?
Until now, there have been no large-scale studies to determine the effect of online professional development courses
on teaching and student performance. Prior studies of online professional development have been limited with smaller
study sizes, shorter training periods and standardized test scores as the measure of change. In the e-Learning
research studies being conducted by Boston College, these shortcomings have been addressed. The study groups will be
quite large and will cover much longer periods of time. Rather than using standardized tests, student improvement will be
assessed using custom-designed tests that are aligned with the teacher-training.
How will teachers benefit?
All participating teachers benefit by receiving instant feedback on student performance and a stipend. Teachers assigned
to the experimental group also benefit by receiving high-quality professional development, professional development credits,
and non-degree graduate credits. Further, these teachers will be engaged in a community of online professional learners.
Teachers assigned to the control group will also be eligible to take the online workshops once the study concludes.
Benefits for all teachers who participate in the online professional development workshops (teachers in the
experimental group):
If you are a teacher who is selected for the experimental group, you will receive high-quality online professional
development training. Additionally, you might be able to earn 3 hours of non-degree graduate credit per workshop
($105 from Marshall University or $130 from West Virginia University)
Benefits for all participating 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers (teachers in the experimental group and
teachers in the control group):
If you participate in the research study, you will be asked to administer an online content test to your students. This
test will contain questions in either English Language Arts or Mathematics. After administering the test, you will receive
instant feedback about your students' performance. You can use this information to assess your students'
learning and inform future instruction. Results are not just sent out into cyberspace- you get usable results and feedback
immediately.
You will also receive a $300 stipend for completing the online surveys and administering the surveys to
your students.
When will the studies begin, and how long will they last?
The studies, scheduled to begin in April 2007, will last three consecutive semesters ending in spring 2008.
What subject areas and grade-levels will be studied?
The research studies will simultaneously occur in two grade levels: upper-elementary (4th - 5th) and in middle grades
(7th - 8th). Both Math and English Language Arts improvements will be studied. The diagrams below depict how the studies
will be implemented:
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2006-2007 School Year |
2007-2008 School Year |
| |
Spring Semester - Summer |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| 4th Grade Teachers |
Administer ELA Test to Students
Take ELA Teacher Survey
|
ELA Workshop 1 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer ELA Test to Students
|
ELA Workshop 2 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
ELA Workshop 3 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer ELA Test to Students
Take ELA Teacher Survey
|
5th Grade Teachers |
Administer Math Test to Students
Take Math Teacher Survey |
Math Workshop 1 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer Math Test to Students |
Math Workshop 2 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Math Workshop 3 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer Math Test to Students
Take Math Teacher Survey |
| 7th Grade Teachers |
Administer ELA Test to Students
Take ELA Teacher Survey
|
ELA Workshop 1 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer ELA Test to Students
|
ELA Workshop 2 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
ELA Workshop 3 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer ELA Test to Students
Take ELA Teacher Survey
|
| 8th Grade Teachers |
Administer Math Test to Students
Take Math Teacher Survey |
Math Workshop 1 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer Math Test to Students |
Math Workshop 2 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Math Workshop 3 (Experimental Teachers Only) |
Administer Math Test to Students
Take Math Teacher Survey |
If you are interested in participating in this study, or have additional questions, please contact Donna Landin,
WVDE e-Learning Coordinator, at dlandin@access.k12.wv.us or by phone
at 304-558-7012. Additional detailed information and participation criteria is available at the
Boston College e-Learning for Educators website
Also, you may email Boston College at efe.research@bc.edu or phone the research
office at (617) 552-3574.
Additional Documents:
Study Description
Study Teacher Letter
Teacher Model
Study Teacher Registration Form
Professional Development Workshop Descriptions
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