Debate as a means of promoting deep learning in online distance education. Zoom info below.
This session will present the findings from a Design Based Research project that explored possible methods of implementing a debate in an asynchronous online DE courses, and whether the activity helped learners reach a deeper level of understanding of the topics being discussed.
Dr. Shearer is the 2020 recipient of the Mildred B. and Charles A. Wedemeyer Award. Adjunct Faculty with Lifelong Learning and Adult Education at PSU. Previously the Director of Research for World Campus.
Dr. Shearer has been involved in the field of distance education for over 30 years. In his administrative and instructional design roles he has developed distance education courses for computer-based instruction, educational television, traditional print correspondence courses, two-way interactive video, and the internet. Dr. Shearer has worked for both private and public institutions of higher education and has consulted on distance education projects with community colleges, international institutions, and public school systems. His research interests include systems dynamic modeling of distance education processes, learner control in distance education, dialogue/interaction analysis, and current policy issues surrounding accreditation and copyright law. Dr. Shearer has published several articles, books, and book chapters on the field of distance education and presented at numerous conferences. His latest book with Dr. Saba explores the systems nature of higher education around the theoretical construct of transactional distance, and his 2010 book looks at the theoretical aspects of Transactional Distance and Dialogue in relation to the theory of transactional distance. His recent chapter in the fourth edition of the Handbook of Distance Education reviews the theory of transactional distance and the CoI model and how they impact instructional design and practice in distance education.
Dr. Shearer was responsible for overseeing the R&D unit for Penn State’s World Campus. In his position he worked with a number of GA Fellows and other staff who explored a number of key theoretical and pragmatic areas related to distance education.
Prior to joining Penn State Dr. Shearer was the Director of Research and Instructional Systems at National University.
Dr. Shearer currently serves on the editorial board for the New Zealand Journal of Open and Distance Learning and is on the advisory board for the Advisory Board for UW-Madison’s Distance Education Professional Development (DEPD).
Dr. Shearer has co-authored a recent book entitled “Transactional Distance and Adaptive Learning: Planning for the Future of Higher Education” – which can be found here.
Rebecca is a distance education researcher and the lead instructional designer for the Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Program with The Pennsylvania State University at World Campus. &, with research interests at the intersection of globalization and internationalization with quality indicators and assurance standards for online distance education. Rebecca also serves on a research cohort with the Oregon State University Campus Research Unit to study Perceptions of Learning Data in Higher Education. She acts as an Open Education Resources (OER) Research Fellow with the Open Education Group supported by Bingham Young University, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Lumen. Prior to her employment with Penn State, Rebecca developed online and blended learning solutions for K-12 leaders and educators with the Southern Regional Education Board to serve 36 states across the nation. Since COVID-19, Rebecca has partnered directly with state and district leaders to brainstorm solutions for equitable remote learning and instruction. In addition, she is an established technical writer, learning design consultant, and eLearning developer for corporate software companies.