Dr. Alex Rockey explored a unique aspect of online learning while studying for her Ph.D. in education at the University of California Davis: the ecology of feedback. In her research, she focused on how technology shapes the feedback experience in online education. Specifically, she observed the use of technology, including PlayPosit by WeVideo, in a STEM course called Brewing Science.
Objectives
Dr. Rocky’s research examined the nature of feedback in online learning environments. She sought to understand how learners and instructors perceive feedback and to investigate the impact of specific technologies on these perceptions. She focused on discerning how the design and implementation of technological tools in the Brewing Science course influenced user experience. Ultimately, she sought to:
- Examine feedback in online learning
- Determine the impact of technology on feedback
- Consider user experience design
- Observe the connection between technology and learning
Implementation
Dr. Rocky conducted her research over three iterations of the Brewing Science course. During the research period, she utilized various technologies:
- Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for assignments and quizzes, providing essential feedback
- PlayPosit for interactive video lectures, incorporating more
substantial feedback mechanisms
- Zoom for synchronous sessions
- Gmail for correspondence
Results
Dr. Rockey’s research on the ecology of feedback led to insightful findings regarding the perception and engagement of learners in the online Brewing Science course:
- Perception differences: There was a notable discrepancy between the perceptions of instructors and learners regarding feedback. Instructors believed the learners were multitasking while viewing the content in PlayPosit, but learners reported requiring full attention due to the interactive and concentrated content covered in the lectures.
- Engagement with dense content: The learners enjoyed the interactive format of PlayPosit, which encouraged them to concentrate on the material. This interaction was key in maintaining their engagement, especially given the complexity of the content.
- Positive feedback experiences: Students responded positively to the consistent and detailed feedback provided by PlayPosit. This platform offered explanations for correct and incorrect answers, enhancing the learner's understanding of the subject matter.
- Personal connection: The combined use of the various technologies helped establish a more personal connection between learners and instructors in a virtual setting. Seeing their instructors’ faces via Zoom and PlayPosit and being directly engaged by the content led to a more humanized online learning experience.
- Adaptive learning strategies: Learners employed innovative strategies in response to limited feedback in other course areas, particularly in Canvas quizzes. They would refer to PlayPosit’s lecture captioning for clarifications and intentionally chose incorrect answers to access more comprehensive feedback.
Takeaways
Dr. Rockey concludes that the effective use of integrated technologies can overcome the constraints of online teaching and learning. She highlights the importance of understanding learner feedback to tailor online educational experiences effectively. Instructors can enhance student learning by employing high-level practices and pre-programming detailed feedback while efficiently managing their workload.