Davis and Ragsdell Article

The article, "Design of an Effective, Web-Based, Global Learning Environment Using the Keller Plan," discusses methods to create and effective web learning environment for virtual students.  The authors specifically address the "Keller Plan," which was "designed to maximize learning by stressing achievement and positive reinforcement" of student achievements." (Davis and Keller, 1)  The article also discusses the differences between sychronous and asynchronous learning environments as well as distance education needs of off campus students.

What are your initial reactions to this theory/model? What are barriers to its use? What benefits might be expected for those who overcome the barriers?

Most of my onlne courses are structured in the format of a Keller Plan, so my first reaction was "great, I already understand the concepts."  When I teach for North Carolina Virtual Public Schools, my curriculum is also laid out in this manner.  The positives of this model are that students favor the individual pacing; some evidence shows tutored students learn better than lectured students; and encourages students to take responsibility of thier learning, and be proactive. Further, courses that are not offered at a physical school can be taken online, providing additional learning opportunities.  Some of the barriers to the use of this theory/model are 1)up to date technology is needed; 2) can be expensive to acquire access to these classes; 3) the proctor for the course may not be skilled in the course content, and therefore cannot assist with the learning process; and 4)some students are not self motivated enough to learn.

Would you attempt to use this theory/model with the students you are currently teaching or hope to teach in the future? Why or why not? Could elements of the theory/model be modified so that it would work with your current/future students?

After learning the details fo the Keller Plan, and referring to my personal experience with this type of learning module, I would not attempt to design a lesson for my current students using this method.  A great majority of my students are not self motivated enough to work independently.  Further, my computer classes require direct feedback from the instructor when completing the task.  This past summer I taught a computer course online for North Carolina Virtual Public High School.  My success rate was much lower than in my face to face classes; and my drop out rate was much higher.  Some reasons for this was that students each had different versions of software which started the confusion.  Others were not proficient with the computer and became frustrated and stopped working in the class.   Lastly, not having a hands on instructor to help them immdiately when problems arose caused alot of frustrations.  I have actually taught a blended class whereby my students accessed content in Moodle; and I provided hands on help.  This also did not work as well as my face to face lectures/instruction.

I would, however, try using this method with my upper level Advanced Business Studies students becuase they have a little more initiative and the course material is more self study.

Since we're taking learning theories/models that were not necessarily created with the Web in mind and turning them into Web modules, what Web-based tools or resources could be leveraged to carry out this learning theory/model online?

The instructor can use Moodle, Elluminate; Wimba Pronto; Wimba Messenger; classjump.com; or similiar technology to present these lessons.

Davis, R. L. & Ragsdell, K. M. (2000). Design of an effective, web-based, global learning environment using the Keller Plan. ICEE, Taipei, Taiwan, August 14 - 16. Retrieved January 17, 2011 from http://www.ineer.org/Events/ICEE2000/Proceedings/papers/WB5-1.pdf