selecting One of the Following topics for Case Studies

Select one of the topics below as your semester project (talk to the instructor if you have any other good topics.)

Having trouble identifying an investigation topic? See what's up in the field and think about how you could contribute to the field as a researcher and a technologist!

"Recent Interesting 690 projects"

1) Podcasting: how and what? 2) MySpace: how are kids using it? How does it affect teens' social skills and identity? 3) Gender and Conflict in the Online Classroom, and 4) Moodling: does it help with teaching and learning?

A study of Online dating (content analysis of profiles), Online matching or mis-matching; How adult students balance work and life; Blogging in the Corporate World; Blogging and students' writing skills; Characterization of Collaboration in Class Blogs; Design for Mobile learning; Barriers facing Mobile learning; An analysis of E-Learning Portals; An analysis of parenting websites; A study of America's terror alert system

A. "Hot and Trendy"

1) Case Studies of mLearning (Mobile) and Podcasting: What are they ? What are the successful cases of mLearning and Podcasting ? How to design learning activities for mobile learning and podcasting?

Quinn, C. (Fall 2000).	Quinn, C. (Fall 2000). mLearning: Mobile, Wireless, In-Your-Pocket Learning. Linezine: Learning in the New Economy
Harris, P. (July 2001).	Harris, P. (July 2001). Goin' Mobile; Learning Circuits
Kossen, J. S. (2001).	Kossen, J. S. (2001). When e-learning becomes m-learning" Palmpower Magazine

2) Case Studies of new and emerging technologies: Podcasting, Second Life, Persuasive Technology, Blog, Wiki, Moodle--what are they and how do they impact teaching, learning, and knowledge management?

Method: You could do a content analysis of several representative blogging communities or observe the blogging activities in some of the SDSU courses.

fh-aachen.de	Weblogs and discourse
blogtalk.net	BlogTalk Conference
learningcircuits.org	We-Learning: Social Software and E-Learning
topicexchange.com	Social Software Talk
friendster.com	Online Dating Community
secondlife.com	Virtual environment for teaching and learning

3) Case Studies of Diversity, participation, & learning outcomes online: culture, gender, etc. How do these factors (cultural background in particular) affect learning online?

aln.org	Exploring asynchronous learning in a multicultural environment
infodome.sdsu.edu	Machanic, M. (October 1998). Gender and Power Issues in On-Line Learning Environments. the Meeting of the International Conference on the Social Impacts of Technology.
coe.sdsu.edu/eet	John Shaffer’s Cultural Implications for Online Learning (with links to several excellent articles)

B. Virtual Schools And E-Learning In K-12 Environments

What are the impacts virtual schools have had on teaching and learning in schools? Is this innovative instructional strategy effective? What are the best ways to promote social interactions among kids?

Another good one will be: technology and literacy education (how to bridge the gap between media literacy and school literacy) (ask the instructor for references)

Williams, J. G. (May, 2000). World Wide Wonder. Techniques: Connecting Education and Careers, 75(5), 22-25.

C. The Digital Landscape of…

Teenagers in San Diego, housewives in California, college students in Beijing, singles in New York…

How are these particular groups presenting themselves on the Internet? What are the communities formed online? How has the Internet affected their lives? How to turn social communities into beneficial learning environment?

Method: content analysis of representative websites and online communities

Note: Most of the case studies can be accomplished through Content Analysis of Websites and online communities. You can also choose to conduct small-scale surveys, observations, and interviews. In any case, because of human subject protection requirements, please get an approval from the instructor before any data collection.