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December 28, 2005

Murray - Knowledge Machine - Notes

I read this book a while ago. I think what I like most about it is the name. I had used this metaphor often prior to finding this book, so perhaps we think alike. The books purpose is to discuss the interaction of computers, language, and society. It's a bit dated as communication technologies have grown massively in the past 10 years since it was published (probably 12 since it was written), but many of the principles remain true.

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December 13, 2005

Birnbaum - Psychological Experiments on the Internet

As one interested in doing research online, I have read many resources on the topic. One of those is Michael Birnbaum's Psychological Experiments on the Internet, Academic Press, 2000. Some of the interesting items in this book include ideas of Web-based decision making, validity, and a good chapter on pros and cons of online experimenting. The survey method seems to be the major emphasis of this book though, leaving some experiments out. Not all of the chapters are noted, as I found them to be either too general or business as opposed to educationally oriented.

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December 05, 2005

Elbaum - Essential Elements

Bonnie Elbaum, Cynthia McIntyre, Alese Smith (2002). Essential Elements: Prepare, design, and teach your online course. Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing.

This book centers on the Concord Consortium e-Learning Model for Online Courses. There is a lot of experience embedded in the information presented in this book. What they have written will work, but you have to keep in mind that it will work if you have an organization that fits the paradigm and an instructor that wants to use this paradigm. Because this works does not mean that something else won’t work better in a given situation. That said, the information presented is very valuable to anyone though, if only to expose you to new ideas of how things can be done well. No matter what paradigm you choose, this book is valuable for the ideas it presents and is a good read as well. At times it is redundant, but sometimes this serves to reinforce important points. A few items seem out of place as I have noted. On final note, this book is strictly set for a facilitated and paced course type.

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