Because today-s media centric students have adopted digital as their native form of communication... more Because today-s media centric students have adopted digital as their native form of communication, teachers are having increasingly difficult time motivating reluctant readers to read and write. Our research has shown these text-averse individuals can learn to understand the importance of reading and writing if the instruction is based on digital narratives. While these students are naturally attracted to story, they are better at consuming them than creating them. Therefore, any intervention that utilizes story as its basis needs to include instruction on the elements of story making. This paper presents a series of digitally-based tools to identify potential weaknesses of visually impaired visual learners and to help motivate these and other media-centric students to select and complete books that are assigned to them
Abstract: This paper presents data from several studies that analyze the effects of a video-based... more Abstract: This paper presents data from several studies that analyze the effects of a video-based reading curriculum that opens up new opportunities for teaching text-averse, digital learners to become good readers and writers. The Digital Booktalk (DBT) Model is a curriculum ...
Research has shown that quality teacher-student interactions far outweigh all other consideration... more Research has shown that quality teacher-student interactions far outweigh all other considerations to produce positive learning outcomes. Although this may be inherently obvious, few teacher preparation programs dedicate much time to training teachers how to create positive interactive, constructivist learning environments. Much can be learned about how to develop participatory learning skills in their students from a review of the best practices utilized by live interactive performers whose ultimate success is determined by the quality of the interactions with their audiences. The techniques described in this article represent a recollection over a ten-year period of the techniques and tactics utilized by interactive performers and an analysis of these strategies by a researcher trained in instructional design.
Attempts to increase motivation in reluctant readers have been the focus of many local, state and... more Attempts to increase motivation in reluctant readers have been the focus of many local, state and federal reading research initiatives. Only recently have researchers and educators come to understand that many of these same issues also face teachers of gifted and talented learners. Frequently, students who are bright and talented but do not perform to their academic ability are categorized as being underachievers or unmotivated. In this article, the authors explore some reasons why gifted students struggle with reading and why they, like those in regular classrooms, are reluctant to read and write. This study uses a computerized version of the Matching Familiar Figures Test as an identifier and predictor of student performance. An instructional intervention (UB the Director Model) is also utilized to determine if these instructional practices help to overcome these students’ reluctance and lack of motivation.
International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design, 2014
Newer social media have brought about attention deficits brought on by a flood of distractions, s... more Newer social media have brought about attention deficits brought on by a flood of distractions, such as text messaging, blogging, and browsing on mobile devices and laptops brought into the classroom. It appears that online learning places the same demands on learners' ability to remain on-task and focused. While following up on assessing the benefits of live satellite broadcasts from remote areas of the world, the researchers made several interesting discoveries about the nature of the design of the content management system that delivered the classroom experience. The interface included a means by which students could synchronously chat during the live broadcasts. The ability to multitask appeared to increase participants' engagement in the class and their sense of social presence. The researchers present their results based on the results of a pre and post participant questionnaire to determine how best to sustain student engagement and interaction in a distance-learning ...
International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 2013
This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers’ attitude... more This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward video games. Using a cognitive style continuum measuring field dependence and field independence, the authors conducted an exploratory study to measure the potential impact of cognitive style on pre-service teachers’ dispositions towards the use of games in their future classrooms. Results showed that participants who planned on becoming teachers were generally found to be more field dependent than peers who elected other major fields of study. These participants also demonstrated a general reluctance towards using console games in their future classroom situations. After the brief experience playing the console game, however, these pre-service teachers’ attitudes changed significantly with regards to their game playing attitudes and preferences.
Because today-s media centric students have adopted digital as their native form of communication... more Because today-s media centric students have adopted digital as their native form of communication, teachers are having increasingly difficult time motivating reluctant readers to read and write. Our research has shown these text-averse individuals can learn to understand the importance of reading and writing if the instruction is based on digital narratives. While these students are naturally attracted to story, they are better at consuming them than creating them. Therefore, any intervention that utilizes story as its basis needs to include instruction on the elements of story making. This paper presents a series of digitally-based tools to identify potential weaknesses of visually impaired visual learners and to help motivate these and other media-centric students to select and complete books that are assigned to them
Abstract: This paper presents data from several studies that analyze the effects of a video-based... more Abstract: This paper presents data from several studies that analyze the effects of a video-based reading curriculum that opens up new opportunities for teaching text-averse, digital learners to become good readers and writers. The Digital Booktalk (DBT) Model is a curriculum ...
Research has shown that quality teacher-student interactions far outweigh all other consideration... more Research has shown that quality teacher-student interactions far outweigh all other considerations to produce positive learning outcomes. Although this may be inherently obvious, few teacher preparation programs dedicate much time to training teachers how to create positive interactive, constructivist learning environments. Much can be learned about how to develop participatory learning skills in their students from a review of the best practices utilized by live interactive performers whose ultimate success is determined by the quality of the interactions with their audiences. The techniques described in this article represent a recollection over a ten-year period of the techniques and tactics utilized by interactive performers and an analysis of these strategies by a researcher trained in instructional design.
Attempts to increase motivation in reluctant readers have been the focus of many local, state and... more Attempts to increase motivation in reluctant readers have been the focus of many local, state and federal reading research initiatives. Only recently have researchers and educators come to understand that many of these same issues also face teachers of gifted and talented learners. Frequently, students who are bright and talented but do not perform to their academic ability are categorized as being underachievers or unmotivated. In this article, the authors explore some reasons why gifted students struggle with reading and why they, like those in regular classrooms, are reluctant to read and write. This study uses a computerized version of the Matching Familiar Figures Test as an identifier and predictor of student performance. An instructional intervention (UB the Director Model) is also utilized to determine if these instructional practices help to overcome these students’ reluctance and lack of motivation.
International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design, 2014
Newer social media have brought about attention deficits brought on by a flood of distractions, s... more Newer social media have brought about attention deficits brought on by a flood of distractions, such as text messaging, blogging, and browsing on mobile devices and laptops brought into the classroom. It appears that online learning places the same demands on learners' ability to remain on-task and focused. While following up on assessing the benefits of live satellite broadcasts from remote areas of the world, the researchers made several interesting discoveries about the nature of the design of the content management system that delivered the classroom experience. The interface included a means by which students could synchronously chat during the live broadcasts. The ability to multitask appeared to increase participants' engagement in the class and their sense of social presence. The researchers present their results based on the results of a pre and post participant questionnaire to determine how best to sustain student engagement and interaction in a distance-learning ...
International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 2013
This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers’ attitude... more This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward video games. Using a cognitive style continuum measuring field dependence and field independence, the authors conducted an exploratory study to measure the potential impact of cognitive style on pre-service teachers’ dispositions towards the use of games in their future classrooms. Results showed that participants who planned on becoming teachers were generally found to be more field dependent than peers who elected other major fields of study. These participants also demonstrated a general reluctance towards using console games in their future classroom situations. After the brief experience playing the console game, however, these pre-service teachers’ attitudes changed significantly with regards to their game playing attitudes and preferences.
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Papers by robert kenny