florida virtual school research
DESCRIPTION
Florida Virtual School, the nation’s largest state K-12 virtual school, engages in multiple instructional research partnerships each year. In this presentation, members of the FLVS leadership team will discuss the process of designing organizational research goals and partnering with external researchers, in addition to sharing the challenges and best practices in managing research partnerships—from research methods/design to data collection and security. Additionally, a summary of ongoing instructional research projects at FLVS will be offered. This presentation will appeal to both providers and researchers as an opportunity to learn more about working together in the important process of research partnership.TRANSCRIPT
Research Webinar
SeriesHosted by:
Disclaimer:
This webinar will be recorded and shared publically. Consequently, anything shared during this webinar, including chat comments, could be shared publically. This webinar may represent a presenter’s or an attendee’s personal views, opinions, conclusions and other information which do not necessarily reflect those of MVU and/or the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute and are not given nor endorsed by MVU/MVLRI unless otherwise specified.
Research partnerships: From planning to publishing
A Research in Review webinar for providers and researchers
Teresa King, Ed.S.Instructional Programs Manager
Jodi Marshall, Ph.D.Executive Vice PresidentBusiness and School Solutions
First things first:Knowing what you want, knowing how you’ll go
about it• Organizational research questions/goal-setting
• What questions can research answer for us?• Cross-departmental input
• Instruction as focus? Other? Seek input from all places• Eye toward vision and mission
• To whom are you accountable? • Keep outcomes in mind
• How will this help us achieve our goals?• Process design if needed
• Documented steps for research process
Initial phases:Planning and developing
Institution Researcher
What data can I provide (e.g. demographic, enrollment, gradebook)? How granular? For how many years?
What data will I need? Is my research design adaptable to provider capabilities?
In addition to FERPA, are there statutory data security requirements in my state? What can I do to ensure student privacy is protected?
Do I address student privacy concerns in my research design? Am I relying on an assumption that the provider will understand how to remove PII?
Do we have a documented process in place to intake research requests? Who will shepherd projects through different departments internally?
Is there a proposal form or process that I need to complete? Do I have everything I need in place in order to complete the proposal process?
Intermediate phases:Data collection and analysis
Institution Researcher
Who will oversee data collection internally? How many people, in what capacity, can afford to spend time on the project?
What steps can the provider take to facilitate data collection? What can I do to ease the onus on the institution being researched?
What is our process for surveying? For introducing interventions to student or teacher populations? Who approves human study research internally?
Is my survey instrument applicable and relevant to the institution being researched?
Final phases:Review and publication
Institution Researcher
Ensure right of review prior to any publication or presentation
Provide draft for institution’s comment
Follow documented procedure for draft review—by committee?
Work with institution to incorporate comments. Fix any factual errors related to institution, as needed.
Challenges
Institution Researcher
Lack of designated process for research management—leads to confusion and inefficiency internally
Inability to modify research design to create feasibility with institution
Overpromising: Data availability (LMS, SIS), sample size/participation
Uncertain or fluid data requests—creates additional work and redundancies for institution
Insufficient understanding of student privacy requirements/data security procedures
Moving too far in the partnership process before securing necessary funding
Recently completed
SRI International: Online Algebra I course analysis (Phase I, Sep 2013) and outcomes analysis (Phase II, upcoming)http://www.sri.com/work/publications/supporting-k-12-students-online-learning-review-online-algebra-i-courses
Harvard PEPG: Virtual Schooling and Student Learning: Evidence from the Florida Virtual School (Sep 2014)http://www.hks.harvard.edu/pepg/PDF/FLVS%20PEPG%20working%20paper%20(3).pdf
In Progress
Project for Educational Research that Scales at Stanford UniversityRFP issued early 2014Proposals accepted Summer 2014Data collection began July 2014 (round 1)Data collection to begin Feb 2015 (round 2)
RCT to introduce growth mindset interventions to online students
The purpose of this study will be to gain additional insight into the nature of the accommodations and strategies that special education personnel provide to students with disabilities and general education teachers in online courses provided by the FLVS part time program.
In Progress
Analyze student outcomes, teacher and course characteristics, prior student achievement, and school contextual factors. Additionally, survey teachers and students to develop hypotheses about student learning and teacher effectiveness in online classes.
In Progress
In Progress
Teacher interviews complete Aug 2014Data collection to begin Oct 2014
RCT to introduce an established similarity intervention to online teachers and students.
REL Southeast brings together the critical elements for success: a thorough knowledge of the region’s education systems and contexts; a history of responding to the needs of state and local educators within the region; deep understanding of the critical issues to be addressed; and extensive expertise in research, analytical technical support, and dissemination. Our strengths include a strong presence in each state served and long-standing working relationships with state and local educators throughout the region.
A Hierarchical Analysis Of Variables That Predict Teacher E-Learning Acceptance: A Predictive Study
Technology Integration and Use in Online K12 Classrooms
Demographics and Preparation of K-12 Online Teachers
Effect of Social Presence in Virtual High School
MVLRI Research Webinar SeriesUpcoming Webinar:
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10/22, 1pm eastern time
Topic: AACE’s new Journal of Online Learning Research
Presenters: Leanna Archambault, Arizona State UniversityKathryn Kennedy, MVLRI
Email: [email protected]: /mvlrinstituteTwitter: @MVLRI_MVULinkedIn: michigan-virtual-learning-research-institute
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