Crafting an Institutional Distance Education Research Agenda

Concurrent Session 1

Session Materials

Brief Abstract

The presenters will describe the development of research units at two universities, including mission, vision and research priorities.

Archivist Notes

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Katie Linder, Oregon State University

Dr. Katie Linder is an avid writer and researcher with a passion for process and peeking behind the scenes at what it takes to be a successful academic. Currently, Katie directs the Oregon State University Ecampus Research Unit and serves as an associate editor for the International Journal for Academic Development. She is also the creator of the Radical Self-Trust Podcast Channel and the host of a weekly interview-based podcast called Research in Action. She writes a weekly essay series called The Academic Creative. Her most recent book is Managing Your Professional Identity Online: A Guide for Faculty, Staff, and Administrators.

Co-presenter: Brad Zdenek, Penn State University - Nittany AI Alliance

Brad Zdenek is the Innovation Strategist for the Nittany AI Alliance at Penn State, bringing to the team over 20 years of experience in supporting, developing, and leveraging disruptive technologies to improve the student experience across the K-20 spectrum. Prior to joining Penn State, Brad solidified his love of education while teaching middle school social studies in North Carolina. After choosing to pursue his graduate studies, Brad took on a number of roles at Penn State, including directing the professional development and outreach efforts for both the STEMScouts and Regional Educational Laboratory - Mid-Atlantic initiatives, helping K-12 teachers to leverage research-based practices for improving teaching and learning. More recently, Brad served as Innovation Strategist for the Center for Online Innovation in Learning, strategically building and supporting a culture of innovation across the university. Brad is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership at Penn State with research interests that include educational ethics, innovation, and the integration and diffusion of educational technology.

Extended Abstract

Research in distance education is a field in need of additional growth. However, most distance education units do not include research offices. In this session, the presenters will share some information about the current state of research for distance education and discuss the development of the Extended Campus Research Unit (ECRU) at Oregon State University and the Center for Online Learning and Innovation (COIL) at Penn State. The presenters will share the centers' mission, vision, and strategic goals as well as the initial research projects being undertaken by the units. The presenters will also offer helpful resources for distance education administrators who are interested in learning more about research design and methodology.

Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own institutional research agendas for distance, continuing, and professional education and to strategize about how best to move their research agendas forward given their current resources. Participants will also be offered tools to help connect their institutional mission with potential research projects that could be undertaken by their distance education unit as well as strategies for identifying potential institutional collaborators to initiate distance education research.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
-Demonstrate an awareness of the current state of research for distance education;
-Reflect on their own institutional research agendas for distance, continuing, and professional education;
-Strategize about how best to move their research agendas forward given their current resources;
-Connect their institutional mission with potential research projects that could be undertaken by their distance education unit;
-Identify potential institutional collaborators to initiate distance education research.