Damita Majette
OMDE 601-9041
10-13-13
Introduction
Research Question: How does the theory of constructivism affect the development of Open
Universities in the United Kingdom and what is the current empirical evidence used to measure the findings?
In the overview of this assignment, the instructions state to research a topic in the UMUC library that describes one of the key influences, theories, or other aspect of the second wave of DE
(literature search). Choose 10 key articles with which to create a bibliography. Post the topic and bibliography in APA format to your e-portfolio on a page called "Resources" and to the classroom in the discussion area marked for this purpose. In reporting the standards followed in the written assignment, the paper includes an abstract review of the proposed problem related to
Wave 2 of distance education with an emphasis on one influential theory and the emergence of
Open Universities in the United Kingdom. The topic research design, supported by the implementation of leading empirical studies and the top statistically proven research methodology, tested and validated as source materials used exclusively and a written report prepared in APA format according to the individual reference format located in Chapter 7 of the
APA Manual. The reporting measures are still under investigation, emerging daily, and not yet developed in entirely.
Research Topic

This week's skill builder assignment, the assignment, OMDE 601, is to define a research topic/question and then conduct research on the topic in the UMUC library. To start this process the page of the OMDE 601 Library Module, specifically called “Topic Development” discusses how to define a research topic and develop a research question retrieved from the UMUC
Library (http://www.umuc.edu/library/index.cfm). Focusing on the research conducted, a literature review performed on scholarly journals to determine their appropriateness according to purpose. This process involved reading the abstract and scanning the content of the article to determine its usefulness. To identify articles as potential resource material, key words, depending on the library search function used as follows: learning theories, constructivism in education, and information systems, online learning, and instructional technology. Additional resource materials includes information provided in the course module OMDE601 and the writing coach guidance on how to evaluate scholarly resources, which could prove to be helpful in completing this assignment. This paper will discuss various strengths and weaknesses associated with the research methodology and connect key contributing factors that may play a major role in the conclusion of the results taking into consideration the primary studies of groups.
Bibliography
In creating a bibliography, the research topic and ten useful articles related to the research topic/question identified, and a bibliography page, consisting of a list of the ten scholarly resources in alphabetical order and using APA reference format following these two steps.

For information on how to create a reference list using APA format, please see Chapter 6
(pp. 180-192) of your APA manual.


For information on how to format the individual references, see Chapter 7 of the APA manual, which provides reference examples.
The references provided in the research paper acknowledges the work of previous scholars and provides a reliable way to located all the materials and the resources used to prepare this document. The references cited accordingly and all the necessary research techniques executed in a good faith effort ensuring that all credit and supplemental materials distributed amongst parties.

Damita Majette
OMDE 601 Section 9041
Skill Builder #6 E-portfolio
Research Question: How does the theory of constructivism affect the development of Open
Universities in the United Kingdom and what is the current empirical evidence used to measure these findings?
Bibliography Page
American Psychological Association, (2012). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association.
(6ed). Chapter 6, 180-192 and Chapter 7. Washington, DC: Author.
Abrahamson, D., Trninic, D., Gutiérrez, J., Huth, J., & Lee, R. (2011). Hooks and shifts: a dialectical study of mediated discovery. Technology, Knowledge & Learning , 16(1), 55-85.
Retrieved from: http://doi:10.1007/s10758-011-9177-
Buraphadeja, V., & Dawson, K. (2008). Content analysis in computer-mediated communication: analyzing models for assessing critical thinking through the lens of social constructivism.
American Journal of Distance Education , 22(3), 130-145. Retrieved from: http://doi:10.1080/08923640802224568.
Denton, D. (2012). Enhancing instruction through constructivism, cooperative learning, and cloud computing: linking research & practice to improve learning, Tech Trends. 56(4), 34-41. http://doi:10.1007/s11528-012-0585-1.

Drachsler, H., Hummel, H. K., & Koper, R. (2008). Personal recommender systems for learners in lifelong learning networks: the requirements, techniques and model. International Journal of
Learning Technology , 3(4), 5. doi:10.1504/IJLT.2008.019376.
Gainer, J. (2012). Critical thinking: foundational for digital literacies and democracy. Journal of
Adolescent & Adult Literacy , 56(1), 14-17 . doi:10.1002/JAAL.00096.
Kim, Jung Joo. (2011). Developing an instrument to measure social presence in distance higher education. British Journal of Educational Technology , 42(5), 763-777. Retrieved from: doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01107.
Kingsley, P. (2011). The socratic dialogue in asynchronous online discussions: is constructivism redundant. Campus Wide Information Systems , 28(5), 320-330. Retrieved from: doi:10.1108/10650741111181599.
Oztok, M. (2013). Tacit knowledge in online learning: community, identity, and social capital. Technology, Pedagogy & Education , 22(1), 21-36. doi:10.1080/1475939X.2012.720414
Peiris, K., & Gallupe, R. (2012). A conceptual framework for evolving, recommender online learning systems. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education , 10(3), 389-412. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4609.2012.00347.
Ruey, S. (2010). A case study of constructivist instructional strategies for adult online learning.
British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(5), 706-720. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00965.