[vox] [fwd] Call for open-source interested/active [K-12] educators: Dissertation research

[Bill Kendrick]

----- Forwarded message from Alec Couros <alec.couros at uregina.ca> -----

Date: Wed, 03 Nov 2004 17:18:54 -0600
From: Alec Couros <alec.couros at uregina.ca>
Subject: [school-discuss] Call for open-source interested/active educators: Dissertation research
To: schoolforge-discuss at schoolforge.net
Cc: alec.couros at uregina.ca
Reply-To: schoolforge-discuss at schoolforge.net

Hi everyone,

I am about to embark on my dissertation research data-collection. For 
this, I am looking for K-12 educators who are involved in the use, 
development of and/or advocacy of free and open-source software. If you 
fit this description, and would be interested in sharing your 
experiences, please contact me. If you don't seem to fit this 
description, do you know anyone who does? Please let me know, or feel 
free to pass on this message to others. I could really use everyone's 
help on this. Please please. :-)

Participation will be done electronically, via email and online 
discussion boards. Possibly other methods depending on the group that is 
interested. There is not a lot of commitment (a few hours I am 
thinking), but I would certainly love to hear of your experiences.

I am also particularly interested in activities that follow closely to 
the open source movement such as open-publishing (e.g., blogging) and 
open-content (e.g., learning object repositories). Collectively, I am 
just referring to this as the open movement, and hoping to find 
participants who are involved in these areas in the K-12 system.

*Purpose:* The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the 
adoption practices of technological innovation by teachers, and in doing 
so, develop theory which relates to the activities and beliefs of 
participants in relation to adoption activities. Emphasis will be placed 
on 'open' forms of collaborative practice.

*Some of my guiding questions include:*
1) What are the characteristics of the open (source) movement that 
encourage and motivate members to participate in open (source) communities?
2) Does participation in open (source) communities encourage and/or 
support the development and adoption of (technological) innovation by 
teachers? If so, in what ways?
3) What perceived value is gained through the membership and 
participation in open (source) communities?
4) What educational activities and experiences result from a 
participant’s membership in an open (source) community?
5) Are there common values and beliefs held by members of open source 
communities, and if so, what are they?

Please feel free to circulate, trackback, comment, pass on, etc. Would 
love to hear from you!

Alec Couros
IT Coordinator - University of Regina
http://www.educationaltechnology.ca/couros

----- End forwarded message -----

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bill at newbreedsoftware.com                            New Breed Software
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/               Tux Paint 0.9.14 is out!