Module 1: Instructor's Notes #1

I will share Instructor Notes regularly with the class.  The purpose is to point out and summarize class progress to help you to enhance your learning experiences in our class.  We will share the upcoming instructions notes via course Twitter, BBLearn discussion board.  For the first time, we share it via BBLearn e-mail.

Checklist for Module 1: Orientation Week

Have you completed all our required orientation tasks? Don't forget! It is due 08/16/2020, Sunday Midnight.

·         Post your self-introduction on the discussion board area.

·         Sign up a team

·         Start preparing your group tasks.

·         Module 2 readings

Here a few questions asked by our classmates:

You may find them relevant to you.

Q: Can I use my dissertation, conference proposals, or other existing writings for our final paper and other related assignments?

A: Yes, in fact it is highly recommended to use your existing work.  Starting from the scratch isn't ideal at all, unless you have good reason to do so.

Dissertation

In general, one dissertation is too much for one journal manuscript based on the breath of a study.  Remember, it depends on your dissertation study.  In the educational technology field, one dissertation could be divided into 2-3 journal manuscripts. In addition, dissertation length is much longer than a journal manuscript.  Be sure to check the journal's submission guideline.  Furthermore, the dissertation writing format is different from journal manuscript. One of goals for dissertation is to "demonstrate" your ability and capability to conduct scientific research and report your findings etc.  Journal manuscript is "to communicate" with other professionals on your research findings etc.  Our class assignments will prepare you for journal manuscript.  That is the reason why you are taking this class.

Conference proposals/proceedings

The lengths for conference proposals/proceedings generally are shorter than journal manuscript.  Likely, you will need to expand it for journal manuscript. We need to provide more details in each section of manuscripts.

Q: Is it considered unethical to use my published conference proceeding for journal manuscript?

A: It depends on how similar they are.  Generally, proceeding and journal manuscript have very different focuses, particularly in the length.

My suggestion is that your proceeding could focus on a smaller scale of your study while journal manuscript could be more comprehensive that may determine how you frame a conference proceeding or a journal manuscript.

Personally, I rarely publish my study as a proceeding paper because conference proceedings don't carry much weight in the academic performance, such as annual review, and tenure and promotion etc.  While spending so much effort toward publications, why not focus on journal publication.  Remember, this is my personal thought. It doesn't represent others. In addition, your field may be different from mine.

Q: How many words or pages should I prepare for each section (literature review, method, results, discussions, and conclusions) of journal manuscript?

A: That is no fixed answer for this question.  Check journal submission guidelines; therefore, you have better ideas on the word counts or page requirements.  As an author, you need to decide how you may appropriate your space/length for each section in journal manuscript.  You may be able to do this in the beginning of manuscript writing.  When you are finalizing your manuscript, you need to pay attention to the length.

Q: What time of the date the required instructions are due?

A: Midnight of the due date, unless specified.

Q: Can we e-mail you at chih.tu@nau.edu?

A: Yes, please feel free to e-mail me at my NAU e-mail.  I check my NAU e-mail account more often.

Q: It looks like we can visit ECI721 course instructions at https://sites.google.com/view/eci721/ without visiting BBLearn.

A: Yes. Most of course instructions can be accessed on ECI721 Google Sites. Overall, module discussions, e-mails, and grade book are located on BBLearn.  The rest of instructions are on Google Sites to implement the Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Open Network Learning Environment (ONLE) designs.