Research methodology and publications

Topics

ISRD research topics include a basis in Kurt Rowley's prior studies. They spanned a range of educational research areas including: educational change and reform, instructional design methods, applications of systems science in education, automated tutoring systems, use of AI in education, hybrid online-onsite learning strategies, and specific teaching strategies. Some of the strategies he used in experimental learning systems include story-based instruction, procedural skills scaffolding, and productivity tools that support the cognitive processes of expert performance.

Methodology

ISRD research follows a 'Design-based Research' methodology. Design-Based Research methods emerged starting in the early 1990s as a response to the limitations of traditional educational research methods, which often failed to effectively improve classroom practices. Researchers like Allan Collins and Ann Brown pioneered this approach, emphasizing the need for research that is both theoretically sound and practically relevant.

In design-based research the researcher conducts design experiments. In a design experiment the researcher applies learning theories in a sequence of learning system design, development, and testing cycles. The learning system's effectiveness is improved through the cycles by collecting feedback from students in each design cycle. This could also be called an evolutionary design cycle with empirical data collection used to feedback and inform each design cycle.

Kurt's first use of a design experiment methodology was an application of general systems theory to inform a cycle of design experiments in his dissertation. He is continuing to study and apply a design experiment research approach to a variety of system design problems. See 'Projects' for current directions.

For a brief summary of selected studies below, check out the Research White Paper.

Publications

• Rowley, K. (2005). Inquiry into practices of expert courseware designers. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 33(4), 419-449.

• Rowley, K. & Meyer, N. (2003). The effect of a computer tutor for writers on student writing achievement. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 29(2), 169-187.

• Bennett, J., Bunker, E. & Rowley, K. (2003). Managing the development of technology-based courses: Success factors from eight government training programs. Acquisition Review Quarterly, 10(1), 76-95. Results of this study were also presented at the 2002 Wisconsin Distance Learning Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, August. (view slides from the presentation)

• Rowley, K., Bunker, E. & Cole, D. (2002). Designing the right blend: Combining online and onsite for optimal training results. Performance Improvement, 41(4), 26-36.

• Steuck, K., Rowley, K. & Kretschmer, M. (2000). Partnering to implement computer-based tutoring systems in secondary schools. Journal of Interactive Instruction Development, 12(1), 16-22. (ERIC Document)

• Rowley, K., Carlson, P., & Miller, T. (1998). A cognitive technology to teach composition skills: Four studies with the R-WISE writing tutor. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 18(3), 259-296.

• Driscoll, Marcy P. & Rowley, Kurt. (1997). Semiotics: Towards Learning-Centered Instructional Design. In: Romiszowski, A. & Dills, C., (Eds.) Instructional Development: The State of the Art, Vol. III, The Paradigms, Models, Metaphors and Viewpoints. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

• Hudtzina, Marilyn; Rowley, Kurt; Wager, Walter. (1996). Electronic performance support technology: Defining the domain. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 9(1), 36-48. (also reprinted in anniversary issue, vol. 10)

• Rowley, Kurt. (1995). Toward a computer-integrated educational system: A design-experiment to create an electronic educational systems design tool (Doctoral Dissertation). Available at the Florida State University Library.

• Rowley, Kurt & Hudzina, Marilyn. (1995). Mega planning: A simulated re-invention of U.S. public schools. International Journal of Educational Reform, 4(3), 271-284.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1995). Understanding software interoperability in a technology-supported system of education. Cause/Effect, 18(3), 20-26.

Papers & Presentations

• Rowley, K. (2007). Meeting market demand for bachelor-level instructional designers. Paper presented at Instructional Technology Forum (ITForum). Sponsor: Department of Instructional Technology, University of Georgia (November Discussion Paper).

• Bunker, E. & Rowley, K. (2003). A Review of Instructional Writing Literature. Research Digest, Instructional Systems Research & Development, inc.

• Rowley, K. (2000). A Computer Tutor for Writers (presentation slides). Invited Research Presentation at a Cognitive Science Symposium on computers in writing. Carnegie Mellon University.

• Rowley, K. (1998, November). Insights of systems theory as applied to web-based training Tutorial T4 of WebNet '98, Orlando, Florida.

• Rowley, K. & Hall, C. (1998, November). Using new scientific knowledge to improve the effectiveness of web-based training. Tutorial T4 of WebNet '98, Orlando, Florida.

• Rowley, K., Steuck, K., Miller, T., & Redmon, D. (1998, August). Lessons learned from large-scale implementation of adaptive tutoring systems: The fundamental skills training project. Panel presentation at ITS '98, San Antonio, Texas.

• Rowley, K. (1998, August). Computational instructional design for construction of adaptive tutors in real time from distributed learning objects. Poster paper presented at ITS '98, San Antonio, Texas.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1997). A design approach for the engineering and construction of CSCL-ITS environments. In proceedings of the AI-ED 97 Workshop on Computer-supported collaborative learning environments and AI, Kobe, Japan, August 20, 1997.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1997). The challenge of constructing a mega-tutor over the web. Proceedings of the AI-ED 97 Workshop on Web-based ITS, Kobe, Japan, August 20.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1997). A generic instructional vocabulary for an interoperable distributed learning environment: Adapting MAESTRO the Writing Process Tutor. Proceedings of the AI-ED 97 Workshop on Interoperability, Kobe, Japan, August 19.

• Rowley, K., Miller, T., & Carlson, P. (1997). The influence of learner control and instructional styles on student writing in a supportive environment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL. (ERIC Document ED404668)

• Rowley, K. & Crevoisier, M. (1997, June). MAESTRO: Guiding students to skillful performance of the writing process. Proceedings of the Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia conference, Calgary, CA.

• Crevoisier, M. & Rowley, K. (1997, June). MAESTRO: The writing process tutor. Proceedings of the annual meeting of the Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia conference, Calgary, CA.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1996). Increasing the effectiveness of ITS research and development. Paper presented June 10, 1996 at the ITS'96 Workshop on Architectures and Methods for Designing Cost-Effective and Reusable ITSs, in conjunction with ITS'96, Montreal.

• Rowley, Kurt. (1996). Literacy in the workplace: How can technology help? Round-table presentation on April 16, 1996 at the annual conference of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), Dallas.

• Rowley, K., & Buckner, T. (1996). Designing effective distance learning: The role of systems theories. Paper presented June 22, at the summer distance learning conference of the Association of Educational Communicaitons and Technology, Tallahassee, Florida.