Release early, bring in the back channel.

Framed in a google search clone. "We call for examining the ways in which researchers actually use online resources for scholarly projects rather than lamenting how these researchers are not following prescribed models of efficient, purposeful online research. We, in other words, seek to consider the value of researchers' existing practices. In this early research, we find that for the participant-researchers in this study:

Multiple online resources are used together in unadvertised, collaborative ways.
“Unstructured” online research can be inventional."

Weller and Groom. State of the academy: " The uptake of new technologies in research and associated practices can be seen as a barometer for innovation within higher education. ... We suggest one possible antidote to this zombification of higher education is the use of new technologies and particularly the cultural norms they embody." Yes, and yes again. Complication arises when the local culture is a Dawn of the Dead shopping mall.

Detailed workflow that combines procedure with writing advice. Well, more detailed in using DT and Sente than Scrivener and Pages, and more detailed in note taking than drafting.  Highlights affordances of each application. 

Good posts for grad students and researchers

identifies some of the strategies that create solid collaborative work on wikis by looking at life cycles on corporate wikis

Thorough research with a diverse group of students. The reach the usual conclusions but wisely emphasize moderation of claims. Representative anecdotes. "Through collaboration and iteration, we were able to significantly increase and improve the effectiveness of our use of wikis in writing-intensive classes. We found that although the wikis were a compelling tool for teaching writing and although students improved their confidence in and ability to write, we could not attribute either of these effects directly to our use of wikis. Instead, wikis facilitated the methods of teaching writing we already practiced, such as multiple drafts, self and peer review, and writing for audiences other than the teacher. We found wikis most useful as a tool for student collaboration and were delighted by the community building effects of this collaboration.

An outside view of ACU's distro of iphones to students and teachers based on interviews with the players. "The success of such programs depends both on the ubiquity and availability of the devices, as well as acceptance by the staff and students. The purely voluntary method of distribution and the freedom to use the device as a social and entertainment tool offered as part of the package both went a long way toward furthering the latter."

Check periodically for seminars and publications.

How some press gobble up lite research.

MLA panel on Twitter with David Parry and others,

Purdy and Walker look into how undergrads perform research for course work.

Looks like a point for hybrids - until you look at the confounds created between the two courses. This was not an online or DE course.

the study of computers as persuasive technology. The blog is the most interesting section.

Report on using blogs in pro dev - action research, etc

summary post concerning "email makes you stupid" media reports of 2005.

University of York Computer Science Project
Jonathan Davies, Sept 2004

use of NMPOV in writing and assessment. researchers place students under rhetorical constraints of writing in NPOV as a way of prompting negotiation and collectivist moves.

Schwartz

writing in digital environments - MSU