Web-Based Educationin

Parapsychology

Nancy L. Zingrone, PhDDivision of Perceptual Studies

January 19th, 2010

The plan:• Shift Happens: Why Education on the Web?

• Why Parapsychology Education on the Web?

• Informational websites

• Online education definitions

• History of online courses in the field

• Current online courses and programs & the tools they use

• Why virtual environments?

• Second Life

Engage Mehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZokqjjIy77Y&feature=related

Education has changed since we were young.

It’s not like this anymore:

But maybe it hasn’t changed enough:

Shift Happens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyZRS0BnpAI

Are the “Engage Me” kids unusual or is the world really changing that fast?Here’s an answer …

Shift Happens

• Web-based resources are unparalleled and increasing:

– Informational text-based websites

• Encyclopedias/Dictionaries/Bibliographic resources

• Themed information sites run by hobbyists

• Themed information sites run by academics, professional associations, hospitals, universities

• Blogs sites on every topic, of every depth

Shift Happens

• Web-based resources are unparalleled and increasing:

– Informational video- / audio-based websites

• Themed photo tours (Flickr etc)

• Streaming video (YouTube etc)

• Streaming audio (Satellite radio etc)

Shift Happens

• Web-based resources are unparalleled and increasing:

– Online courses and webinars, free and pay-per-view

– Virtual displays (Rome 2.0 etc, Google maps)

– Virtual worlds (SecondLife, OpenSim, ReactionGrid etc.)

• Advantages of web-based resources– Access

• For members, for everybody in theory

• Any time, anywhere in theory

• Disadvantages– Access

• Dependent on capacity of servers holding info

• Dependent on speed/safety/price of internet providers

– Quality

• Dependent on knowledge level of content providers

• Dependent on info design/presentation

Shift Happens

• Why education on the web?– Shift application/registration procedures

Shift Happens

So less of this And more of this

• Why education on the web?– Shift course resources to the internet

Shift Happens

So less of this And more of this

• Why scientific parapsychology education on the web?

– Our need is greater:• VERY FEW on-site/face-to-face opportunities for

graduate students/new researchers• No shared standardized curriculum

– Popular culture depicts our knowledge base even MORE INACCURATELY than that of other sciences

– Skeptical movement DENIES our right to establish ourselves as knowledge-providers for our own disclipline

– Our community is small AND already global

Shift Happens

Informational websites

Parapsychology Foundation Lyceum Site (free access)

http://www.pflyceum.org/7.html

Informational websites

The AZIRE Online Library(free access)

http://www.theazire.org/AZ_Online_English.html

Informational websites

Lexscien Library of Exploratory Science(subscription-based)

http://www.lexscien.org/lexscien/index.jsp

Some definitions for web-based coursework

• LMS/CMS– Learning management or class management system that provides a

framework for the course schedule, resources and student/student – student/teacher interactions

• Synchronous– Online course/class session that takes place in real-time through web-

conferencing software

• Asynchronous– Online course/class session that is available for student/teacher access

at any time

• Blended/Hybrid Course– Course that employs both web-based resources and face-to-face

meetings on campus

History of web-based courses in parapsychology:

Dick Bierman’s University of Utrecht Course, 1994-2008:

http://m0134.fmg.uva.nl/edu/ExcExp/

History of web-based courses in parapsychology:

The AIPA Course (1998):file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner.Gertrude/My

%20Documents/AIPA/CURSO/hide/tabla.htm

Some current web-based courses:

The Australian Institute of

Parapsychological Researchhttp://www.aiprinc.org/courses.asp

Some current web-based courses:

Caroline Watt’s course

at the University of Edinburgh:http://www.koestler-parapsychology.psy.ed.ac.uk/

teachingOSContent.html

Some current web-based courses:

The MSc at Coventry University:http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/ptshortcpd/pgpt/Pages/

pgpt.aspx?itemID=151

The AZIRE education program in development:

The AZIRE Lecture Series http://authorlive.wiziq.com/aliveext/recording.aspx?VIFBJLbQddI62SpY0NAY8jehvms1vv8tveYHcm7F07i

%2f3VifzTJw%2bGreGueOVMKEvLGP9aYuC8ail5UYeGwC3b

%2bJlgs3%2bSlT

The AZIRE education program in development:

The AZIRE Moodle Course:http://theazire.edumoot.com/

Why virtual environments:

• Students learn more if they are immersed in the educational environment

• Virtual environments are infinitely cheaper to design and maintain than physical environments

• Potential students are limited by access to the environment and the languages they speak, but not by space or time

An introduction to virtual world education

by Dr. Constance Johnsonof the Duke University School of

Nursing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL3D-

59MbnY&feature=related

University of Virginia in Second Life

http://cranialtap.com/university-of-va.php

The AZIRE in Second Life

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Madhupak/152/84/60

The AZIRE in Second Life

The AZIRE in Second Life

The AZIRE in Second Life

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Innovation%20Infoisland/153/197/23

The AZIRE in Second Life

The AZIRE in Second Life

And now for something completely different ….

UNC Achordantshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExwEGNcpgmE