Expansion through virtual classes

1. Business Research Report Proposal: Initial Research Proposal
1. Title:Expansion through virtual classes
GeelongGrammarSchool isone of the most prestigiouseducational institutesinAustralia. The facultyis
highlyeducatedandwell trained.Asthe fee structure ishighdue toitswell reputation,mostof the
studentsdonot getan opportunitytostudyinthisinstitution. Virtual classescanbe the source of
educationtoall those willingstudents. Eventhe school will be able toexpanditseducational coverage in
mostparts of Australiaatlesscost.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
While virtual classes can be an important part of education, they cannot replace the natural world.
Computertechnologymayenableustosee an example of how astream'secosystemworks,but to get a
full and authentic understanding; students must take a trip to a stream, and perform their own
observationsandtests.The hypothetical cyberrealisticdemonstratesonlyalimitedview of natural life.
http://www.swdsi.org/swdsi2010/sw2010_preceedings/papers/pa126.pdf
2. Defining the research questions for the identified problem or opportunity
The research question in this case will be as follows-
 What factors affect the selection of CMS (Course Management System) packages
utilised by institution of higher learning?
 What are the availability of and the requirement for faculty training prior to
teaching online?
 Do Colleges and universities require students and /or administrator for online
courses?
Literature Review:
The research was carried out in National College of Ireland from late 2008 to 2010, when
feedback about the virtual class highlighted that distance learning students felt isolated from their
peers, faculty and support staff. Feedback was gathered by way of an online survey to which 44
out of 112 students responded. Students had been specifically asked to comment on their
experience of learning support. Results from the survey indicated that 87% of students were

2. satisfied with both the content and delivery of support of virtual classes. However, additional
comments from respondents raised particular issues in relation to geographic isolation and
infrequency of contact with staff at the main campus.
https://slenz.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/slliteraturereviewa1.pdf
http://www.naspaa.org/jpaemessenger/Article/VOL19-2/03_Ni.pdf
https://eprints.usq.edu.au/2102/1/Maddux_Sprague_Ferdig_Albion.pdf
https://slenz.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/slliteraturereviewa1.pdf
3. Selecting the appropriate research methodologies and techniques to use for the
research project
Research methodologies:
To achieve instructionalobjectiveresearcherchoose surveymethodasfollows.
1. Researchercanprepare questionnaire forteacherandstudent.
ResearchQuestions
The followingresearchquestionsguideddatacollectionforthisstudy:
 What affordancesandlimitationsdidstudentsidentifyrelatedtothe use of the virtual
classroom?
 What factors impacteduponthe effectivenessof the students‟virtualclassroomexperience,
and inwhat ways?
 What informationdoesthisstudyprovide toimprove the use of virtual classroomsfordistance
learning?
2. This questionnaire isgiventostudentsandteachersandthe data can be collected.
3. Researchercancollectthe data and conclusions canbe drawn.
Techniques:
ANNOVA andCorrelation&Regressiontechniquescanbe usedforthe researchproject.
Correlationcanhelptoestablishrelationshipbetweenthe comfortlevel of the studentsandthe
teachersina virtual classwhichcan leadto some conclusion.If correlationispositive,then the
virtual classenvironmentisacceptable forboththe studentsandthe teachers.

3. http://jolt.merlot.org/vol7no4/falloon_1211.pdf
4. Describing the research process
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research question. The research
problem may be something the agency identifies as a problem, some knowledge or information that is
needed by the agency, or the desire to identify a recreation trend nationally.
Step 2: Review the Literature
Now that the problem has been identified, the researcher must learn more about the topic under
investigation. To do this, the researcher must review the literature related to the research problem.
Step 3: Clarify the Problem
Many times the initial problem identified in the first step of the process is too large or broad in scope.
In step 3 of the process, the researcher clarifies the problem and narrows the scope of the study.
Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts
Terms and concepts are words or phrases used in the purpose statement of the study or the
description of the study. These items need to be specifically defined as they apply to the study.
Step 5: Define the Population
Research projects can focus on a specific group of people, facilities, park development, employee
evaluations, programs, financial status, marketing efforts, or the integration of technology into the
operations.
Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan
The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumentation plan serves as
the road map for the entire study, specifying who will participate in the study; how, when, and where
data will be collected; and the content of the program.
Step 7: Collect Data
Every study includes the collection of some type of data—whether it is from the literature or from
subjects—to answer the research question.
Step 8: Analyse the Data

4. The researcher finally has data to analyse so that the research question can be answered. In the
instrumentation plan, the researcher specified how the data will be analysed.
http://www.k12.com/sites/default/files/pdf/school-docs/NACOL_ResearchEffectiveness-hr.pdf
5. Describing data collection and analysis methods
Both primaryandsecondarydata will be usedtocollectthe information.
The study whichcan be adoptedisan interpretive case studymethod,andusingqualitative toolsto
gatherdata. To enhance validity,multipletoolscanbe used.These are:
 Individual participantinterviewsusingasemi-structuredinterview schedule undertakenatthe
conclusionof the virtual classroom sessions. Allinterviews canbe transcribedbyaresearch
assistant.
 An anonymous5-pointLikertscale/shortresponse questionnaire administeredatthe conclusion
of the virtual classroomsessionsusingthe online surveytool,SurveyGizmo.
 Each of the virtual classroomsessions canbe recordedusingascreencapture applicationcalled
IShowUHD. This applicationrecordedasvideoall screen activityandassociatedaudio.
 Data can be collectedwiththe helpof self-made Questionnaire containingquestionsregarding
feestaken,traininggiventoteacher,facingdifficultieswhile usingvirtual classroom,use of
virtual classroomteachingvariousschool subjects.
http://www.oiirj.org/ejournal/apr-may-june2012/12.pdf
6. Describing expected research outcomes
Online learninghasthe potential totransformteachingandlearningbyredesigningtraditional
classroominstructional approaches,personalizinginstructionandenhancing the qualityof learning
experiences.The preliminaryresearchshowspromiseforonlinelearningasaneffective alternative for
improvingstudentperformance acrossdiverse groupsof students.Virtual classroomshouldbe usedto
supplementthe regularteaching. Learningandteachingwill be more effectiveif complimentedby
Virtual classroom. Virtual classroomcancomplementandsupportstudentdevelopmentinitiative.

5. Conclusion:
The virtual classroomtranscendsthe boundariesof location,time and space providingaflexible learning
environmentforall.Schools,universitiesandcorporate organizationsbenefitformVirtual classrooms
because itprovidesanexcellentwayforexpertstoteachageographicallydispersedgroupof students
withouthassle. The virtual classeswill helpthe GeelongGrammarSchool toreach the maximum
numberof students.The studentswillalsobe benefitedfromthe expertise of school’sfaculty.