Methodology

**Methodology**
This report is produced using a process that is informed by both primary and secondary research. Various aspects and challenges of implementing self-directed and/or collaborative learning for the students are examined by various researchers and practitioners from diverse perspectives. Various international and local experts are sought as the Advisory Board to examine each topic in progressively more detail. The entire process takes place online and is documented on the Research Page.

The Advisory Board is first selected in April is intended to represent a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and interests. Once the Advisory Board is constituted, their work begins with a systematic review of the literature — press clippings, reports, essays, and other materials—that pertains to emerging technology. Advisory Board members are provided with an extensive set of background materials when the project begins, and then are asked to comment on them, identify those which seem especially worthwhile, and also add to the set. A carefully selected set of RSS feeds from a dozen leading publications ensures that these resources stay current as the project progresses, and they are used to inform the thinking of the participants through the process.

Following the review of the literature, the Advisory Board engages in the process of addressing the **three** research questions that are at the core of this Project. These questions are designed to elicit a comprehensive listing of interesting technologies, challenges, and trends from the Advisory Board:

What are the scaffolding or conditions teachers need to provide that will support students' learning experiences when using technology for:
 * Research Question One:**
 * self-directed learning?
 * collaborative learning?

What would you suggest as possible professional development models or scaffolding needed for teachers to create the self-directed and collaborative learning experiences when using technology for students?
 * Research Question Two:**

What do you see as the key challenges related to learning and teaching that schools will face in designing self-directed and collaborative learning experiences using technology for the students?
 * Research Question Three:**

One of the Advisory Board’s most important tasks is to answer these **three** questions as systematically and broadly as possible, so as to generate a large number of potential topics to consider. As the last step in this process, the Advisory Board is asked to comment on the current state of technologies, challenges, and trends in the educational scene.

To create this Report, the Advisory Board will be involved in a comprehensive review and analysis of research, articles, papers, and blogs. A key criterion is the potential relevance of the topics to teaching, learning, and outcomes of education.

Once this foundational work is completed, the Advisory Board will be moved to a unique consensus-building process. In the first step, the responses to the research questions will be systematically ranked on their relevance and impact by each Advisory Board member in a multi-vote system that will allow members to weight their selections. These rankings will then be compiled into a collective set of responses. Once this is completed, these responses will be further explored by education practitioners who are either knowledgeable about them, or interested in thinking about how they might be used. A significant amount of time will be spent researching each of the areas that would be of interest to practitioners.