POPULAR RESOURCES

• Accredited Online Colleges
• AERA
• Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning
• Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
• Disability Resources - Distance Education
• Distance Educator.com
• Distance Education Clearinghouse
• Distance Education Grants
• Distance Learning Research and Publications
• ERIC
• International Society for Technology in Education
• USDLA
• Research in Open and Distance Learning
• Web Based Learning Library
• Campus Technology Webinars

AREAS OF INTEREST

I am intrigued by the theoretical aspects of education and the research that supports it, within the context of educational technology, educational psychology and distance learning. Specifically, my interests are in educational technology and instructional design, focusing on the developmental principles and content of educational websites.

My areas of major interest are:

• Education in a Computer-based Learning Environment
• Learning style assessment
• Distance Learning / E-learning
• Curriculum Development and Instruction
• Information Warehousing
• Cyber-Ethics
• 3D Learning Tools and Game Design

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• A survey of the freshman and junior populations at over 30 university campuses, as well as the college Admissions, Computer Science, and Mathematics departments for their needs, wants, and requirements from a college preparatory computer science curriculum.

  This exploratory study is investigating the current entry level computer skill standards of 30 colleges and universities to provide direction for specific K-12 curricular development, and to continue work within the context of the larger goals of Minnesota's Digital Learning Plan, the national No Child Left Behind, and the International Society for Technology in Education's Foundational Standards. Data collected from online survey forms and telephone interviews is being analyzed, emergent themes identified, and a model of common entry level standards created. Preliminary results suggest entry level computer skills include general computer skills (menus, shut down, reboot, etc.); file management skills (navigation, organize, delete, etc.); word processing (edit, format, save, etc.); printing (format, management, etc.); and, Internet navigation and search skills (navigation, information retrieval, etc.). Recommendations for overcoming curricular adaptation barriers and instruction will be offered, and future research opportunities identified to ensure that technology curriculums are both efficient and supportive of engaged learning.

• Digital Learning and Instructional Design: focusing on the developmental principles of educational game design, and gender role theory. Specifically, I am currently completing a literature review addressing the following general questions:

  "How do gender patterns affect students' approaches to designing and/or playing digital learning games, and what do they learn from these games?"

  This is intended to dovetail with the 2007 National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) which includes skills in "digital game design" as part of its Profile for Technology Literate Students (Grades 9-12), and is in accord with ISTE's Essential Conditions.
  
  

Additional Research Projects:


• East Asian History and Culture - focusing on Japanese sword history, restoration and preservation. Specifically, the book I am currently writing relates to the anatomy of tsuka-maki by describing and graphing the historical, cultural, and physical aspects of thirty different styles of tsuka.
  
  

  In addition, my two previously published books, Ancient Japanese Swords and Fittings, and, Across the Spectrum: Historical Trends in Japanese Lacquer-ware, are scheduled to be republished in ebook formats in February and March of 2010, repectively.
  	(click on an image to enlarge)

SELECT SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS (click here to request a complete list)

Refereed Publications Buck, T. L. (2008). Technology literacy recommendations: A review of common college and university entry level standards. Accepted for publication in Journal of Research on Technology in Education. Buck, T. L. (2006). Jewish roots of Freemasonry. Scottish Rite Journal, v114, n4, pp. 6-8. Buck, T. L. (2004). An investigation of field dependence - independence and cognitive abilities in a nonlinear distance learning environment. Dissertation, Walden University. Buck, T. L. (1999). The traditional Japanese urushi techniques, Conservation of Urushi Objects, Postprints of the International Symposium on the Conservation of and Restoration of Cultural Property 1999, Tokyo, National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo, p. 206. Buck, T. L. (1996). Development of a self-administered efficiency evaluation and an informal learning style assessment tool (Masters thesis, Portland State University, 1996). Masters Abstracts International, 57, Z5055. Buck, T. L. (1994). Saya lacquering - How to put on a mirror finish. Colorado Token Kai Quarterly, v4, n1, pp. 10-14. Buck, T. L. (1993). Tsuka-maki, the art of Japanese sword restoration. Colorado Token Kai Quarterly, v1, n1, pp. 3-8. Buck, T. L., Bonney, C. (1987). Jefferson County Needs Assessment. Wheat Ridge, CO: Seniors' Resource Center, Inc. Buck, T. L. (1984). The historical significance of the Paris Commune of 1871. The Historian: History Honor Society Memoirs, 25(7), pp. 22-34. Buck, T. L. (1983). The historical classification and general construction of the samurai sword. The Middle States Historical Journal, v32 (Apr. 1983), 341-352. Presentations and Workshops Buck, T.L. (2007). Learning AP Computer Science with different programming interfaces: Starlogo TNG vs. 3D Game Studio, presented to the Department of Education at University of Minnesota, Duluth. Buck, T.L. (2007). Comparative world religions: Judaism and Budhism, a workshop presented at the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) meeting, Golden Valley, MN. Buck, T.L. (2006). Tablet PC's in the classroom, a workshop presented at the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) meeting, Golden Valley, MN. Buck, T. L. (2004). An investigation of field dependence - independence and cognitive abilities in a nonlinear distance learning environment. Paper presented at the annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), New Orleans, LA. Buck, T. L. (2003). Web page design and development using Macromedia Dreamweaver Web authoring software, a one day workshop for educators, presented at Marshall School, Duluth, MN. Buck, T. L. (2000). Teacher training and the integration, design, and use of on-line interactive multimedia encyclopedias: A case study. Paper presented at the annual conference of National Education Computing Consortium, Atlanta GA. Buck, T. L. (2000). The development of multimedia presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint, a one day workshop for educators, presented at Marshall School, Duluth, MN. Buck, T. L. (1999). A comparative study of the distance learning programs at Portland State University and Portland Community College, paper presented at the Walden University Student Symposium on Distance Learning, University of Indiana, Bloomington. Buck, T. L. (1998). Imaging devices such as Scanners, Digital Cameras and Graphics Design, a one day workshop for educators, presented at Marshall School, Duluth, MN. Buck, T. L. (1998). Development of a modular nonlinear distance learning environment. Paper presented at the Walden University Student Symposium on Distance Learning, University of Indiana, Bloomington. Buck, T. L. (1995). CIM/CAM - Oregon's High School graduation requirements, a one day workshop for public school educators, presented at Dexter McCarty Middle School, Gresham, OR. Buck, T. L. (1995). CIM/CAM/Diploma implementation and integration, a two day workshop for Portland public school educators, presented at the Career Symposium & Education Fair, Portland State University, OR. Buck, T. L. (1989). EMR learning environment relationships - A case study. Paper presented at the Colorado Symposium on Special Education, University of Colorado, Denver. Buck, T. L. (1989). Tsuka-maki: An applied art, a one day workshop presented at the Denver Art Museum. Buck, T. L. (1983). The historical classification and general construction of the samurai sword. Paper presented at the Regional Meeting of the Minnesota Phi Alpha Theta chapters, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Editorial/Reviewer Projects Reviewer for American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2008 Annual Meeting Presentations: Recalde, X .; Lockard, J. (2007). Technology Integration and Cognition. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. Williams, D. (2007) The Design of a Game Management System to Facilitate Formative Assessment in a Game-based Learning Environment. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA. Shin, Eui-Kyung (2007). The Teacher's Role When Working With GIS Technology: A Case Study. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. Fyle,C. O.; Dennen, V. P.; Olina, Z. (2007). The Effects of Field Dependent/ Independent Style Awareness on Learning Strategies and Outcomes. Florida State University, FL. Choi, I.; Lee, S. J.; Hong, Yi-Chun (2007). The Role That Students' Learning Styles Plays in Complex Problem Solving Over Time while Implementing a Case-Based E-Learning Environment in a Lecture-Oriented Anesthesiology Class. The University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Frank Achtenhagen, F.; Winther, E. (2007). Designing Computer-based Learning Environments between Authenticity and Didactical Vividness. University of Goettingen, Germany. Zucker, T. A.; Moody, A. K.; Mckenna, M. C. (2007). The Influence of Electronic Books on Literacy and Language Outcomes for PK-4: A Meta-Analytic Review. University of North Carolina - Wilmington. Wainess, R. (2007). Advancing the State of the Art in Computer-Based Assessment. UCLA/National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing: CRESST. Editorial Reviewer for Prentice Hall Secondary Education Division (1/94 - 1/96) Editorial Reviewer for W.M. Hawley Library Press (6/91 - 1/95) Editorial Reviewer for Colorado Token Kai Quarterly (8/87 - 1/94)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Educational Research Association
• The Council for Exceptional Children
• International Society for Technology in Education
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• Phi Delta Kappa