Research

The quest for knowledge and understanding in a systematic manner may be referred to as research. I have always enjoyed exploring new ideas and delving into the exciting world of research. Having a diverse educational background, I stand at a point where sometimes it becomes challenging to synthesize a myriad of ideas in different domains. This may be viewed as a blessing in disguise since I am never short of ideas worth exploring.

Interest in research further supports my passion and motivation in the doctorate program (TISM) at Michigan State University. It is widely acknowledged that online learning technologies have the ability to enhance the provision of higher education. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have transformed the educational landscape by providing better ways of learning. E-learning strategies are increasingly being incorporated into on-campus teaching in various centers of learning. Most of the learning tools using ICT are useful but in special reference to the developing world, there is a greater gap in the implementation of these technologies, besides their full understanding and use.

Experience of learning in several countries puts me in a position to understand well the importance of online learning tools and their application and use in different environments. I am also aware of the difference in student levels and faculty from different backgrounds. I have taught courses in e-marketing, e-commerce and have specialized in telecommunications management.

In the context of the imperative need to implement ICT technologies especially in education, it is noted that it is sometimes not happening effectively and efficiently. Educators may lack the right skills to push forward technology in instruction initiatives or lack the resources to establish a technology based framework for learning and development.

I am interested in the following research areas:

• Media Effects
• Social Networking
• ICT for Development
• Online Collaboration & Computer Mediated Communication
• Games for learning

Currently, I am working on a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded research project with Dr. Nicole Ellison. The project is titled, “Social media and college aspirations: A social capital perspective”.

Previously I worked on an National Science Foundation (NSF) project with Dr. Charles Steinfield titled, “VISTA – Vertical Industry Standards & Technology Adoption”.  The project involved a comparative empirical analysis of the development, adoption, implementation, and diffusion of vertical (or industry-wide) information system standards in different industries.

 

Publications:

• Terracina-Hartman, C.; Khan, M. L. (2011). Are Trees Social? Social Media usage Among Nonprofit Environmental Groups. Convergence and Society: Journalism, Sustainability, and Media Regeneration, October 26-28, 2011, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
• Khan, M. L. (2011). Developing a More Robust Approach to Global Supply Chain Information Systems in a Turbulent World. In Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference on Telecommunications & Information Technology (ITERA 2011), April 8-10, 2011, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
• Khan, M. L. (2010). Implementing videos in online educational settings, Global Studies Association Annual Conference – The Global Crisis and Beyond, University of Illinois , Urbana Champaign, IL (May 2010).
• Richards, K., Khan, M. L., Wu, M. L., (2010) Gaming to Learn, The Michigan World Language Association 2010 Annual Conference, Lansing, Michigan, October 21-22, 2010
• Wu, M. L., Khan, M. L., Richards, K., (2010) Going Practical via Twitter: Using Twitter for Foreign Language Learning, The Michigan World Language Association 2010 Annual Conference, Lansing, Michigan, October 21-22, 2010
• Farooqi, N. & Khan, M. L. (2008). Hanging out at Facebook: A Comparative Research into the Virtual Social Interactions Amongst Youth in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Media and Communication Conference at London School of Economics (LSE) September 2008.
• Khan, M. L. & Hussain, S. A. (2007). The Three-Tiered Model for Strengthening Industry-Academia Linkages. In Proceedings of Pakistan’s 5th National Conference on Quality Assurance in Education. PIQC Institute of Quality, Lahore. Paper presented at PIQC.

 

Workshops & Presentations

• Khan, M. L., (2011) Social Media for Community Use, Presentation made to the Michigan Neighborhood Association, organized by the Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC), Lansing, MI, September 23rd, 2011

A presentation was delivered regarding the power of social media and its suitability for strengthening community services. For beginners, a workshop on the use of social media for organizing communities was demonstrated. This involved creating a Facebook page and distinguishing it from “groups”.  This  was greatly appreciated by the audience especially those who had not explored the possibility of using social media for community purposes. The second part of the presentation focused on the optimization strategies that allow the full and efficient use of social media. This required an effective and carefully laid out strategy that enures that image of the group/community/organization is managed in the best possible way. In addition, emphasis was laid on an integrated media and marketing  strategy that harnesses the power of the Internet in an efficient manner. 

• Khan, M. L., Richards, K., Wu, M. L., (2010) Let’s Get Practical by Building a Foreign Language Class Website, The Michigan World Language Association  2010 Annual Conference, Lansing, Michigan, October 21-22, 2010

Educators were guided step-by-step through the process of building a professional language website using free website creation and management software.  Through this activity the process of making a website that will be useful for language learning was demonstrated.  Examples of a variety of language learning websites were provided to stimulate the participant’s creativity.

 

Book Chapters

• Khan, M. L. & Mishra P. (2009). Webcasting. In Stride Handbook – E-Learning (pp. 84-87). IGNOU.

 

Research Grants Awarded

• Research Excellence Fellowship 2011: “Communication, Social Support and International Student Well-being”,  Khan M. L.(PI), College of Communication Arts and Sciences ,  Michigan State University, United States.