A Commuter Campus Conundrum Solved - Devin Henson, Midlands Technical College.

A Commuter Campus Conundrum Solved

- Devin Henson, Midlands Technical College

Office Hours Using Skype

(Primarily) a free service that allows users to communicate by voice, video, and instant messaging.

Big… In March 2012, Skype hit 35 million concurrent users.

Not originally intended for education purposes.

Since 2009, Skype has had a continually improving screen sharing feature.

What is Skype?

Resources Available to Students

Lecture


LectureTextbook


LectureTextbookOn Campus Tutoring Centers


LectureTextbookOn Campus Tutoring CentersInstructor’s Office Hours


LectureTextbookOn Campus Tutoring CentersInstructor’s Office HoursOnline Resources (Google, Khan Academy,

Wolfram Alpha)



Wolfram Alpha)Podcasts / Lecture Videos / Lecture Notes



Wolfram Alpha)Podcasts / Lecture Videos / Lecture Notes


Which is the most underutilized

resource??

Why Are Office Hours So Neglected?

Students quickly leave class/campus for other obligations (work, children, etc.).



Office hours are typically in the morning/afternoon. Students do homework in the evenings.




Office hours may not be directly before or after class.




Office hours may not be directly before or after class.

And on and on…


How Skype Office Hours Evolved… Broadcast Classes

BeltlineCampus

AirportCampus

How Skype Office Hours Evolved…

Broadcast Classes

What you need…

A laptop or pc/mac

What you need…

A laptop or pc/macTablet (Interwrite, Wacom Bamboo, etc.)

What you need…

A laptop or pc/macTablet (Interwrite, Wacom Bamboo, etc.)Webcam (invest in a good one!)

What you need…

A laptop or pc/macTablet (Interwrite, Wacom Bamboo, etc.)Webcam (invest in a good one!)Skype (www.skype.com)

What you need…

http://www.skype.com/

eBookScreen Capture Software

Optional Enhancements…

Calculator Emulators


Use Web Camera/iPad/iPhone/ iPod Touch instead of tablet


Download and install SkypeProvide students with your usernameLet students know when you will be online.

To get started…

Let’s give it a try….

What Students Are Saying…


1. In your opinion, would it be beneficial to students to have instructors offer part of their office hours via Skype?

a. No, I wouldn’t use them.

b. It’s not a bad idea, just not really for me.

c. Yes, I really like the flexibility of when/where I can get help from my instructor.


1. In your opinion, would it be beneficial to students to have instructors offer part of their office hours via Skype?

a. No, I wouldn’t use them.

b. It’s not a bad idea, just not really for me.

c. Yes, I really like the flexibility of when/where I can get help from my instructor.

35%

0%

65%


2. Would office hours via Skype be useful to you?

a. Not for me, I prefer office hours face to face.

b. I would never use office hours, face to face or via Skype.

c. Yes, I would really benefit from using Skype office hours.


2. Would office hours via Skype be useful to you?

a. Not for me, I prefer office hours face to face.

b. I would never use office hours, face to face or via Skype.

c. Yes, I would really benefit from using Skype office hours.

30%

14%

56%


3. Would you prefer to replace a greater percentage of traditional office hours with Skype office hours?

a. No, I prefer to come to instructor’s offices face to face.

b. I don’t really use office hours.

c. Yes, more office hours via Skype would be great.


3. Would you prefer to replace a greater percentage of traditional office hours with Skype office hours?

a. No, I prefer to come to instructor’s offices face to face.

b. I don’t really use office hours.

c. Yes, more office hours via Skype would be great.

32% 38

%30%


4. Would you utilize an instructor’s office hours more or less if they were provided via Skype?

a. I would feel uncomfortable Skyping an instructor to get help.

b. I really prefer meeting face to face with my instructor.

c. Definitely more, the flexibility for when/where I can meet is great.


4. Would you utilize an instructor’s office hours more or less if they were provided via Skype?

a. I would feel uncomfortable Skyping an instructor to get help.

b. I really prefer meeting face to face with my instructor.

c. Definitely more, the flexibility for when/where I can meet is great.

5%

35%

60%

- Let students Skype into class in emergency situations (travel, illness, etc.).

Related ideas, future ideas…

- Hold group study sessions via Skype. - (Group Screen Sharing available with

Skype Premium, $60/yr)


- Record live lectures, or supplementary videos with your Bamboo Pad to post online.

[Required: Laptop, webcam, Wacom Bamboo tablet, Camtasia, YouTube]


www.midlandstech.edu/math/henson

http://www.midlandstech.edu/math/henson



- 6,000+ YouTube hits.


www.midlandstech.edu/math/henson




Questions?Devin HensonMathematics DepartmentMidlands Technical CollegeColumbia, SC

Email: [email protected]: www.midlandstech.edu/math/henson

A Commuter Campus Conundrum Solved - Devin Henson, Midlands Technical College.

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