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NERCOMP ANNUAL CONFERENCEProvidence, RI - March 12, 2013

What Makes the Biggest Impact on Student Learning?

David MamorellaInstructional Developer / Adjunct Public Speaking Professor

Victoria Gurrieri, Jacqueline Warren, Dylan BuckleyStudents

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella https://twitter.com/UAlbanyNercomp

Student Demographics

114 students surveyed

29% Sr, 40% Jr, 18% So, 12% Fr 39% Psychology Majors 23% Communication Majors 38% Other Majors

Agenda

Learning Styles What impacts and motivates students to learn? Classroom Environment How can professors measure student learning? Impact of Blackboard/Technology Findings/Lessons Learned Conclusion Q&A

Learning Styles

What is the most important factor that impacts student learning? The Professor Textbook / Assigned readings Class activities and assignments Your interest level in the class Ability to apply knowledge/skills to real world

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella twtpoll.com/lqnq60

What is the most important factor that impacts student learning?

#1 – The Professor – 52%

Teaching

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

-William Arthur Ward

Audience Results

twtpoll.com/lqnq60

What is the biggest factor that motivates you to learn/do well in a class?

The Professor Receiving a good grade Acquiring knowledge/skills for use in real world Your interest level in the class Self-fulfillment, sense of accomplishment

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella twtpoll.com/o2bv32

What is the biggest factor that motivates you to learn/do well in a class?

#1 – Receiving a Good Grade

Audience Results

twtpoll.com/o2bv32

Which classroom environment do you learn best in?

student-centered classroom traditional one-way lecture the classroom environment has little to no

impact on how I learn

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella http://twtpoll.com/evoiqj

Which classroom environment do you learn best in?

Interesting Finding

Communication Majors 89% student-centered classroom 11% one-way lecture

Psychology Majors 60% student-centered classroom 30% one-way lecture 10% classroom environment has no impact

Audience Results

http://twtpoll.com/evoiqj

Follow up Question

How, or in what ways, does an interactive, engaging classroom impact your learning?

OR Does it just make the class more

interesting/fun to attend?

Student Comments Captures my attention Helps me understand and retain information

longer Getting me involved makes me want to come

to class, makes me want to participate. Encourages me to voice my opinion We, as in students, have a short attention

span, so it helps keep us awake.

Student Comments Encourages me to not only learn but also do

well in classes. I am able to hear what others have to say as

well as how my opinions relate/differ from my peers.

Makes a more comfortable learning environment Gives you a sense of responsibility and

belonging

My Teaching Strategy

Arrange seats in U-shape Build community Get students to know one another Post picture/brief bio on Blogs Minimal “lecturing” Class time – Informal, interactive speaking

activities and discussions, short video clips

Community Building Activities

Fun but serve a purpose Nonverbal Impromptu

The HOTSEAT

What are the most effective ways professors can measure student learning?

multiple-choice / short answer tests written assignments / papers oral presentations pre/post quizzes student created projects/products student evaluations of the professor/course surveys student self-assessments

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella http://twtpoll.com/0b68g3

What are the most effective ways professors can measure student learning?

Surface Learning

If multiple-choice testing = memorization and recall of information which is often forgotten by students shortly after the course has ended, then what’s the point?

Numerous studies at several universities world-wide found that students became stronger surface learners in college and not deep learners.

My Public Speaking class

Deep Learning Assignments Survey Presentation Debate Ceremonial Speech Student Self-Assessments

Students watch themselves on video

Student Self-Assessments

Self-assessments are invaluable Goal of my class: Confidence How do I measure confidence?

Surveys

iclickers surveymonkey.com twtpoll.com

Audience Results

http://twtpoll.com/0b68g3

Do you expect professors to use Blackboard or technology to some extent in the classroom?

Does the professor’s use of technology improve your learning?

Key Point Technology does not teach students -

effective teachers do.

How will incorporating technology improve/enhance teaching and learning?

Why is this a Bad Podcast?

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorella/badpodcast.mp3

Advantages of using Blackboard

95% Viewing course content 94% Viewing your grades/feedback 72% Communicating with the professor

and students 62% Submitting assignments/tests

Weaknesses/Disadvantages of Blackboard

45% - Technical difficulties

42% - We had a Blackboard site but the professor rarely used it.

30% - Professor’s inexperience with using Blackboard

What Blackboard communication tools do you find useful / not useful?

Useful, if used99% Announcements 84% Email/Messages 76% Calendar 73% Discussion Board

60% Groups 56% Journal 54% Wiki 52% Chat 46% Blogs

What Blackboard communication tools have you never used?

Never Used77% Chat 75% Wikis 63% Blogs 60% Journals 59% Groups 51% Calendar

How does participating in a required online discussion impact your learning?

35% - Never participated in an online discussion

Findings / Lessons Learned

It’s not what you take, it’s who you take

Motivation - Receiving a Good Grade

Student-Centered Classroom preferred

MC/Short answer tests were most beneficial; written assignments a close 2nd

Surface Learning vs Deep Learning

Findings / Lessons Learned

Students have different learning preferences that vary based on major

Blackboard Students expect professors to use it It’s helpful and improves learning

Required Online Discussions - mixed results Further research needed

Findings / Lessons Learned

A much larger sample size from a cross-range of majors is needed.

It would be interesting to compare results of student learning across majors.

Conclusion

"Ask not what your students can do for you - ask what you can do for your students"

Questions?

David Mamorella dmamorella@albany.edu

Victoria Gurrieri vgurrieri@albany.edu

Jacqueline Warren jmwarren@albany.edu

Dylan Buckley

dbuckley@albany.edu

http://www.albany.edu/faculty/dmamorellahttps://twitter.com/UAlbanyNercomp