Enhancing Student Learning: Technology in Higher

Education and Learning Assistance

Craig Lamb Center for Distance Learning

& Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein

Northeast Center

Directors of Academic SupportSUNY Empire State College

Introductions – Us & You

We’re a little tired from flying in from the East Coast, so how about we sit back and introduce ourselves

with a little digital help…

Pull video inYour Turn…

Who, Where, & What are you doing with Technology!!!

What We Said We Were Going To Do…

Focusing on current theories and best practices in enhancing student learning through technology, attendees will learn about new advances, engage in activities, and plan how to implement technology on their campuses. 

This institute is appropriate for learning assistance, tutorial services, and developmental education faculty and staff who develop curriculum, workshops, and other resources for students.

What We WON’T and WILL Do Today…

What we WON’T do

• We won’t – be selling any products

• We won’t be giving in-depth hands on tutorials on specific hardware or software

What we WILL do

• Expose you to a variety of resources to help you enhance and engage students in learning and learning assistance

• Engage you in thinking about how you might best use technology to enhance learning on your campus.

Agenda

• General & Research-based Tech Facts

• How Technology Is Being Used In Higher Education & Learning Assistance – Some Examples

• Grounding Ourselves in Best Practices in Learning Assistance & Technology

• Activities

• Examples – Works in Progress

• Questions & Follow-up Discussions

• Additional Resources

General TECH Facts

•The state of Michigan now requires all high school students to take at least one online course to receive a high school diploma.

• 4th and 5th grade students in Australia are creating highly rated podcast sites to compliment and supplement their learning with only a computer and "a microphone you can buy at Toy's R Us"... (NYTimes, Jan 25th, 2006)

• Feb 2006: Apple estimated that all new college students, regardless of age or institution, own an average of 1.3 iPods or other MP3 device.

• For the first time ever, iPods beat out beer for the #1 spot on the "Top 5 "In" things on campuses" list (6/7/06 USA Today)

• Deathswitch for $19.95/year – to send an email message every 2 weeks to see if you are still alive, if no response it goes into “worry mode” and sends email to 30 people you select. (Chronicle of Higher Ed 1/26/2007)

How “techie” R U? - LOL

• Who owns 2 phones… one for talking and one for texting?

• Who has more than 1 computer at home?

• Who surfs the net from nervous tension when their e-mail is down?

• Who is on the web right now?

• How many of you paid full price for the iPhone when it 1st came out?

• Since we started this presentation, who has thought about checking their email?

RESEARCH on Technology on College Campuses

• Over 75% of students have personal laptop computers and over 60% of students have personal desktop computers

• More than 76% have some type of MP3 music player (does not count phones, PDA’s, or other combined devices.)

• Number of types owned by students… (cell, computer, music device, gave device, PDA, Smart phone)

3 devices – 31% 4 devices – 33% 5 or more – 22%

• More than 80% have interacted with at least one social network community (facebook, myspace, etc…)

• More than 82% have used a Course Management System (CMS), with more than 46% saying that they have use a CMS many times every week

• About 61% of respondents agree that IT within a course improved their learning

• Over 40% said that they are more engaged a course requiring IT

SOURCE : Educausehttp://connect.educause.edu/library/abstract/TheECARStudyofUnderg/45075

Views from the front lines…What some schools are doing?

• University at Albany (NY) just instituted a text messaging emergency system, and was criticized by the students and some administrators that it took so long. – Response to Virginia Tech (Facebook)

• Purdue and their Boilercast system - audio from class is recorded and atomically downloaded to students’ computers.

•iTunes U – Public sites – content & orientation

• Students at dozens of colleges, such as Syracuse, American University and Marist College, can check online whether a vacant washing machine is waiting downstairs and how much time remains on each machine's cycle. (Forbes online, 1/2006)

• University of Maryland's Smith Business School is handing a free BlackBerry to each student — practice makes perfect.

• Students learn to manage the 24/7 access to data and people they'll be expected to deal with as executives. (Forbes online, 1/2006)

• Ohio University, MIT and others “get a” Second Life…

Second Life Ohio University Second Life Campus

Grounding Ourselves: From Virtual Worlds to Our Real World as Learning Assistance Professionals…

• Colleges are exploring, integrating and infusing technology into every aspect of the college experience.

• Learning & Tutoring Centers need to adapt and be on the cutting edge of learning support with technology as a way to enhance and engage students in the learning process.

Therefore, we must consider …

How should technology be used in learning assistance/academic support?

CAVEAT – Keep PEDAGOGY before TECHNOLOGY.

Technology Enhancing LearningWhat you should consider …

• Pedagogy & Learning Theories need to DRIVE technology use in academic support programs & services not the other way around.

• How certain technologies can enhance learning…• BENEFITS to LEARNERS

Learning is flexible, accessible, and tailored to a variety of learning preferences. Students can explore, have choice, & engage/create using different modalities.

• BENEFITS to COLLEGE OVERALL & LEARNING CENTERBeneficial in both face-2-face and technology enhanced

mediums. One does not necessarily have to replace the other – center and college missions as well as learner needs drive the blended use of these learning engagements.

• BENEFITS to LEARNING/TUTORING CENTER STAFFMaximize resources (human and time), training options open

up, F2F interactions can take on depth when students come into the center having gone over the “basics”

Successful Academic Support Services Include…

• Proactive interventions,• Supportive environments,• Personalized support systems,• Small group tutorials,• Development of students’ basic learning skills,• Teaching of study skills and learning strategies in the

context of academic content courses,• Opportunities to interact in informal settings and

develop personal relationships with faculty, and • Opportunities to experience success.

Adapted from: Maxwell, M. (1997). Improving Student Learning Skills. Clearwater, FL:

H&H Publishing.Casazza, M. E. & Silverman, S. (1996). Learning Assistance and

Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Keep these best practices in mind as we look at best technology practices

Technology & Learning Theory

• Richard Mayer’s "Human-Computer Learning" and "Multimedia Learning" research from UC-Santa Barbara http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/mayer/index.php

• Paivio’s "Dual Coding Theory" http://coe.sdsu.edu/EDTEC640/Modules/module1/dualcoding.htm

Underlying themes…

• Memory can be improved and learning can be increased when multiple senses are engaged. ( Text - Audio - Video - Interactive Video)

• Learning is increased when as many “learning variables” are controlled by the learner (EX: Student chooses to listed to a presentation instead of watching it… choose to watch a play instead of reading it…)

Our Good Ideas for Implementing New Technologies on Our CampusesCreating Knowledge Together With Technology

www.docdw.pbwiki.com

ACTIVITY #1 – Wildest Dreams…For Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus

What kinds of technology are you currently using?

What kinds of technology are your students using?

What do you have to support tech at your institution?

What goals do you have for enhancing student learning?

Directions: Don’t be burdened by constraints – what (related to technology & the delivery of learning assistance programs & services) do you wish you had, could learn, has been on your “To Do” list that you haven’t had the chance to get to?

List 10 things – Your Ultimate Wish List

What Have We Done???

What kinds of technology are WE currently using?

What kinds of technology are OUR students using?

What do WE have to support tech at OUR institution?

What goals do WE have for enhancing student learning?

Our environments – Online & Face-to-Face/Blended

Empire State College

Mission& CommitmentsThe Mission of Empire State College

• Empire State College enables motivated adults, regardless of geographyregardless of geography or life life circumstancecircumstance, to design a rigorousrigorous, , individualizedindividualized academic program and earn a college degree.

The Commitments of Empire State College

• To support self-directedself-directed, intellectually curious learnerscurious learners who collaboratecollaborate with faculty mentors.

• To document, evaluate and award credit for an adult’s prior college-level life learning.

• To offer each student an array of learning experiencesarray of learning experiences through independent study, seminars, short-term residencies, and online courses.

• To develop, implement and assess new approaches to learning that recognize the new approaches to learning that recognize the strengths and needs of adult learnersstrengths and needs of adult learners.

• To provide access to degree programs at multiple locations in New York state and access to degree programs at multiple locations in New York state and abroad, and through the World Wide Webabroad, and through the World Wide Web.

• To expand degree opportunities for adult learners through partnerships with employers and unions, government agencies and the armed forces, and community organizations and educational institutions.

WHAT ARE OUR TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES?

• Collegewide• Centralization of resources & initiatives (Bridge &

MAP)• Culture shift – Blended learning• Content experts working with tech folks (ideal)

• Center specific• Culture shift & addition of new Directors of

Academic Support (DAS) @ each regional center & Center for Distance Learning

• Center & student needs drives design• Center sharing/access with units

• DAS based• What can be customized for students?• What can we be in control of, or provide feedback

for?

TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY IN USE

Interactive and/or Content-based

Course Management Systems – BB, WebCT, ANGELAdvantages – Open to all students, many new features (Virtual Office Hours, whiteboards, etc…)

Disadvantages: Requires training and comfort with online environment, some areas not yet “turned on”

COMMUNICATIONSHorizon WimbaInstant Messaging Virtual Meeting space Advantages and Disadvantages vary across college, experienced users, ec.

Quotations to Consider

“The particular characteristics and needs of each individual institution drive the organization of [academic support] programs, the format of service delivery, the overall management and operation of the program and the methods of program evaluation.”

- Casazza, M. E. & Silverman, S. (1996). Learning Assistance and Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. p. 71

“In addition to background, aptitude, ability to learn quickly, and the desire to learn, students need persistence, flexibility, and a willingness to cooperate with instructors’ demands and institutional policies if they are to succeed in college.”

- Maxwell, M. (1997). Improving Student Learning Skills. H&H Publishing: Clearwater, FL. p. 135

Student Skills

AcademicSupport Services

WORKS IN PROGRESSUsing Technology to Support Academic Skills

Development in a Course Management Environment but not Courses

Time Management

Learning StylesAURAL/AURAL/AUDITORYAUDITORY

KINESTHETICKINESTHETIC

READ/READ/WRITEWRITE

VISUALVISUAL

MULTI-MULTI-MODALMODAL

ACTIVITY #2 – Focusing on Just One ACTIVITY #2 – Focusing on Just One ThingThing

For Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus

Directions: Pick from your wish list. What is your number one interest/priority?-- You can determine this based on your center/college’s constraints, $$$, time (workload, seasonal demands, etc.), staff desires/access, student needs, access to technology, etc.

Defining your top priority…

Major idea/goal/priority -

Narrowing it down…

List at least 3 components related to this idea/goal/priority –

1.

2.

3.

What research/people/resources/etc. do you need to connect with to get a start on making your idea/goal/priority a reality? Outline some of the first steps you need to take.

What is the ONE GREAT IDEA you want to work on when you get back to your campus?

wiki notes

ACTIVITY #3 – Making Your PlanACTIVITY #3 – Making Your PlanFor Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus

Directions: In Small Groups – review your focus and flesh out what you can do to take action – develop your action plan with your group.

What new insights and ideas to enact your plan do you have?

CREATING A Detailed “To Do” List for this Project

While at the conference….

Immediately upon my return to the office…

2nd Week after the conference (Week of November 12th

1st Month – Convo with Group/Craig/Lisa (Week of December 3rd)

Resources & ReferencesResources & References

The following slides contain links to resources for creating academic support “learning objects” and some examples of good uses of technology to enhance student learning in a learning/tutoring center environment.

PodcastsWhere to Access for Free

http://www.podfeed.net/

Podfeed.net is a podcast directory that helps you find podcasts, read and write podcast reviews, listen to podcasts and share your podcast with others.

AS of 10/30/07 PODFEED.NET contains:10,429 podcasts - 816,737 episodes - 3,045 reviews

iTunesYou don’t need to own an iPod to Use it Free & Cost

iTunesU• Stanford Uhttp://itunes.stanford.edu/index.html

Example Learning Assistance Source from iTunes:

• LSAT Logic for a Critical Thinking class or workshop

http://www.podfeed.net/podcast/LSAT+Logic+in+Everyday+Life/7816

Using Free Learning Objects

MERLOThttp://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm

FREE INTERACTIVE MATERIALS organized by discipline

Study Guides & Strategies

http://www.studygs.net/schedule/

TECH in Dev Ed http://www.ci.txstate.edu/common/TTT.html

Supporting Internet Exploration with WebQuests:How do I design a WebQuest to meet my curriculum goals? http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/studevgt/onlinsts/

Creating Learning Objects

LEARNING OBJECT CREATION – CamStudio, CAPTIVATE & CAMTASIA, VIDEO AND AUDIO FILES (PODCASTING, VODCASTING) – Audacity & Garage Band

Advantages: Create item once, use multiple times. “First time is training, next time is reference.” Create “supportive” learning material and spend less time on teaching it

Disadvantages: Tech learning curve & takes time to conceive & create.

CamStudio - FREE

Captivate - COST

http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/overview/ Captivate – How to use video

Technology in Developmental Education (TIDE) http://www.ci.txstate.edu/tide/TIDEhome.htm

David Arendale - Podcasting http://blog.lib.umn.edu/arend011/personal/

General & Focused “How To” Training

Wikis: Co-Creating Knowledge/Learning

Welcome to CAS 100B -- Fall 2006http://cas100b.pbwiki.com/

Second Life – More Places to Visit

• Boise State University & EDTech Island

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSMKXPjMLCk

http://edtech.boisestate.edu/ldawley/597SL/597slsyllabus.htm

• St Paul College – video tour of 2L Site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZyZFG74ydQ

Resources…iPods & iPhone

Teachers using iPodshttp://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/

2007/02/28/News/Teachers.Put.Ipod.To.Work-2747399.shtml

When iPods go to collegehttp://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0419/p11s01-legn.html

How the iPhone works…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk