The Impact of MOOC Blended Instruction to Teach

Programming

Velma C. LatsonBowie State University

Outline

Introduction and background Description of the study Synopsis of the course Data Challenges Best practices Mastering Blended Instruction Group activity

Bowie State University

Founded in 1865, Bowie State is the oldest Historically Black College/University in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. It is also a diverse university whose 5,400 students, along with faculty and staff, represent many ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Background of the Study

The University System of Maryland (USM) and Ithaka S+R embarked on an initiative to test a variety of interactive online learning platforms.

The study was supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bowie State University was one of ten institutions in the USM which participated in the study, including research universities, regional comprehensives, HBCUs.

Griffiths, R, Chingos, M, Mulhern, C, & Spies R (2014).Interactive online learning on campus: testing MOOCs and other platforms in hybrid formats in the University System of Maryland.

Computing Principles & Technologies Side-by-Side Comparison General education computer science

course for non-STEM majors Six modules in the course

1. Programming2. HTML3. Computer Hardware4. Operating Systems5. Networking6. Security Essential

Computing Principles & Technologies Side-by-Side Comparison Coursera MOOC - Introduction to

Interactive Programming in Python (Rice University)

Eight – week module

Computing Principles & Technologies Side-by-Side Comparison Blended instruction (F2F- MOOC –

Blackboard) 4- treatment sections (3 faculty) 5 – control sections (4 faculty) 200 students participants Approximately 100 students in each

group

Computing Principles & Technologies Side-by-Side Comparison Team (programming background)

Course Coordinator Instructional Technologist Coursera Representative Full-time Faculty Adjunct Faculty Peer Tutors

Ithaka S + R, Computing Principles & Technologies, Bowie State University (2014)

Student Habits

Ithaka S + R, Computing Principles & Technologies, Bowie State University (2014)

Ratings Related to the MOOC

Ithaka S + R, Computing Principles & Technologies, Bowie State University (2014)

Difference Between Outcomes in MOOC and Traditional Sections – Midterm Grades

Ithaka S + R, Computing Principles & Technologies, Bowie State University (2014)

Challenges

LMS/MOOC - Single Sign On MOOC access Familiarity with the MOOC for the

faculty Textbook programming and MOOC

programming were different

Best Practices

Cohort of community of learners Mandatory tutoring Supplemental instructional tools

(Khan Academy, YouTube videos, etc)

Mastering Blended Instruction

Instructional

Course Design

Faculty Readines

s

Successful

Blended Instructio

n

Student Readines

s

Questions?

Workshop Activity (Group Work) Create a Faculty Readiness Rubric to

Implement a Blended Environment Create categories of the rubric along

with levels of achievement as it relates but not limited to: Content knowledge MOOC/LMS Technology skills Prerequisite background knowledge of the

student.