“Lessons from the Virtual Classroom” Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Conference Anna L. Pearman, M.A....
-
date post
20-Dec-2015 -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
0
Transcript of “Lessons from the Virtual Classroom” Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Conference Anna L. Pearman, M.A....
“Lessons fromthe Virtual Classroom”
Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Conference
Anna L. Pearman, M.A.
Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences
Region [email protected]
Region 1 Enrollment Statistics•Total = ~5,000
•Campuses−Valparaiso 1,752−Gary 1,709−East Chicago 837−Michigan City 822
•26% are online1,7521,709
837822
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Michigan CityEast ChicagoGaryValparaiso
My History
• 1995-1997: MA, Interdisciplinary Studies−Education Instructional Technology−Art history−Archaeology
• 1997: MA, summa cum laude
• 2000-2002: Community College Professor
• 2002-2003: Hum. & Soc. Sci. Co-chair
• 2003-Present: Online Professor
Research Objectives
• Increase the number and usefulness of technological resources with rich, high-quality humanities and social science content,
• Improve the effectiveness of such resources by shaping them around sophisticated, creative and engaging approaches to learning, and
• Increase the number of instructors who can integrate such humanities and social science materials into their daily curricula.
Distributed Learning Model
Resources
IntelligenceIntelligence
PeopleLearners
SituationsInstructor
EnvironmentsOthers
Why this learning model?
• Traditional objectivist/transfer model outmoded
• Workplace skills−Think critically and strategically−Operate in an ever-changing environment−Build knowledge from distributed sources−Collaborate globally
• Value and use WWW
Ten years ago
• Training to become−Online instructor−Subject matter expert−Facilitator
• Envisioned hiring−Instructional designer−Instructional technologist
• We have become ALL of the above.
Ten years ago (contd)
• Learning/writing HTML code−“View Source”−Labor-intensive−Time-consuming, but−Necessary
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
(contd.)
Ten years ago (contd)
• WWW and Internet
• Dial up @14.4 kbps−Get in the queue!
• Slow processors
• Minimal RAM/ROM
Ten years ago (contd)
Evolution of Microsoft Windows
Ten years ago…Windows 95Computer: 100% IBM Compatible
Processor: 386 DX or higher
Memory: 4MB RAM
Drives:35MB Hard disk drive spaceCD-ROM or Floppy
Sound: Sound Blaster compatible Sound Card.
Video: VGA or higher-resolution
Controls: 100% compatible Microsoft keyboard / Mouse
Operating System: DOS 5.0 and Higher
Source: http://www.computerhope.com/win95.htm
Ten years ago…Windows 95• Plug and Play Allows hardware devices to be
automatically installed into the computer with the proper software. Does not require jumpers to be played with.
• 32 Bit 32-Bit operating system allowing the computer to run faster and more efficiently.
• Registry Combines the power of multiple configuration files into two files, allowing the system configurations to be located easier.
• Memory Windows 95 has an improved memory handling processes compared to Windows 3.11.
• Right mouse click Allows you new access and text manipulation by utilizing both buttons instead of one.
• CD-Player Enhanced CD-Player with improved usability and AutoPlay feature.
Today…Windows VistaComputer: 100% IBM Compatible
Processor: 1GHz Intel-compatible
Memory: 1GB RAM
Drives: 40GB disk spaceDVD Drive
Sound: Standard Sound card for sound capability.
Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible video card.64MB of Video RAM (1440x900)128MB of Video RAM (1920x1200 / Dual monitor support)256MB of Video RAM (>1920x1200)
Controls: 100% compatible Microsoft Keyboard / Mouse.
Operating System: Windows 2000 / XP to upgrade.
Technical savvy
• Troubleshooter
• Problem solver
• Which technology best supports the
learning style? Learning objective?
• Staying on the cutting edge
Unique circumstances
• Learners working asynchronously and at
individual paces
• Requires high level of organization
• Stress and anxiety levels run high
• Essential to build trust and credibility
early
• Learners need more reassurance than
normal−Having the final exam freeze up is catastrophic
Technology drawbacks
• Server overload−First two weeks of class−Final exam week
• E-mail outages
• Bb down time
• Help Desk bogged down
(contd)
Technology drawbacks (contd)• May not reach every learning style
• Verify student’s identity
• Married to low-level solution
• “Driving down the middle”
Written communications
• Supplant−Oral−Visual, i.e., body language
• Maintain free and open flow of
comments and ideas through−Concise directions−Rapid response−Constructive feedback
Plagiarism, Copyright, Intellectual Property
• ITCC policies and procedures−Libraries brochure−DE Handbook
• Plagiarism offenses−Book review
• Student dropped and banned• Vengeful hatred
−Essays• Co-operative• Administrative action
Manners, Excuses for absences• Rudeness, apparent lack of respect
• Nature of excuses−“My dog ate the mouse.”−Technology, not an excuse / syllabus
template−Family, document−Health, document
• Self-starter
• Self-taught
• Work independently
• Work collaboratively
• Maintain attention span
• Highly motivated
• Skilled written communicator
Desirable learner profile
Learner challenges
• Bandwidth varies−Dial up @ 56 kbps−Cable @ 1500 kbps−ADSL @ 256 kbps-1 Mbps−T-1 (on campus) @ 1.544 Mbps(Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214198,00.html)
• Level of technical competency
• Amount of online experience
(contd)
Learner challenges (contd)
• Competing with graduate-level
students
• Mastering content (10-16 weeks)
• Personal−Over extended−Poor time-management skills
Positive Support
• Training−“Blackboard”−“Camtasia”
• Certification course
• Discounts−Software−ISP (15% off Verizon)
Professional disadvantages
• Peer interaction−Minimal to non-existent
• Annual teacher orientation• Christmas party
• Opportunities “few and far between”
• “Out of sight, out of mind”
We also need…
• Discounts on PCs and peripherals
• Meaningful feedback−Old “Summa” survey was inappropriate,
designed for traditional classroom
• Recognition
• Opportunities to grow in our field
• Benefits
Recommendations
• Take an online course−Experience student side of the equation−Observe and assimilate new methods
• Take the ITCC Certification Course−Get to know colleagues−Share experiences
• Start building “learning community”
• Keep up with technology
Conclusions
• The trend line toward online learning
continues to grow
• Online learning is cost-effective
• Companies integrate e-learning into
their infrastructures
• E-learning supports career
advancement