Supporting Campus Sustainability Initiatives with

Wimba Classroom

Going Green with WimbaGoing Green with Wimba

Jane E. Himmel, Associate DirectorCenter for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign

University of North Texas

Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplexClose to 35,000 students2300 staff, 1000 facultyOffer large number of

online courses andprograms

Largely a commutercampus 75% of students travel to campus

University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas

Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign

(CLEAR)

Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign

(CLEAR) Faculty support unit Instructional design, online/ blended

course development Promote best practices using learning

technologies Training and support on Blackboard

Vista, WimbaJane E. Himmel Associate DirectorCLEARhttp://clear.unt.edu jane.himmel@unt.edu

Wimba Usage at UNTWimba Usage at UNT

Note: Spring 2009 is current through April 5, 2009

Huge Benefits for Online Courses

Huge Benefits for Online Courses

Improved communications in online courses/programs Improved time on task in courses Supports student-centered learning (collaboration) Supports innovation in teaching and course design

Instructor brings Spring Fashion Week to students from Paris Best practices – master course ASL Deaf tutor

Realizing Wimba’s PotentialRealizing Wimba’s Potential

Although it was designed for education, it can be used across the university for daily business activities and in support of campus-wide initiatives. It can assist us in achieving our goals.

UNT’s Sustainability InitiativeUNT’s Sustainability Initiative

“UNT is the first large public university in Texas to sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, a growing nationwide initiative of college and university presidents and chancellors dedicated to counteracting climate change by taking steps to make their campuses climate neutral.”

http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/

Impact of the Climate Commitment

Impact of the Climate Commitment

• New focus on sustainability across campus–Working sustainability into the

curriculum–Encouraging sustainable methods of

teaching/learning–Taking immediate steps to reduce

carbon footprint

Wimba as a “Green Tool”Wimba as a “Green Tool”

• Enabling more programs/courses to go online or be offered as blended instruction.–Fewer trips to campus– In 2003, 35% of students traveled at least 20

miles one way to campus and 34% stated they spent more than 30 minutes driving to campus–Side benefit: replicability with archiving

Wimba as a “Green Tool”Wimba as a “Green Tool”

• Carrying out university business on a daily basis –Supports telecommuting

• IT Department policy• UNT System business

–Reduces driving for employees on campus, too• Also improves productivity

–Can be used in place of travel for interviews, etc.

Total Meeting Makeover - BEFORE

Total Meeting Makeover - BEFORE

Weekly one hour meeting with staff from two sites:• Conference room• Campus phone bridge• Travel time and gas expense/usage for three employees • Time for three employees to find parking• Time for three employees to return to offices post-meeting• Time to write and send minutes

• Weekly one hour meeting with staff at two sites:–Wimba meeting room with archive enabled

• Advantages:– Savings of time and gas– Freeing up resources– Increased productivity– Improved communications (visual resources &

archive)

Total Meeting Makeover -AFTER

Total Meeting Makeover -AFTER

Challenges Ahead at UNTChallenges Ahead at UNT

While you may see the benefits, it may take time for others to embrace the technology

Fear of technologyLoss of direct supervisionLoss of jobs

Paths to SuccessPaths to Success

• Getting attention of administrators• Offering demos and training (and support)• Starting pilot groups• Sharing success stories• Promoting tool through campus

publications

QuestionsQuestions

ResourcesResources

• “UNT becomes first major public university in Texas to sign presidents climate commitment,” UNT Insider (http://www.unt.edu/president/insider/apr08/climate.htm)

• Fall 2003 Parking/Transportation Survey. University of North Texas. http://www.unt.edu/ir_acc/Surveys/Fall_2003_Transportation_Survey/Fall_2003_Transportation_Survey_index.html

• America’s Most Congested Cities, Forbes; 2/25/09; Lauren Sherman

• http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/24/traffic-congested-cities-lifestyle-real-estate_congested_cities.html