Five Simple Strategies for Enhancing Learning with Technology

A Video Conference with Creative FacultyFrom Augustana College, January 14, 2003

David G. Brown Professor of Economics, Dean and VP

Wake Forest University

Opening Comments

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How has the computer changed teaching and learning? (my answer)

1. It’s caused every teacher to rethink & redesign.

2. By increasing student options, it has increased competition and compelled universities to pay

more attention to the quality of teaching

Our profession has been changed forever!

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Research Results

• University of Central Florida--- Hybrid courses win! (the 80-20 rule)• 18,844 students at 71 American Universities--- More “good practices” for wired students!• 150 professors at 50 Research Universities--- Interaction, Collaboration, Debate, Custom, Adjuncts!• Virginia Polytechnic University--- Calculus failure rate cut by 44%!

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Multi-Institutional Studies

– Hu and Kuh (CSEQ data from 18,000+ students) http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v9n49.html– CSEQ Questionnaire http://

www.indiana.edu/~cseq/overview.html and http://www.indiana.edu/~nsse/html/mbp/confra1.html

– Brown (150 professors from 36 universities) http://www.ankerpub.com/books/brown.html– Flashlight Project of the TLT Group http://

www.tltgroup.org/programs/flashlight.html

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Communication-Interaction

Computers Enhance Teaching & Learning Via--

PresentationsBetter--20%

More Opportunities toPractice & Analyze--35%

More Access to SourceMaterials via Internet--43%

More Communication with Faculty Colleagues, Classmates,and Between Faculty and Students--87%

ICCEL ICCEL ICCEL ------ Wake Forest University, 2003Wake Forest University, 2003Wake Forest University, 2003

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Computers allow people----

• to belong to more communities• to be more actively engaged in each

community• with more people• over more miles• for more months and years• TO BE MORE COLLABORATIVE

ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003

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The Five Strategies

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Reasons 150 Professors Added Computer Enhancements

1. Communication-Interaction

2. Collaboration-Teams

3. Controversy-Debate

4. Customization-Diversity

5. Consultants-Adjuncts

http://www.ablongman.com/professional/catalog/academic/product/1,4096,0205355803,00.html

2002

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• To understand a liberal arts education as an opportunity to study with professors who think by their own set of concepts

• To learn how to apply economic concepts

• To learn how to work collaboratively

• To learn computer skills

• To improve writing and speaking

FIRST YEAR SEMINARThe Economists’ Way of Thinking:

Students = 15All FreshmenRequired Course

Before Class

During Class.

After Class

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Brown’s First Year Seminar• Before Class

– Students Find URLs & Identify Criteria

– Interactive exercises– Muddiest Point– Lecture Notes– E-mail dialogue– Cybershows

• During Class– One Minute Quiz– Computer Tip Talk– Class Polls– Team Projects

• After Class– Edit Drafts by Team– Guest Editors– Hyperlinks & Pictures– Access Previous Papers

• Other– Daily Announcements– Team Web Page– Personal Web Pages– Exams include Computer– Portfolio– Materials Forever

ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003

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Communication-Interaction

•1247 emails •Announcements•Muddiest•One Minute Quiz•Reaction to Talk•Student Profiles

Blackboard

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Collaboration-Teams

Examples---•2 Students Submit 1 Answer•Edit Rough Draft Papers•PowerPoint in Class•Listserv Between Classes•Public Web Page

•Professors Share Resource Materials•Students Study Together•Departments Create Shared Databases

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Controversy-Debate

•Cross-Culture Projects

•More Class Time

•Best Web Sites

•Threaded Discussion

•Chat in Class

•Double Jeopardy Quiz

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Customization-Diversity

•Cybershows (lectures, preview)

•Personal Notes (email again)

•Hierarchy of Help

•Hyperlinks

•Just In Time TeachingJust In Time Teaching

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Consultants-Adjuncts

•Alumni Editors

•Globe Theatre

•Session with Expert

•Disciplinary Colleagues

•Previous Students

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Comments and Questions

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The Millennium Context

• Personal. Customized. Interactive.

• Student-Centered Curriculum & Databases

• Teams of Professionals to Support Learning

• “Houses” instead of Disciplines

• Blended Courses (80-20 and 20-80)

• Loose-leaf Collections of Course Chunks

• Internet Savvy Students (Nintendo)

Circle 3 Ideas That Most Deserve Your Personal Attention!

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• Don’t Fear Distance Learning (Blended Wins)

• Pursue the Low Hanging Fruit (Email, URL, CMS)

• Teach on the Assumption of Internet Access

• Declare a Standard

• Hire Students

• Promote Information Fluency

The Good News is that the Highest Benefit uses of the computer are among the Least Costly.

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Low Hanging Fruit[within the constraints of time & money]

1. URLs

2. Email

3. Course Management System

Better 85% Some Use Vs 5% Heavy Use

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Student

Teacher

•My.yahoo•Custom learning team•Custom delivery•Custom learning resources

Student-Centered Learning

in the New Millennium

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David G. BrownWake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA336-758-4878

email: brown@wfu.eduhttp//:www.wfu.edu/~brown

fax: 336-758-5012

Wake Forest University, 2003Wake Forest University, 2003