Sloan-C: Great Ideas series

Great Ideas series

A series of short (10 minute) presentations of ideas and tools for blended learning.

Theory to Application: Facilitating Team Work with Out-Of-Class Assignments

Catrin Mills presented on how to create collaborative out-of-class assignments. She took us through an interactive process of brainstorming with a partner sitting next to us. First we had to imagine an “umbrella” idea that applies to our course, and then to come up with 2-3 online activities directly related to that umbrella idea. After 5 minutes of discussing amongst ourselves, Catrin explained how she was able to generate good collaborative learning in a severe weather class.

3, yes 3 Firefox Extensions You Can’t Live Without

Jeff Hug (Bellevue University) discussed some very useful extensions for the firefox web browser.

1. PDF Downloader http://www.pdfdownload.org Converts web pages to PDF. Eliminates the pain of broken links when incorporating online materials. Great for two reasons: (a) You can backup materials in case websites change or disappear. (b) Students can use it to view course materials anywhere, even offline.
2. Foxmarks http://www.foxmarks.com Lets you manage and synchronize your bookmarks across multiple computers.
3. Download Helper http://www.downloadhelper.net Allows you to download videos from flash sites such as youtube.com.

Math, Hip-Hop and Technology: Extending Enrichment Activities Beyond the Classroom

Andrew J. Ryan (Montgomery College) presented on doing blended learning with students from a wide variety of backgrounds. He discussed his strategies for engaging 10th grade students, including heavy use of Moodle as an LMS. The hip-hop aspect was his tailoring of course materials to his students. He would create story problems including details such as record sales, cuts going to various parties (artist, lawyer, label, etc.). His discoveries about blended learning:

• Students will embrace technology
• BL provides a good opportunity to “academic-ize” the use of computers
• Lessons must be mapped to prior instruction… students do not connect abstract dots online.
• Avoid multiple choice

Some tools he used and showed us:

• Articulate Engage http://www.articulate.com/products/engage.php
• Jing and Media (movies, audio, Impatica) http://www.jingproject.com
• Google Docs http://docs.google.com
• Raptivity http://www.raptivity.com

“For some reason, students think Impatica is better than powerpoint. If it’s pp, then it’s academic. If it’s flash, it’s somehow better.” Andrew also noted that students seemed to like Google Docs presentation viewing above powerpoint.

“Take Me, Love Me: Marketing Hybrids to Students and Ensuring Their Satisfaction”

Julia Smith (Dallas Baptist University) discussed how to introduce the idea of blended learning to your students/faculty/administration and overcoming fears, opposition, etc. DBU’s online program began in 1998. DBU began offering hybrid courses in 2002 and began an initiative to grow hybrid courses, sections, and enrollments in 2006, with the goal to offer 1/3 of all courses in hybrid formats. Hybrids gained a reputation of “too much work to teach, too much work to take.”

Pushing “Another Online Initiative”

Working with Deans

• Build relationships
• Confront Assumptions and Excuses
• Use Administrative Support
• Provide Data

Working with Faculty

• Focus Groups
• Provide Resources and Additional Training
• Hybrid Forums
• New Faculty Orientation and In-Service
• Provide Data

Advisors

• Advising Workshops
• New Staff Orientation
• Provide Data