Making Technology Work for the Rural Student Raymond Griffith and Heather Woodson South Piedmont...

Making Technology Work for the Rural Student

Raymond Griffith and Heather Woodson

South Piedmont Community College

SPCC uses a variety of alternative delivery methods currently, including:

Online (Blackboard and Moodle) Hybrid (blended) Web-enhanced ITV ITV and Blended/Web-enhanced

Significant Growth = Management Plan

As a result of the increase in demand for alternative delivery methods, SPCC sought a way to:– manage course content;– ensure quality; and– promote student success.

Course standards were born.

How the Course Standards are Used

“Team Blackboard” reviews all online and hybrid courses

If a course does not pass standards, it DOES not open for students

As an example, in 2007-2008 school year, the arts and science department had to delay the opening of seven courses

How the Course Standards are Used

All instructors who are teaching online or hybrid courses for the first time at SPCC must go through a formal training class (available online or seated)

Not all instructors pass the training course Advanced Blackboard training is also

available to seasoned online instructors

SPCC Online Standards

Course utilizes a variety of learning media and materials appropriate to the course that supplement and support the course text and student learning.

Course activities and assignments are designed to encourage interaction and collaboration.

“Extras” supplement text

SPCC Online Standards

Course content, requirements and quality are comparable to the face-to-face version of the course.

Course organization is clear and easy to navigate.

The course contains a syllabus and supporting documents.

Organization is clear

Syllabus link

SPCC Online Standards

The course contains a learner orientation exercise/information.

Instructional staff information is provided including evidence of instructor availability to learners.

There are descriptions of the instructor’s routine interaction with learners and how learner support is provided.

Instructor available to students

Course navigation guides

SPCC Online Standards

Learning activities are designed to address a variety of learning styles.

Course assignments give students the opportunity to engage in critical and abstract thinking.

Course evaluation is linked to course objectives and includes multiple ways of assessing students.

Critical thinking

Course evaluation

Teaching to the Remote Class

Active Communication is CRITICAL.– Post frequently– Phone calls– Prompt feedback on assessments– Compliments– Discussion board and group projects

Teaching to the Remote Class

Organization is important and must be consistent throughout course.

Course should be easy to navigate. Tutorials help students accomplish your

goals for them.

Teaching to the Remote Class

Offer multiple opportunities for practice.– Sample tests– Practice problems– Interactive activities– Simulations– Optional “in-class” meetings

Teaching to the Remote Class

Offer face to face orientation sessions as possible

Offer other types of learning support

ITV Connects Two Locations

SPCC ITV Standards

All new ITV instructors must go to a training course

During the first week of class, a member of the ITV standards team or an experienced faculty member attends class with new instructors

A thorough training manual is provided to each person that attends training

SPCC ITV Standards

The instructor encourages and monitors appropriate behavior.

The instructor ensures administrative duties are performed in an accurate and timely manner.

Effective course management.

SPCC ITV Standards

The instructor makes effective use of time. The instructor ensures the physical setting is

conducive to student learning. Other standards such as those for student

learning mirror online standards.

Advantages to the ITV Room

It connects both campuses. Allows face to face meetings. Larger groups of students can form a class

which might not otherwise have enough students to be offered at either location.

Saves gas and allows more flexible scheduling. Has the technology available to accommodate

different learning styles. Shared instructor resources.

Accommodations in the ITV Room

The teacher’s station isn’t always the best place to teach.

The teacher / meeting leader needs to decide whether it is more important for the groups to see him/her, or to see each other.

Using the technology takes planning and practice to do smoothly.

Teaching to Two Classes

Class seating.– Be sure that

everyone sits where you can see them. It is easy to overlook someone sitting on the edges.

– Remember, the seats and tables face the ITV screens.

Teaching to Two Classes

Meeting mode/Group discussion

– Be sure that everyone sits where everyone else can see them.

– Remember, the seats and tables face the ITV screens.

– A team leader who stands in front of a group will have her back to one of the rooms.

Teaching to Two Classes

Lecture.– If you have don’t

have the cameras set correctly, the other side will see only your back – or won’t see you at all.

– Using the instructor’s station will effectively have you facing both classes.

Teaching to Two Classes

Using the whiteboard– The whiteboard is good

for lecture unless you have to use other accessories.

– Be aware of body placement. If you are not careful, you might stand in front of what you are writing!

Teaching to Two Classes

Treat both locations equally– Know your students’ names. Talk to

(address by name) students at the other campus.

– Face the camera when talking to students on the other campus.

– Remember, the students on the other campus don’t see everything.

Teaching to Two Classes

Treat both locations equally (cont.)– Write large enough on the whiteboard for

students to clearly see what you are doing.

Larger! LARGER!– Explain what you are going to do before

you do something different. The other campus needs an extra sense of continuity.

Teaching to Two Classes

“Rotate” locations if possible – this helps students at the “far site” feel more connected

Supplement ITV instruction online – Tests– Handouts– Practice Assessments– Discussion Boards– Supplemental Reading

ITV is….

Is the next best thing to being present in person!

Helps students become familiar with different technologies and learning styles.

Can be an effective tool for teaching and learning.

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

HUM 120 – focus on southern culture Team taught by six faculty members Subjects addressed include music, religion,

literature, art, oral traditions and storytelling, history since 1800 and human relations

Class included written and oral communication, group projects, critiques and analyses, discussion groups and critical thinking

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Music in the ITV Room

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Using the Document Viewer to Teach Music

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Using the Whiteboard

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Calling on Students by Name

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Warm-up Questions Help Stimulate Discussion

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Thought-provoking images using the Document Viewer

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Using Audio Clips to Facilitate Class Discussion

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Seamlessly Switching the Camera View to Direct Student Attention.

Examples of Successful ITV Practices

Coordinating Student Responsesin Class Discussions

The Bottom Line is….

Standardizing course sites and ITV classes helps build student comfort

This comfort promotes student success Alternative delivery methods allow students

to build technology skills Maximizes faculty resources Maximizes number and types of classes

available to students

Thank You to:

ITV Standards Team Team Blackboard Amy-Lin Slezak-Nelson Amit Dave Heather Hooks

Lisa Harrell April Bradley Heather Bruch Amy Laptad Cheryl Hicks

For more information, contact….

Heather Woodson at hwoodson@spcc.edu

OR

Raymond Griffith at rgriffith@spcc.edu

Questions?