Tatiana Usova, Bibliothèque Saint-Jean, University of AlbertaJune 11th, 2010

Optimizing our teaching and learning: Hybrid mode of

instruction

Opened in 1908. One of Canada's top 5 universities.• 36,836 students:

– 30,148 undergrads– 6,688 grads

• 1 500 teaching faculty

• 673 students• 70 teaching Faculty

• 59 librarians• About 10 mlns holdings

Bibliothèque Saint-Jean• 3 librarians + 7 support staff• About 200.000 holdings

Source: University of Alberta (U of A) Data Book 2008-2009 http://www.ualberta.ca/~idosa/databook/08-09/toc.html

Mission:

Within a vibrant and supportive learning environment, the University of Alberta discovers, disseminates, and applies new knowledge through teaching and learning, research and creative activity, community involvement, and partnerships.

Strategic Plan 2007-2011 “From Good to Great”

“The continuous evolution of teaching methods, and the creation, dissemination, accessibility and preservation of generated or acquired information and knowledge.

… continuously driving to embody excellence and to be innovative in all that it undertakes.”

The Sydney Graduate: statement of Graduate Attributes, the outcomes of a University of Sydney education that allow graduates to excel in the world of work and contribute as leaders and agents of social good in our society.

Graduate Competencies

Why Bother?

“If you think about the media environment that an average American teen lives in, to walk into a classroom that does not have any of this media must be like walking into a desert”

Steve Maher, Chatham High School, USA

(source: PBS Frontline video “Digital Nation”)

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/njla/3992603089/in/set-72157622436687744/

Change of student population (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/ )

Development of technological tools

Move of the CSJ courses online

Nature of library resources and their use mostly outside of library walls

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shirleytwofeathers/2068713495/

What blends of pedagogical strategies and technological advances are most effective for today’s learners?

Leading the Change, or Being Led by It?

Encourages Student-Faculty ContactDevelops Cooperation among StudentsEncourages Active learning Gives Prompt FeedbackEmphasizes Time on Task Communicates High ExpectationsRespects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning

Good practice in undergraduate education:

(Source: Chickering, A. W. & Gamson, Z. F., ( 1987). Seven principals of good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, 39 (7), 3-7.)

4 pillars of effective learning We learn best when we are motivated We learn best by doing We learn through feedback We learn through digestion or reflection

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40386452@N05/4526261058/

Hybrid – a thing composed of mixed or incongruous elements

Oxford Canadian Dictionary, 2006

“Full-time Millennial students …have frequently reported that they do not expect technology to replace face-to-face contact with their teacher, and they expect teachers to help them to know how best to use technology for learning. There is no automatic transfer of technology skills from social and personal use to academic use, and most students are aware of this.” Tony Bates (http://www.tonybates.ca/2009/09/10/its-all-about-millennials-or-is-it/ )

Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. Department of Education Report, May 2009 (http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf)

Hybrid Educational Model

Hybrid course assumes work in both online and face-to face environments. There are three times to engage students : Before, During and After class.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Hybrid Course

Assumes work with the Faculty on identifying course objectives and library’s role in insuring students’ success.

Provide learning –by-doing opportunity.

Offers formative feedback.

Image source: http://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/departments/superintendent/community_relations/news/media_releases/images/BoeserwithLaptop_001.jpg

Implies reflection and analysis of achieved results and learnt outcomes.

Strategies for Creating a Hybrid Course

Start with Learning GoalsCreate Ways for Students to Learn Before Class.Create Ways for Students to Learn In Class. Create Ways for Students to Learn After Class. Use Multiple Forms of Communication. Encourage Collaboration. Utilize Online Resources. Utilize Both Low and High Stakes Grading. Seek Assistance from Professionals. Stay Organized

Shibley Ike, Penn State University. Online seminar 10 Ways to Improve Blended Learning Course

Design

Course Page: Franc 221

Tutorials

Online course Biblio 100

Course plan

Biblio 100

Online course created for undergraduates student and accessible via Moodle platform. Through dynamic tutorials and quizzes students learn the basics of navigating library Web pages, finding electronic databases, searching the catalogue, requesting and renewing materials .

Biblio 100

Immediate assessment

Four educational modules with tutorials and quizzes

Interactive communication

Online resources

Games

E- evaluation

Reference: http://www.library.ualberta.ca/augustana/infolit/wassail/

Allows us to accomplishing traditional instruction tasks in a more effective and efficient way.

Hybrid Learning

Expand the classroom

Reach and engage today's learner

Involve the learner into interactive activities

Maximize feedback

Meet millennial students’ learning styles

Encourage creativity and innovation in teaching

Promote active learning

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43901973@N08/4131163667/in/photostream/

Tatiana Usova,

Head Librarian

Bibliothèque Saint-Jean, University of Alberta

Email: usova@ualberta.ca