Technology in the Learning Spaces

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Joseph M. SteffenAssociate Professor A&S Biology

Working Committee Members

Sande Johnson-Byers, Chair

Rhonda DixonJeff FalconeAlex GaughanLaura HardestyMichael HomanMark Kasselhut Brad Lawton

Cathy LeistSherry RossJoe SteffenUldis StrepisChris WeaverJoanna Wolfe

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Methodology

• Develop a diverse committee of faculty, staff and students

• Establish a baseline for the current state UofL learning spaces

• Review current research and literature

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Methodology

• Conduct surveys– Benchmark institutions– UofL faculty and students

• Conduct focus groups– UofL faculty and students

• Develop and vet recommendations

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Committee Recommendations

1. Create a new minimum classroom technology standarda) Current standards provide an “overkill” of

technology, limiting scope to few classrooms

b) New standards should provide basic technology:• Data projector• Electric screen• Input panel• Internet access• Base i-Clicker system

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Committee Recommendations

1. Create a new minimum classroom technology standard (continued)

c) Estimated $5,615 per classroom, excluding room prep and desktop computer

d) Philosophy of upgrading as many classrooms as budgetarily feasible

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Committee Recommendations

2. Develop a plan to equip 100% of UofL’s learning spaces

a) All responding benchmark institutions plan to equip 100% of their classrooms

b) Equip UofL classrooms at the new minimum standard over a three-year period (estimated $640,110)

c) Update: $168,450 of the funding is included in UofL’s Phi Beta Kappa initiative

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Committee Recommendations

3. Encourage departments to replace faculty workstations with laptop or tablet computers

a) Design technology classrooms with appropriate connection cables

b) Provost and CIO strongly encourage units to buy laptops for faculty in lieu of desktops

c) Over 3-4 years, centrally fund laptop/desktop cost differential for all full-time faculty (approximately $300 each, total $468,300)

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Committee Recommendations

4. Establish an ongoing process for sustaining technology in the classrooma) IT develop an ongoing classroom technology

management approach

b) Create a central budget for classroom technology maintenance and upgrades

c) Fund at 20% ($224,600) assuming maintenance of equipment for 200 classrooms at the minimum standard

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Committee Recommendations

5. Make all classrooms available for scheduling through Resource 25

a) Several units restrict access to technology classrooms by not listing them on Resource 25

b) Maximize learning space usage by making all classrooms available for scheduling through Resource 25

c) Give priority scheduling to units that currently invest in technology using student fees

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Committee Recommendations

6. Improve training, documentation and support for using technology in the classroom

a) Each classroom contain a printed set of instructions

b) Review instructions on a semester basis

c) Maintain instructions on the web for instructors to download

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6. Improve training, documentation and support for using technology in the classroom (continued)

d) Offer training to instructors teaching in technology classrooms

e) Offer group training at the department/school level

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Committee Recommendations

7. Develop a process to assess the impact of technology in the classrooma) Technology in the classroom is an investment

b) Assessment provides data to evaluate effectiveness

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Committee Recommendations

7. Develop a process to assess the impact of technology in the classroomc) Institutional Research develop a process to

assess the impact of technology in the classroom on student outcomes

d) Use National Study of Student Engagement (NSSE) as a guide

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Committee Recommendations

8. Include technology classrooms and collaborative learning spaces in new construction and renovations

a) Ensure all classrooms meet/exceed the new minimum technology standard

b) Assure the development of collaborative learning spaces to stimulate and enhance active student engagement

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Committee Recommendations

9. Increase use of blended courses to maximize use of available technology classrooms

a) Meet face-to-face on a limited basis

b) Utilize Blackboard (or other technology) to interact outside of the classroom

c) Charge 115% of tuition rate to fund initiative

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Committee Recommendations

9. Increase use of blended courses to maximize use of available technology classrooms (continued)d) Incent individual instructors who

develop and offer blended courses

e) Officially recognize blended classes as a unique class/category

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Committee Recommendations

10.Strongly encourage faculty to increase use of Blackboard

a) Currently in use by less than 50% of all courses at UofL

b) Provost’s office, academic deans and department chairs encourage a minimum usage standard for Blackboard

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Committee Recommendations

10.Increase requirements and accountability for use of Blackboard (continued)c) Include at minimum posting syllabus, faculty

information and course description

d) Strongly encourage posting of grades in Blackboard, even if Blackboard is not used to administer tests and assignments

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Committee Recommendations

11.Strongly encourage use of Tegrity and I-Clickers in the classroom

a) Delphi and IT offer classes and training designed to encourage innovative Tegrity use

b) When possible, place in classrooms microphones which support Tegrity and other recordings

c) Stock recommended microphones in iTech Xpress and have them available for checkout through IT’s classroom support services

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Committee Recommendations

11.Strongly encourage use of Tegrity and I-Clickers in the classroom (continued)d) Include I-Clicker base units in technology

capable classrooms

e) Delphi Center and IT continue offering training and support for I-Clickers

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Committee Recommendations

12.Acquire the appropriate tools to improve virtual learning spaces

a) Current Blackboard chat/virtual classroom tools do not ensure meaningful web collaboration• Difficult to use • Not stable • Not full-featured

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Committee Recommendations

12.Acquire the appropriate tools to improve virtual learning spaces (continued)

b) Purchase a full-featured web collaboration tool to use in conjunction with Blackboard (estimated $80,000 CAR)

c) Implement at the enterprise level to support instruction and provide administrative support to faculty and students

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Committee Recommendations

13.Allow use of social networking tools to be initiated by the student

a) Students view faculty-initiated social networking as an intrustion

b) Allow students to initiate faculty/student social networking

c) Investigate ConnectYard to facilitate student-initiated social networking

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Next Steps

• Vet findings and recommendations:– Academic Technology Committee

– Council of Academic Officers

– Faculty Senate

– Student Government Association

– Strategic Technology Executive Committee25

Next Steps

• Present recommendations to Provost

• Implement approved recommendations (pending funding)

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Questions?

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