Why and How Professors Are Using Technology in Their Teaching

By David G. Brown

(Professor of Economics, Vice President)

Dean of the International Center for Computer Enhanced Learning

Wake Forest University, USA

University of MelbourneMay 9, 2001

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Metaphors for Professors’ Role

• Coach and team

• Master and apprentices

• Sage on the Stage

• Guide by the Side

• Fountain of Information

• Salesperson

• ___________________ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2000

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What Works for You?[6 Ways to “tease out” your answer]

• Types of assignments and/or lectures that seem to be most effective? Want to give your student more of what?

• Your philosophy of teaching?• Idea behind your course?• Metaphors for your role?• 3 Most Important Principles of Good Teaching?• Diagram?

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93 Courses36 Universities143 Professors26 Disciplines

http://www.ankerpub.com/

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Beliefs of 91/93 Vignette AuthorsPedagogy and Philosophy

• Interactive Learning

• Learn by Doing

• Collaborative Learning

• Integration of Theory and Practice

• Communication

• Visualization

• Different Strokes for Different Folks

From Interactive Learning January, 2000From Anker PublishingDavid G. Brown, Editor

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WHY COMPUTERS FOR ALL?…the institutional answer

• Communication!

• Level Playing Field

• After College Use

• Faculty/Students Demand Them

• Customized/Personalized

• Digitized Scholarship

• Avoid Dumbing-Down Curriculum

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The Big Five Hows#1. Continuous Communication

#2. Preview and Review

#3. Controversy and Debate

#4. Different Strokes, Different Folks

#5. Outsider Involvement

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The Low Hanging Six

Email & Listservs URL addresses (in syllabus) Annotations within word processed documents Powerpoint “lecture outlines” Mini-movies that show successive computer screens Course Management System (CourseInfo)

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• 3700 undergraduates• 92% residential• 500 each: Med, Law, MBA, PhD• Winston-Salem, NC• 1300 average SAT• 28th in US News & World Report • Top 35 Privates in Barron’s Guide• Rhodes Scholars

Wake Forest University

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• IBM Laptops for all• Printers for all• New Every 2 Years• Own @ Graduation• 31.000 Connections• Standard Software• 99% E-Mail• Start 1995, 4 Year Phase In

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THE WAKE FOREST PLANIBM A21m, Pentium III, 800 Mhz, 20GB, 14.1”ActMatrix, 192mbRAM, Re-writable CD

56k modem, 8MB Video Ram, 10/100 Ethernet, Floppy, Lithium-ion Battery12mbps USB & Serial & Parallel & Infrared Ports, 6.7 lbs.

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Computers Enhance My Teaching and/or 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%

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Source: Wake ForestStudents and Faculty

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

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Ways of Thinking AboutPresidential Campaigns and DebatesA First Year Seminar IntroducingStudents to the Liberal Arts

15 FreshmenMeet twice per weekAll with open laptops

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Brown’s First Year Seminar• Before Class

– Students Find URLs & Identify Criteria

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

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

• 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– Materials Forever

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Faculty Development Strategies-- Most Effective

•Friends and Neighbors!

•Full Time Academic Computer Specialists Trained and Located in Disciplines (ACS)

•Well Trained Students Assigned to One Faculty Member for Full Semester (STARS)

•Seminars Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning (not only technology)

•Tutorials re Equipment by Librarians

•All Campus Help Desk

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A Few Lessons Learned

• Not during class

• Not faculty presentations in PowerPoint

• Not (yet) wireless

• Not wiring to every classroom seat

• Not all virtual courses

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Thoughts About the Future

• Customized Learning• Collaboration in All Disciplines• Hybrid Methodologies• Every Person A Server• Electronic Publications• Confederations• Branding• Always in Touch

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David G. BrownWake Forest University

Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109, USA336-758-4878

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

fax: 336-758-4875

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