Five Simple Strategies for Enhancing
Learning with Technology
A Video Conference with Creative Faculty
From Augustana College, January 14, 2003
David G. Brown
Professor of Economics, Dean and VP
Wake Forest University
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Opening Comments
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How has the computer changed
teaching and learning? (my answer)
1. It’s caused every teacher to
rethink & redesign.
2. By increasing student options, it has increased
competition and compelled universities to pay
more attention to the quality of teaching
Our profession has been changed forever!
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Research Results
• University of Central Florida--Hybrid courses win! (the 80-20 rule)
• 18,844 students at 71 American Universities--More “good practices” for wired students!
• 150 professors at 50 Research Universities--Interaction, Collaboration, Debate, Custom, Adjuncts!
• Virginia Polytechnic University--Calculus failure rate cut by 44%!
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Multi-Institutional Studies
– Hu and Kuh (CSEQ data from 18,000+ students)
http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v9n49.html
– CSEQ Questionnaire
http://www.indiana.edu/~cseq/overview.html and
http://www.indiana.edu/~nsse/html/mbp/confra1.html
– Brown (150 professors from 36 universities)
http://www.ankerpub.com/books/brown.html
– Flashlight Project of the TLT Group
http://www.tltgroup.org/programs/flashlight.html
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Communication-Interaction
Computers Enhance
Teaching & Learning Via-Presentations
Better--20%
More Opportunities to
Practice & Analyze--35%
More Access to Source
Materials via Internet--43%
More Communication with Faculty Colleagues, Classmates,
and Between Faculty and Students--87%
ICCEL
ICCEL --- Wake
Wake Forest
Forest University,
University, 2003
2003
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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
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003
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The Five Strategies
Reasons 150 Professors Added
Computer Enhancements
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1. Communication-Interaction
2. Collaboration-Teams
3. Controversy-Debate
4. Customization-Diversity
5. Consultants-Adjuncts
2002
http://www.ablongman.com/professional/catalog/academic/product/1,4096,0205355803,00.html
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FIRST YEAR SEMINAR
The Economists’ Way of Thinking:
• To understand a liberal arts education as an
opportunity to study with professors who think by
their own set of concepts
• To learn how to apply economic concepts
• To learn how to work collaboratively
• To learn computer skills
• To improve writing and speaking
Students = 15
All Freshmen
Required Course
Before Class
During Class.
After Class
Brown’s First Year Seminar
• Before Class
– Students Find URLs &
Identify Criteria
– Interactive exercises
– Muddiest Point
– Lecture Notes
– E-mail dialogue
– Cybershows
• During Class
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One Minute Quiz
Computer Tip Talk
Class Polls
Team Projects
• After Class
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Edit Drafts by Team
Guest Editors
Hyperlinks & Pictures
Access Previous Papers
• Other
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Daily Announcements
Team Web Page
Personal Web Pages
Exams include Computer
Portfolio
Materials Forever
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2003
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Communication-Interaction
•1247 emails
•Announcements
•Muddiest
•One Minute Quiz
•Reaction to Talk
•Student Profiles
Blackboard
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Collaboration-Teams
•Professors Share Resource Materials
•Students Study Together
•Departments Create Shared Databases
Examples--•2 Students Submit 1 Answer
•Edit Rough Draft Papers
•PowerPoint in Class
•Listserv Between Classes
•Public Web Page
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Controversy-Debate
•Cross-Culture Projects
•More Class Time
•Best Web Sites
•Threaded Discussion
•Chat in Class
•Double Jeopardy Quiz
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Customization-Diversity
•Cybershows (lectures, preview)
•Personal Notes (email again)
•Hierarchy of Help
•Hyperlinks
•Just In Time Teaching
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Consultants-Adjuncts
•Alumni Editors
•Globe Theatre
•Session with Expert
•Disciplinary Colleagues
•Previous Students
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Comments and Questions
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The Millennium Context
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Personal. Customized. Interactive.
Student-Centered Curriculum & Databases
Teams of Professionals to Support Learning
“Houses” instead of Disciplines
Blended Courses (80-20 and 20-80)
Loose-leaf Collections of Course Chunks
Internet Savvy Students (Nintendo)
Circle 3 Ideas That Most Deserve Your Personal Attention!
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The Good News is that the Highest
Benefit uses of the computer are among the Least Costly.
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Don’t Fear Distance Learning (Blended Wins)
Pursue the Low Hanging Fruit (Email, URL, CMS)
Teach on the Assumption of Internet Access
Declare a Standard
Hire Students
Promote Information Fluency
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Low Hanging Fruit
[within the constraints of time & money]
1. URLs
2. Email
3. Course Management System
Better 85% Some Use Vs 5% Heavy Use
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Student
Teacher
•My.yahoo
•Custom learning team
•Custom delivery
•Custom learning resources
Student-Centered
Learning
in the New Millennium
David G. Brown
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
336-758-4878
email: brown@wfu.edu
http//:www.wfu.edu/~brown
fax: 336-758-5012
Wake Forest University, 2003