“Lessons from
the Virtual Classroom”
Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Conference
Anna L. Pearman, M.A.
Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences
Region 1
apearman@ivytech.edu
C.O.R.E.
• Commitment 
• Opportunity
• Responsibility
• Equality

Region 1 Enrollment Statistics
•Total = ~5,000
•Campuses
Michigan City
East Chicago
Gary
Valparaiso
−Valparaiso 1,752
−Gary 1,709
−East Chicago 837
−Michigan City 822
•26% are online
822
837
0
500
1,000
1,709
1,752
1,500
2,000
My History
• 1995-1997: MA, Interdisciplinary Studies
− Education Instructional Technology
− Art history
− Archaeology
• 1997: MA, summa cum laude
• 2000-2002: Community College Professor
• 2002-2003: Hum. & Soc. Sci. Co-chair
• 2003-Present: Online Professor
Research Objectives
• Increase the number and usefulness of
technological resources with rich, high-quality
humanities and social science content,
• Improve the effectiveness of such resources by
shaping them around sophisticated, creative
and engaging approaches to learning, and
• Increase the number of instructors who can
integrate such humanities and social science
materials into their daily curricula.
Distributed Learning Model
People
Learners
Resources
Intelligence
Situations
Instructor
Environments
Others
Why this learning model?
• Traditional objectivist/transfer model
outmoded
• Workplace skills
− Think critically and strategically
− Operate in an ever-changing environment
− Build knowledge from distributed sources
− Collaborate globally
• Value and use WWW
Ten years ago
• Training to become
− Online instructor
− Subject matter expert
− Facilitator
• Envisioned hiring
− Instructional designer
− Instructional technologist
• We have become ALL of the above.
Ten years ago (contd)
• Learning/writing HTML code
− “View Source”
− Labor-intensive
− Time-consuming, but
− Necessary
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
(contd.)
Ten years ago (contd)
• WWW and Internet
• Dial up @14.4 kbps
− Get in the queue!
• Slow processors
• Minimal RAM/ROM
Ten years ago (contd)
Evolution of Microsoft Windows
Ten years ago…Windows 95
Computer:
100% IBM Compatible
Processor:
386 DX or higher
Memory:
4MB RAM
Drives:
35MB Hard disk drive space
CD-ROM or Floppy
Sound:
Sound Blaster compatible Sound Card.
Video:
VGA or higher-resolution
Controls:
100% compatible Microsoft keyboard / Mouse
Operating System:
DOS 5.0 and Higher
Source: http://www.computerhope.com/win95.htm
Ten years ago…Windows 95
• Plug and Play Allows hardware devices to be automatically
installed into the computer with the proper software. Does not
require jumpers to be played with.
• 32 Bit 32-Bit operating system allowing the computer to run
faster and more efficiently.
• Registry Combines the power of multiple configuration files into
two files, allowing the system configurations to be located easier.
• Memory Windows 95 has an improved memory handling processes
compared to Windows 3.11.
• Right mouse click Allows you new access and text manipulation
by utilizing both buttons instead of one.
• CD-Player Enhanced CD-Player with improved usability and
AutoPlay feature.
Ten years ago…Windows 95
Today…Windows Vista
Computer:
100% IBM Compatible
Processor:
1GHz Intel-compatible
Memory:
1GB RAM
Drives:
40GB disk space
DVD Drive
Sound:
Standard Sound card for sound capability.
Video:
DirectX 9.0 compatible video card.
64MB of Video RAM (1440x900)
128MB of Video RAM (1920x1200 / Dual monitor support)
256MB of Video RAM (>1920x1200)
Controls:
100% compatible Microsoft Keyboard / Mouse.
Operating System: Windows 2000 / XP to upgrade.
Today…Windows Vista
Technical savvy
• Troubleshooter
• Problem solver
• Which technology best supports the
learning style? Learning objective?
• Staying on the cutting edge
Unique circumstances
• Learners working asynchronously and at
individual paces
• Requires high level of organization
• Stress and anxiety levels run high
• Essential to build trust and credibility early
• Learners need more reassurance than normal
− Having the final exam freeze up is catastrophic
Technology drawbacks
• Server overload
− First two weeks of class
− Final exam week
• E-mail outages
• Bb down time
• Help Desk bogged down
(contd)
Technology drawbacks (contd)
• May not reach every learning style
• Verify student’s identity
• Married to low-level solution
• “Driving down the middle”
Written communications
• Supplant
− Oral
− Visual, i.e., body language
• Maintain free and open flow of comments
and ideas through
− Concise directions
− Rapid response
− Constructive feedback
Plagiarism, Copyright, Intellectual
Property
• ITCC policies and procedures
− Libraries brochure
− DE Handbook
• Plagiarism offenses
− Book review
• Student dropped and banned
• Vengeful hatred
− Essays
• Co-operative
• Administrative action
Manners, Excuses for absences
• Rudeness, apparent lack of respect
• Nature of excuses
− “My dog ate the mouse.”
− Technology, not an excuse / syllabus template
− Family, document
− Health, document
Desirable learner profile
• Self-starter
• Self-taught
• Work independently
• Work collaboratively
• Maintain attention span
• Highly motivated
• Skilled written communicator
Learner challenges
• Bandwidth varies
− Dial up @ 56 kbps
− Cable @ 1500 kbps
− ADSL @ 256 kbps-1 Mbps
− T-1 (on campus) @ 1.544 Mbps
(Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214198,00.html)
• Level of technical competency
• Amount of online experience
(contd)
Learner challenges (contd)
• Competing with graduate-level students
• Mastering content (10-16 weeks)
• Personal
− Over extended
− Poor time-management skills
Positive Support
• Training
− “Blackboard”
− “Camtasia”
• Certification course
• Discounts
− Software
− ISP (15% off Verizon)
Professional disadvantages
• Peer interaction
− Minimal to non-existent
• Annual teacher orientation
• Christmas party
• Opportunities “few and far between”
• “Out of sight, out of mind”
C.O.R.E. Challenges
• Commitment 
• Opportunity
• Responsibility
• Equality

We also need…
• Discounts on PCs and peripherals
• Meaningful feedback
− Old “Summa” survey was inappropriate,
designed for traditional classroom
• Recognition
• Opportunities to grow in our field
• Benefits
Recommendations
• Take an online course
− Experience student side of the equation
− Observe and assimilate new methods
• Take the ITCC Certification Course
− Get to know colleagues
− Share experiences
• Start building “learning community”
• Keep up with technology
Conclusions
• The trend line toward online learning
continues to grow
• Online learning is cost-effective
• Companies integrate e-learning into
their infrastructures
• E-learning supports career advancement
Conclusion
“Turn on, tune in…”
- Timothy Leary, 1967