What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
Keynote Session at the CLA InfoTECH 2000
University of South Carolina, May 13, 2002
by David G. Brown (http://www.wfu.edu/~brown)
Professor of Economics, ICCEL Dean, and VP
Wake Forest University
Triple Congratulations!!!
• For “developing students' ability to think critically,
communicate effectively, solve problems, and
interpret human experience; enhancing their creative
and intellectual capacities; and broadening their
historical, ethical, social, and international
perspectives” –CLA Web Page
• For investing “in information technology to reinforce
the University’s role as the State’s most
comprehensive information content provider”—
Strategic Initiatives Committee, January 2002
• For showing up at this session & admitting that we
all have much to learn
You are the pioneers!
If you are to lead others, to inspire
them to take advantage of
technology--- you will need to
highlight simple things that don’t
take great skill or time
How has the computer already
changed teaching and learning?
Please write down
two phrases and
share what you
have written with a
neighbor!!!
"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster
than any invention in human history--with the
possible exceptions of handguns and tequila."
--Mitch Ratliffe, "Technology Review"
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!
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
1. More Learning results From Better
Communication!
2. Students relish Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology & Management
1. More Productivity results From Better
Communication!
2. All relish Buffets!
3. Blended Approaches are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Manager becomes Personal Trainer!
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, 2002
2002
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, 2002
Reasons 150 Professors Added
Computer Enhancements
1. Communication-Interaction
2. Collaboration-Teams
3. Controversy-Debate
4. Customization-Diversity
5. Consultants-Adjuncts
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
Communication-Interaction
•1247 emails
•Announcements
•Muddiest
•One Minute Quiz
•Reaction to Talk
•Student Profiles
Blackboard
Your Turn!
Here’s another way to increase
communication, a way that wasn’t available
before widespread use of the computer! Other
professors would be wise to consider it.
Please write down an idea you have! Pass
it to the left end of your “row”! We’ll ask 4
or 5 or the aisle-sitters to read their
favorite idea before I leave the podium.
Your Ideas Re Increasing
Communication and Interaction
•a
Your Ideas Re Increasing
Communication and Interaction
•a
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
Your Ideas Re
Collaboration Among Students
•a
Your Ideas Re
Collaboration Among Students
•a
The 5 C’s---New Opportunities
Through Technology
• Communication-Interaction
• Collaboration-Teams
• Controversy-Debate
• Customization-Diversity
More Examples
• Consultants-Adjuncts At 1 PM Today
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
1. More Learning results From Better
Communication!
2. Students relish Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
1. More Learning results From Better
Communication!
2. Students relish Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
THE WAKE FOREST PLAN
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
IBM A21m, Pentium III, 700 Mhz, 20GB, 14”ActMatrix, 196MB, Re-writable CD
56k modem, 8MB Video Ram, 10/100 Ethernet, Floppy,
USB&Serial&Parellel&Infrared Ports
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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
+15% Tuition for 37 Items
+40 Faculty and 30 Staff
1. More Learning results From Better
Communication!
2. Students relish Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
ICCEL
ICCEL --- Wake
Wake Forest
Forest University,
University, 2001
2001
Hanging Fruit
What We’veLow
Learned
So Far
[within the constraints of time & money]
About Technology and Teaching
1. URLs
1. More Learning results From Better
2. Email
Communication!
3. Course Management System
2. Students relish
Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
Better 85% Some Use Vs 5% Heavy Use
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
What We’ve Learned So Far
About Technology and Teaching
1. More Learning results From Better
Communication!
2. Students relish Buffets!
3. Blended Courses are Best!
4. Ubiquitous Access is Essential!
5. Simpler is Better!
6. Professor becomes Personal Trainer!
The Millennium Context
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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)
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: 336-758-4875
Wake Forest University, 2002
Controversy-Debate
•Cross-Culture Projects
•More Class Time
•Best Web Sites
•Threaded Discussion
•Chat in Class
•Double Jeopardy Quiz
Customization-Diversity
•Cybershows (lectures, preview)
•Personal Notes (email again)
•Hierarchy of Help
•Hyperlinks
•Just In Time Teaching
Consultants-Adjuncts
•Alumni Editors
•Globe Theatre
•Session with Expert
•Disciplinary Colleagues
•Previous Students
The 5 C’s---New Opportunities
Through Technology
• Communication-Interaction
• Collaboration-Teams
• Controversy-Debate
• Customization-Diversity
• Consultants-Adjuncts