Transcript Facilitating Student Dialogue

What Works
in Distance Learning
(for me)
TACTYC - Atlanta, GA
May 20, 2006
Andy Williams - Edmonds Community
College
[email protected]
http://faculty.edcc.edu/andy.williams/
Workshop Goals
 Discuss practices and techniques that we’ve used
to make our classes more effective and efficient.
 Focus on teaching and learning through use of
technology and electronic media.
 Develop a network of ‘best practitioners’ and
innovators for future conversations.
Communication with Students
• “Why don’t they get it?”
• “If they would just follow the instructions….”
• “Can’t they read?”
• “Why are they taking an online class,
anyway?”
Communication with Students
Who are our students?
71% intend to transfer to university.
58% are employed.
26% of accounting students have
children or other dependents.
18% do not have a High School
Diploma.
14% International Students.
Who are our students?
• They have other responsibilities and interests.
• My class is not their top priority.
• They don’t have enough time.
• They are ‘underprepared.’
• They need flexible learning opportunities.
They use technology
• 75% of online teens use Instant Messenger.
• 51% of online teens download music.
• 91% of all adults online use email.
• 73% of all adults online use internet to get
news.
Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project Surveys
Why are they enrolled in online classes?
•
Flexibility of online delivery format.
•
Schedule didn’t allow me to attend oncampus.
•
Can’t get to campus.
Source: EdCC & BCC survey of online course non-completers
Reasons for Withdrawing
•
I could not handle the combined study plus work or
family responsibilities.
•
The online course was too unstructured for me.
•
I had personal problems.
Source: EdCC & BCC survey of online course non-completers
When are students online?
On what day of the week are
students most active online?
Online Course Materials
• What materials/techniques do students
actually use?
• What materials do students say they
find useful?
• What materials/techniques are not
used?
Instructor-generated Materials
“I read the Course Materials posted in Blackboard, such as the
instructor's notes and letters before I attempt the homework
assignments.”
Instructor-generated Materials
“The Course Materials, such as the instructor's notes and
letter, posted in Blackboard are helpful in understanding
the learning objectives of the class.”
Publisher Website
“I read the materials posted on the Textbook Publisher's Website
before I attempt the homework assignments.”
Discussion Board
•
“The postings in the discussion forum are helpful in
understanding the learning objectives of the class.”
Discussion Board
• “I read the postings in the discussion forum.”
What has the lowest student
satisfaction level for those who
withdrew from online classes?
Interaction with faculty
Source: EdCC & BCC survey of online course non-completers
The Textbook
• “The
textbook is helpful in understanding the
learning objectives of the class.”
The Textbook
• “I read the assigned reading from the
textbook before I attempt the homework
assignments.”
Podcasts
• “The instructor's podcasts are helpful in understanding
the learning objectives of the class.”
What’s a Podcast?
• “Podcasting is the method of distributing
multimedia files, such as audio programs or
music videos, over the Internet for playback
on mobile devices and personal computers. “
• “Podcasting's essence is about creating
content (audio or video) for an audience that
wants to listen or watch when they want,
where they want, and how they want.”
Wikipedia
Sample Podcasts
• AW Web Pages
• Mr. Excel Video Podcast
• University of
Washington
• CPA Podcasts
• iTunes University
• UC Berkeley on iTunes
• Podcast Alley
•Podzinger
•Education Podcast
Network
Berkeley iTunes Site
UC Berkeley - Intro to Computers
Podcast Strategy
• Quick, easy and low
(no) cost
• Use .mp3 files
• Short audio clips
• Link to textbook
Podcast Strategy
• Consider attention span and downloading
time. Keep it short!
• 5 minutes of MP3 file is about 5 MB!
• Too long----> Students tune out.
• Too short ---> Not worth it.
What you need to Podcast
• Audacity - Free software from Sound Forge
– Cross Platform (Mac or Windows)
– Easy to Use
• Garage Band (Mac OSX) - with iLife suite
• Microphone/Speakers on your computer!
• Script or notes!
Audacity
Play
Record Pause Stop
Mic Level
Playback
Level
Recording Level
Podcasting to Your Class, and the World!
• Save completed audio file to desktop
• Load to web server
• Link to Blackboard classroom & web page
• Load into iTunes or other source (Need XML)
• Get students to listen, learn and give feedback!
Student Comments
• “It was a pleasant surprise to be greeted with a
Podcast welcoming me to the class at the
beginning of the course.”
• “Now with the podcast I feel that I have even
more of an opportunity to be successful in this
course.”
• “I like having your lecture notes and the
podcast, it makes it seem like it's more class
room like.”
Why add Podcasts to Course Materials?
•Audio connection with students
•Easier heard than read?
•Time shifting - Convenient and flexible
•Technology comfort level
The Future?