Presentation to Center for Teaching Excellence

Constructing Learning Constellations: Extensions of Teaching and Learning Through

Creative Course & Project Site Design

Dr. Mark A. Van DykeLindsey Devlin (Marist ’10)Robert Capua (Marist ’10)School of Communication and the Arts

April 21, 2010

Background

• Fall 2007: AT Support request, iLearn/Sakai

launch

• Spring 2008: COM471-PR Case Studieso 32 students, 7 teams, in 2 sections

o Developed communication plans

• Fall 2008: COM401-Capstoneo 38 students, 8 teams, in 2 sections

o Refined plans & executed tactics

iLearn & Collaborative Education

• Supports student-centered education

o Strengthens Teacher-Student Partnership

o Classroom = Collective Learning Community

o Places tools and learning in hands of students

o 24/7 service

iLearn & Barriers to Collaboration

• But what about time & space barriers?o Connections between iLearn sites: different sections, semesters?

o Support for major projects, “cluster model,” team teaching?

Course Section 111 Course Section 112

Solution: Collective Learning Constellation

1. Problem: Barriers to collaboration created by separate course sections, meeting times, and CLE sites

2. Solution: Central project site connects orbiting course sites

3. Result: 70 students, 15 teams, 4 sections of 2 courses, spanning 2 semesters

4. Outcomes: Increased contact, cooperation and communication, authentic learning, time on task, use of student talents

iLearn Course & Project Site Creative Architecture

Spring 08 PR Case Studies 2 Course Sites

Fall 08 Capstone 2 Course Sites

Project Site (1)

Students = Collaborators

The Net Generation

“They prize freedom and freedom of choice. They want to customize things, make them their own. They’re natural collaborators, who enjoy a conversation, not a lecture. They’ll scrutinize you and your organization. They insist on integrity. They want to have fun, even at work or school. Speed is normal. Innovation is life.”

Don Tapscott, Grown Up Digital (2008, pp. 6-7)

“I would have never known how to blog, use a wiki … a course management system. These new skills … are going to help get my first job.”

“I have come to understand and appreciate the importance of … collaboration for this course, other parts of life and for a job.”

“Helped me see that turbulence … is to be expected and that it is our job … to turn those problems into opportunities.”

Marist Student Testimonials

Samples of Student Outcomes

Sample Displays

Consolidated Screenshots

Student-Produced Materials

Post Card For Adult StudentsMock-Up of USB Drive With Pre-Loaded Materials For Adult Students

Campus TV Spot StoryboardCampus TV Spot

Sakai Tutorial For Adjunct Faculty Sakai Adjunct Faculty Project Collaboration Site

Questions?