Using Technology to Using Technology to Engage Student LearningEngage Student Learning

Prepared by:Prepared by:

Alicia GutschowAlicia Gutschow

Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

Information Systems TechnologyInformation Systems Technology

Blue Ridge Community CollegeBlue Ridge Community College

IntroductionIntroduction

This presentation will consider:This presentation will consider:What is the climate in today’s classroom?What is the climate in today’s classroom?What does research have to say about What does research have to say about

learning?learning?What can we do with technology to improve What can we do with technology to improve

student engagement in our classrooms?student engagement in our classrooms?

What is the Climate in What is the Climate in Today’s Classrooms?Today’s Classrooms?

What is the climate in today’s What is the climate in today’s classroom?classroom?

Our classrooms are often equipped with Our classrooms are often equipped with computers and projector systems.computers and projector systems.

Technology is at our fingertips.Technology is at our fingertips.

What is the climate in today’s What is the climate in today’s classroom?classroom?

Our students have gotten younger.Our students have gotten younger.According to the VCCS Institutional Research According to the VCCS Institutional Research

data, by Fall 2002 the median age for new data, by Fall 2002 the median age for new students was 24. This is the lowest that we have students was 24. This is the lowest that we have seen in the history of the VCCS.seen in the history of the VCCS.

Our students are used to high speed Our students are used to high speed multimedia.multimedia.Our 24 year old student was born in 1980 after the Our 24 year old student was born in 1980 after the

development of the personal computer.development of the personal computer.

What is the climate in today’s What is the climate in today’s classroom?classroom?

For the first time, the number of students in For the first time, the number of students in College Transfer programs exceeds the College Transfer programs exceeds the number of students in Occupational Technical number of students in Occupational Technical programs. This implies that more students are programs. This implies that more students are completing general education requirements completing general education requirements instead of pursuing personal interests.instead of pursuing personal interests.

Additionally, we continue to see an increase Additionally, we continue to see an increase in the credit load students take. However, a in the credit load students take. However, a large number of our students still work.large number of our students still work.

What is the climate in today’s What is the climate in today’s classroom?classroom?

Anecdotally, we hear thatAnecdotally, we hear that In many classrooms, non-interactive lecture is In many classrooms, non-interactive lecture is

still the dominant mode of instruction. still the dominant mode of instruction. Our students frequently appear to be passing Our students frequently appear to be passing

time in the classroom (They are not engaged.)time in the classroom (They are not engaged.)Attendance seems worse than ever.Attendance seems worse than ever.

What is the climate in today’s What is the climate in today’s classrooms?classrooms?

The use of technologyThe use of technologyTextbook publishers have created PowerPoint Textbook publishers have created PowerPoint

slides with chapter outlines readily available.slides with chapter outlines readily available.PowerPoint is useful for addressing visual PowerPoint is useful for addressing visual

learners.learners.PowerPoint makes it easy to print handouts. PowerPoint makes it easy to print handouts.

So the students have “good notes”.So the students have “good notes”.Yet, many students seem not to be interested.Yet, many students seem not to be interested.

What does research say What does research say about learning?about learning?

A ReviewA Review

What does research say about What does research say about learning?learning?

Learning StylesLearning StylesFelder and Silverman devised the “Index of Felder and Silverman devised the “Index of

Learning Styles” model which discusses a Learning Styles” model which discusses a student’s preferred modality for receiving student’s preferred modality for receiving information.information.

They propose the following types of learners:They propose the following types of learners:Active and Reflective LearnersActive and Reflective LearnersSensing and Intuitive LearnersSensing and Intuitive LearnersSequential and Global LearnersSequential and Global LearnersVisual and Verbal LearnersVisual and Verbal Learners

Active and Reflective LearnersActive and Reflective Learners

Doers by nature. Sitting in a classroom Doers by nature. Sitting in a classroom and not doing anything but taking notes for and not doing anything but taking notes for an extended period of time is very difficult. an extended period of time is very difficult. The difference is whether you do first and The difference is whether you do first and ask questions later or think first and then ask questions later or think first and then do. do.

Active learners like group work – Active learners like group work – Reflective learners do not.Reflective learners do not.

Sensing and Intuitive LearnersSensing and Intuitive Learners

Sensing learners like facts and Sensing learners like facts and memorization and structured problem memorization and structured problem solving. solving.

Intuitive learners like relationships; intuitive Intuitive learners like relationships; intuitive learners are better at abstraction.learners are better at abstraction.

Sequential and Global LearnersSequential and Global Learners

Sequential learners prefer order (most Sequential learners prefer order (most college courses). college courses).

Global learners want the big picture (need Global learners want the big picture (need the overview first)the overview first)

Visual and Verbal LearnersVisual and Verbal Learners

Most learners are visual learners – Most learners are visual learners – PowerPoint does help here. PowerPoint does help here.

Most college courses are verbally Most college courses are verbally (auditory) focused.(auditory) focused.

Multiple IntelligencesMultiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner studied the same material. He Howard Gardner studied the same material. He wrote that we each have multiple intelligences.wrote that we each have multiple intelligences. Verbal/LinguisticVerbal/Linguistic Mathematical/LogicalMathematical/Logical Visual/SpatialVisual/Spatial Musical/RhythmicMusical/Rhythmic Bodily/KinestheticBodily/Kinesthetic InterpersonalInterpersonal NaturalisticNaturalistic ExistentialistExistentialist

Multiple IntelligencesMultiple Intelligences

Gardner finds that our schools tend to Gardner finds that our schools tend to focus on the Linguistic and the Logical-focus on the Linguistic and the Logical-Mathematical Intelligences. Mathematical Intelligences.

4MAT4MAT

Bernice McCarthy developed another Bernice McCarthy developed another model called 4MAT. She states that there model called 4MAT. She states that there are four major quadrants of learning are four major quadrants of learning tendencies which are derived from our tendencies which are derived from our preferences in perception and doing.preferences in perception and doing.

4MAT4MAT

Dynamic learners prefer knowing “If”Dynamic learners prefer knowing “If”Common sense learners prefer knowing Common sense learners prefer knowing

“How”“How”Analytic learners prefer knowing “What”Analytic learners prefer knowing “What” Imaginative learners prefer knowing “Why”Imaginative learners prefer knowing “Why”

What does research say about What does research say about learning?learning?

These models among others say that These models among others say that learning is a uniquely personal activity.learning is a uniquely personal activity.

We believe this, if for no other reason than We believe this, if for no other reason than we know how we like to learn and be we know how we like to learn and be taught.taught.

If so, how can I teach to all of these If so, how can I teach to all of these differences?differences?

Over the course of a semester, can you Over the course of a semester, can you use different learning activities across use different learning activities across these learning “preferences”?these learning “preferences”?

Trying to bring in many different types of Trying to bring in many different types of activities and experiences will benefit the activities and experiences will benefit the student’s acquisition of knowledge student’s acquisition of knowledge throughout the course. Additionally, it is throughout the course. Additionally, it is likely to prepare them for learning beyond likely to prepare them for learning beyond the classroom.the classroom.

A Hands-on ModelA Hands-on Model

Kolb stated that “learning is the process Kolb stated that “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created by the whereby knowledge is created by the transformation of experience”.transformation of experience”.

Students would need to be active and Students would need to be active and participate in the learning process in order participate in the learning process in order to be successful.to be successful.

The Studio ModelThe Studio Model

Can we even hypothesize further; can we Can we even hypothesize further; can we utilize technology in the classroom to utilize technology in the classroom to create authentic work situations? create authentic work situations?

Jack Wilson led a transformation of the Jack Wilson led a transformation of the Physics department at Rensselaer. The Physics department at Rensselaer. The courses moved from predominately lecture courses moved from predominately lecture and recitation sections to hands-on and recitation sections to hands-on interactive laboratories. interactive laboratories.

The Studio ModelThe Studio Model

In the studio model, In the studio model, Students prepare for the class session in Students prepare for the class session in

advance, advance, Lecturettes are brief and focused on a specific Lecturettes are brief and focused on a specific

concept, and concept, and Class time is spent doing interactive Class time is spent doing interactive

experiments.experiments.

The Studio ModelThe Studio Model

Technology provides students in the studio Technology provides students in the studio classroom access to materials. Students classroom access to materials. Students must prepare ahead of time for class by must prepare ahead of time for class by reviewing slides and notes on routine reviewing slides and notes on routine topics. By the time the student comes to topics. By the time the student comes to the class session, they have already the class session, they have already considered much of the material that considered much of the material that would have been presented in the day’s would have been presented in the day’s lecture.lecture.

Using TechnologyUsing Technology

Using Technology in the ClassroomUsing Technology in the Classroom

In the Computer Presentation RoomIn the Computer Presentation Room In the Computer LabIn the Computer Lab In Homework AssignmentsIn Homework AssignmentsOnlineOnline

In the Computer Presentation In the Computer Presentation RoomRoom

What can we do?What can we do?Technologies that provide contentTechnologies that provide content

PowerPoint????PowerPoint????Simulations – Dynamic MappingSimulations – Dynamic Mapping

Technologies that assist with participationTechnologies that assist with participationRandom Student Selector Random Student Selector CPSCPS

PowerPoint is not an endPowerPoint is not an end

Many of us thought that PowerPoint would Many of us thought that PowerPoint would make the class more exciting and would make the class more exciting and would tap the multimedia gene in our students.tap the multimedia gene in our students.

We can do fancy animations, transitions, We can do fancy animations, transitions, and sounds. It’s almost like a computer and sounds. It’s almost like a computer game.game.

We believed that our students would have We believed that our students would have to like this.to like this.

Research on PowerPointResearch on PowerPoint

Several research studies were performed Several research studies were performed to examine if PowerPoint had an impact to examine if PowerPoint had an impact on student learning outcomes. on student learning outcomes.

The researchers found that students The researchers found that students remember the “trickery” not the content.remember the “trickery” not the content.

Effective Use of PowerPointEffective Use of PowerPoint

PowerPoint slides:PowerPoint slides:Should be simple (These slides are too dense Should be simple (These slides are too dense

for a classroom presentation.)for a classroom presentation.)Light on dark usually is easier to readLight on dark usually is easier to readReach our visual learning styleReach our visual learning styleProvide a framework for course events.Provide a framework for course events.

PowerPoint HandoutsPowerPoint Handouts

Are PowerPoint handouts effective in Are PowerPoint handouts effective in place of note taking? place of note taking? Yes and No.Yes and No.Some people believe that giving students Some people believe that giving students

more “notes” will assist them in interacting more “notes” will assist them in interacting during the class discussion since they are not during the class discussion since they are not busy copying. Others believe that the busy copying. Others believe that the process of writing notes helps some students process of writing notes helps some students to internalize the course information.to internalize the course information.

PowerPoint HandoutsPowerPoint Handouts

One strategy that you may use is to keep One strategy that you may use is to keep the handouts to key points only. This the handouts to key points only. This allows the student to have a framework for allows the student to have a framework for class, but forces them to insert the factual class, but forces them to insert the factual information for each point. information for each point.

Consider the following two slides:Consider the following two slides:

Example 1: Stimuli for the Example 1: Stimuli for the Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War

There were a number of different stimuli There were a number of different stimuli which precipitated the Revolutionary War. which precipitated the Revolutionary War. The Colonists were angered by the idea The Colonists were angered by the idea that the English Parliament could levy that the English Parliament could levy taxes without any representation for the taxes without any representation for the colonists. They were also angered that colonists. They were also angered that they had no right to establish their own they had no right to establish their own churches as they saw fit. …churches as they saw fit. …

Example 2: Stimuli for the Example 2: Stimuli for the Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War

Unfair TaxationUnfair Taxation

Lack of Church ChoiceLack of Church Choice

Unfair Treatment by Soldiers Unfair Treatment by Soldiers

Which do you think would be more Which do you think would be more effective?effective?

The technique of providing an outline The technique of providing an outline allows the slides to be more scaffolding allows the slides to be more scaffolding rather than being a replacement for tuning rather than being a replacement for tuning in during course presentations. in during course presentations.

Scaffolding allows the student to see Scaffolding allows the student to see where we are going but still need to be where we are going but still need to be engaged to get all of the detail.engaged to get all of the detail.

SimulationsSimulations

Simulations can be another effective Simulations can be another effective

in-class strategy for using technology.in-class strategy for using technology.For example, in a discussion of marketing For example, in a discussion of marketing

strategies, you create a scenario and then strategies, you create a scenario and then have the class make business decisions. have the class make business decisions. The students would see instantaneous The students would see instantaneous feedback concerning the quality of their feedback concerning the quality of their decisions.decisions.

SimulatorsSimulators

Simulation software exists in many fields:Simulation software exists in many fields:MedicalMedicalBusinessBusinessFinancial (Stock Market)Financial (Stock Market)CriminologyCriminology

Somewhat today, but particularly in the Somewhat today, but particularly in the future, we will see many of these future, we will see many of these environments becoming more interactive.environments becoming more interactive.

Beyond SimulationBeyond Simulation

Geographic Information Systems are Geographic Information Systems are increasing in their use.increasing in their use.The basic principle of Geographic Information The basic principle of Geographic Information

Systems is that we map some “criteria” that Systems is that we map some “criteria” that we are interested in along with geographic we are interested in along with geographic coordinates. coordinates.

The software can aggregate or disaggregate The software can aggregate or disaggregate information to zoom to the level of detail that information to zoom to the level of detail that you are requesting.you are requesting.

GIS ExamplesGIS Examples

GIS has been used in:GIS has been used in:Fighting California WildfiresFighting California WildfiresMapping Crime PatternsMapping Crime PatternsDetermining Business DemographicsDetermining Business DemographicsMapping Health OutbreaksMapping Health Outbreaks

among others.among others.

GIS GIS

GIS would be a great addition to any GIS would be a great addition to any statistics class. Now students can work statistics class. Now students can work with real data and apply the statistical with real data and apply the statistical principles in real world contexts. principles in real world contexts.

FYI – GIS in the VCCSFYI – GIS in the VCCS

Each college has the opportunity to Each college has the opportunity to investigate how GIS can become a part of investigate how GIS can become a part of the curriculum through the 2004 – 2005 the curriculum through the 2004 – 2005 school year.school year.

The Institute for Excellence in Advanced The Institute for Excellence in Advanced Technology has sponsored a system wide Technology has sponsored a system wide license for ESRI – ArcView through next license for ESRI – ArcView through next year. year.

Technologies that assist with Technologies that assist with participationparticipation

How do you select students to answer How do you select students to answer questions? Do you pick those with raised questions? Do you pick those with raised hands (Is this the most effective technique?)hands (Is this the most effective technique?)

What if there was a random way to select What if there was a random way to select students?students?CPS can do that.CPS can do that.Any shuffling or randomizing computer program Any shuffling or randomizing computer program

can do it. I use a java picture shuffler.can do it. I use a java picture shuffler.

CPSCPS

Classroom Performance SystemClassroom Performance System CPS gives each student a remote control which can CPS gives each student a remote control which can

submit “answers” to the classroom computer. submit “answers” to the classroom computer.

CPSCPS

On the classroom computer, the teacher On the classroom computer, the teacher can see the results of the student can see the results of the student responses graphically.responses graphically.

On the following slides, you will see On the following slides, you will see sample questions.sample questions.

Notice how an opinion question such as this could be used to start a class discussion. Students only see the number of their response pad, not the answer they selected.

Notice how recall questions could be embedded into the course of a lecture to ensure that students have mastered the material for the next segment.

The CPS software can even provide a quick quiz for students on the current math topic. The teacher will be able to see which students have responded and even store the information into the class gradebook.

CPS in ActionCPS in Action

I was told about a math instructor who I was told about a math instructor who uses CPS in a class of about 30 students. uses CPS in a class of about 30 students. He uses the system on Monday and He uses the system on Monday and Wednesday but not Friday.Wednesday but not Friday.

By the fifth week of the semester, he By the fifth week of the semester, he doesn’t have to use it all the time to get doesn’t have to use it all the time to get students to participate.students to participate.

Can you guess why?Can you guess why?

CPS in ActionCPS in Action

I immediately assumed that the reason that the I immediately assumed that the reason that the students asked questions was because they students asked questions was because they knew they were not the only one who did not knew they were not the only one who did not understand.understand.

The teacher believes that it is rather because The teacher believes that it is rather because during the first five weeks anytime there was a during the first five weeks anytime there was a question on which the students were confused, question on which the students were confused, he backed up and recovered the material. He he backed up and recovered the material. He feels that they know that he wants them to feels that they know that he wants them to understand and will answer any question. understand and will answer any question.

Technologies in the Computer LabTechnologies in the Computer Lab

The best model for engaging students in The best model for engaging students in the computer lab would be to move toward the computer lab would be to move toward a studio model.a studio model.

The best way to describe the environment The best way to describe the environment is to think of an art studio.is to think of an art studio.Authentic activitiesAuthentic activitiesSharingSharingTeacher as mentor not sageTeacher as mentor not sage

Steps toward a studio modelSteps toward a studio model

Students need to know the expectations of Students need to know the expectations of the class activities. Since we are in a the class activities. Since we are in a computer lab, can we post them for computer lab, can we post them for student access? Blackboard works great student access? Blackboard works great for this.for this.

The more material that we provide The more material that we provide prepared ahead of time the more that our prepared ahead of time the more that our class time can become an interactive class time can become an interactive environment.environment.

Technologies in Homework Technologies in Homework AssignmentsAssignments

Can a traditional class use an online Can a traditional class use an online discussion board? You bet! Watch the discussion board? You bet! Watch the participation in the classroom increase.participation in the classroom increase.

Can we use technology to allow for Can we use technology to allow for student collaboration on projects?student collaboration on projects?

Can we use technology to allow students Can we use technology to allow students to spend the “student specific” amount of to spend the “student specific” amount of time required to master the material?time required to master the material?

Technology OnlineTechnology Online

Any of the other examples of technology Any of the other examples of technology use can be extended to online distance use can be extended to online distance courses. Additionally, multimedia courses. Additionally, multimedia conferencing can be used to get student conferencing can be used to get student participation in office hours. participation in office hours.

ConclusionConclusion

We know that students learn best when We know that students learn best when they are engaged and can apply the they are engaged and can apply the material. material.

Using technology for technology’s sake is Using technology for technology’s sake is not the answer. However, technology can not the answer. However, technology can be an important tool in creating an be an important tool in creating an interactive environment in the classroom. interactive environment in the classroom.

ENDEND

For more informationFor more information

““VCCS Credit Enrollment Trends” - VCCS Credit Enrollment Trends” - http://www.vccs.edu/vccsasr/Research/VCCS%20Credithttp://www.vccs.edu/vccsasr/Research/VCCS%20Credit%20Enrollment%20Trends.pdf%20Enrollment%20Trends.pdf

Felder/Silverman - Felder/Silverman - http://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/ILSpage.htmlhttp://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/ILSpage.html

Gartner - Gartner - http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/month1/#http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/month1/#22

Wilson - Wilson - http://www.jackmwilson.com/http://www.jackmwilson.com/PowerPoint Usage - PowerPoint Usage -

http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr02/tech.htmlhttp://www.apa.org/monitor/apr02/tech.htmlCPS – CPS – http://www.einstruction.comhttp://www.einstruction.com