HILT Learning Bundles: Journey to a Fully Online Synchronous Lesson

ABCD – TIE PresentationSeptember 16th, 2013

Agenda

• Background on the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT)

• Learning Bundles Definition

• Learning Bundle Scenarios

• Technology Focus

• Q&A throughout

Project Background

• University-Wide Competitive Grant Application Process

• Mission of the grant from Gustave and Rita Hauser:– To catalyze innovation and excellence in learning and

teaching at Harvard.

• Awarded $50k grant for the 2012-2013 year

What is a learning bundle?

What is a Learning Bundle?

Our definition:

A classroom-based tool...that enables the efficient, effective representation of multiple viewpoints of Harvard faculty from across the university about challenging and complicated topics.

Challenging Topics

• Bundle 1: Race Conscious Admissions in Higher Education

• Bundle 2: The Role of the Charter Movement in Publicly-Funded American Education

• Bundle 3: Becoming a technology exploration.

Bundle Components

• Video Perspectives

• Readings

• Classroom Discussion

• Assessment

Scenario 1: Self-Contained Lesson

Topic: Race Conscious Admissions in Higher Education

•Format:– Introduce “bundles” concept– Gather demographic information and initial opinions via clickers– Students view videos in classroom– Discuss each perspective after viewing– Work towards synthesis– Use clickers to see if opinions change

•During January term

Scenario 1: Outcomes

• Lively discussion

• 100% survey participation – Ability to gather pre and post opinions– Data easy to access and analyze– Leverage demographic analysis features

• Some lost class/discussion time to watch videos

Scenario 2: “Flipped” Lesson

Topic: The Role of the Charter Movement in Publicly-Funded American Education

• Format:– Students watch all videos ahead of time (course iSite)– Clickers used to gather survey data during class– More class time dedicated to discussion

• During Spring term

Scenario 2: Outcomes

• Less focused discussion – In part due to the expanse of the issues, but also due to the

format

• Students were not properly prepped for experience– Assignment purpose– Viewing expectations

• Lost ability to gather data pre and post

Scenario 3: Fully Online

Topic: The Role of the Charter Movement in Publicly-Funded American Education

• Format:– Invite students to review videos/readings via iSite first– Live, virtual case discussion online (audio and video)– Leverage Qualtrics to gather survey data

• Two separate sessions

Scenario 3: Outcomes

• Required extensive planning– Instructional design– Technology training/understanding– Logistics!– Roles

• Faculty created “true” case discussion atmosphere online– Interactivity and engagement

• Learned a lot about Adobe Connect

Scenario 3: Outcomes

Testimonials:

It was a treat to be involved and to see your smiling face, meet other thoughtful educators (virtually) and watch a great teacher in action once again. Thanks for the opportunity!

Great times, wonderful to meet all of you and to see you, Kay.

iSite

Videos

Clickers

Surveys

Web Conferencing

Web Conferencing

Web Conferencing

• Video Placeholder…

• In self-contained lesson, 90% of the respondents felt that integrating the video and the discussion was more effective than either one would have been alone

• In fully online session, 23% of the participants felt online was just as effective as in person, while 36% felt it was not, with 41% uncertain.

• In fully online session participants reporting being less certain of their positions after the session than before

Assessment of Learning Bundles

Reflections on Pedagogy

• Provided insights into learning styles– Allows participant to select and utilize their preferred

modality: visual (video); oral (podcast); reading (transcripts)

• Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

• Case Discussion– Distraction of the queue– Would be more natural with conference call tied to visual– Live thumbnails forced greater focus from participants but a

few individuals found it distracting

Conclusions

• Further learning will result from extended analysis of data collected

• Spirit of HILT facilitated opportunities for moving out of comfort zone – greater risk-taking

• Initially conceived around substance with simplistic use of technology

• The spirit of experimentation fostered extended use of the technology tools.

• Resulted in use of technology well beyond the original conception