“Lessons fromthe Virtual Classroom”

Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Conference

Anna L. Pearman, M.A.

Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences

Region 1apearman@ivytech.edu

C.O.R.E.

• Commitment

• Opportunity

• Responsibility • Equality

Region 1 Enrollment Statistics•Total = ~5,000

•Campuses−Valparaiso 1,752−Gary 1,709−East Chicago 837−Michigan City 822

•26% are online1,7521,709

837822

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000

Michigan CityEast ChicagoGaryValparaiso

My History

• 1995-1997: MA, Interdisciplinary Studies−Education Instructional Technology−Art history−Archaeology

• 1997: MA, summa cum laude

• 2000-2002: Community College Professor

• 2002-2003: Hum. & Soc. Sci. Co-chair

• 2003-Present: Online Professor

Research Objectives

• Increase the number and usefulness of technological resources with rich, high-quality humanities and social science content,

• Improve the effectiveness of such resources by shaping them around sophisticated, creative and engaging approaches to learning, and

• Increase the number of instructors who can integrate such humanities and social science materials into their daily curricula.

Distributed Learning Model

Resources

IntelligenceIntelligence

PeopleLearners

SituationsInstructor

EnvironmentsOthers

Why this learning model?

• Traditional objectivist/transfer model outmoded

• Workplace skills−Think critically and strategically−Operate in an ever-changing environment−Build knowledge from distributed sources−Collaborate globally

• Value and use WWW

Ten years ago

• Training to become−Online instructor−Subject matter expert−Facilitator

• Envisioned hiring−Instructional designer−Instructional technologist

• We have become ALL of the above.

Ten years ago (contd)

• Learning/writing HTML code−“View Source”−Labor-intensive−Time-consuming, but−Necessary

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

(contd.)

Ten years ago (contd)

• WWW and Internet

• Dial up @14.4 kbps−Get in the queue!

• Slow processors

• Minimal RAM/ROM

Ten years ago (contd)

Evolution of Microsoft Windows

Ten years ago…Windows 95Computer: 100% IBM Compatible

Processor: 386 DX or higher

Memory: 4MB RAM

Drives:35MB Hard disk drive spaceCD-ROM or Floppy

Sound: Sound Blaster compatible Sound Card.

Video: VGA or higher-resolution

Controls: 100% compatible Microsoft keyboard / Mouse

Operating System: DOS 5.0 and Higher

Source: http://www.computerhope.com/win95.htm

Ten years ago…Windows 95• Plug and Play Allows hardware devices to be

automatically installed into the computer with the proper software. Does not require jumpers to be played with.

• 32 Bit 32-Bit operating system allowing the computer to run faster and more efficiently.

• Registry Combines the power of multiple configuration files into two files, allowing the system configurations to be located easier.

• Memory Windows 95 has an improved memory handling processes compared to Windows 3.11.

• Right mouse click Allows you new access and text manipulation by utilizing both buttons instead of one.

• CD-Player Enhanced CD-Player with improved usability and AutoPlay feature.

Ten years ago…Windows 95

Today…Windows VistaComputer: 100% IBM Compatible

Processor: 1GHz Intel-compatible

Memory: 1GB RAM

Drives: 40GB disk spaceDVD Drive

Sound: Standard Sound card for sound capability.

Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible video card.64MB of Video RAM (1440x900)128MB of Video RAM (1920x1200 / Dual monitor support)256MB of Video RAM (>1920x1200)

Controls: 100% compatible Microsoft Keyboard  / Mouse.

Operating System: Windows 2000 / XP to upgrade.

Today…Windows Vista

Technical savvy

• Troubleshooter

• Problem solver

• Which technology best supports the

learning style? Learning objective?

• Staying on the cutting edge

Unique circumstances

• Learners working asynchronously and at

individual paces

• Requires high level of organization

• Stress and anxiety levels run high

• Essential to build trust and credibility

early

• Learners need more reassurance than

normal−Having the final exam freeze up is catastrophic

Technology drawbacks

• Server overload−First two weeks of class−Final exam week

• E-mail outages

• Bb down time

• Help Desk bogged down

(contd)

Technology drawbacks (contd)• May not reach every learning style

• Verify student’s identity

• Married to low-level solution

• “Driving down the middle”

Written communications

• Supplant−Oral−Visual, i.e., body language

• Maintain free and open flow of

comments and ideas through−Concise directions−Rapid response−Constructive feedback

Plagiarism, Copyright, Intellectual Property

• ITCC policies and procedures−Libraries brochure−DE Handbook

• Plagiarism offenses−Book review

• Student dropped and banned• Vengeful hatred

−Essays• Co-operative• Administrative action

Manners, Excuses for absences• Rudeness, apparent lack of respect

• Nature of excuses−“My dog ate the mouse.”−Technology, not an excuse / syllabus

template−Family, document−Health, document

• Self-starter

• Self-taught

• Work independently

• Work collaboratively

• Maintain attention span

• Highly motivated

• Skilled written communicator

Desirable learner profile

Learner challenges

• Bandwidth varies−Dial up @ 56 kbps−Cable @ 1500 kbps−ADSL @ 256 kbps-1 Mbps−T-1 (on campus) @ 1.544 Mbps(Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214198,00.html)

• Level of technical competency

• Amount of online experience

(contd)

Learner challenges (contd)

• Competing with graduate-level

students

• Mastering content (10-16 weeks)

• Personal−Over extended−Poor time-management skills

Positive Support

• Training−“Blackboard”−“Camtasia”

• Certification course

• Discounts−Software−ISP (15% off Verizon)

Professional disadvantages

• Peer interaction−Minimal to non-existent

• Annual teacher orientation• Christmas party

• Opportunities “few and far between”

• “Out of sight, out of mind”

C.O.R.E. Challenges

• Commitment • Opportunity

• Responsibility • Equality

We also need…

• Discounts on PCs and peripherals

• Meaningful feedback−Old “Summa” survey was inappropriate,

designed for traditional classroom

• Recognition

• Opportunities to grow in our field

• Benefits

Recommendations

• Take an online course−Experience student side of the equation−Observe and assimilate new methods

• Take the ITCC Certification Course−Get to know colleagues−Share experiences

• Start building “learning community”

• Keep up with technology

Conclusions

• The trend line toward online learning

continues to grow

• Online learning is cost-effective

• Companies integrate e-learning into

their infrastructures

• E-learning supports career

advancement

Conclusion

“Turn on, tune in…”

- Timothy Leary, 1967