AASCU Innovations Exchange
Your Source for innovation in Public Higher Education
Technology-Mediated Learning
A Strategic Focus for Online Learning
University of Central Florida
Project Description:
UCF’s distributed learning initiative consists of fully online degree and certificate programs, blended courses, and web-enhanced face-to-face classes, and is supported by central services and facilities. This initiative meets a wide range of student, faculty, and institutional needs:students: convenient access; engaged, interactive learning; use of technology; and increased control over their learning environment;faculty members: innovative teaching practices and tools, faculty development, and scholarship of teaching and learning;institution: expands access, cost-effective instructional delivery, develops new markets, improves teaching practice, supports growth.
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Academic Innovation through Strategic Use of One-Time Move-The-Needle Funding
Georgia College
Project Description:
Faced with a cumulative reduction of 21% in state funding during the recent recession, Georgia College made difficult expenditure reductions and held funds in reserve to replace temporary federal stimulus dollars and ensure that its most critical mission-related operations could continue. Funds held in reserve to replace federal stimulus dollars were thus made available for “one-time” needs and awarded through a competitive “move-the-needle” proposal process. The academic affairs division was awarded funds for curricular innovation projects including a “course redesign” project.The project consists of pilot programs using models developed by Carol Twigg and associates at the National Center for Academic Transformation and focuses on redesigning instructional approaches by utilizing technology to cut costs and enhance student learning. The pilot focuses on high-demand, introductory-level courses with high drop/withdrawal/failure rates or courses in programs unable to offer enough sections to address student demand. Departments offering courses matching the criteria were encouraged to apply for funding to support faculty development and the implementation of pilot redesign courses. “Move-the-needle” funding was also provided to create technology-rich classroom environments for delivering selected courses in Spanish, Political Science, and Algebra. We sent participating faculty to national workshops and provided them with salary supplements for curriculum design; hired support staff, reconfigured classroom spaces, and purchased computers and software to set up teaching labs.
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Improving Cooperation and Effectiveness between State Institutions of Higher Education: Maximizing Performance in an Era of Reduced Funding and Increased Need
Old Dominion University
Project Description:
Old Dominion University and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) recently completed a joint planning initiative, laying the cornerstone for a new pact and a vibrant future for Virginia college students. During the 18-month effort, a unified planning team designed a road map to the future for online and distance learning in Virginia, and outlined objectives for the next generation of this long-standing, strategic alliance. The group committed to shared goals and mutually beneficial collaborations, and to promoting the combined value of their institutions. The team also agreed to establish innovative, streamlined, coordinated student support processes and solutions, and it drafted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cement the education accord.
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Online at Southern Mississippi—e-learning Initiative
University of Southern Mississippi
Project Description:
The
University of Southern Mississippi began the eLearning Initiative, now known as
Online at Southern Miss, in the spring of 2009. In 2009, The University of Southern Mississippi
focused on developing a more strategic approach toward online learning. This
initiative originally focused on increasing additional fully online degree
programs, however; we have extended the focus to include increasing the number
of general education core courses available to our online students. Also, we aimed to improve student
satisfaction, raise retention and graduation rates, and increase enrollment at
Southern Miss. A strategic plan
was developed to focus on delivery methods of online instruction, as well as on
marketing and recruiting efforts geared toward fully online degree programs
that would draw a very specific targeted audience. With a growing number
of online degree programs and only a few resources to support marketing efforts
for online learning, it was imperative to utilize a solution that would enhance
our ability to reach prospective leads in a timely manner. In 2009 the university contracted
with Hobsons, formerly known as Intelliworks, to help us do just
that. Through the implementation of Radius, we are now able to customize
email campaigns to reflect specific program and faculty information regarding
the university's online degree programs. Radius can also systematically
deliver communication pieces on a strategic timeline defined by the university
requirements. Therefore, the system now contains much historical data, and
Radius provides a multitude of reporting functionalities to help sort both
historical and current data. Through our reports, we can identify specific
trends and track our progression within the workflow process.
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Redesign of a Post-Professional DPT Program: Development of an Online Medically Complex Case Database
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Project Description:
This project is a collaboration between graduate programs in Physical Therapy and Instructional Technology that involved redesigning a doctoral-level Physical Therapy course from a face-to-face offering to an online course. The central component of the redesign was a student-generated database of cases drawn from each student’s personal experience. This database helped to scaffold for students the use of the evidence-based clinical decision-making process, thus assisting them in reflecting on their own decision-making processes and furthering their understanding of the value of a new approach to patient care.
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University Libraries Knowledge Commons: A Technology-Driven Transformation from Print-Centered to Student-Centered Learning Space
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Project Description:
The Knowledge Commons brings technology, study and research, collaboration, academic support, and research resources together in a dynamic, revitalized, 21,000 sq. ft. of learning space in the Orlando campus library. It includes:ubiquitous power and wired and wireless network access67% of seating spaces equipped with built-in PCscollaborative group study areas featuring dedicated PCs, wall-mounted displays, and rolling white boards to enhance peer interactionattractive visual screening and acoustical treatments that reduce distraction and dampen noiseconsultation stations that provide space for one-on-one research and writing center supportseating that maximizes comfort for extended study periodsThis project was made possible through an award of UCF technology fees, which are competitively granted. The project was ranked number one out of 68 project proposals submitted during the 2009-10 technology fee award cycle.
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Using Lecture-capture Technology to Engage Face-to-Face and Distance Students
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Project Description:
Lecture-capture technology in all B.S. in Professional Communication and Emerging Media (PCEM) program core courses allows instructors to teach face-to-face and distance learners in one course, increasing engagement and productivity. Lecture-capture technology allows an instructor to teach a conventional face-to-face course and to archive audiovisual recordings of class meetings so these can be accessed by distance students who experience the course solely online. Web-based course management software—used to store and manage curricular materials, facilitate class and group discussions, and receive electronically submitted assignments—also enables instructors to involve both face-to-face and distance learners in the course.
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Virtual Advisement
York College, City University of New York
Project Description:
“Virtual Advisement”
is a web-based tutorial, developed by Kognito, which provides first-year
students with an introduction to college academic policies, procedures, and resources
in a timely and student-friendly manner. Created in the academic year 2009
-2010, Kognito is one of the tools used by the college to advise first-year
students. The “Virtual Advisement” program is
comprehensive and its interactive design allows for greater student
engagement. This intervention serves as
a meaningful resource, as it provides an opportunity for first-year students to
learn about general education and degree requirements early in their academic
study.
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