Assessment of the Impact of Ubiquitous Computing on Learning Ross A. Griffith Wake Forest University Ubiquitous Computing Conference Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ January 4-6, 2001

Wake Forest University Fall 2000

Overview of Presentation Major Elements of the Strategic Plan Assessment Structure The Computing Initiative Changes by Students and Faculty Academic Outcomes Summary

Major Elements of the Strategic Plan IBM laptop computers provided to all entering freshmen and faculty effective with the fall semester 1996 A new first-year seminar, ensuring each freshman an in-depth intellectual encounter effective with the fall semester 1996

40 new tenure-track faculty members representing a 15 percent increase Scholarships for 175 students to study abroad Fellowships for 150 students to perform joint research with faculty members Major Elements of the Strategic Plan (continued)

Assessment Structure Evaluation Committee consisting of faculty and administration formed to assess effectiveness of the strategic plan. Evaluation Committee sanctioned: College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ) Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Freshman Survey Freshman Essay

Evaluation Committee sanctioned: (continued) Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium Alumni/ae Survey HEDS Senior Survey Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) Faculty Survey In-house Faculty Computer Survey In-house Faculty Survey

In-house Student Computer Survey Wake Forest Fact Book Wake Forest Key Measures of Quality Evaluation Committee Reviews Fact Book and Key Measures Analyzes survey data Communicates results Conducts follow-up Evaluation Committee sanctioned: (continued)

The Computing Initiative IBM laptop computers provided to all entering freshmen and faculty Standing Faculty Committee on Information Technology formed Entire campus wired Created new position of Academic Computing Specialist (ACS)

The Computing Initiative (continued) Information Systems Support Center (ISSC) revamped Student and faculty training provided by library Computer-Enhanced Learning Initiative (CELI) formed by faculty Student Technology AdvisoRS (STARS) created

Changes by Students and Faculty College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ) The survey directed by George Kuh of the University of Indiana was administered to a random sample of one-half of the freshmen, sophomores and juniors in March of 1996, 1997 and 1998 and all freshmen, sophomores and juniors on the web in spring The main purpose of the survey is to determine the activities of students with respect to how they spend their time.

Items for 2000 CSEQ with Significantly Higher Mean Scores than 1998 CSEQ Time spent: Used computer to prepare reports or papers Used to communicate with instructor/other students Used computer tutorial to learn material for a course Searched the WWW or Internet for course material Used computer to retrieve material from outside library Used computer to produce visual displays Used computer to analyze data Developed a Web page/multimedia presentation

Items for 2000 CSEQ with Significantly Higher Mean Scores than 1998 CSEQ (continued) Institutional Emphasis: Information literacy skills (using computers) Made gains: Use Computers and other information technology 28 other “intellectually developing” items

Items for 2000 CSEQ with Significantly Lower Mean Scores than 1998 CSEQ Time spent: Participate in class discussion via electronic medium Use dictionary or thesaurus Use campus learning lab to improve study skills Use campus recreational facilities Had discussions w/students of different values Opinion: Overall opinion of college Attend same institutional again

CSEQ - Quality of Effort: Computer and Information Technology Scale

HEDS Senior Survey The HEDS Senior Survey was administered to the Classes of 1993 through 1998 and the Class of 2000 in the spring of their senior year. The HEDS Senior Survey is an excellent survey for indicating the degree of educational enhancement and satisfaction in a number of areas. The Class of 2000 is the first class to graduate under the Plan for the Class of 2000 while the Senior Survey results are compared to the Class of 1998 as well as a College Group and a University Group of peer institutions.

HEDS Senior Survey Use of Quantitative Tools - Enhancement

HEDS Senior Survey Use of Technology – Enhancement

HEDS Senior Survey Wake Forest Items Significantly Above 1998 Wake Forest, 2000 College and 2000 University Enhancement: Use Quantitative Tools Read or Speak Foreign Language Below Satisfaction: Relive college experience at same institution Social life on campus Ethnic/Racial diversity Climate for minority students on campus

In-house Faculty Survey The Faculty Survey was developed by the evaluation committee to assess the effectiveness of all portions of the Wake Forest strategic plan. The survey was administered to the undergraduate faculty in December 1995 and February 1998.

In-house Faculty Survey Results Mean Scores Significantly Higher: 1998 vs Computers in teaching Computers in communication Computers in individual instruction Computers for presentations Computers with information gathering Computers for modeling/simulation Computer skill Computer training & assistance

In-house Faculty Survey Results Mean Scores Significantly Higher 1998 vs (continued) Students proficient with computers Technology changed effectiveness of teaching Effect of computers on communication Effect of computers on resource material Effect of computers on presentations Use of technology in teaching

Intellectual climate among students Religious development of students Prepare students for graduate/advanced education In-house Faculty Survey Results Mean Scores Significantly Higher: 1998 vs (continued) Prepare students for employment after college End of course student evaluations Enroll more graduate students

In-house Faculty Survey Results Mean Scores Significantly Lower: 1998 vs Number of papers or compositions published since previous fall Number of professional meetings attended since previous fall

1998 HERI Faculty Survey Administered by UCLA in Fall 1998 to faculty nationally Several questions contained items regarding computer use and opinions Wake Forest full-time undergraduate faculty results compared with peer group of nine private institutions

Use of Computers (1998 HERI Faculty Survey)

Sources of Stress (1998 HERI Faculty Survey)

Opinion in General (1998 HERI Faculty Survey)

Academic Outcomes First-time Freshmen Retention Following Year Year Entered

Average GPA End of Freshman Year

Summary Student & faculty computer usage has increased significantly since implementation of ubiquitous computing at Wake Forest Student & faculty computer usage is higher than peer group institutions Students are more engaged intellectually but are less satisfied with their overall college experience Freshmen GPA and retention rate have increased slightly overall

Assessment of the Impact of Ubiquitous Computing on Learning Ross A. Griffith Wake Forest University Ubiquitous Computing Conference Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ January 4-6, 2001