The Trials and Tribulations of Teams and Technology EDUCAUSE – MARC Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Baltimore, MD November, 2001 Carol Cirka, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Economics & Business Administration Paula Laholt Instructional Technologist Computing Services Copyright Cirka, Carol, 2001 & Laholt, Paula, This work is the intellectual property of the authors. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

The Ursinus Environment Liberal arts college Fully wired Laptop initiative Instructional Technologists Faculty partnerships Subject-matter expert teamed with technologist

Course Objectives Management and Organizational Behavior Introduce theories of management and OB Develop teamwork and interpersonal skills Build critical thinking, writing and presentation skills Provide an international context Achieve technology skills related to an organizational environment

Four Skill Areas Process – developing positive team interactions Management – planning, organizing, leading and controlling Organizational Behavior – individual and group Technology – integrating and applying

Technology Skills Learn the technological virtual environment Have technology assist in these accomplishments: Communication electronically Collaboration with peers Data retrieval and analysis Written and oral presentation Achieve skills transfer to future courses and career Learn transferable methodology regardless of future tools

Strategies Simulate real-life organizational requirements Use an experiential approach to learning Integrate technology into course activities Deliver project-based accomplishments Use technology as a tool to assist in these outcomes Incorporate self-directed teams Create the ‘boundary-less’ classroom

Tactical Approach The strategies as applied to: The Course The Project(s) The Teams The Technology The tactical approach varied from Trial #1 to Trial #2

Added emphasis for OB Number of contact hours increased Use of experiential workbook Class time for active exercises Classroom becomes the laboratory Course Redefined

The Projects 1.Globalization in Country X “Has globalization occurred in country X?”* 2. Management Policy Arguments Develop a policy Defend with research & data Written report & oral presentation Trial #1 – Two projects * With credit to Jonathan B. Wight, University of Richmond

Trial #2 – One project “Managing Internationally in Country X” Similar components, but redefined Improved rationale More relevant to students International significance The Projects

The Teams Trial #1 – Two teams Trial #2 – One team Selection/assignment of team members Needed time for the team process to work Developmental issues with some teams Addressing conflict within the teams

Technology Toolbox World Bank Database Course Management Software Microsoft Office Suite Electronic research resources Instructional CD-ROM

Course Management Software Blackboard - UC Online: Announcements & Posting of documents, assignments Discussion forums Groups for teams Online quizzes Technical feedback surveys

Course Management Software Differences between Trial #1 and Trial #2 Forums for course-related decisions Peer review electronically Development of test questions Gradebook Integrated more seamlessly Main difference – Planned ahead…… Objectives stayed the same: Improved communication and collaboration Improved teamwork

World Bank Database Database on CD-ROM World Development Indicators Web-based search capabilities Over 200 countries, > 550 data variables Objectives: Support conclusions with data Perform retrieval & analysis Present analytic results professionally Trial #1 – Single source Trial #2 – One of many choices

Research Resources Objectives: Effective use of the Internet Evaluation of resources Use online library databases Trial #1 – Non-directed Trial #2 – Requirement to visit 4 additional sites Info Trac encouraged

Suite Excel Import selected data into Excel Graphs and Charts Objective: Create an experiential learning environment that patterns the requirements of organizations today. Word Peer Editing - comments feature Import Graphs Proper use of formatting Wrap around text PowerPoint Supplement oral presentations Layout Import of audio and images

CD-ROM Instructional in nature Virtual class Tutorial on subject matter posted Questions posed in PowerPoint Clips from movie Stimulated discussion Used discussion forums online New for Trial #2

Assistance in Learning Technology Skills Self-assessment, performance-based Tips posted (Word) Hands-on workshop (Excel and Data) PowerPoint tutorial posted Second workshop (PowerPoint) with individual project-based inquiry Trial #1

Student Performance: Pre-assessment to first workshop (required): (14 attendees; 9 improved skills; 4 no change) PowerPoint workshop (optional) – 11 attended Technical tasks included in rubric – Project # points out of 100 Project # points out of 145 Workshop Results

Trial #2 Assistance in Learning Technology Skills No workshops Allowed for student initiative Excel learning exercises posted (optional) Provided individually responsive support PowerPoint tutorial posted Individual project-based inquiry by Technical tasks included in rubric – still approx. 30%

How did it go? Quality and Quantity Improved! Student Performance Better content learning Team process development improved Covered more material

What did the students think? Student surveys on use of technology Delivered online Anonymous Trial #1 – 2 surveys Trial #2 – one at end of course

Opinions: 57% “Learned a lot” 83% “Relevant to future (Excel)” (Both jobs and courses) 53% “Interesting but not necessary” 41% “Learned a few new technical skills” Issues: - Scheduling workshops - Not convinced of need - Only specific features desired, JIT Feedback Trial #1

Students Rank the Value of Technology – Trial #1

Feedback Trial #2 Opinions: 82% “Would use skills in future (Excel)” (Both jobs and courses) 49% “Necessary and helpful” 35% “Worthwhile but not necessary” Acquiring skills: 19% “Gained valuable new skills” 37% “Able to use skills already had” 30% “Enhanced skills” % positive

Students Rank the Value of Technology – Trial #2

Continuing Tribulations Level of specificity of assignments Balance online with traditional Articulating expectations Address differences in learning styles Technical assessment and training Collaboration between faculty and IT

Carol Cirka, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Paula Laholt, M.Ed. Instructional Technologist