LON-CAPA The LearningOnline Network with Computer-Assisted Personalized Approach Initially developed at Michigan State University Funded by Michigan State University and the National Science Foundation

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Providing high quality learning content in an online environment is time and cost intensive Initial development of a high quality online course typically costs over $100,000 In addition: costs for ongoing “maintenance” as material gets outdated or technologies change

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network After an initial dot-com like rush, universities have realized that online courses are not money makers Universities are pulling out of centralized online materials development BUT: online components can significantly improve learning outcomes

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Typical scenario today: Online material is developed by only one instructor Online material is used by only one instructor Online material is used in only one course In-effective use of time and resources Compromises in quality

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Much better scenario: Online material is developed and reviewed by more than one instructor Online material is shared among instructors Online material gets used across many courses and disciplines

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Benefits: Time and cost savings Better quality through feedback from peer instructors and a larger number of learners General raising of standards: “if your students can do this, so should mine” So: why is this not happening?

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network We have found: Not true: instructors are not willing to share their materials True: there was no technological infrastructure to easily locate appropriate material elegantly and seamlessly integrate it into a course

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network We have build: a cross-institutional cross-disciplinary content repository a tool to seamlessly assemble this content a course management system to readily deploy this content

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Writes module on statistical averages Writes module on statistical errors Includes the two into her unit on survey analysis Uses that unit in his course

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Currently used at 9 high schools, 2 community colleges, and 17 universities nationwide

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network Part of the National Science Digital Library

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network

LON-CAPA LearningOnline Network 3,000 content pages 6,000 homework and exam problems 5,000 images 150 movies 300 simulations and animations BUT: Do the students learn any better?

LON-CAPA CAPA Computer-Assisted Personalized Approach Online assessment with immediate feedback and multiple tries Different students get different versions of the same problem different options different graphs or images different numbers or formulas

LON-CAPA CAPA Same problem, two students

LON-CAPA CAPA Benefits: learners can work together without just exchanging the answers learners get immediate feedback on their learning progress instructors get immediate feedback on their learners’ progress

LON-CAPA CAPA Benefits, cont.: cost-savings in rote grading instructor time used for instruction, not grading LON: shared problem library, de-facto setting standards and establishing peer-review

LON-CAPA CAPA Improved course performance Improved exam performance Improved performance especially of female students Across a number of studies:

LON-CAPA Open-source free software Developed by educators for educators Maintained by the academic community

LON-CAPA 2003 ComputerWorld Honors Award: “Judged best IT application in the world in Education and Academia”

LON-CAPA THANK YOU!