Making Technology Work for the Rural Student Raymond Griffith and Heather Woodson South Piedmont Community College

SPCC uses a variety of alternative delivery methods currently, including: Online (Blackboard and Moodle) Hybrid (blended) Web-enhanced ITV ITV and Blended/Web-enhanced

Significant Growth = Management Plan As a result of the increase in demand for alternative delivery methods, SPCC sought a way to: – manage course content; – ensure quality; and – promote student success. Course standards were born.

How the Course Standards are Used Team Blackboard reviews all online and hybrid courses If a course does not pass standards, it DOES not open for students As an example, in school year, the arts and science department had to delay the opening of seven courses

How the Course Standards are Used All instructors who are teaching online or hybrid courses for the first time at SPCC must go through a formal training class (available online or seated) Not all instructors pass the training course Advanced Blackboard training is also available to seasoned online instructors

SPCC Online Standards Course utilizes a variety of learning media and materials appropriate to the course that supplement and support the course text and student learning. Course activities and assignments are designed to encourage interaction and collaboration.

Extras supplement text

SPCC Online Standards Course content, requirements and quality are comparable to the face-to-face version of the course. Course organization is clear and easy to navigate. The course contains a syllabus and supporting documents.

Organization is clear Syllabus link

SPCC Online Standards The course contains a learner orientation exercise/information. Instructional staff information is provided including evidence of instructor availability to learners. There are descriptions of the instructors routine interaction with learners and how learner support is provided.

Instructor available to students

Course navigation guides

SPCC Online Standards Learning activities are designed to address a variety of learning styles. Course assignments give students the opportunity to engage in critical and abstract thinking. Course evaluation is linked to course objectives and includes multiple ways of assessing students.

Critical thinking

Course evaluation

Teaching to the Remote Class Active Communication is CRITICAL. – Post frequently – Phone calls – Prompt feedback on assessments – Compliments – Discussion board and group projects

Teaching to the Remote Class Organization is important and must be consistent throughout course. Course should be easy to navigate. Tutorials help students accomplish your goals for them.

Teaching to the Remote Class Offer multiple opportunities for practice. – Sample tests – Practice problems – Interactive activities – Simulations – Optional in-class meetings

Teaching to the Remote Class Offer face to face orientation sessions as possible Offer other types of learning support

ITV Connects Two Locations

SPCC ITV Standards All new ITV instructors must go to a training course During the first week of class, a member of the ITV standards team or an experienced faculty member attends class with new instructors A thorough training manual is provided to each person that attends training

SPCC ITV Standards The instructor encourages and monitors appropriate behavior. The instructor ensures administrative duties are performed in an accurate and timely manner. Effective course management.

SPCC ITV Standards The instructor makes effective use of time. The instructor ensures the physical setting is conducive to student learning. Other standards such as those for student learning mirror online standards.

Advantages to the ITV Room It connects both campuses. Allows face to face meetings. Larger groups of students can form a class which might not otherwise have enough students to be offered at either location. Saves gas and allows more flexible scheduling. Has the technology available to accommodate different learning styles. Shared instructor resources.

Accommodations in the ITV Room The teachers station isnt always the best place to teach. The teacher / meeting leader needs to decide whether it is more important for the groups to see him/her, or to see each other. Using the technology takes planning and practice to do smoothly.

Teaching to Two Classes Class seating. – Be sure that everyone sits where you can see them. It is easy to overlook someone sitting on the edges. – Remember, the seats and tables face the ITV screens.

Teaching to Two Classes Meeting mode/Group discussion – Be sure that everyone sits where everyone else can see them. – Remember, the seats and tables face the ITV screens. – A team leader who stands in front of a group will have her back to one of the rooms.

Teaching to Two Classes Lecture. – If you have dont have the cameras set correctly, the other side will see only your back – or wont see you at all. – Using the instructors station will effectively have you facing both classes.

Teaching to Two Classes Using the whiteboard – The whiteboard is good for lecture unless you have to use other accessories. – Be aware of body placement. If you are not careful, you might stand in front of what you are writing!

Teaching to Two Classes Treat both locations equally – Know your students names. Talk to (address by name) students at the other campus. – Face the camera when talking to students on the other campus. – Remember, the students on the other campus dont see everything.

Teaching to Two Classes Treat both locations equally (cont.) – Write large enough on the whiteboard for students to clearly see what you are doing. Larger! LARGER! – Explain what you are going to do before you do something different. The other campus needs an extra sense of continuity.

Teaching to Two Classes Rotate locations if possible – this helps students at the far site feel more connected Supplement ITV instruction online – Tests – Handouts – Practice Assessments – Discussion Boards – Supplemental Reading

ITV is…. Is the next best thing to being present in person! Helps students become familiar with different technologies and learning styles. Can be an effective tool for teaching and learning.

Examples of Successful ITV Practices HUM 120 – focus on southern culture Team taught by six faculty members Subjects addressed include music, religion, literature, art, oral traditions and storytelling, history since 1800 and human relations Class included written and oral communication, group projects, critiques and analyses, discussion groups and critical thinking

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Music in the ITV Room

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Using the Document Viewer to Teach Music

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Using the Whiteboard

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Calling on Students by Name

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Warm-up Questions Help Stimulate Discussion

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Thought-provoking images using the Document Viewer

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Using Audio Clips to Facilitate Class Discussion

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Seamlessly Switching the Camera View to Direct Student Attention.

Examples of Successful ITV Practices Coordinating Student Responses in Class Discussions

The Bottom Line is…. Standardizing course sites and ITV classes helps build student comfort This comfort promotes student success Alternative delivery methods allow students to build technology skills Maximizes faculty resources Maximizes number and types of classes available to students

Thank You to: ITV Standards Team Team Blackboard Amy-Lin Slezak-Nelson Amit Dave Heather Hooks Lisa Harrell April Bradley Heather Bruch Amy Laptad Cheryl Hicks

For more information, contact…. Heather Woodson at OR Raymond Griffith at

Questions?