State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August A Systemic Approach to Online Learning and Faculty Development in SUNY – Peter Shea Director: SUNY Learning Network SUNY Teaching, Learning, and Technology Program Office of the Provost State University of New York

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Topics How do people learn? What conditions lead to learning? How do people learn online? What conditions lead to online learning? A model for assessing and guiding progress in these areas Where does MERLOT fit in? Context - why we are interested in these topics… Overview

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August What makes a good, higher education, online-learning environment? How does technology mediation change teaching and learning? Who cares? Why are we interested in this question?

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Introduction State University of New York The largest unified public university in the nation 400,000+ students 20,000 + faculty 64 Campuses 4 University Centers 5 Specialized Colleges 2 Health Science Centers 13 Arts & Sciences Colleges 5 Colleges of Technology 30 Community Colleges

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Rapid growth in online learning environments across SUNY

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Growth in Course Management Systems in SUNY Estimated Campus CMS Use in SUNY: Angel 3 Blackboard 20+ CourseSpace 8 SLN 57 TopClass 6 WebCT 20+

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Growth in the SUNY Learning Network: The online learning forum of the State University of New York

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Background Growth in campus participation

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Background Growth in complete online courses offered

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Background Growth in enrollments

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Background Growth in complete online degree programs

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Educause Award 2001 Sloan-C Award for Excellence in ALN Faculty Development 2002 Sloan-C Award for Excellence in Institution- wide ALN Programming

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August A task for you With a partner, answer the following questions - How do people learn best? What conditions are necessary for learning to occur? Especially in higher education…

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Community Assessment Centered A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Knowledge Centered Learner Centered Bransford, et al (2002) “How People Learn”

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Knowledge Centered –Outcomes oriented - knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for successful transfer. Learner Centered - connect to the strengths, interests, and preconceptions of learners and help them learn about themselves as learners. Community Centered –environment where students feel safe to ask questions, learn to work collaboratively, and are helped to develop lifelong learning skills. Assessment Centered - provide multiple opportunities to make students’ thinking visible so they can receive feedback and be given a chance to revise. “How People Learn” Framework (Bransford et al, 2002) People learn best in environments that are:

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Another task for you How do people learn best online? What conditions are necessary for learning to occur online. (especially in higher education)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August What makes a good, higher education, online-learning environment? To answer this you need to know: 1) What makes a good learning environment “offline”? 2) What are important, specific, best practices for adult learners in higher education? 3) What are important specific, best practices for adult online learners in higher education?

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August What makes a good, higher education, online-learning environment? To answer this you need to know: 1) What makes a good learning environment generally? Again the Brandsford et. al model is a good start...

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Community Assessment Centered A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Knowledge Centered Learner Centered Bransford, et al (2002) “How People Learn”

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August What makes a good, higher education, online-learning environment? To answer this you need to know: 2) What are important, specific, best practices for adult learners in higher education?

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Contact Between Students and Faculty Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students Active Learning Techniques Communication of High Expectations Respect for Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Prompt Feedback Time on Task The 7 principles of good practice in undergraduate education encourage: "Certain institutional practices are known to lead to high levels of student engagement. Perhaps the best known set of engagement indicators is the "Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education." (Kuh, 2001 – National Survey of Student Engagement) Chickering and Gamson, (1987)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Community Assessment Centered Active Learning Techniques Prompt Feedback Contact Between Students and Faculty Student Reciprocity and Cooperation Time on Task The 7 principles of good practice encourage: Communication of High Expectations Respect for Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Chickering and Gamson, (1987) Bransford, et al (2002) “How People Learn” Learner Centered Knowledge Centered

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August What makes a good, higher education, online-learning environment? To answer this you need to know: 3) What are important specific, best practices for adult online learners in higher education?

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence Setting Climate Supporting Discourse A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Teaching Presence A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Teaching Presence 1.Instructional Design and Organization 2.Facilitating Discourse 3.Direct Instruction

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence Setting Climate Supporting Discourse A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Social Presence The ability of participants in an online course to project their personal characteristics into the community to present themselves as “real people."

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Three Forms of Social Presence Affective - The expression of emotion, feelings, and mood Interactive - evidence that the other is attending Cohesive - activities that build and sustain a sense of group commitment

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence Setting Climate Supporting Discourse A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Cognitive Presence “The extent to which students are able to construct and confirm meaning through sustained discourse in a community of inquiry”

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence Setting Climate Supporting Discourse A Developing Conceptual Framework for Online Learning Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Community What is community? What does it mean to have a sense of community?

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Community 1) Spirit – “recognition of membership” 2) Trust – “willingness to rely on others” 3) Interaction – “toward the completion of assigned tasks” or “toward relationships among learners” 4) Learning “educational needs are satisfied through participation”(Rovai, 2002)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence (Assessment Centered) Setting Climate Supporting Discourse Prompt Feedback Contact Between Students and Faculty Reciprocity and Cooperation The 7 principles of good practice encourage: A Conceptual Framework for High Quality, Higher- Education, Online Learning Chickering and Gamson, (1987) Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence (Knowledge Centered) Time on Task Active Learning Techniques Communication of High Expectations Respect for Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Bransford, et al (2002) “How People Learn” (Learner Centered)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Online Learning Community Social Presence Teaching Presence (Assessment Centered) Setting Climate Supporting Discourse Prompt Feedback Contact Between Students and Faculty Reciprocity and Cooperation The 7 principles of good practice encourage: A Conceptual Framework for High Quality, Higher- Education, Online Learning Chickering and Gamson, (1987) Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2002) Selecting Content Cognitive Presence (Knowledge Centered) Time on Task Active Learning Techniques Communication of High Expectations Respect for Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Bransford, et al (2002) “How People Learn” (Learner Centered)

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Where does MERLOT Fit? Depends on how MERLOT is defined: as a project/community by the media contained in the repository

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August As a project/community The MERLOT Project represents a large (9000+) “community” of members with a systemic approach MERLOT itself is large “hybrid” learning community or community of practice addressing issues of common concern to participants. SUNY supports eight members of MERLOT Editorial Board in this community SUNY offers a complete online MERLOT training course to faculty development professionals SUNY also supports dissemination via MERLOT-sponsored and local workshops for faculty development professionals

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August As a repository Objects in MERLOT are also knowledge centered - They can help students to understand concepts more deeply and meaningfully

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August As a repository Objects in MERLOT allow for alternate forms of representation simulations animations sound images MERLOT is a systematic approach to Learner Centered Tool creation/dissemination– helps students learn in ways that align with their strengths – support for multiple intelligence, diverse learning styles

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August MERLOT in SLN MERLOT is integrated into SUNY Learning Network faculty development efforts – Ongoing online training and support F2F Training 100 days a year 8 locations in NYS

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August Symbol systems MERLOT is integrated into SUNY Learning Network faculty development efforts – 100 days a year at 8 locations in NYS

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August SLN: Future Directions Continue to build and refine the model Continue to participate in MERLOT Go beyond SLN with MERLOT in SUNY - investigate opportunities to engage more faculty use

State University of New York An Emerging Model for Online Learning MERLOT International Conference – August ? Any questions ?