Teaching and Learning Technology 2008
home | schedule | abstracts | presenters
PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
KEYNOTE SPEECH: Tinkering with Technology in the Classroom
[ View Presentation (HTML) ] Presenter: Robert "Rocky" Keel -- Teaching Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Missouri-St. Louis (recommend viewing this presentation in IE 6+)
Time and Location: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., St. Pat's A
An overview of the pleasures and the pains of teaching with technology, considerations for developing and teaching online/blended classes, and a look at student perceptions and acceptance of technology in the classroom (based on nearly eight years of research at UM-St. Louis)—all with a concern for “where do we go from here?”
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] Using Blackboard Scholar Social Networking to Enhance Classroom Experience
Presenter: John Morrison -- Blackboard Beyond Initiative
Time and Location: 10:10 - 11:00 a.m., Ozark Room
Scholar is a social bookmarking utility available as a no cost extension to Blackboard. It is a service designed to connect faculty and students. Users can save or “bookmark” favorite Web sites and classify, or “tag,” them any way that works for them. Their bookmarks are then added both to their personal list, and the overall repository where others can see them. This session will focus on getting the best out of Scholar. This session will also briefly cover other no cost extensions put out by the Blackboard Beyond team including the SafeAssign plagiarism prevention service, the EduGarage community for developing extensions to Blackboard and the new Blackboard Sync which provides integration between the Blackboard learning management system and Facebook.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] How Instructors can use Scholars' Mine
Presenter: Amanda Piezga -- Institutional Repository and Digital Collections Librarian
Time and Location: 10:10 - 11:00 a.m., St. Pat's A
Faculty members will be shown how they can use Missouri S&T's institutional repository, Scholars' Mine, in their classrooms, and how it can help their students find literature relevant to their studies.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] Educational Technology: The New Baseline
Presenter: Dr. Katie Grantham Lough -- Interdisciplinary Engineering
Time and Location: 11:10 - 11:40 a.m., Ozark Room
Dr. Grantham Lough will discuss current technological expectations of students and professors in the learning environment. Specific presentation topics address hardware and software owned by students and/or expected in a learning environment. Avenues for developing and testing educational technologies will also be discussed.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] What is EdTech?
Presenter: Meg Brady -- Director, Educational Technology
Time and Location: 11:10 -- 11:40 a.m., St. Pat's A
Meg Brady will give an overview of one of the newest departments on campus. Educational Technology is responsible for maintaining the existing technology-enhanced classrooms (computers, projectors, SMART boards, etc). EdTech also promotes the use of new technology used to enhance the learning experience for students. EdTech works with students, faculty, and staff to identify and implement technology that will improve student success through the use of technology.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] How to Effectively use Blackboard
Presenter: Dr. Dan Cernusca -- Instructional Design Specialist
Time and Location: 12:40 – 1:30 p.m., Ozark Room
This presentation will build on effective practices of integrating Blackboard in fully online asynchronous courses to discuss how some of these strategies can positively impact the instructional process for: a) distance courses using synchronous online tools such as Webex or Wimba; b) mixed courses that have both online and face-to-face audience; and c) campus-based courses focusing on integration of active and blended instructional activities (e.g. inquiry-based, problem-based, project-based activities).
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] Interactive PowerPoint Presentations to Facilitate Learning Activities
Presenter: Dr. Klaus Woelk -- Chemistry
Time and Location: 12:40 - 1:30 p.m., Missouri Room
PowerPoint, the prime tool used for classroom presentations, can also be used interactively. Games and activities are presented, motivating students to discover scientific concepts. The audience is encouraged to engage into interactive learning experiences from an entry-level chemistry class.
Blackboard 8.0 Grade Center WebEx Session
Presenter: Blackboard via WebEx Session
Time and Location: 12:40 - 1:30 p.m., St. Pat's A
Blackboard 8.0, scheduled to be released in Summer 2008 on the Missouri S&T campus, offers a powerful and dynamic grade book utility that will allow instructors to record data, monitor student progress, and communicate with students, parents, administrators, and stakeholders. It promises to be a valuable tool that assists both instructors and students with making informed decisions to take action to promote student success and institutional progress.
Because the Grade Book 8.0 system is very different from current Blackboard grade recording tools, EdTech and IT will be coordinating a number of training sessions over the summer for faculty who use Blackboard and would like access to the new features in Blackboard 8.0, especially the Grade Book. All faculty who will be using Blackboard are strongly encouraged to attend a training session.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] Clicker Literature Review
Presenter: Dr. Dan Cernusca -- Instructional Design Specialist
Time and Location: 1:40 – 2:30 p.m., St. Pat’s A
This synthesis of current literature associated with adoption and implementation of clicker tools (personal response systems) in various clicker settings will introduce:
- An overall view of the clicker research to date
- Various instructional strategies for effective clicker use
- Clickers versus alternative tools to support active learning and formative assessment
- Survey tools for measuring the impact of clickers in classroom settings.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] From Theory to Practice in Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Mastering Foreign Language Proficiencies with Audacity, Wikis, and YouTube
Presenters: Dr. Irina Ivliyeva and Dr. Audra Merfeld-Langston -- Arts, Language, and Philosophy
Time and Location: 1:40 - 2:30 p.m., Ozark Room
This presentation explores the role of information and communication technologies in language learning and teaching. Driven by sound pedagogical strategies, everyday classroom activities in internet-based, multi-user, interactive environments are examined. High-speed networks allow access to authentic cultural materials and link learners to speakers around the world. New instructional options illustrate how improvements in technology help to produce highly interactive learning environments, providing effective support for the acquisition of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
[ View Presentation (PDF) ] Tablet PCs and Internet Communication for Teaching Classes, Office Hours, and Review Sessions -- It's Blended Learning for On-Campus and Distance Students
Presenter: Dr. Doug Carroll -- Interdisciplinary Engineering
Time and Location: 1:40 - 2:30 p.m., Missouri Room
In order to participate in this session, attendees will need to bring a computer with wireless Internet access. A tablet PC is preferred, but a standard laptop computer is adequate. Attendees should bring a headset/microphone if possible, but there will be a few available for loan at the session. Attendees will be instructed to log into an internet communication site (Webex) and participate in an online session. Dr. Carroll will give instructions on how to conduct online sessions, and will transfer the presenter role to individuals participating in this session. The goal is to have everyone spend a little time in the presenter role, and a lot of time in the student role, and to become more more comfortable with the on-line sessions. The process taught in this session is useful for teaching classes, for conducting office hours or review sessions, and for recording tutorials. This session will be recorded and made available to the attendees.
Low-Tech to High-Tech can Enhance the Classroom Interaction
Presenter: Dr. Matt Insall -- Mathematics and Statistics
Time and Location: 2:45 - 3:30 p.m., Missouri Room
We present anecdotal information about the use of various forms of technology in mathematics classes, including classes like Foundations of Mathematics, which is not computationally intensive (but is writing intensive), as well as the more computational classes, such as Linear Algebra. In many cases, the use of technology focuses on enhancing information delivery, but with this we can also illustrate powerful computation systems "on the fly". Specifically, ways to use the current technology and some new technology will be demonstrated, and some pros and cons of various approaches will be discussed. "Low tech" solutions for course enhancement include emailing homework submissions and the projection of prepared PDF documents using the classroom projector. "High-tech" solutions include using the Wimba and Live Classroom communications tools inside Blackboard, both in class and during office hours, so that students can participate "from a distance". Thus, for example, on inclement weather days, students who are unable to attend class, but still have access to a computer and the Internet, can still "attend" class.
Using Video for Lecture and Demonstration
Presenter: Dr. Richard Hall -- Co-Director of Laboratory for Information Technology Evaluation
Time and Location: 2:45 - 3:30 p.m., St. Pat's A
Dr. Hall will be presenting some of his own experiences in using video for lecture and demonstration. Video can enhance content by freeing up time in class for activities that apply the content.