Group items tagged

"The Faculty Engagement Strategies Survey centers on faculty engagement in terms of 'educational technology strategies' and aims to collect information about how different administrators, staff and faculty at different institutions engage faculty and course instructors on the topic of effective use of educational technologies inside and outside of the classroom. The hope is that by collecting information on different strategies and their effectiveness we may all be able to make better, more informed decisions on this topic. Data is collected by sending out short monthly questionnaires on the CCUMC mailing list and three different EDUCAUSE mailing lists where a lot of educational technology professionals can be reached. The data collected each month is summarized and shared with the mailing lists. Feel free to explore the FAQ document in the left-hand menu for more information on the survey. You may also study the results of the different survey parts, which are listed under Results. You are welcome to contact the survey administrator Jacob E. Larsen (jlarsen@iastate.edu) if you have any questions."

"To paraphrase artificial intelligence pioneer Marvin Minsky, there is no such thing as a typical student because each brain contains many different kinds and combinations of resources. Neuroscience research suggests that the brain is not one general learning system but consists of many specialized modules developed over eons of evolution. While those modules vary, their network connections differ even more depending on genetics and experience. Thus every student brings to the classroom wiring, experiences, assumptions, and hidden semi-autonomous processes that we call euphemistically "prior knowledge.""

"Published March 21, 2013 Kelly A. Lack As online courses continue to gain in popularity at colleges and universities throughout the country, knowledge about the effectiveness of this mode of instruction, relative to that of traditional, face-to-face courses, becomes increasingly important. A 2009 report by the U.S. Department of Education provides a meta-analysis of studies published up to 2008, examining the relative effectiveness of the different delivery formats in helping various populations of students learn different types of course content. This Ithaka S+R literature review complements that effort. It examines several studies that are not included in the DOE report, focusing on research that compares online or hybrid learning to face-to-face instruction in the context of semester-length, undergraduate-level, credit-bearing courses. The review yields little evidence to support broad claims that online or hybrid learning is significantly more effective or significantly less effective than courses taught in a face-to-face format, while also highlighting the need for further studies on this topic. The value of research of this kind will only grow as even more sophisticated, interactive online systems continue to be developed, and as the current budgetary constraints and enrollment pressures on postsecondary institutions strengthen the case for improving productivity."

Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning POGIL originated in college chemistry departments in 1994; there are now well over 1,000 implementers in a wide range of disciplines in high schools and colleges around the country.POGIL uses guided inquiry - a learning cycle of exploration, concept invention and application is the basis for many of the carefully designed materials that students use to guide them to construct new knowledge. POGIL is a student-centered strategy; students work in small groups with individual roles to ensure that all students are fully engaged in the learning process.POGIL activities focus on core concepts and encourage a deep understanding of the course material while developing higher-order thinking skills. POGIL develops process skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication through cooperation and reflection, helping students become lifelong learners and preparing them to be more competitive in a global market.POGIL is a classroom and laboratory technique that seeks to simultaneously teach content and key process skills such as the ability to think analytically and work effectively as part of a collaborative team. A POGIL classroom or lab consists of any number of students working in small groups on specially designed guided inquiry materials. These materials supply students with data or information followed by leading questions designed to guide them toward formulation of their own valid conclusions-essentially a recapitulation of the scientific method. The instructor serves as facilitator, observing and periodically addressing individual and classroom-wide needs.POGIL is based on research indicating that a) teaching by telling does not work for most students, b) students who are part of an interactive community are more likely to be successful, and c) knowledge is personal; students enjoy themselves more and develop greater ownership over the material when they are given an opportunity to construct their own und

Stanford Teaching Commons "Modes of Teaching, Modes of Learning:  Created by CTL and VPOL, our course profiles describe Stanford examples of great teaching and learning in different modes, including candid reflections on lessons learned. The definitions give a wealth of information on learning activities, learning objectives, and assessments for these different teaching and learning environments."

"The theories behind communities of practice The design of teaching often integrates different theories of learning. Communities of practice are one of the ways in which experiential learning, social constructivism, and connectivism can be combined, illustrating the limitations of trying to rigidly classify learning theories. Practice tends to be more complex. What are communities of practice? Definition:  Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. Wenger, 2014"

The primary benefits of GBL [game-based learning] are that it is engaging, user-centered, authentic, inspires creativity, and promotes literacy in many different ways. When considering the Maker Movement and GBL the most natural alignment is to have students designing or making games. ...it has the potential to engage students in a wide variety of activities that can support the development of many valuable skills. Designing and developing a game requires planning and research, teamwork, technical skills, computer literacy, imagination, and creativity. A well-supported design project can help students develop all of these skills will simultaneously enhancing knowledge of any subject. The Maker Movement already supports interactions that would meet these objectives.