Using Synchronous Technology to Enrich Student Learning

To explore the potential applications of synchronous technology to enrich student learning, faculty members from an American regional state university and a Chinese regional university collaborated to find appropriate ways to integrate synchronous technology (e.g., Adobe Connect) into an educational technology program in the American university and in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program in China. The paper reports the collaborative efforts in a project (from Fall 2010 to Spring 2012) using Adobe Connect to enrich student learning at both sites. The report includes the project overview, project implementation and its evaluation framework. Finally, the paper offers practical suggestions for using synchronous technologies such as Adobe Connect for instruction when implementing such an international project in two different countries.     

Project THREAD: Technology helping restructure educational access and delivery

This article describes Project THREAD (Technology Helping Restructure Educational Access and Delivery), an initiative funded by the U.S. Office of Education through its PT3 grant program. The project’s overarching goal is to prepare teachers to integrate modern technologies to fundamentally enhance teaching and learning in K-12 schools. Project initiatives include: (a) a series of in-service workshops for university faculty, administrators, field supervisors, and mentor teachers; (b) one-on-one follow-up support provided by project staff; (c) a minigrant program to support the development of technology-based learning activities for university courses; (d) expanded opportunities for students to apply technology in thier courses and field experiences; and (e) a redesign of selected courses that impact a large number of teacher candidates. The project’s evaluation is described, along with a discussion of outcomes and lessons learned. in recognition of the project’s scope and accomplishments thus far, the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), was named the 2002 winner of the Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).     

"四年制"高职教育研究与实践--以楼宇设备与智能化技术专业为例

章分析了专业与地区经济发展的关系，借鉴境内外相关专业人才培养目标定位的经验，提出“满足地区经济发展需要、构建高等职业教育与普通高等教育贯通的桥梁”的楼宇设备与智能化技术专业“四年制”高职培养目标定位原则，并用于指导专业人才培养实践。     

美国大学FYE及其启示

美国大学FYE经过多年的发展,日益成为为一年级学生发展服务的综合性教育计划或一揽子工程。在大学内外相关部门的支持与保障下,通过新生研讨课群、活动、讲座、工作坊、在线合作等多种形式,共同促进学生学术性转变和适应性转变,帮助学生走向成功。目前我国正处于高等教育大众化的纵深发展时期,越来越多的独生子女进入大学,新生由中学向大学转型过程中所面临的问题日益繁杂多样,如何有效地解决这些问题,美国的经验值得我们重视和借鉴。     

A Reinforcing Curriculum and Program Reform Proposal for 21st Century Teacher Education: Vital First Steps for Advancing K-12 Multicultural Education

This article discusses the development and impact of the Platte River Corridor Project, a successful university/K-12 partnership designed to address the inequality in learning outcomes for Latino students by increasing the effectiveness of K-12 classroom teachers in educating Latino English Language Learner (ELL) students and by facilitating access to higher education for Latino students. The project includes components that train K-12 educators, provide financial and social support for Latino students to attend college, provide ELL resources to school systems, and establish a regional teacher information network. Assessment data specific to each program component is provided. Challenges and recommendations are included for others who may be interested in creating a similar project.     

Efficacy of the Check & Connect Mentoring Program for At-Risk General Education High School Students

Although graduation rates are rising, the high school dropout problem remains a national crisis, and evidence-based information about interventions for at-risk students is critically needed. Prior research shows that Check & Connect, an individualized mentoring program, has positive effects on school persistence and progression for students with disabilities. This study examined the efficacy of Check & Connect with general education students who showed early warning signs of risk for dropping out of high school in a large urban district. The sample included 553 students with the lowest predicted probabilities of on-time graduation based on attendance, behavior, and course performance in Grades 8 and 9. Students were randomly assigned to receive a Check & Connect mentor for three years, starting in the summer after Grade 9, or not. Findings suggest the program was implemented with fidelity, except with students who left district schools. Check & Connect did not have any statistically significant impacts on measures of engagement, academic progress, the likelihood of dropping out, or graduation. These results are discussed in the context of other literature on mentoring and dropout prevention.     

战略与策略:21世纪中国广播电视大学“人才培养模式改革”的应对性考察

该文认为,广义的“人才培养模式改革与开放教育试点研究项目”性质决定,本世纪我国进行的“现代远程教育工程”中,广播电视大学应该在发展战略上,按照“四步走”的历史性、阶段性发展战略,完成自身的历史性跨越;在狭义的人才培养模式改革和开放教育试点研究项目”中,应实行“非实时的远程开放教育自主学习模式”与“实时的远程开放教育直播教学模式”并重、先“多元性的地方远程开放教育公共支持服务体系方案”后“一元化的全国远程开放教育公共支持服务体系方案”的构建策略,完成自己的历史使命,以确保本世纪构建完成我国的“全民终身教育体系”,实现中华民族的伟大复兴。     

Collaborative Online Teamwork: Exploring Students' Satisfaction and Attitudes with Google Hangouts as a Supplementary Communication Tool

This study examined differences in student satisfaction and perceptions of online teamwork in two cohorts of an undergraduate educational technology course: one delivered fully asynchronously and the other incorporating synchronous Google Hangouts sessions in student online teamwork. Participants included 50 undergraduate students at a large university in the northeastern United States. Results indicated that the cohort that used synchronous Google Hangouts as a tool supplementary to the asynchronous communication components such as discussion boards and e-mails had a higher level of satisfaction with online teamwork when compared with the cohort that used only asynchronous communication tools. In addition, students reported that synchronous communication using Google Hangouts helped them develop a sense of community. Implications of the results are discussed.     

Using Laptop Computers to Improve the Performance of Minority Students: A Pilot Project

A school system and a university joined forces to improve the science and mathematics environment for local minority students with a program that utilized computer technology. The initiative involved individual students from all of the high schools in the Winston–Salem/Forsyth County (North Carolina) School System. In this initiative, Wake Forest University operated a two-week Summer Science and Math Experience for minority students. During the two weeks, students worked intensively with computers and, at the end of the summer program, a laptop computer was loaned to each student for personal use during the of school year. Through interviews and questionnaires, students overwhelmingly endorsed their involvement in the computer-oriented project, both the summer and academic year phases. They especially liked having access to the Internet (provided by the project), being able to use e-mail and chat rooms, and utilizing the information retrieval potential. Parents and teachers surveyed also praised the project, feeling that their students learned more as a result of being involved in project activity.     

Have you got any cholesterol? Adults' views of human nutrition

The general aim of our human nutrition project is to develop a health education model grounded in ‘everyday’ or ‘situated’ cognition (Hennessey, 1993). In 1993, we began pilot work to document adult understanding of human nutrition. We used a HyperCard stack as the basis for a series of interviews with 50 adults (25 university students, and 25 adults from offcampus). The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the NUDIST computer program. A summary of the views of these 50 adults on selected aspects of human nutrition is presented in this paper. Specializations: educational technology and the teaching-learning process, public understanding of science and technology. Specializations: educational technology, mathematics education.     

Technology training for older job-seeking adults: The efficacy of a program offered through a university-community collaboration

ABSTRACT

Many older adults who lose their jobs face challenges in finding new employment due to fundamental limitations in their technology skills. While training could give them the skills they need, older workers often have less access to training programs than younger workers. This study examined the feasibility of using an e-learning training program developed for older job-seeking adults lacking the requisite technology skills to find employment. Implementation of the training program was based on a partnership established between university researchers and a community organization. Thirty-five participants aged 50–71 years provided data regarding their previous work histories and problems that they encountered while seeking employment. They completed 12 hours of training in Microsoft Excel and were given multiple-part problems to assess what they had learned. They also provided evaluations of the program. Participants who enrolled in the training had limited computer skills; after a relatively short amount of training, many were able to perform Excel functions such as entering data and using formulas. Most participants indicated that the training they received was very beneficial, and that they had a basic understanding of Excel. Overall, this project demonstrated that academic-community partnerships can provide an effective strategy for delivering training to older adults.     

The Impact of Emotions on Student Achievement in Synchronous Hybrid Business and Public Administration Programs: A Longitudinal Test of Control‐Value Theory*

Synchronous hybrid delivery (simultaneously teaching on‐campus and online students using Web conferencing) is becoming more common in higher education. However, little is known about students’ emotions in these environments. Although often overlooked, emotions are fundamental antecedents of success. This study longitudinally examined the role of students’ emotions (enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom), perceptions of control, value, and success in synchronous hybrid learning environments. In particular, the investigation assessed students’ self‐reported enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom as predictors of their program achievement and successful technology use. Students were recruited from synchronous hybrid MBA and MPA programs. Control‐value theory of emotions was used as the theoretical framework. Paired samples t‐tests revealed that the achievement domain, compared to the technology domain, yielded higher mean scores for control, value, enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom. In addition, mixed ANOVAs indicated an interaction effect in which group means for program boredom were significantly higher for on‐campus students than for online students. Intercorrelations in each domain showed that perceived success was positively related to enjoyment and negatively related to anxiety and boredom. Technology‐related anxiety was also found to fully mediate the positive effect of control on perceived success in using technology.     

A teacher's use of digital video with urban middle school students: Expanding definitions of representational literacy

Abstract

The role of educational technology as media is rapidly expanding. When placed directly into the hands of students, digital video, in particular, has the potential to transform schooling. In this case study, members of the Naptown Prodigy, an after school club, produced music videos and iMovies of streetball performances. The club's advisor, an urban middle school English teacher, participated in the PT3 Vanguard program, a university—public school staff development collaboration. The teacher's access to technology through the Vanguard program enabled her students to use digital video as both a construction and expression medium. This project provides a unique and promising example of the ways in which teachers can use digital video to foster representational literacy among inner‐city youth.     

Project team: First‐year analysis at a regional campus site

Abstract

The Project Transformative Educational Achievement Model (TEAM) is an instructional initiative designed to increase the number of students at university campuses from underrepresented minority and diverse urban backgrounds who enter teacher education programs. The goal is to support and encourage these students to complete a baccalaureate degree and to obtain a teaching license with the intent of eventually teaching in diverse urban environments. This project documents the recruitment and 1st‐year experiences of participants in the Project TEAM program on a regional campus in the Midwest region of the United States. A brief review of the literature is included, along with an exploration of issues of recruitment of the 1st‐year cohort group and the design of the initial Project TEAM seminars. Comments from the 1st‐year Project TEAM students are also included.     

Supporting excellence in technology through communities of learners

The Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to use Technology Project (PT3) at the University of Pittsburgh encompasses public and private schools, a nonprofit educational consortium, industry partners and the University of Pittsburgh. The purposes of the project are (a) to encourage throughtful technology integration by mentor teachers, student teachers and university faculty; and (b) to support innovation, adoption and resource sharing by creating Collaborative Communities of Learners (CCOLs). These goals are achieved by engaging participants in a number of activities, including individualized training, summer camp, monthly professional development meetings, a Celebration of Successes for sharing projects, and technology skill workshops. Support is also provided through project on-site support staff, an interactive Web site, minigrants, and loans of equipment and software. Evaluation of the project is an ongoing iterative process. Data are collected through self-reporting instruments, event evaluations, journal entries, project checklists, videotaped presentations, and interviews. Currently, in its third year of four including a pilot year, the project involves 98 mentor teachers and 20 university faculty. This project documents the importance of technology support people who have excellent interpersonal skills, experience with instruction and the flexibility to adjust strategies to adopter needs, skills, and personalities. They are coinvestigators for the PT3 project described in this article.     

An alternative to foster care for victims of child abuse/neglect: a university-based program

Two central forces dominated the conception and development of the Parents and Children Together (PACT) project: the need for provision of an in-home alternative to foster care for abuse and/or neglect families and the prevention of further abuse and/or neglect in the family. Wayne State University in Detroit is the site for Parents and Children Together (PACT) project, a contractual service of the Michigan Department of Social Services (DSS). Graduate students provide in-home services to referred families who, due to child abuse or neglect, would otherwise have their child(ren) removed from the home. This family-based work is a one-year cooperative education experience for students interested in professions in the human services. This report discusses the PACT project as a grant operated through the university, the specification of course work associated, and the attraction of students to graduate study with "hands-on" experience. All of these program attributes, as well as the resource of the project for research, make it an important effort for the university. Further, the university has an additional meaningful role with community residents. Beyond university and student opportunities, the DSS and its clients benefit by having broad-based expertise brought into homes on a weekly basis. Annual success rates of keeping children out of foster care are cited along with cost effectiveness. The university's role in levels of prevention in a highly coordinated community effort is indicated.     

The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt: An Innovative Research-Based Program for High School Students

The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) is an innovative partnership program between a Research I private university and a large urban public school system. The SSMV was started in 2007 and currently has 101 students enrolled in the program, with a total of 60 students who have completed the 4-yr sequential program. Students attend the SSMV for one full day per week during the school year and 3–6 wk in the summers following their ninth- to 11th-grade years, with each grade of 26 students coming to the Vanderbilt campus on a separate day. The research-based curriculum focuses on guiding students through the process of learning to develop questions and hypotheses, designing projects and performing analyses, and communicating results of these projects. The SSMV program has elevated the learning outcomes of students as evidenced by increased achievement scores relative to a comparison group of students; has provided a rigorous research-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics elective curriculum that culminates in a Summer research internship; has produced 27 Intel and Siemens semifinalists and regional finalists over the past 4 yr; and has supported the development of writing and communication skills resulting in regional and national oral presentations and publications in scientific journals.     

Learner control over full and lean computer-based instruction under differing ability levels

This study examined the effects of type of instructional control and program mode on the achievement, option use, time in the program, and attitudes of higher-ability and lower-ability university students. Ability level was determined using participants' Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing Assessment (ACT) scores. Participants were randomly assigned to four versions of a computer-delivered instructional program within higher-ability and lower-ability groups. The four versions of the instructional program were created by crossing the two control conditions (learner control, program control) with the two program modes (full, lean). Participants in the full program scored significantly higher on the posttest than those in the lean program, and higher-ability students scored significantly higher than lower-ability students. Learner-control participants chose to view 68% of the optional screens in the full program but only 35% in the lean one, and participants also spent significantly more time in the full version. Participants had more favorable attitudes toward learner control than program control.     

A mixed-methods study of teachers of the deaf learning to integrate computers into their teaching

A MIXED-METHODS STUDY was conducted of 47 teachers of the deaf in seven urban and suburban programs around the country as they participated in an online training program. The goal of the training program was to encourage the teachers to integrate technology into their teaching of children who were deaf or hard of hearing. In their evaluation of the project, the researchers sought to identify factors that supported the success of the program. Data used in the evaluation of the project were drawn from responses to formal questionnaires, information on retention in the program, and an analysis of comments during online asynchronous discussions. Anxiety about using technology, access to technology, and initial expertise did not determine whether teachers were retained in the program; however, the degree of local support for participants did differentiate those who continued in the program from those who dropped out.