Attacking the Digital Divide4th HACU International ConferenceSan Jose, Costa RicaMarch 5, 2001
By David G. Brown
Vice President and Dean
International Center for Computer Enhanced Learning
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.
http://www.wfu.edu/~brown
The Digital Divide
1. Access to computers & the Internet
2. Teachers capable of using the technology
3. Students using computers
90% of the Gain from
10% of the Effort
…the basic message
…the basic message
• Resist overbuying computers
• Resist overusing computers
• Resist multi-media, too much too early
• 3700 undergraduates• 92% residential• 500 each: Med, Law, MBA, PhD• $950M endowment• Winston-Salem, NC• Baptist Heritage• 1300 average SAT• 28th in US News & World Report • Top 35 Privates in Barron’s Guide• Rhodes Scholars
• IBM Laptops for all• Printers for all• New Every 2 Years• Own @ Graduation• 45.000 Connections• Standard Software• 99% E-Mail• Start 1995, 4 Year Phase In• +15% Tuition for 37 Items• +40 Faculty and 30 Staff
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
THE WAKE FOREST PLANIBM A20m, 500 Mhz, 11GB, 15”ActMatrix, CD-ROM, 90 modem
Ways of Thinking AboutPresidential Campaigns and DebatesA First Year Seminar IntroducingStudents to the Liberal Arts
15 FreshmenMeet twice per weekAll with open laptops
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
COURSE OBJECTIVES
• To understand a liberal arts education as an opportunity to study with professors who think by their own set of concepts
• To learn how to apply economic concepts• To learn how to work collaboratively• To learn computer skills• To improve writing and
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Learning is enhanced by-
• Collaboration among Learners • Frequent student/faculty dialogue• Prompt Feedback• Application of Theory• Student Self Initiatives• Trustful relations• Personal & Individual Teaching
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Brown’s First Year Seminar• Before Class
– Students Find URLs & Identify Criteria
– Interactive exercises– Lecture Notes– E-mail dialogue– Cybershows
• During Class– One Minute Quiz– Computer Tip Talk– Class Polls– Team Projects– Chat During Lecture
• After Class– Edit Drafts by Team– Guest Editors– Hyperlinks & Pictures– Access Previous Papers
• Other– Daily Announcements– Team Web Page– Personal Web Pages– Exams include Computer– Materials Forever
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Computers Enhance My Teaching and/or Learning Via--
PresentationsBetter--20%More Opportunities toPractice & Analyze--35%
More Access to SourceMaterials via Internet--43%
More Communication with Faculty Colleagues, Classmates,and Between Faculty and Students--87%
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Computers allow people----
• to belong to more communities• to be more actively engaged in each
community• with more people• over more miles• for more months and years• TO BE MORE COLLABORATIVE
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Computers Enhance My Teaching and/or Learning Via--
PresentationsBetter--20%More Opportunities toPractice & Analyze--35%
More Access to SourceMaterials via Internet--43%
More Communication with Faculty Colleagues, Classmates,and Between Faculty and Students--87%
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
Computers allow people----
• to belong to more communities• to be more actively engaged in each
community• with more people• over more miles• for more months and years• TO BE MORE COLLABORATIVE
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001
The Low Hanging Fruit
• Group email
• URL addressses
• File-Cabinet-in-the-Sky
David G. BrownWake Forest University
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109336-758-4878
email: [email protected]//:www.wfu.edu/~brown
fax: 336-758-4875
ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001