Interactive, Web-Based Workshops on Educational Development Proposals and Projects
Russell Pimmel, Roger Seals and Stephanie Beard
Spring 2010, NSF/DUE Engineering PDs initiate IWBW Series; Spring 2011-CS PDs join
Overall goals of the IWBW Series◦ improve the quality and quantity of proposals
submitted to the TUES Program◦ Improve effectiveness and impact of TUES
projects
◦ Movement to IWB approach –improce cost and reach
Overview- I
Annual webinar (IWBW) series consists of 16 2-hour webinars on 4 different subjects
Subjects and content may vary from year to year
Invitations to participate sent via email to Engineering Deans and Associate Deans; CCLI/TUES ENG/CS Awardees; and CS Department Chairs
Overview- II
Materials and Workshops presented by ENG and CS PDs- adaptations from earlier facto to face
Logistical support for the workshops provided via NSF sponsored projects at LSU
A series of grants from NSF Workshops presented over Internet using
commercially available software
Overview- III
WebEx (Fall 2009 only)◦ NSF-controlled◦ Conference telephone audio (participant muting)
GoToWebinar ◦ PI-controlled (Program Technoical Coor)◦ VoIP and/or conference telephone (PI muting)◦ Registration scheme and “work-around”◦ Periodic but infrequent audio distortion/feedback◦ Local facilitation
Blackboard Collaborate (waite till end)◦ Virtual groups◦ Enhanced recording capabilities
Internet Conferencing Software-Features, Experiences, Issues
Registration is via a website
Institutional responsibilities◦ Provide local facilitator◦ Make arrangements for facilities◦ Promote participation
Directed at ENG and CS faculty but…(necessary?)◦ Institutions free to invite faculty, students and staff
from all STEM disciplines
Overview- IV
Overview of NSF R&D Programs with Emphasis on TUES Program
Proposal Writing Strategies and Reviewer Feedback
Project Evaluation
Making an Impact: Building Transportable and Sustainable Projects
Topics- Spring 2012
Learning must build on prior knowledge ◦ Some knowledge correct ◦ Some knowledge incorrect – Misconceptions
Learning is ◦ Connecting new knowledge to prior knowledge◦ Correcting misconceptions
Learning requires engagement◦ Actively recalling prior knowledge◦ Sharing new knowledge◦ Forming a new understanding
Framework for Workshops
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Effective learning activities ◦ Recall prior knowledge -- actively, explicitly◦ Connect new concepts to existing ones◦ Challenge and alter misconceptions
Active & collaborative processes◦ Think individually◦ Share with partner◦ Report to local and virtual groups ◦ Learn from program directors’ responses
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Preliminary Comments
Active & Collaborative Learning
Goal
Expected Outcomes
Think-Pair-Share-Report Activity
PD Responses
Project Evaluation Workshop- A Samplemake more general
The session will enable you to collaborate more effectively with evaluation experts in preparing credible and comprehensive project evaluation plans…. it will not make you an evaluation expert.
The PE IWBW Goal
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After the session, participants should be able to: Be able to write importance of goals, outcomes, and
questions in the evaluation process◦ Cognitive and affective outcomes
Describe several types of evaluation tools◦ Advantages, limitations, and appropriateness
Discuss data interpretation issues◦ Variability, alternative explanations
Develop an evaluation plan in collaboration with an evaluator◦ Outline a first draft of an evaluation plan
Sample activityExpected Outcomes
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Write expected measurable outcomes for each of the following goals:
◦ Improve the students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts in statics (cognitive)
◦ Improve the students’ self confidence (affective)
Long Exercise ---- 6 min◦ Think individually -------- ~2 min◦ Share with a partner ----- ~2 min ◦ Report in local group ---- ~2 min
Watch time and reconvene after 6 min Use THINK time to think – no discussion, Selected local facilitators
report to virtual group
Activity
Transforming Goals into Outcomes
”
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ExamplePDs’ Response: Expected Outcomes
Understanding of the fundamentals◦ By the end of the class, 70% of the students will be able to:
Correctly draw freebody diagrams of 2D truss structures Correctly write Newton’s laws when given a FBD Describe the effects on member force when one angle in a
2D truss is changed
Self-Confidence◦ By the end of the semester:
30% of the class volunteers to show the solution to any homework problem on the board
Self reported test anxiety reduces to 50% of the initial amount 80% will say the class was easier than they expected it would be 50% report they are excited about taking the follow-on course
14Handout 4
delete Feedback based on responses from PDs
(presenters and non-presenters)
Does not represent an official NSF position
Caveat to Participants
Several Q&A segments included Handouts provided to local facilitators for
distribution during workshop Assessment- Likert scale, open-ended and
demographic questions Presentations made available for
downloading at conclusion of workshopwww.nsflsu.com
(Feel free to download any presentations of interest)
Other Features (include earlier)
Establishing reliable 2-way communications Institutional filtering of emailed logon
instructions Individual vs. group participation Production of workshop video-casts Reaching the “right” institutional rep who will
take the necessary steps Representative completion of assessment
surveys Assessment of the impacts of the workshop
series
Continuing Challenges-separatre challenges from expansion plans
Data see notes
IWBWs can be an efficient and cost-effective means of transmitting content and achieving learning outcomes in faculty development
Anecdotally, IWBWs appear to be as effective as face-to-face workshops The available Internet conferencing software is
generally user friendly and reasonably inexpensive (combine)
Internet conferencing software provides another tool for dissemination of project results- currently, it seems under utilized
Conclusions
If you are interested in this approach, see paper which includes…
A brief literature survey of virtual approaches to faculty development
Assessment survey results for perceived achievement of expected outcomes
Participant demographic data Institutional demographic data Go to website
A Suggestion
Thanks….questions