The 2017 Horizon Report identifies collaborative learning as an important, short-term trend that will be driving instruction and educational technology over the next few years. The LTC is seeking instructors to explore the use of different of different online collaborative tools in their classes.
Exploration Purpose
The purpose of this project is to explore the use of a variety of online collaborative tools to aid UW-Whitewater students, instructors, and staff in collaborations that deepen student learning experiences here at UW-Whitewater. Initial guiding questions for this exploration project are:
- How can online collaborative tools assist instructors in their teaching?
- How can online collaborative tools assist students in their learning?
List of Possible Tools
Poll Everywhere is a clicker alternative that allows students to visit an instructor poll online or text message responses to a poll or survey.
Spark is a two-part product featuring a Spark Board and an online space. Spark allows instructors to share content, engage students with an interactive whiteboard, and bring in guest speakers. The online space allows for group work, and assignment sharing in all course modes (face-to-face, blended, and online).
TurningPoint is a student response system where students can access a website or download an application to use their phones like clickers.
Participation Expectations
Instructors have flexibility in determining the most appropriate tool for their class, as well as the extent of which the tool is used in the class. By taking part in this exploration project, instructors agree to participate in LTC faculty development opportunities during the 2017-2018 academic year. These faculty development opportunities will assist instructors in planning the use of an online collaborative tool in at least one of their Spring 2018 classes. Participating instructors will also be required to reflect on their experience throughout the scope of the exploration project, and support their students in reflecting too.
The following breakdown details expectations for participating instructors semester by semester:
Fall 2017
- Attend up to two faculty development one-hour sessions with LTC staff (TBD)
- Develop a detailed plan for strategically using the online collaborative tool; specifically identifying when and how the tool will be used in at least one Spring 2018 course
- Complete focus group, interview session, and/or UWW IRB approved survey from LTC staff that will gather data about the preparation process
- Note: This will take place near the conclusion of the Fall semester or during Winterim, depending on instructor and staff availability.
Spring 2018
- Conduct at least one Spring 2018 course using the tool as outlined in your plan
- Complete reflections/surveys facilitated by LTC staff during the semester
- Complete an end of the semester UWW IRB approved instructor survey circulated by LTC staff on teaching with the collaborative tool
- Encourage and support students in taking a UWW IRB approved survey on their experiences in the class using the collaborative tool at the end of the semester
Summer 2018
- Participate in a final video reflection on your experience with the collaborative tool. The purpose of the video is to share what you learned, in using the tool, with other instructors interested in using the tool in their teaching in the future.The filming of this video reflection can be scheduled at the LTC at your convenience.
If all components are completed, instructors can expect to receive $750 for their participation in total. Up to twenty instructors will be selected for participation in this project.
Interested?
If you are interested in participating, please complete the following form in Qualtrics by Friday, October 13th, 2017, : http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Z4rX3zxXRVh2bX