Request for Instructor Participation: Spring 2017

Emerging Technology Exploration Project- Learning Analytics Tool Chest

Exploration Purpose

The UW-Whitewater (UWW) Learning Technology Center (LTC) is participating in the UW System Learning Analytics Tool Chest Exploration Project for the Spring 2017 semester. Learning analytic software allows students, instructors, advisors, and administrators insight into specific avenues that can influence student success in a course. The current exploration focuses on student and instructor use of learning analytic tools.

The UW System Learning Analytics Tool Chest Exploration Project features the Learning Analytics Tool Chest (LATC). The LATC consists of different learning analytic tools including the Analytics & Recommendations Plug-In (A&R), Study Pattern (Pattern), and the Workflow Visualization System (WVS). As part of the project, the UWW LTC is seeking 10 instructors to implement at least one of these LATC tools into a Spring 2017 semester course. Participating instructors will receive LATC training, and assistance with technical issues that arise while working with the LATC tools. Details on the specific LATC tools are provided in the snapshot below.

LATC Tool Snapshot

• Analytics & Recommendations Plug-In (A&R)
  • The A&R provides a visual index of student task completion and performance in D2L. Students and instructors can track student participation and performance in course activities and assessments. Instructors can view and compare student performance within the class, as well as compare current student performance with data from previous courses to assist in identifying “at risk” students. For students, the A&R provides comparison metrics to high performing students, and provides students with recommendations for achieving higher grades.

• Workflow Visualization System (WVS)
  • The WVS allows instructors to create diagrams of learning activities, lesson plans, and/or chapters/units within the D2L course shell. By keeping track of student progress throughout the course, instructors can gain insight into whether students worked through the course materials and activities in the manner that the instructor designed them, or whether certain elements of the course could benefit from re-tooling and/or re-design.

• Study Pattern (Pattern)
  • Unlike the A&R and WVS, Pattern does not require D2L, or any LMS, integration. Pattern is a “stand alone” software program accessible via mobile devices (Android, iOS), and/or a web-based application (i.e., “app”). For students, Pattern keeps record of time spent on studying/learning activities, as well as how productive the studying/learning sessions were perceived to be. Instructors can then access class breakdowns of the activities (ex. writing), and time spent.

Want to learn more about these tools? Check out these resources:

• LATC–About the Tools
• LATC Presentation at the Learning Technology Development Council’s Virtual Showcase (note: to watch this presentation, please click on the purple circle in the “Blackboard Collaborate” format and enter your name/email when prompted.

Exploration Participation Expectations

By participating in this exploration, instructors agree to develop a plan to integrate one LATC tool into at least one Spring 2017 course, utilize the tool in the course, and provide information on their experience throughout the process. Below is a breakdown of what will be expected of instructors by semester:

Fall 2016

• Develop and submit a project proposal describing how you plan to integrate at least one of the LATC tool(s) into at least one Spring 2017 course.
• If selected, work with LTC staff to set up LATC tool(s) for at least one Spring 2017 course.
• Participate in educational offerings provided by the LTC and/or UW System regarding learning analytics and the LATC (dates: TBD).

Spring 2017

• Utilize LATC tool(s) in at least one course.
• Assist students in use of LATC tool(s), if necessary for the tool you are using.
• Participate in periodic focus groups, interview sessions, and/or surveys facilitated by the LTC and the UW System. These activities will focus on assessing ease of use, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction with the selected LATC tool.
• Have students complete an online survey (administered by the LTC and/or the UW System) providing feedback on LATC tool(s) used in the course.

Summer/Fall 2017

• Provide information on experience implementing LATC tool(s)  through personal testimonial, video interview, and/or speaking at LTC event.

If all components are completed, instructors can expect to receive $1000 for their participation in the LATC Pilot. This exploration project will be limited to 10 instructors and is contingent on the UW System offering these tools for use by the campuses.

How Do I Apply?

To express your interest in being included in this emerging technology exploration project, please complete the Qualtrics submission form here by Sunday, October 9:

http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6A2kplSpdJ5Tm1D

Questions will collect information relative to:

• The Spring 2017 course where you will be using the LATC tool; and
• The LATC project you are proposing (i.e., goal for using the tool,how you plan on using the tool, how you plan on implementing it in your course, and how you would determine if the tool was successful in meeting your goal).

If you have any questions about this exploration project, please contact the Learning Technology Center (ltc@uww.edu).

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is seeking an energetic, organized, and innovative faculty or instructional academic staff member to act as the
coordinator for academic innovation at UW-W during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Interested faculty and instructional academic staff should apply by Sept. 19, 2016. For more information, view:  http://www.uww.edu/acadaff/provost/academic-affairs-news

The Learning Technology Center is pleased to share an updated D2L Starter Course for faculty and staff.

The Starter Course is a template, pre-loaded with important campus policies, teaching resources, and module outlines.  It can be copied into your course and edited to meet your teaching needs.  While it was designed for the needs of online instructors, it is useful for any modality.

The Fall 2016 Starter Course includes updated policy links, sample discussions, rubrics, quizzes and dropboxes, a layout to make use of content folders, and resources for student support.  These student support resources come from the LEAP project of Jodi Galvan and Stephanie Douglas.

Galvan and Douglas piloted these resources in courses and surveyed their students for feedback.  The students responded positively, and stated that they helped them to understand if online learning is a good fit for them, reduced fear and anxiety, and gave them time management skills to help them succeed.

Here are some quotes from their students:

Help them determine if online learning is a fit for them

“This was my first time as an online learner. I think it was a good experience for me to see the difference in workload, interactions with classmates and the professor, and being independent.” —College of Arts and Communication, Journalism, sophomore

“I learned about the traits that many successful online learners have. I thought it was interesting that there are common learning habits between people who do well with online learning because I didn’t think about how it could be difficult for different types of learners.”–College of Business and Economics, Accounting, junior

Reducing fear and anxiety

Has resources for all students learning with technology (e.g., D2L) by:

“The modules helped alleviate the small fears I had that I would possibly struggle in a new learning environment.” —College of Education and Professional Studies, Special Education, graduate student

“The modules took care of the few worries I had, and they made me feel more prepared for a course like this. Up until I went through them, my anxiety level was growing because I had no clue what I was doing.” — College of Business and Economics, Information Technology, sophomore

Giving them time management skills to help them succeed

“One of the big things that I learned from the online tutorials was time management. It’s so hard being a college student and working, so you have to make sure that you’re balancing those things out. What really helped me was putting reminders in my phone.” —College of Letters and Science, Biology, senior

“One of the modules that I found most enlightening was the one called “Time Management Tools”. This offered three different ways of making my life easier that I have never heard of before.” —College of Education and Professional Studies, English/Spanish, senior

To access the Starter Course, follow the directions on this site:  How to Register for the D2L Starter Course