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: brown@wfu.eduhttp//:www.wfu.edu/~brown

fax: 336-758-4875

ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001ICCEL -- Wake Forest University, 2001