providing a collaborative learning environment for student teams and corporate partners
DESCRIPTION
This file provides information concerning how to establish a collaborative learning environment that allows online learners to work in teams on projects for corporate clients. It was used as part of his presentation at the 2009 Instructional Technology Conference. Dr. Timothy L. Phillips Department of Instructional Technology Bloomsburg University [email protected]TRANSCRIPT
Providing a Collaborative Learning Environment for Online Students Teams to Work with Corporate
Partners
Timothy L. Phillips, Ph.D.
Department of Instructional Technology
Bloomsburg University
Program Background
• Established in 1985
• MS in Instructional Technology– Corporate concentration– Education concentration
• eLearning Developer Certificate
Program Background
• Prepares students for instructional technology careers in:
– Corporations
– Education (k-12 and higher education
– Healthcare
– Government
– Banking
Program Provides
• Instructional Design Skills
• Development Skills
• eLearning Skills
• Team building skills
• Business / Project Management Skills
Advanced Instructional Design
• Service-based learning course to meet
needs of:– Instructional technology students– Clients
• First offered on campus 1993
• First offered online in 2002
Advanced Instructional Design
• Team-based with four to five students per team
• Students complete all aspects of the instructional design process and deliver instructional technology solution
Student Benefits
• Develop an instructional technology solution for a client
• Gain experience working with clients
• Gain experience working on a team
• Develop communication skills
• Develop and project management skills
Client Benefits
• Receive an instructional technology solution that meets their learning needs
• Expand knowledge of the instructional technology process
• Expand knowledge of new instructional technology tools (hardware/software)
“Real World” Projects• Each team selects a client from a list of
projects provided by the instructor
• Clients are recruited from:– Healthcare– Government– Corporations– Banking– Education (k-12 and higher education)
Team Profile
• Students are placed on teams based upon a skills survey
• Skill areas used in placement are:– Instructional Design– Multimedia– Authoring– Project management
Team Responsibilities to Client
• Regular communications and meetings
• Provide time for approval and sign off on all aspects of the project
• Delivery of a complete instructional technology solution
Student Responsibilities to Team
• Provide leadership in areas of expertise
• Provide support in all portions of the project
• Attend and participate in all team meetings
Project Milestones• Timeline
• Needs Analysis
• Content Outline
• Task Analysis
• Objectives
• Assessment Items
• Instruction Strategies
Project Milestones
• Storyboards
• Flowcharts
• Prototype
• Formative Evaluation
• Delivery of finished product
Online Course Challenges
• Provide an interactive learning environment for class meetings
• Provide an interactive environment for the student teams
• Provide a collaborative learning environment for team/client interactions
• Provide strategies for meeting with individual students
Interactive Class Meetings• Weekly synchronous class meetings
using Centra
• Classes in evening to meet the needs of learners
• Classes normally 2 ½ hours in length
• Documents and PowerPoint files posted for students in Blackboard
Centra Provides
• High level of interactivity for instructor and students
• Real time audio for both instructor and students
• Ability to present using PowerPoint, whiteboard, and application sharing
• Texting capability
• Class recording/publishing capability
Instructor – Team Meetings
• Conducted using Centra
• Weekly meetings at a scheduled time– 20 minutes to one hour
• Open-ended discussions– Instructional design/class questions– Progress on the project– Client issues– Team issues
Team –Client Interactions
• Centra sessions - primary tool
• Conference calls - initial contact and short meetings
• Onsite meetings– needs analysis phase – formative evaluation– one team member located near client
Team Interactions
• Centra- primary tool– teams have Centra accounts
• Blackboard– document sharing
• Email– communication and document sharing
• phone
Individual Interactions• Opportunity to discuss
– Instructional design questions– client issues– team issues– student issues
• Tools– email – primary tool– phone– Centra
Sample List of Clients
• Geisinger School of Radiologic Technology
• Cherokee Pharmaceuticals
• Jersey Shore State Bank
• Bloomsburg Hospital
• Central Columbia School District
• Reiter Automotive
Conclusion
• Online class offered once per year
• average enrollment 20 students
• Positive student feedback
• To date approximately 25 projects produced by online teams
Questions?