Supporting Sustained Faculty Engagement in Blended Learning

2019 ◽  
pp. 17-35
Author(s):  
Catherine Villanueva Gardner ◽  
Joannah Portman-Daley ◽  
Jeannette E. Riley ◽  
Kathleen M. Torrens
Keyword(s):  
Faculty Development ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Assessment ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Development Programming ◽  
The University

Faculty professional development in higher education, especially at the intersections of pedagogy and technology, is an essential need given rapid, ongoing changes in technology, as well as the digital learning experiences students bring to college that inform how they learn and how they want to learn. This chapter outlines the implementation of faculty development programs at UMass Dartmouth and the University of Rhode Island that have positively impacted blended teaching and learning practices. The authors discuss best practices of blended learning training courses that can transform faculty thinking about course (re)design and student learning assessment, as well as the need for strong faculty peer mentorship programs to create a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and assessment focused on student retention and learning. As the authors conclude, there is a need for concurrent, intentional faculty development programming, and peer mentoring in order to improve student learning outcomes in the blended learning environment.

Measuring digital professional development: analytics for the use of web and social media

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Rhode ◽  
Stephanie Richter ◽  
Peter Gowen ◽  
Murali Krishnamurthi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
The University ◽  
Development Center ◽  
Faculty Development Centers

Purpose – As faculty professional development increasingly occurs online and through social media, it becomes challenging to assess the quality of learning and effectiveness of programs and resources, yet it is important to evaluate such initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore how one faculty development center experimented with using analytics to answer questions about the use and effectiveness of its web and social media resources. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was based on direct observation of the center’s practice and review of selected data generated by the analytic tools. Findings – Unfortunately, while some analytics are available from a variety of sources, they are often distributed across tools and services. The center developed an analytics strategy to use data from Google Analytics and social media reporting tools to assess the use of online and social professional development resources. Initial results show that the center’s online and social professional development resources are widely used, both within and outside the university. However, more work is necessary to improve the strength and scope of the available analytics. Practical implications – As a result of the analysis, the center has streamlined online resources, targeted social media use, and has begun developing methods to allow faculty to report online resource use as professional development for academic personnel purposes. Originality/value – Many faculty development centers have not explored methods of evaluating online and social media resources. This paper outlines a strategic evaluation plan to measure the usage of online resources as well as engagement and interaction through social media.

Developing teaching and learning methods to innovate the Italian context of Higher Education. The case of University of Padua

2016 ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
Monica Fedeli ◽  
Anna Serbati ◽  
Edward W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
The University

This article looks at theories and practices related to faculty development and innovation in teaching and learning methods in Higher Education, in order to respond to the European 2020 Strategy, in which the High level group on the modernisation of higher education has been established, whose aim focuses on improving the quality of teaching and learning in Europe's higher education institutions (2013). The paper is framed within the context of the project PRODID (Preparazione alla professionalitŕ docente e innovazione didattica), funded by the University of Padova, Italy with the major goal of creating a permanent and effective academic center for research on learning and teaching and faculty development. The theoretical framework of PRODID is informed by constructivism and social constructivism, and the student centered approach, encouraging student-teacher partnerships as a dimension for faculty development and teaching and learning innovations. The University of Helsinki and Michigan State University are mentioned as relevant examples of organizational settings integrated in higher education institutions that offer a great variety of practices consistent with the chosen theoretical framework. They also offer the Italian program of University of Padova models for critical reflection in how their teaching strategies can be created and developed on the basis of this international experience. The final discussion aims to highlight the strategies adopted during the first year of the project, characterized by the Italian culture and revealing new insights and ideas to create an Italian model of teaching and learning center.

Blended Learning Support for Undergraduate Students’ Research and Writing Skills Development

2014 ◽  
pp. 341-368
Author(s):  
Asako Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
University Of Manitoba ◽  
Main Barrier ◽  
The University

In this exploratory study, a subject librarian and a writing instructor investigated the potential of designing blended learning around research paper assignments in the context of two foundational courses in the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The objective was to explore alternative, more embedded learning support for undergraduate students. The significance of blended learning support was situated in the broader literature of the teaching and learning practices in higher education. In this case study, descriptions of blended learning support for facilitating student learning, and of the main barrier to its implementation are provided. Based on what was learned in the exploratory study, the chapter provides working guidelines for designing and developing blended learning support, mainly drawing from Butler and Cartier’s (2004) research on academic engagement.

scholarly journals Blended Learning Environments in Inclusive Education at the University

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (21) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Yaqun Zhang ◽  
Fayruza Rebrina ◽  
Fairuza Sabirova ◽  
Julia Afanaseva
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Current State ◽  
The University ◽  
Digital Learning Environments

The modern education system in most countries is built on providing equitable education opportunities to all people, regardless of the limitations they have. There are no significant problems in primary and secondary inclusive education, while most traditional higher education models are not sufficiently adapted to the needs of people with learning disabilities. Thus, it has been replaced by a blended learning model built on new digital learning environments in recent years. The aim of the article is to study the blended learning environment of inclusive educa-tion systems in China and Russia. The article presents the findings of a “The Global Learner Survey”, conducted on behalf of Pearson in May 2019 by The Harris Poll. The survey involved over 11,000 learners aged 16-70 across nine-teen countries. Additionally, statistics on the higher education development in Russia and China were used. The analysis of the current state of higher education in Russia and China, as well as the development of a blended learning environ-ment, shows the positive effect as that it allows students with limited educational opportunities to integrate into the educational and public life of the university and implement all types of rehabilitation along with the educational process.

scholarly journals Leading change: Applying change management approaches to engage students in blended learning

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Quinn ◽  
Yousef Amer ◽  
Anne Lonie ◽  
Kim Blackmore ◽  
Lauren Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Leading Change ◽  
National University ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
The University

<span>The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA) have embarked on Federally-funded project to collaborate in the design, development and delivery of a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in engineering. The collaboration investigates new ways to bring together the strengths and discipline expertise of each institution to the students of both universities, utilising blended teaching and learning approaches. The collaboration brings much change - at the organisational level in the blending of programs, at the staff level in their approaches to teaching and at the students' level in their approaches and engagement with cross-institutional blended learning. This paper focuses on how change management principles were used to guide a systematic approach to engaging students into the learning culture associated with the Engineering Hubs and Spokes Project's theme - 'Advanced Collaboration for Excellence'.</span>

scholarly journals Students’ and Instructor’s Perspective on the use of Blackboard Platform for Delivering an Engineering Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. pp1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Uziak ◽  
M. Tunde Oladiran ◽  
Edmund Lorencowicz ◽  
Kurt Becker
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Course Management System ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The University

The use of Information Technology (IT) has been growing over the years in various human endeavours. It has also been adopted in education sector for teaching and learning. Various studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness and acceptance of e-learning strategy by students. In particular, the current research is an attempt to obtain students’ and instructor’s perspective on the use of Blackboard software. The technology is a course management system used in a blended learning mode to deliver a third year mechanical engineering course at the University of Botswana (UB). In terms of students’ views, the study covered a period of nine years and the questionnaire survey was administered to each succeeding cohort of students. Whereas in terms of the instructor’s perspective the motivation and the challenges faced during the years of use of the platform were described. Results indicate that students were generally comfortable with the use of Blackboard as they highly embraced it. Students indicate that their performance improved and communication with instructor was enhanced significantly. The respondents also recommended that Blackboard should be used in other courses in their programme of study. The instructor considered the time factor the most vital challenge related to the use of the platform. However, despite the challenges the application of the learning platform and the development of its material was a positive experience for the instructor and well received by the students.

scholarly journals Blended Learning Mobility Approach and English Language Learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mazen Ismaeel Ghareb ◽  
Saman Ali Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
The University

Although the benefits of blended learning have been well documented in educational research, relatively few studies have examined blended mobilities in education in Kurdistan region government and in Iraq. This study discusses a blended mobility approach for a teacher training program designed for in-service English language teachers (ELT) and investigates its effectiveness by comparing the latest participation of the University of Human Development for computer science and proposing the same program for training English for lecturers and students. The research involved proposes new mobility program for teaching and learning English language and using their language skills in an ongoing business project using several software for communication and management of their projects. Results will show the framework for new blended learning and blended mobilities of many different English language teaching (ELT) aspects.

scholarly journals The Application of Eportfolio in Higher Education: implications for Student Learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Andrea Ximena Castaño Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The University ◽  
Assessment Strategies

Nowadays universities are introducing educational changes in their teaching practices and their assessment strategies. These changes are involving many areas in the university. One of the places where most of the changes are initiated is from the classroom settings. To support them, eportfolios in general are being used as a form to align the principles stated from the Bolonia Process towards a teaching more centred on the student supporting other aspects like mobility and recognition. Therefore, developing effective use of technology applied to education for teaching and learning has become an important challenge. In this regard, the main goal of this thesis was to identify learning environment characteristics when applying eportfolios for teaching and learning and students’ characteristics that could influence a meaningful learning.

scholarly journals Investigación sobre la práctica docente en las universidades

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Martha E. Báez
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Critical Study ◽  
Anglo Saxon ◽  
Practice Elements ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

La investigación sobre la práctica docente (ISPD) en el contexto universitario es un estudio crítico de la docencia que busca reflexionar sobre esta para mejorar su incidencia en la calidad del aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Este artículo se basa en la experiencia de académicos anglosajones con este tipo de investigaciones, abordando los fundamentos conceptuales y metodológicos que la caracterizan y su importancia para el desarrollo individual e institucional de la docencia. Sin pretender hacer una presentación comparativa, se muestran elementos que asemejan y distancian la ISPD de la investigación tradicional.AbstractScholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in the university context is a critical study of teaching aimed at reflecting on its impact improving the quality of student learning. This article is based on the experience of Anglo-Saxon scholars on this type of study. It addresses the conceptual and methodological characteristics of this practice and its importance to the individual and institutional development of the teaching practice. Elements that relate and distant the SoTL from the traditions research are shown.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Course Design for Active Learning: Evaluation of a Blended Learning Approach to Enable Academic Faculty Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Olugbenga King
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research University ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Academic Development ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Learning Technology

This article describes two blended learning (technology-rich) professional development workshops on course design for active learning to enable faculty development at a research university in the Southeastern United States. Specifically, the workshops were designed to address gaps in the international academic development literature, and so this article highlights one way to address related requirements, such as the need for systematic evaluation, provision of thick descriptions of academic development practices, and evaluation of the effect of different learning environments (physical classroom spaces) on teaching and learning outcomes. Hence, the workshops model evidence-based approaches for designing faculty development, including the systematic alignment of the workshops’ goals with qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the workshops’ effectiveness.

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