Comments submitted with the survey

Hello all,
Below please find the comments that were submitted by faculty as a part of the recent survey.
I will be organizing them for the presentation to faculty.


I have used Facebook(FB) in my classes at OU-L. In my case, it did NOT enhance communication within the class but it did substantially increase my workload (i.e. having to constantly check yet another communication medium). In my experience, students exchange contact information in the first few days of class and then connect via their own preferred social network/communication/messaging scheme. In my area of study (Physics), web based tutorials and activities are helpful but the actual instruction of the course is best accomplished within a classroom environment. The classroom itself, however, needs to be transformed. I am currently in the process of moving from an interactive lecture base to an activity based classroom primarily due to what I perceive as a change in the abilities or students to visualize and think abstractly. I intend to pilot this transformation in the Winter and would be happy to share my results with the OU-L community. Sandy Doty







Together with faculty opinion, would be helpful to get a "big picture" of:


-hardware; and


-software


resources available at OU. and


-list on online courses actually available and plans for developing new online courses in future.






Giorgi Shonia






One issue I've had with my online students is that they can't get into computer labs at all times because of classes, closing early, etc. A more open time frame will likely be needed if more classes have more intensive online or technology-based content.






I think the trend is toward offering more courses online. I don't see that as a positive thing as far as learing, but unfortunately it may be necessary to compete with other institutions.






There are only two problems with technology that I'd really like to see addressed on this campus, and they're both relatively minor. First, whenever I use the computer projector--no matter which classroom I've been in--there's always a light that shines directly on the projector screen. Even if I turn off one set of lights, regardless which set of lights it is, there are always at least two lights shining directly on the screen. The only way to really address this is to turn off all the lights in the room, but then my students can't see to take notes. Can't we figure out some way to turn off just the lights that shine on the projector screens in the classroom? It's very frustrating. The other thing is, some of the computers won't play some types of online videos (in some rooms, it's Flash that won't work; in others, it's things on youtube). I don't use these enough that it's a big problem but, sometimes when we're discussing nontextual arguments for our comp classes, there are things on the internet I'd like to show my students but I can't. That's all; other than that, everything's great and you're all doing a wonderful job. I hope that helps. Thanks.






Andy McGreevy---I have taught History 133 and History 246 online since 2000 or so. I have published online through Cornell University. I see online education as still in its early stages and experimental. It certainly works in history--I don't know about all other disciplines. Second Thought = We could use a national and international report on what is happening with online education. We need to know what is going on beyond OUL! We need to know which American institutions of higher education are using online methods. We need to know what Athens is doing....Sincerely, A.M.






I teach at the differenc campuses and use different rooms for classes and it always seems tricky to get used to all the different devices and machines. And if you want to go from powerpoint to draw something on the whiteboard you can't without turning off the powerpoint to raise the screen, etc. And there always seem to be a bright light right above the projector screen and if you turn it off then students can't see but if you turn the light on then the screen is washed out. And if you plug in a USB you almost have to get down on your knees to see where it plugs into the computer. I don't think any of the rooms are easy to use with the technology that is in them. It is very frustrating.










I would like to learn about the pros and cons of on-line tests.

Tech and DL meeting 111909

Attendees:  Giorgi Shonia, Christine Wolfe, Deb Smith
The committee met in BR 302 to view the results of the survey.  Everyone was pleased with the response and discussed the individual questions.  It was noted that this survey was an initial fact finding one and that further investigation would be needed in the future.
Dr. Shonia suggested that we gather information from student services/registrar regarding the number of blended and online course that are currently being offered at OUL.  The question that asked about online classes in the survey should have included blended as well and that same question did not have a zero value for faculty to choose.
The committee decided to present the findings to faculty at the faculty meeting on Jan 6 or Feb 3.  Deb will contact the division coordinators to see which meeting might be best.
The presentation will involve review in the survey results using the Google results page, including information about the current number of blended/online courses offered at OUL, a demonstration of the videos available for faculty and students on the website and a conversation with the faculty about their impressions and suggestions.
Deb is to summarize the open ended statements from the survey while Dr. Shonia gathers stats available.
Deb will communicate to the committee regarding the presentation date.
The group also looked at some data on student use of technology as posted on the ECAR website (Educause).
Respectfully submitted,
Deb Smith

Meeting Nov 6

Hi everyone,
Thanks to all the hard work of Giorgi and the group editing by all, I have successfully emailed the survey to Amber for distribution.  It should go out soon.
The link to the survey is
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dFM4N1g0VXVYLUdJSVJvRXpMeGRzQ3c6MA

As soon as results come in, we can discuss our next steps.
Thanks again - everyone.
Deb