Leveraging Technology in Your Learning Center:

1. Enhancing Services, Creating New Resources, Getting the Word Out, and Managing & Training Staff Leveraging Technology in Your Learning Center: Presented @ NCLCA Institute July 2010 Napperville, IL Dr. Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein Director of Academic Support SUNY Empire State College, Northeast Center Lisa.D’Adamo-Weinstein@esc.edu

2. Leveraging Technology in Your Learning Center: Enhancing Services, Creating New Resources, Getting the Word Out, and Managing & Training Staff Emerging technologies such as social networking, multi-media sharing, collaborative workspaces, and mobile technologies are significantly changing the nature of learning and learner expectations for interaction, access, and engagement. Learning center professionals need to leverage these emerging technologies in ways that can enhance they ways in which we deliver services, create resources, market our centers, manage and train staff, and evaluate our centers. The focus of the topics I will cover during the institute will be on how to best understand emerging technologies and how to choose the technology tools that will help you meet your goals in managing your learning center.

3. How “techie” R U? - LOL • Who owns 2 phones… one for talking and one for texting? • Who has more than 1 computer at home? • Who surfs the net from nervous tension when their e-mail is down? • Who is on the web right now? • How many of you paid full price for the iPhone when it 1st came out? • Since we started this presentation, who has thought about checking their email?

4. ACTIVITY #1 – Wildest Dreams…For Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus What kinds of technology are you currently using? What kinds of technology are your students using? What do you have to support tech at your institution? What goals do you have for enhancing student learning? Directions: Don’t be burdened by constraints – what (related to technology & the delivery of learning assistance programs & services) do you wish you had, could learn, has been on your “To Do” list that you haven’t had the chance to get to? List 10 things – Your Ultimate Wish List

5. What is the ONE GREAT PROJECT/IDEA/AREA that can be TECH RELATED you want to work on when you get back to your campus?

6. Views from the front lines…What some schools are doing? • University at Albany (NY) just instituted a text messaging emergency system, and was criticized by the students and some administrators that it took so long. – Response to Virginia Tech (Facebook) • Purdue and their Boilercast system - audio from class is recorded and atomically downloaded to students’ computers. • iTunes U – Public sites – content & orientation • Students at dozens of colleges, such as Syracuse, American University and Marist College, can check online whether a vacant washing machine is waiting downstairs and how much time remains on each machine's cycle. (Forbes online, 1/2006) • University of Maryland's Smith Business School is handing a free BlackBerry to each student — practice makes perfect. • Students learn to manage the 24/7 access to data and people they'll be expected to deal with as executives. (Forbes online, 1/2006) • Ohio University, MIT and others go to 2nd Life.

7. Second Life Ohio University Second Life Campus

8. Who are our students today? Source: A Vision of Students Today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o A short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today - how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University. There is a community college student video in response to this one at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN8GDHZPOvE

9. RESEARCH on Technology & Students Today They have the technology & they are using it, and… • 98.5% have some type of computer • 82.2% have personal LAPTOP computers (2008, in 2007 - 75%) • Average of 19.6 hours a week online for school, work and/or recreation. • 69% < 20hours • 7.4% > 40 hours • Community college students show significantly less time online – 14.8 hrs • More than 82% have used a Course Management System (CMS), with more than 46% saying that they have use a CMS many times every week • 85.2% have interacted with at least one SNS - social network service (Facebook, Myspace, etc…). with Facebook being the predominate SNS. (2008, in 2007 -80%) • 61% of respondents agree that IT within a course improved their learning • Over 40% said that they are more engaged in a course requiring IT • How’d They & Who’d They? • 27, 317 respondents – most “traditional” (under 25 years of age – 78.8%), • Attending 4yr institutions (87.8%) • Most full-time (84%) • Most public (74.8%) • 32.2% at schools > 15,000 students. • Sources: EDUCAUSE Applied Research Center (ECAR) • 2008 Study of Undergraduate Students & Information Technology • 2007 Study of Undergraduate Students & Information Technology

10. RESEARCH on Student Engagement & Technology “For both first-year and senior students, online learners were more likely than classroom-based learners to: • Be older, transfer, and first-generation students. • Very often participate in course activities that challenged them intellectually. • Very often participate in discussions that enhanced their understanding of different cultures. • Very often discuss topics of importance to their major.” (p. 16) “Online courses seem to stimulate more intellectual challenge and educational gains. This suggests that integrating technology-enhanced courses into the curriculum for all students might have some salutary benefits.” (p. 16) SourcesNational Survey of Student Engagement (Promoting Engagment for All Students: The Imperitive to Look Within, 2008 Results) Use of technology can create more engagement & “deeper learning”.

11. But, while most respondents like information technology (IT) as part of their learning… Blending learning is the way to go… Conclusion of the Executive Summary of the 2008 Educause Study

12. Networked Student Source http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOotA

13. So, students are online and on computers, they are more engaged when there is online learning, and they also want F2F interactions… • While, colleges are exploring, integrating and infusing technology into every aspect of the college experience, we need to be mindful that technology is not the only way that students today want to engage. • BUT, students expect to have technology be a part of their daily lives, so F2F is not the only way to engage students. • When we take this need for blending F2F with technology, many college professionals don’t have the time, support, resources, nor expertise to infuse their existing F2F programs and services with technology. • BUT, professionals in Academic Support and Student Services need to adapt the ways in which we deliver services in order to better enhance and engage students in their college experience using a blended approach to service delivery and resource access. How can these complicated and somewhat conflicting needs/concerns be addressed?

14. Technology Enhancing LearningWhat you should consider for academic support and learning assistance… • BENEFITS to LEARNERS • BENEFITS to COLLEGE OVERALL & ACADEMIC SUPPORT/STUDENT SERVICES • BENEFITS to ACADEMIC SUPPORT/STUDENT SERVICES STAFF Learning is flexible, accessible, and tailored to a variety of learning preferences. Students can explore, have choice, & engage/create using different modalities where and when they choose to access… Beneficial in both face-2-face and technology enhanced mediums. One does not necessarily have to replace the other – center and college missions as well as learner needs drive the blended use of these learning engagements. Maximize resources (human and time), training options open up, F2F interactions can take on depth when students come into a learning center or seek out student services having gone over the “basics” online – deeper conversations faster – high touch and high quality at the same time

15. Grounding Points:Quotations to Remember • “In addition to background, aptitude, ability to learn quickly, and the desire to learn, students need persistence, flexibility, and a willingness to cooperate with instructors’ demands and institutional policies if they are to succeed in college.” • - Maxwell, M. (1997). Improving Student Learning Skills. • H&H Publishing: Clearwater, FL. p. 135 Student Success • “The particular characteristics and needs of each individual institution drive the organization of [academic support] programs, the format of service delivery, the overall management and operation of the program and the methods of program evaluation.” • - Casazza, M. E. & Silverman, S. (1996). Learning Assistance and Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. p. 71 Academic Support & Learning Assistance

16. Successful Academic Support Programs & Student Services include… • * Proactive interventions, • * Supportive environments, • * Personalized support systems, • * Small group tutorials, • * Development of students’ basic learning skills, • * Teaching of study skills and learning strategies in the context of academic content courses, • * Opportunities to interact in informal settings and develop personal relationships with faculty, and • * Opportunities to experience success. • Adapted from: • Maxwell, M. (1997). Improving Student Learning Skills. Clearwater, FL: H&H Publishing. • Casazza, M. E. & Silverman, S. (1996). Learning Assistance and Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

17. Alexander and Serafass’ (1999) planning model for educational institutions. Alexander, W.F., Serfass, R.W. (1999). FuturingTools for Strategic Quality Planning in Education. Quality Press; Milwaukee.

18. Great In Theory, But Where’s the Practice???

19. You’ll get some hands on time in the computer lab to explore… http://nclcainstitute2010.pbworks.com LRNASST Listserv http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html www.lsche.net

20. Learning Center Tech Wiki

21. ACTIVITY #2 – Focusing on Just One ThingFor Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus Directions: Pick from your wish list. What is your number one interest/priority?-- You can determine this based on your center/college’s constraints, $$$, time (workload, seasonal demands, etc.), staff desires/access, student needs, access to technology, etc. Defining your top priority… Major idea/goal/priority - Narrowing it down… List at least 3 components related to this idea/goal/priority – 1. 2. 3. What research/people/resources/etc. do you need to connect with to get a start on making your idea/goal/priority a reality? Outline some of the first steps you need to take.

22. ACTIVITY #3 – Making Your PlanFor Technology & Learning Assistance on Your Campus Directions: In Small Groups – review your focus and flesh out what you can do to take action – develop your action plan with your group. What new insights and ideas to enact your plan do you have? CREATING A Detailed “To Do” List for this Project While at the conference…. Immediately upon my return to the office… 2nd Week after the conference 1st Month – Convo with Group via wiki/Lisa

24. What Have We Done @ ESC??? • What kinds of technology are WE currently using? • What kinds of technology are OUR students using? • What do WE have to support tech at OUR institution? • What goals do WE have for enhancing student learning? Our environments – Online & Face-to-Face/Blended

25. Empire State CollegeMission& Commitments The Mission of Empire State College • Empire State College enables motivated adults, regardless of geography or life circumstance, to design a rigorous, individualized academic program and earn a college degree. The Commitments of Empire State College • To support self-directed, intellectually curious learners who collaborate with faculty mentors. • To document, evaluate and award credit for an adult’s prior college-level life learning. • To offer each student an array of learning experiences through independent study, seminars, short-term residencies, and online courses. • To develop, implement and assess new approaches to learning that recognize the strengths and needs of adult learners. • To provide access to degree programs at multiple locations in New York state and abroad, and through the World Wide Web. • To expand degree opportunities for adult learners through partnerships with employers and unions, government agencies and the armed forces, and community organizations and educational institutions.

26. CREATING PROGRAMS & SERVICESAcademic Support = Student Support • Merging college mission & goals with students’ needs & skills • regardless of geography or life circumstance – students can have access 24/7 - ANGEL is available to all NEC students as a community group • individualized, self-directed, curious learners – students self-select what they want or be directed to what they need • collaborate with faculty, professionals, and mentors in the creation, use, & assessment of resources • array of learning experiences – allows for multimedia, interaction, discussion, & enhancements to workshop content • new approaches to learning that recognize the strengths & needs of adult learners – can review at their own time & own pace, access to resources for unit students is enhanced, & access to self-assessments

27. WHAT ARE OUR TECHNOLOGICAL PRIORITIES? • Collegewide • Centralization of resources • Culture shift • Give the power to the content expert, not the designer • Center specific • Culture shift • Center needs drives design • Center sharing • DAS based • What can be customized for students? • What can we be in control of, or provide feedback for?

29. MYESC/Learning Support Tab

30. ANGEL Community Group - NEC • How it started… NEC Academic Support • Online repository of academic support workshop materials and student services information and website links • What it is now… • Comprehensive range of resources, weblinks, presentations, & discussion forums designed to support & enhance NEC students' success • Utilized by students, staff, & faculty • What it is evolving into… • We’re not sure… • What we hope for is all of the above PLUS… • An interactive meeting place for students, faculty & staff • Creation of materials by students & faculty

31. Log into Angel – www.esc.edu/ole Choose COMMUNITY GROUP - Northeast Center Academic Support

33. The Good, the Bad, & The Ugly • The Good • Students have access 24/7 and are using it when and where they want • Faculty are using the site to support their work with students • Usage reports to determine how & who • Can more appropriately target resources based on demand, ask for feedback, & seek input for other areas of interest/need • The Bad • The ANGEL environment is password protected and some students think of it as only for online courses. Those students in online courses are comfortable, but others might not be. • Therefore, we are expanding into other formats but still linking to this password protected site • The Ugly • No instructional design support at the early stages • We didn’t start with template development & “retro-fitting” – consistency & ease of use – HARDER after the fact • Site maintenance is difficult without fulltime support – as we can • FUTURE – co-creation of materials with students, networking, peer-tutoring, & so much more…

34. Moving Beyond CMS to More Means of Blending • Resource Repositories • Course Management Systems – ANGEL • Wiki spaces – Career Services, Non-traditional Student Week & AcademicEye • Interactive & Communication Systems • Smarthinking • Elluminate • Instant Messaging • YouTube & Facebook • Where we might go (exploring)… Who knows? ;)

35. Keeps the conversation going between meetings…

38. JING • Example -- Providing video screen capture feedback to student papers via a free program http://www.jingproject.com/

39. What is Smarthinking? Smarthinking is an online tutorial service that is available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.esc.edu/smarthinking www.smarthinking.com Some tutors/estructors are available for live tutorials 24 hours a day and others have set hours.

40. Northeast CenterLearning Coaches What is a learning coach?A learning coach is someone who provides academic support to students in one-on-one or small group settings in all areas of the writing process and related study skills strategies including time management, organization, reading efficiency, developing a study plan, goal setting, critical thinking, library research skills, note-taking, and learning styles. Sarah Spence-Staultersis located in Latham working with Schenectady & Latham/ Albany students. Mary Sanders-Shartleis located in Saratoga working with Saratoga & Queensbury students. Kate Stockton is located in Latham working with Johnstown & Latham/Albany students Her hours are: Mondays – 12pm-2pm Wednesdays – 3pm-6pm Thursdays 4pm-6pm Her hours are: Mondays - 4:30pm-7:30pm Tuesdays - 4:30 pm-7:30pm Thursdays - 4:30 pm-7:30pm Her hours are: Mondays - 4:30pm-8pm Wednesdays - 4:30pm-8:00pm Fridays - 9am-11:15m Contact Kate to make an appointment : (518) 783-6203 ext 5992 or Kate.Stockton@esc.edu Contact Mary to make an appointment : (518) 587-2100 ext 2827 or Mary.Sanders-Shartle@esc.edu Contact Sarah to make an appointment : (518) 783-6203 ext 5992 or Sarah.Spence-Staulters@esc.edu Office of Academic Support Dr. Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein, Director Northeast Center 21 British American Boulevard Latham, NY 12110 phone 518 783-6203 ext 5939  fax 518 783-6443 Lisa.D’Adamo-Weinstein@esc.edu For students studying in the Plattsburgh, you may contact any of the learning coaches to work at a distance via phone or computer, or contact Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein, Director of Academic Support to arrange for face-to-face support.

41. WorkshopsF-2-F & Online

42. Academic Support @ NEC How to Participate in the NEC Academic Support & Student Services Elluminate Web Conferencing Room • First time users will need to follow online instructions carefully and download a JAVA script. This will happen on each computer that you use to access the room for the first time, and it can take 5-10 minutes to complete. • All users follow this link to access the site: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008175&password=M.D6A048778D50BF84EDAD9DFB8B8C59 • The following pages are simplified directions for how to navigate in the Elluminate environment. Additionally, Elluminate provides excellent online training materials accessible at www.elluminate.com/training. • This webconferencing room provides you with live and archived access to presentations given by the Office of Academic Support at the Northeast Center. You can participate in the environment in 3 ways – an observer/listener, a text participant, or an audio participant. • You do not need special equipment to participate UNLESS you want to participate by being able to speak. If you want to speak as part of your participation, you will have to have a headset and microphone. If you do not have a headset and microphone, you will still be able to listen to the presentation and to type in your questions and comments in the CHAT box. If you do want to participate by speaking, then you will need to purchase a headset. Most stores that sell electronics will have a set for about $15-$20. • Due to prohibitive costs, we are not supporting telephone connections at this time.

43. Follow link to access NEC Academic Support & Student Services Elluminate Web conferencing Room: • https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008175&password=M.D6A048778D50BF84EDAD9DFB8B8C59 Menu/Tool Bar - Roll your cursor over each icon to see what it does – see next page for detailed view… PARTICIPANTS Where the participants will be listed. Where the content of the presentation/class will appear CHAT Space to type in comments, ask questions, etc. AUDIO - Adjust volume for receiving (everyone) & for transmitting audio (only if you have a headset). If you have a headset, push TALK when you want to speak.

44. Active Participation Features

45. Detailed View of Active Participation Features PARTICIPANTS WINDOW TOOLBAR WHITEBOARD TOOLS AUDIO WINDOW Press to talk if you have a headset Use the slider to adjust volumes for hearing presenter or your own audio if you have a headset. CHAT WINDOW

46. Online Only & Blended Study Group Planned Online Only Session

47. Study Groups Dianae: My joker son has already embraced Elluminate. He offered me 10 bucks to turn on my webcam and use a puppet to express myself. Es: lol! This is fun, but I like the interaction of a "real" class too Ritch: This is the best way to do class that I have ever seen

49. Ritch: okay, not finding the text box, can someone let me know how to do that while Lisa cleans up the page? sorry I missed that

50. Melanie: Rich the text box is the A with the lines in it next to the box we all just wrote in click on the box in the upper left with the A on line paper