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Personalizing the Online Student Instructor Experience . Kenneth L. Strickland Adjunct Professor of Political Science St. Petersburg College. Online enrollment growth has outpaced general higher ed enrollment growth 10-to-1
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Personalizing the Online Student Instructor Experience Kenneth L. Strickland Adjunct Professor of Political Science St. Petersburg College
Online enrollment growth has outpaced general higher ed enrollment growth 10-to-1 • 31% of U.S. higher education students now take at least one course online • Online classes, however, generally see dropout rates 10 to 20% higher than traditional face-to-face sections • Student level factors certainly account for a portion of this gap, but certainly not all of it • As more curriculum moves online, the effects of this dropout gap will only become more salient with time Challenge: The E-Learning Dropout Gap
Research shows that the keys to driving online student engagement are: • Establishing thorough expectations • Utilizing clear and consistent communication • Utilizing assessment that is directed and encouraging The Answer: Increasing Interaction & Engagement • Electronic communication presents legitimate barriers to achieving these instructional goals • Recommend a fourth: Efficacy – a student’s sense that their course participation matters
Incorporating personalized video into regular course material has the potential to drive engagement by: • Developing an emotion based, cognitive linkage between student and instructor to drive accountability • Permitting visual/audio cues to aid in student communication • Easing the transition between face-to-face and online instruction • Permitting passage of instructor subject knowledge and expertise beyond basic course material Incorporating Video to Close the Gap
Utilizing a course introduction video allows you to provide perspective on your teaching style and expectations • In this video I try to set the tone for the semester – easy going but passionate about the subject matter Application 1: Setting the Mood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwXqfyLk2lI
Students appreciate the first few minutes of a face-to-face course where the instructor summarizes where things are at • Use a periodic update video to ensure students aren’t falling behind and expectations are clear Application 2: Touching Base http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oY5dlX6YVs
Some course material may be difficult to simply read and comprehend, particularly for specific learning styles • Filming lectures allows students the feel of being in the classroom, but on their own schedule Application 3: Lecture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDFKu_LZrQ
The advantage of an online class is the ability to bring the classroom to the learning experience, instead of just the other way around • I utilize guest speakers to engage students in the practical side of the subject without dealing with scheduling issues Application 4: Speakers/Presentations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_WgbTLjgs
Choose a location • Minimize distortion and background noise, as well as possibility of being interrupted • Ensure proper tools/resources are easily accessible • Be cognizant of background items or personal information that may appear in the background • Record and upload video to a hosting source • Youtube permits quick and easy upload of video files • Limits standard videos to 15-minutes; can request approval for extended uploading • Other sites, such as Schooltube.com offer similar services • Select appropriate privacy settings Steps for Implementation
Steps for Implementation • Post the link to ANGEL • Add Content -> Link • Requires special HTML coding to be entered into “Title” box • <a href=“VIDEO URL" target="_blank">VIDEO TITLE</a>
Student Survey Responses: Spring 2012 • What are the strengths of this course?
Tips and Practical Advice • Assume that all videos you post are available are entirely public and that anyone can see them • Use the “CNN test” when recording yourself (would this look/sound good if CNN reported on it?) • Use caution when sharing personal information – yours or your students’ • Be aware that your video may be preceded by, share a page with ads for products you might not endorse • Review your video before posting it online • Ensure that nothing incriminating or inappropriate appears in your video • Be concise when possible, and try to break videos apart when covering multiple topics in length