A New Path To Online Learning Final
- 1. A New Path to Online Learning: ePortfolios at Bronx Community CollegeHoward Wach Office of Instructional Technologyhoward.wach@bcc.cuny.eduJordiGetman-ErasoHonors ProgramJordi.getman@bcc.cuny.edu15th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online LearningOctober 30, 2009
- 2. What Can ePortfolios Bring to Online Learning for Students?For students, an online context for:Learning: Interdisciplinarity, “making connections” across curriculaSelf-reflection, meta-cognitionOwnership: Expressions of identity, aspiration, and achievementUnderstanding one’s online “audience”Community 2.0:Comments, tagging, categoriesOvercoming the commuter campus divide: Student clubs, project work, online
- 7. What Can ePortfolios Bring to Online Teaching for Faculty?For faculty, an online context for:Interdisciplinarity, “making connections” through faculty development activitiesExamination of instructional objectives and goals through course designTechnology-based innovations: podcasts, embedded media, networked communication
- 11. And for institutions……ePortfolios can provide the architecture of assessment:An online archive of student work to be evaluated across timeAn organizational setting for standards, rubrics, articulated objectives forExternally accredited programsInternally measured programsInstitution-wide curricula (General Education)
- 15. Where Did We Begin?The Pilot Program, Fall 2008Participation in the LaGuardia ePortfolio Seminar, 2007-2008Determining a curricular strategy:Honors Program (cross-disciplinary, Gen Ed)Education Department (assessment)Digital Arts (portfolio-based, strong technology skills)Selecting a Platform. Our Criteria:Ease of useEducation focusPer student costSupport costsOur choice: Digication
- 16. Where Did We Begin?The Pilot Program, Fall 2008Selecting Faculty. Our criteria:Technology friendlyCourse integration1 year commitmentRelease timeSupport Structure. Our criteria:Cost effectivenessSoftware compatibilitySpace efficiency – ePortfolio labsePortfolio tutors
- 17. Where Did We Begin?The Pilot Program, Fall 2008IT integration. Our needs:Programming:Login procedureStudent databaseBCC Website landing pageIT help desk coordinationFunding. Our reality:Slow track: Student technology feeFast track: Title V grant
- 18. How Did We Start?January 2009Faculty DevelopmentIntroductory meeting – late Fall 2008ePortfolio account activation
- 19. Course development guidelinesJanuary 2009 coordination meetingHands on software training
- 20. Learning objectives and ePortfolio integration
- 21. Assessment objectives – General Education, program specific accreditation
- 22. Course Scheduling CoordinationOffice of the RegistrarHonors courses and the cancellation challenge
- 23. How Did We Start?February 2009 – Semester BeginsActivating Student AccountsIT – Roster transfer activationePortfolio Administrator controlTweaking technological/registration shortfallsChallenge of late registrationGoing live! February 1, 2009
- 24. How Did We Start?February 2009 – Semester BeginsStudent Training1 hour introductory sessionsScheduling with facultyLab scheduling coordinated with IT Sessions led by Howard and/or JordiePortfolio tutors available for in class sessionsCourse/technology specific trainingePortfolio LabFinding a space!Maximize tutor availability/minimize frustration
- 25. What Did We See? Faculty and Student ExperiencesStudent Variations:The Transferring Student (Clara Fernandez)The Job-seeking Student (Audrey Rodriguez)The Self-Reflective Student (Jerry Naeem)Faculty Variations:Course management (Graphic Design)Portfolio assignments (History Outside the Textbook), and resources (eHerodotus)Scholarship/Professional IdentityAssessment
- 26. Semester’s EndMay 2009 – Reaping the BenefitsePortfolio Student Showcase Faculty, student and administration participationBest ePortfolio competition/prizesStudent Focus GroupsThemes: competition, aspiration, academic focus (the Honors effect?)Lesson Learned – Remain student focusedSurvey said (n=51)…Platform use: 78% “very easy” or “fairly easy”Personal value themes: self-awareness, “audience”.Academic use: 51% said ePortfolio was “often integrated”; 43% said it “helped me learn”.
- 27. Future ePortfolio ObjectivesWhere to Next?Expand Pilot ProgramHonors Program – Incorporate all program facultyEducation Department – NCATE Standards Art Department – Assessment New – ASAP Program, General Education Fast v. Slow expansion – benefits and drawbacksExpand Support StructureePortfolio tutors – expanded scheduleOnline support – website, online toolsClose collaboration with Digication
- 28. Lessons LearnedThe importance of integration: relationship between the syllabus and the ePortfolioSustaining continuity for students and facultyAssessment puzzles: necessity vs. simplicityThe 2.0 challengeAnd finally, keep the student at the center: remember the power of aspiration