Real-time global instruction in a virtual environment

The presentation introduces graduate students to online library and research skills and the tools necessary for effective use a variety of electronic retrieval systems. In addition to a brief explanation of online course real-time sessions, the presentation gives one example on efficiency of library sessions for a group of Doctors of Management students in Taiwan.Real-Time Global Instruction In a Virtual Environment Presenters Barb Mann, Assistant Director for Public Services; Adjunct Associate Professor-GSMT (bmann@umuc.edu) Julie Arnold Lietzau, Course Manager for UCSP 611 (jlietzau@umuc.edu) Planning Considerations What are the pedagogical expectations of students? How is the impact on student instructional needs measured? How is faculty buy-in obtained? Should this technology be required for all or some courses? “Nuts and Bolts” Establish learning outcomes to ensure standardization of the content Offer the same session more than once to meet the “critical mass” of time zones Publicize the sessions in the syllabus, class announcements, and weekly conferences “Nuts and Bolts” Send out technical requirements and the link to online meeting space URL ahead of time Test out the technology ahead of time and have a back-up plan in case of technical issues Monitor the chat box to answer questions and respond to comments “Nuts and Bolts” Use the whiteboard to post Power Point slides Use the share desktop function to demonstrate concepts in real-time Record the session and post the link to the recording in your classroom Assess the session to ensure that learning is happening and make changes as needed UCSP 611 Real-time Class Sessions Online Course Real-Time Sessions UCSP 611, Introduction to Graduate Library Research Skills Offered since spring 2008 2 real-time sessions per course Held before two major projects to help model and explain the process Assessed UCSP611 Real-time Sessions Assessment 83% 84% 85% 86% 87% 88% 89% 90% 91% Fall 2008 Sections with Web Conferencing Sessions Spring 2009 Sections without Web Conferencing Sessions Final Project Grades Sections with Web Conferencing vs. Sections without* Project Grades *The same instructor taught, and the same rubric was used, for all sections0 20 40 60 80 other I was not interested the time offered was not convenient for me If you did not attend, what is the main reason? 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 strongly disagree disagree neutral agree strongly agree The session and/or the recordings helped me to better understand the course materials and content 0 20 40 60 80 100 other I thought it was required to interact with the instructor to learn more about library research If you participated what is the main reason you did so? 0 50 100 150 200 maybe no yes I hope to attend other real-time sessions in other courses, if offered DM Taiwan Individual & Group Sessions DM Taiwan Individual Sessions 20 of the first cohort of Doctor of Management Taiwan students 8 librarians provided instruction Sessions held early in the morning, on week-ends, or late at night E-mailed an outline of what was being covered ahead of the session including search strategies and database choices not at all helpful 0% somewhat helpful 10% very helpful 60% extremely helpful 30% Overall, how helpful was your one-on-one library session? (Doctor of Management Students in Taiwan) DM Taiwan Group Sessions Group library instruction session for second cohort of DM Taiwan students RefWorks session for the first cohort of DM Taiwan students Photo courtesy of Dr. Claudine SchWeber DM Taiwan Group, October 2007ILS Virtual Focus Group Virtual Focus Groups Polling feature and whiteboard used for questions/discussion points Voice and/or chat used as communication method Recording, chat transcript and separate polling transcript provide information needed to review Chat Log Summary Poll Data Feedback Received I am going through your lecture at this time. Wow! That is really incredible. I can listen to the lecture at any time that is convenient and/or as many times as I would need. I like this! UCSP 611 student, U. S. Army, stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, spring 2009 What are the benefits? I think having live access to the teacher… is important. That element is missing in online classes… While we live in an online world, typing does not convey emotion or intent nearly as well as speaking with someone. Humanizes learning in online education. It simulates a real classroom situation. It helped me understand the project! What are the drawbacks? You would sometimes have to disconnect and then reconnect because it would freeze at times. The only drawback I can see would be not being able to ask questions real time if you miss the live session. Different time zone... 8-9 pm is my kids bed time... My wireless card did not perform well during session. Additional Comments Please make this model (Wimba) available to students for all other courses... …it was extremely helpful in my understanding of the material. I think it was critical in fact. Thank you! This format is a fantastic addition to the online class setting, especially for those who may be in an online class for their first time. I would like to see more of this format for my classes… THESE SESSIONS ARE AWESOME! Great teaching tool! Reference Lietzau, J. A., & Mann, B. J. (2009). Breaking out of the asynchronous box: Using Web conferencing in distance learning. Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning, 3(3/4), 108-119