OLN Learning Community

Mobile Learning
Wright State University Professional Learning Community

Overview

Abstract

A Faculty and Professional Learning Community (FPLC) was established at Wright State University to help faculty effectively implement mobile learning strategies in their learning environments. Members evaluated the current mobile learning research, best practices, and pedagogies and then developed, tested, and implemented mobile learning processes.  Some examples of the mobile learning strategies studied include the use of iTunes to search and download educational podcasts, iPods to download podcasts, and GarageBand to create a podcast, and uploading podcasts to our recently secured iTunesU. The mobile learning initiative enabled faculty to develop content that could support students with physical and learning disabilities. After attending these sessions participants were assessed on their level of satisfaction and their ability to demonstrate that they have mastered these strategies.  Thanks goes to the Ohio Learning Network (OLN) and Milt Cox at Miami University for the grant to allow us to investigate the issue of Mobile Learning. 

Goals

The goals of this learning community are to:

• Help faculty effectively implement mobile learning strategies in their learning environments
• Evaluate the current research, best practices, and pedagogies on the issue of mobile learning
• Develop, test, and implement processes to implement mobile learning at Wright State University
• Share best practices with their colleagues about how they implemented mobile learning in their specific discipline.

The learning goals for participants in this FPLC are to gain proficiency using educational technology for teaching and learning by

• Using iTunes to search and download educational podcasts
• Using iPods to download podcasts
• Using GarageBand to create a podcast and upload the podcast to Wright State University’s recently secured iTunesU.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this FPLC, please contact the facilitator at:

• Sheri Stover, PhD.
  Wright State University, Center for Teaching and Learning
  3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy. Room 13
  Dayton, Oh 45435-001
  Sheri.stover@wright.edu
  (937) 775-3245

FPLC Calendar

• Podcasting
  • 1/12/2007 (10AM-Noon) Mobile Learning: iPod Review
  • 1/19/2007 (10AM-Noon) Mobile Learning: Podcasting your lecture
  • Mobile Learning: iPod Review (Online and ongoing)
  • 4/27/2007 (9:30-11:30) Mobile Learning: Podcasting your lecture
• Digital StoryTelling
  • 1/26/2007 (10AM-Noon) Learning Community Overview
  • 2/2/2007 (10AM-Noon) Digital Story Pre-production
  • 2/9/2007 (10AM-Noon) Narrating the Digital Story
  • 2/16/2007 (10AM-Noon) Adding Images to your digital story
  • 2/23/2007 (10AM-Noon) Publishing your Digital Story
  • 3/2/2007 (10AM-Noon) Presenting your Digital Story
  • 5/7/2007 (11-1PM) Learning through Storytelling in Higher Education book group

FPLC Participants

Mobile Learning Steering Committee

Facilitators: Sheri Stover and Terri Klaus

1. Bryan Beverly
   Wright State University, Sr. Digital Technology Analyst/Project Manager Distance Learning/Multimedia Production
2. Frank Carone
   Wright State University, Digital Tech Analyst
3. Mary Clem
   Wright State University, Computing Help Desk Manager, Computing & Telecommunication Services
4. Terri Klaus
   Wright State University, Associate Director Center for Teaching and Learning
5. Bonnie Mathies
   Wright State University, Associate Dean, Technology and Communications, College of Education and Human Services
6. Sue Polanka
   Wright State University, Head of References and Instruction, Dunbar University Libraries
7. Sheri Stover
   Wright State University, Instructional Designer
8. Maggie Veres
   Wright State University, Instructor College of Education and Human Services

Podcasting Learning Community

Facilitators for Session #1: Sheri Stover and Frank Carone
Facilitators for Session #2: Maggie Veres, Terri Klaus, and Bryan Beverly

1. Jane Blakelock
   Wright State University, English Assistant Director of Writing Programs COLA Web Coordinator
2. Ann Biswas
   Wright State University, Instructor of Communication, College of Liberal Arts
3. Sally DeThomas
   Wright State University, Instructor, English
4. Ron Dorsten
   Wright State University, Manager, LC Technical Services, Lake Campus Computer L
5. Katherine Enders
   Wright State University, Clinical Instructor, College of Nursing & Health
6. Suzanne Franco
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
7. Mariann Lovell
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing and Health
8. Cynthia Marshall
   Wright State University, English Language & Literatures
9. Dino Martinez
   Wright State University, Assistant Director, Student Judicial Services and Greek Affairs
10. Micelle Metzner
    Wright State University,
11. Brad Pompos
    Wright State University, Academic Advisor, University College
12. Susan Praeger
    Wright State University, College of Nursing& Health Teaching
13. T.K. Prasad
    Wright State University, Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
14. Martha Sammons
    Wright State University, Professor of English
15. Aubrey Saus
    Wright State University,
16. Kimberly Stewart
    Wright State University, Clinical Instructor, College of Nursing and Health
17. Rebecca Teed
    Wright State University, Assistant Professor, Earth & Enviromental Sciences College of Science & Mathematics
18. Sharon Tjaden-Glass
    Wright State University, Adjunct Instructor English

Digital Stories Learning Community

Facilitators: Sheri Stover and Frank Carone

1. Nancy Broughton
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor Modern Languages
2. Jackie Collier
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor Teacher Education
3. Elfe Dona
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor Modern Languages
4. Richard Drabik
   University of Dayton, Institute for Pastoral Initiatives Director of Multimedia & Technology
5. Colleen Finegan
   Wright State University, Professor Teacher Education
6. Kirsten Halling
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor  Modern Languages
7. John Haught
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor
8. Patricia Hudes
   Wright State University, Coordinator Faculty Development & Education
9. Shelley Jagow
   Wright State University, Assistant Professor Music
10. Cathy Keener
    Wright State University, Assistant Professor Teacher Education
11. Julie Konik
    Wright State University, Psychology-College Of Science & Mathematics
12. Jan La Forge
    Wright State University, Professor Human Services
13. Peggy Lindsey
    Wright State University, Instructor English
14. Sarah McGinley
    Wright State University, Instructor English
15. Shu Schiller
    Wright State University, Assistant Professor ISOM
16. Kimberly Stewart
    Wright State University, Clinical Instructor College Of Nursing And Health

Progress

• Completed
  • Podcasting Learning Community
    Completed January 19, 2007
  • Mobile Learning: Digital Stories (Learning how to create Digital Story podcasts)
    January 26- March 2, 2007
• Near Future
  • Book Group
    5/7/2007 (11-1PM)
    Learning through StoryTelling in Higher Education: Using Reflection & Experience to Improve Learning
    by Janice McDrury & Maxine Alterio
    Led by Catherine Keener, Assistant Professor, Teacher Education; Peggy Linsey, Instructor, English, and Sarah McGinley, Instructor, English. 
• Next steps
  • Implementing Digital StoryTelling in the classroom
    April-August 2007

Assessments

Bonnie Mathies, Associate Dean in the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS), conducted an iPod needs assessment with the faculty in that department that recently received iPods.  Dr. Mathies found that the needs of the faculty in CEHS varied greatly from beginners that were learning how to operate their iPod to advanced users who wanted to know how to create content for their iPod.  Users also had many different suggestions about how they would prefer to conduct training on their iPod from concrete step-by-step instructions to those people who only wanted just-in-time training when they were ready to do the podcasting.  After reviewing the results of this survey, we realized we needed to come up with a learning community that was flexible enough to allow faculty to examine the area of mobile learning that they were interested in at that point.  We also realized that we needed to provide the learning community an opportunity to attend training session that were developed with several different styles to meet the different requirements of the group.  We also wanted to develop JiT training for those people who missed any training opportunities to follow up on at a later date. 

Podcasting Assessment

1. Class Evaluation
   • Ratings (1=Low to 5=High)
     • Quality of the workshop: Session #1=4.5/ Session #2=4.8
     • Value of program: Session #1=4/ Session #2=4.8
     • Useful to participants: Session #1=4.4/ Session #2=4.8
   • How the program can apply to participants
     • Improve your teaching: Session #1=64%/ Session #2=54%
     • Improve your research: Session #1=18%/ Session #2=15%
     • Improving a skill: Session #1=64%/ Session #2=77%
     • Improving your course: Session #1=55%/ Session #2=46%
   • Comments:
     • Good intro to iPod usage and how we can use them in our classrooms with students.
     • Interesting peer evaluation technique.  We spent our time working not waiting and learned extra stuff.
     • Although this was for beginners, I felt it moved a bit fast. 
2. Attendance
   • Session #1= 19
   • Session #2= 25
3. Number of participants successfully demonstrating mastery of material
   • Session #1= 16
   • Session #2= 17

Digital Stories Assessment

1. Class Evaluation
   • Ratings (1=Low to 5=High)
     • Quality of the workshop: 4.9
     • Value of program: 5
     • Useful to participants: 5
   • How the program can apply to participants
     • Improve your teaching: 100%
     • Improve your research: 25%
     • Improving a skill: 100%
     • Learning more about diversity issues: 12%
     • Improving your course: 100%
     • Learning more about assessment techniques: 25%
   • Comments:
     • This can be a very useful recruitment tool!
     • Exciting to be involved- very worthwhile.
     • This is a great course! I learned a lot!
     • Great experience!
     • Wonderful course.  I loved each class to practice and have the help available.
     • Excellent Class!
2. Attendance
   • Introductory session: 16
   • Presentation session: 17
3. Completion rate
   • Work in progress
4. Number of participants successfully demonstrating mastery of material
   1. Nancy Broughton
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor Modern Languages
   2. Jackie Collier
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor Teacher Education
   3. Elfe Dona
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor Modern Languages
   4. Richard Drabik
      University of Dayton, Institute for Pastoral Initiatives Director of Multimedia & Technology
   5. Colleen Finegan
      Wright State University, Professor Teacher Education
   6. Kirsten Halling
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor  Modern Languages
   7. John Haught
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor
   8. Patricia Hudes
      Wright State University, Coordinator Faculty Development & Education
   9. Shelley Jagow
      Wright State University, Assistant Professor Music
   10. Cathy Keener
       Wright State University, Assistant Professor Teacher Education
   11. Julie Konik
       Wright State University, Psychology-College Of Science & Mathematics
   12. Jan La Forge
       Wright State University, Professor Human Services
   13. Peggy Lindsey
       Wright State University, Instructor English
   14. Shu Schiller
       Wright State University, Assistant Professor ISOM
   15. Kimberly Stewart
       Wright State University, Clinical Instructor College Of Nursing And Health