2008 LEEP Faculty Retreat: Developing a Model for Effective Online PedagogyLinda C. Smith, Anne McKinney

Graduate School of Library & Information Science

Overview of LEEP (Library Education Experimental Program) Online graduate program in Library &

Information Science since 1996 Synchronous & asynchronous online learning Residential “boot camp”

Over half of MS students in GSLIS are online Experienced faculty & adjuncts from diverse

employment sectors Collaboration & research initiatives

Retreat Overview

First LEEP Retreat in 2002 Learning, Culture and Community in Online

Education: Research and Practice, edited by Caroline Haythornthwaite and Michelle Kazmer (Peter Lang, 2004).

Developments within LEEP, 2002-2008 New faculty Changing student demographics Technological advances for online learning

2008-?: Where do we go from here?

2008 LEEP Faculty Retreat

August 20-21 at Allerton Retreat Center Almost 50 participants

Full-time & adjunct faculty from across the U.S. Administrative & instructional design staff Doctoral students

Discussion sessions led by diverse faculty/staff

LEEP Student Survey data collected by Project GA

Discussion Topics

Crisis management for online instructors Effective practice in an evolving community Organizing course content & syllabus design Technology: file sharing, Web 2.0, Facebook Achieving quality outcomes in our pedagogy Breakout sessions

Online course activities Assessment & feedback Preparing students for career success

Major Outcomes

Productive f2f environment Sharing effective pedagogical techniques

Tips for Facilitating Online Group Work LEEP Instructor’s Moodle: ongoing

asynchronous discussion LEEP Facebook community Recreational activities enhanced personal

connections

Positive Feedback from Participants Advice from experienced instructors Realization that most instructors face the

same difficulties: “I’m doing OK!” Inspiration:

Why each of us wants to teach Facing the future of our program amid changing

student demographics, needs & communities

Feedback: Suggestions for the future More time for discussions Less technology, more fundamental

pedagogy Hands-on computing sessions Continue discussions in Moodle &

conference calls “Please do this again!”