the usq tablet pc project birgit loch department of mathematics & computing and division of ict...
TRANSCRIPT
The USQ Tablet PC ProjectThe USQ Tablet PC Project
Birgit Loch
Department of Mathematics & Computing
and Division of ICT
University of Southern Queensland
http://www.sci.usq.edu.au/staff/lochb
OverviewOverview
USQ context Journey from one to many tablet PCs What we do with tablet PCs New Camtasia software for lecture recording Alternatives to tablet PCs Examples What about the students? Preliminary outcomes
USQ contextUSQ context
Regional university, located in Toowoomba 130km west of Brisbane. 2 smaller campuses
27,000 students – ¾ study in distance mode High percentage of low SES, mature age and
part time students High emphasis on ICTs and online delivery
Journey from one to many tablet PCsJourney from one to many tablet PCs
2005: 1 (maths)
L&T Grant 2006: 7 (maths, stats, L&T support+3 for semester loan)
L&T Fellowship S1 2009 + additional: 50+ (all 5 Faculties, Library, L&T support)
Extension of L&T Fellowship into 2010:student tablet PCs
USQ Senior L&T Fellowship in 2009USQ Senior L&T Fellowship in 2009
$50,000: 100% teaching relief for 1 semester for fellow + Tablet PCs + software
plus $120,000: All Deans, CTO, VC, Toshiba (in kind)
Establishment of ICT policies and preferred model Recruitment: targeted individuals and volunteers Training and ongoing support Community of Practice of Tablet PC users Research into impact of Tablet PCs on teaching & learning Strategic direction: Tablet PC University
EvaluationEvaluation
Feedback Via email; from face to face informal
meetings; via the community site, eg forum posts; “regular” reflections
Four staff surveys Interviews Student evaluations, student access of
material, recordings
Some ChallengesSome Challenges
ICT support, technical issues Uptake of new technology in time poor
environment One person driving the “trial”: what if
They leave the university Drown under workload at end of teaching free semester Decide to focus on different projects
sustainable approach: distributive leadership, champions, “super users” (LTPF project)
What we do with tablet PCsWhat we do with tablet PCs
Writing in lectures To replace need for whiteboard. Keeps record.
Distance students can see what was written in class.
Recording lectures To provide a near on campus experience to
distance students. Caters for more learning styles. To help students catch up on missed class. Repeat play back benefits international students. Mobile learning.
http://tinyurl.com/austms
What we do with tablet PCsWhat we do with tablet PCs
Marking assignments Electronic submission encouraged at USQ.
Faster feedback if marked and returned electronically.
Recording snippets Concepts identified as difficult are explained
in short recordings. Added to study material. Responses to forum questions, emails.
What we do with tablet PCsWhat we do with tablet PCs
Recording individual student consultations in mathematics/statistics support Allows students to play back later. Reinforces
understanding. Going wireless!
Handing the tablet PC to students. Encourages shy students or those without English as first language to contribute.
What we do with tablet PCsWhat we do with tablet PCs
Running synchronous tutorials Web conferencing:
Elluminate Live, MSN Messenger
New Camtasia software for lecture New Camtasia software for lecture recordingrecording Beta trial in 2008 Faculty trial in S1
2009 Roll out across
USQ in S2 2009 For ALL computers
that can connect to the USQ server
Alternatives to tablet PCsAlternatives to tablet PCs
Pen-enabled screens (LTPF Project) Reduces
need fortablet PCsin class
Alternatives to tablet PCsAlternatives to tablet PCs
Digital note pens
Alternatives to tablet PCsAlternatives to tablet PCs
Ebook readers Faculty of
Business trial
Thermodynamics: Andrew WandellThermodynamics: Andrew Wandell
To be presented at AaeE conference in Adelaide
Biodiversity & Conservation: Biodiversity & Conservation: Andy Le Brocque Andy Le Brocque
Programming: Michael de RaadtProgramming: Michael de Raadt
Finance: Peter PhillipsFinance: Peter Phillips
Statistics, Christine McDonaldStatistics, Christine McDonald
The Library: The Library: Kaye England/ Ranald SimpsonKaye England/ Ranald Simpson
Mathematics: Mathematics: Trevor Langlands/ Birgit LochTrevor Langlands/ Birgit Loch
Mathematics: Birgit LochMathematics: Birgit Loch
Nursing maths: Linda GalliganNursing maths: Linda Galligan
Nursing maths: Birgit LochNursing maths: Birgit Loch
What about the students?What about the students?
S1 2010 (VC’s strategic funds, Fellowship) Multi-Touch net books
Preliminary outcomes: Preliminary outcomes: Tablet PCs in S1 2009, general surveyTablet PCs in S1 2009, general survey
18 new fellowship tablet PCs (1 spare) 8 new additional purchases 12 existing tablet PCs Approx 5,500 students taught with tablet PC in S1
Faculty/Division
# responses # Successful users # courses Tablet PCs
Education 3 2 2 3
Business 6 5 7 5 (+ 2)
Arts 2 1 4 2 + 1
Sciences 11 10 12 2 + 5 (+ 8)
Engineering & Surveying
6 4 7 4 + 2 (+2)
Library 4 3 3 + 1
total 32 25 35 + 17 + 8 (+12)
Bold = fellowship+ x = additional new(+ x) = existing
The difference in perception of the need for a The difference in perception of the need for a Tablet PC in various disciplinesTablet PC in various disciplines
Additional purchases in/after S1: Engineering&Surveying, Sciences, Business
No additional purchases: Education, Arts
Same training and support for all users
Reasons: Sharing practice? Level of computer confidence? Quantitative nature of discipline? Faculty’s political situation?
Has your teaching approach (pedagogy) Has your teaching approach (pedagogy) changedchanged
More collaborative Students are now more involved in contributing Freed from dot-point slides Yes. I appreciate how much students prefer having you write
[…] It has helped achieve my goal to close the 'soft' information gap
between on and off campus students Have based our class plans around the socio-cultural method of
peer-learning I have become more visual in the way that I teach Not yet. No time to incorporate significant changes
What was your students’ attitude to your What was your students’ attitude to your use of the tablet technology?use of the tablet technology?
VERY POSITIVE, excited, impressed by the use of this newer technology
They loved it Mostly positive but again marred by the fact
that I had a lot of technical difficulties I asked and a couple responded to say they
thought the handwritten comments were helpful but I suspect they would have found typewritten comments just as helpful.
Have you obtained unexpected resultsHave you obtained unexpected results
I thought the Tablet PC would be useful for working through quantitative work. I did not expect the more dynamic environment that it can help to generate and I did not expect it would be so useful for even the qualitative parts of the course.
Yes, whilst we thought the Tablet PC would increase student learning we were surprised by how much the Tablet PC increased our own engagement with technology.
In terms of how the use has invigorated my teaching. […] For the first time in years I have felt excited about my teaching and that is reflected in how I interact with students. So then they get excited […]