Redesigning Course Delivery to Enhance Student Engagement and Retention

Carol CarruthersMay 22, 2009

Fall 2008 - The Applied Science and Technology Fundamentals Program – one year certificate

The course is designed to assist students that may not have the required qualifications, or have been away from formal education for some time, or are undecided as to area of interest in science and technology fields.

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology was one of 44 higher education institutions selected from 370 applicants in North America to receive the $84 000 grant.

The grant included 21 HP Compaq Notebook/Tablet PC’s with Microsoft® Vista operating system, and accessories.

The tablet classroom has afforded the institution an opportunity to “test drive” the technology and to better understand the potential impact on teaching practice, student success as well as institutional requirements to support a tablet classroom and this latter aspect is not trivial.

-Laurel Schollen, DeanFaculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology

“Dyknow Vision software is an interactive teaching tool used to maximize class time, foster collaborative learning and promote effective studying”

Funding provided by the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology with support from Academic Computing Services -Seneca College.

Research Protocol to Establish Preliminary FindingsExperimental* Control*

Sample size 1st Semester 2nd Semester 1st Semester 2nd Semester

Fall 2008n = 22Winter 2009n = 16

Winter 2009n = 13

Fall 2008n = 22

Winter 2009n = 10

Total sample 38 13 22 10

Faculty Technology available

HP tabletDyknow software electronic classroom

laptop computer electronic classroom40% in computer classrooms

Student Technology available

HP tablets in classroomDyknow software notes saved on Seneca server students download ‘client’ to personal computer or use library/computer labs on campus

traditional note taking

*Research groups located at two different campuses

arranged in April 2009. three groups in totali) A group of three students from first semesterii) Two groups of two students from semester two questions were open-ended with prompts

designed to stimulate conversation input analyzed to find themes – ideas or

concepts that are common to all groups

Dyknow and tablets together make this work well – helped to keep focus

Sharing control –formed group interactions and gave immediate feedback

Can look at notes easily, anywhere, improves learning – notes are more organized

“Dyknow supports learning”“Powerpoint is not for learning”

What did you like least about having computers in the classroom?

- Sometimes it can be a distraction, some students use them to go on personal sites.

- Slow sometimes - took a long time to get internet connection.

- The internet cutting in/out of Dyknow.- I have no objection to having computers in the

classroom whatsoever.

The best thing about having computers in class was that all information was readily available, notes and other assignments were well organized.

Having a computer in the classroom revolutionizes the idea of learning, it makes the class a lot more interactive and close to each other.

It gave you the opportunity to participate in the class without the embarrassment of public speaking.

My participation with these laptops has grown significantly because of the confidence it brings when I am comfortable where I am.

It is easy to ask questions directly of the teacher or any other students.

I think it’s great that we are now incorporating technology into math and science.

It has really helped me a lot to organize myself. It has increased my respect for computers and

has made me realize how important the internet is as a resource.

It made it more fun and educational, at the same time learning.

THIS SHOULD BE THE FUTURE OF LEARNING!!!!!!!!

REDESIGNED COURSE FOR A TABLET CLASSROOM