Submitting a Proposal - January Conference - Division of Academic Affairs

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January Conference

Program

Session Descriptions

Concurrent Session #1: 10:30 – 11:30 am

(35 min Presentations or * 60 min Panel Discussion)

Title and Presenter

Presentation Description

Innovative Teaching Using Wii in the Classroom

Presenters:

Jessica A. Stansbury
Dr. Geoffrey Munro

The effectiveness of video gaming to supplement instruction of behavioral statistics and research method courses in psychology was evaluated. Traditional lecture was supplemented with video gaming to increase content knowledge comprehension and engagement with course material. Students designed studies and collected datasets using multiple video games. Results demonstrate an increase in content knowledge and student engagement, compared to a lecture only condition.

Engaging Diverse Learners in the Classroom through Innovative Technologies

Presenters:

Dr. Laila Richman
Dr. Betsy Neville
Dr. Katherine Holman

This presentation will share examples of how a range of technologies, including but not limited to, iPads, Promethean Boards, Web 2.0 tools, and student response systems can be utilized to engage diverse learners in the post-secondary classroom. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying Universal Design for Learning principles to illustrate how technology can enhance the learning outcomes for students with different learning needs and abilities across content areas.

Exploring Best Practices for Meaningful and Engaging Online (Panel)

Panelist:

Dr. Linda Macaulay
Dr. William A. Sadera
Dr. Liyan Song
Dr. Sarah Lohnes Watulak

This panel discussion will focus on best practices for designing online instruction that engages students in meaningful learning experiences. Topics will include the design of online learning activities; fostering collaboration and community among online learners; strategies for feedback and evaluation in online courses; and the technological design of the online course environment. Online polling software will be used to encourage audience participation throughout the discussion.

Concurrent Session #2: 11:10 – 11:45 am (35 min Presentations)

Title and Presenter

Presentation Description

Considering Online Content for the Small Screen and Today's Students

Presenter:

Dr. Terry Ewell

The increased availability of mobile phones and other small wireless devices has transformed the way in which content on the Internet is viewed. Effective online instruction must consider this change. This presentation will provide best practices for materials viewed in distracting environments on smalls screen and heard through ear buds or small speakers. The presentation will also address technologies that aid a diverse student population including non-native English speakers and students with divergent learning styles.

Meeting the Millennials Where They Live: Using a Social Networking Website in the Traditional Class

Presenter:

Dr. Sandra Nichols

To improve student engagement in and enthusiasm for the learning process, Dr. Sandy Nichols (Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication & Communication Studies) has developed an online learning community for her courses, using Ning.

Ning is a WYSIWYG web 2.0 tool used to create online social communities similar to that of Facebook. From her experience of using Ning since fall 2009, she believes a social networking website is an ideal teaching tool for most traditional university classroom settings, especially for those developing critical thinking skills.

During her presentation, she will present the Ning website she developed for teaching and class management; demonstrate its features and functionality; show examples of her instructional activities within the community (communication, online discussions, blog writing); and take audience questions.

Concurrent Session #3: 1:00 – 1:35 pm (35 min Presentations)

Title and Presenter

Presentation Description

Using Facebook in Classes to Build Community among Students

Presenter:

Dr. Blair Taylor

Today's college students spend a great deal of time using Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter. Many professors express frustration at student with laptops checking up on their friends status and tweets during class. In the spirit of "if you can't beat them, join them," last year Professor Blair Taylor piloted the use of Social Networks, namely Facebook, in her Computer Science classes. She had one goal, build community among the students, particularly females and other underrepresented minorities, and had minimal expectations. The results were surprising, but overwhelmingly positive.

Online Dance: Distance Learning through Movement

Presenter:

Malcolm Shute

This presentation outlines methods by which to teach movement in an online format. The challenges of delivering movement virtually have demanded innovative instructional techniques. These techniques emphasize student engagement, concretizing abstract ideas, and synthesizing diverse source materials. Such techniques may be applied to courses in other departments.

Best Practices Using Synchronous Web Conferencing via WebEx

Presenters:

Dr. Linda Macaulay

La Tonya Dyer

Promoting collaborative and active learning within an online environment can be enhanced by incorporating synchronous interactive web conferencing (IWC) tools such as WebEx. Tools like WebEx provide opportunities for faculty to support their face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses through online office hours, content review sessions, or even student presentations. The use of WebEx also allows for addressing the diverse learning styles of students, increasing student-to-student and student-to-teacher interaction during class meetings, and adding variety to the modes of information/content sharing. During the presentation best practices for getting started, troubleshooting, and strategies for conducting effective meetings to maximize learning will be shared.

Poster Session (No Registration Needed)

Tile and Presenter	Presentation Description
Digging in with Diigo: Integrating Collaborative Social Bookmarking in the Classroom Presenter: Kimberly Miller	Educators continue to explore new ways to capitalize on the social nature of today's World Wide Web; incorporating collaborative social bookmarking activities in the classroom is just one such example. Learn more about how Diigo, a social bookmarking site popular with educators, can be used to promote active learning, including: current event discussions, models for using information effectively, and supplementing class discussions with real-world experiences.
Five Easy Structures for Effective Online Teaching Presenter: Dr. Sharon Pitcher	In this session the following five techniques for making both teaching and learning in a online class effective, but not requiring extensive technology experience for the teacher or learner will be explored: direction sheets, custom design, interactive PowerPoints, blogs, and announcements that personalize the experience. The presenter had very little technology experience when she began putting classes online and now teaches two courses online.
The Towson Innovation Lab in Second Life Presenters: Bridget Z. Sullivan James Braman	The scope of virtual worlds like Second Life has reached well beyond entertainment value. The ability to apply learned theory or to create digital objects within a relatively low risk environment has made Second Life a valuable learning and instructional resource. Join presenters James Braman and Bridget Z. Sullivan as they discuss Towson University's venture into Second Life and the many related student projects and initiatives.
TSEM students perform food policy research using web-based technology Presenter: Dr. Nadine Braunstein	Students enrolled in "Food Politics' TSEM Fall 2012 utilized web-based tools for a class research project. Students "crowd sourced' the data collection using Google transit, Google maps and Google docs. Distance from public housing units to the nearest grocery store, amount of time required to make the round trip using public transit and route maps were determined and analyzed. Summary results were presented to city officials who will use the data to inform food policy in Baltimore City.
Using Low to High Fidelity Simulation in Nursing Education Presenters: Margaret J. McCormick Nancy Hannafin Michelle Kirwan	Nurse educators are challenged to develop new and innovative ways to teach students how to function in a technologically advanced healthcare environment. Through the use of low to high fidelity simulation, educators can provide and support unique learning opportunities for students that will mirror clinical situations in a controlled setting.
Developing Prospective Teachers' Questioning Skills using a Virtual Interview Subject Presenters: Dr. Josh Dehlinger Dr. Suranjan Chakraborty Dr. Sandy Spitzer Dr. Yuanqiong Wang	During this session, we will share our work in investigating the effectiveness of a prototype "Virtual Interview Subject" (VIS) developed using chatbot technology. Prospective elementary mathematics middle school teachers can interact with the a VIS in a low-risk, sustained way to improve their questioning skills before working with students in a live field placement. This session will include a live demonstration of our VIS and initiate conversations on the use of our prototype tool as a technology tool for instructional purposes.
Student Writing: Let's Stop Acting Like They Should Just Know How to Do It Presenter: Ms. Diane Scharper	Good writing requires thinking, editing, and revising. Ms. Diane Scharper will illustrate how and why using Blackboard in hybrid (or blended) course lends itself perfectly to these elements of writing.

Questions

If you have any questions about the proposal submission process, please contact Audrey Cutler at acutler@towson.edu or La Tonya Dyer at ldyer@towson.edu.

Provost's Office
Administration Building, Room 311

Phone: 410-704-2125
Fax: 410-704-3129
E-mail: provost@towson.edu

The January Conference will take place on January 16, 2013 in the Chesapeake Rooms of the University Union.

Jan. 3 - Registration Closes
Jan. 4 – Deadline for CIAT Poster Printing Services
Jan. 16 - January Conference

Snow date: Jan. 23