The Economic System: 2nd Year Full Implementation Buffalo State College( part of SUNY system) with 11,000+ students. Department of Economics & Finance The course is a Gen Ed course for students who will not major in economics Redesign Goal: Transform course from traditional lecture style course with multiple sections to a larger- 300+ hybrid course with 60% of the course on–line, and the utilization of undergrad learning assistants

Evolution of ULA Role Original ULAs Education/Social Studies majors who had been successful in the course & were recruited through their respective depts. 1st year, primarily used in class once a week with the class divided into ULA sections. Review of class materials; go over on-line materials; use of games- like Jeopardy for class participation; some one-on-one tutoring. ULAs receive academic credit for their work & during the 2 year grant period small stipends.

Today: Full Implementation ULAs recruited from the class each semester; wide variety of majors. Their role almost entirely on-line, each has a groups of students & monitor the students on-line activities- quizzes, economic forums, Toon Doon- online cartoon creation. Division of labor among ULAs- some take care of ANGEL( announcements, attendance through Clicker system, entering exam scores on ANGEL(our version of Blackboard). Hold office hours both on-line & in person

Instructional Technology The director of the campus ANGEL system, Meghan Pereira, was a co-author of the NCAT/SUNY grant & is a full partner in implementation to hybrid course. From the outset the training of the ULAs has been a joint project between the instructor and Ms. Pereira. Introduction of embedded videos in the on-line text, introduction of Toondoon activities; construction of on-line quizzes & forums, as well, as weekly assistance to the ULAs

Institutional Support College Provost Dennis Ponton(now Interim President) promoted the course redesign initiative & supported throughout. Associate Dean, Dr. Karen O’Quin, is the project director, as a well as the honcho of the writing grant & reporting the results. Department moved through a transition in chair people and maintained support. Role of Instructional Resources staff already noted

Results & Problems Now we offer one large section per semester Fewer withdrawals, much lower failure rate Higher exam scores tested again a 1st year control group study with a traditional section. One problem: lecture hall assignment to offer course at popular times in large lecture hall. ULA recruitment has been primary responsibly of current primary faculty member- need for an institutionalized process. Cost savings for department allowed for faculty assignments to growth in department’s graduate program. Future assurances that cost savings are reinvested back in the dept that has successful course redesign