Integrating Open Sources Technology to Actively Engage Students with the Material Orit Hirsh, Ph.D. Behavioral Sciences and Human Services Kingsborough Community College , N.Y., New York

Key Words Engagement Active Learning Guided Self-Learning Project Purposeful Integration of Technology

What is Active Learning Critical thinking Problem solving Collaboration Self-management Creators of the material Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills Problem or Question Continual Inquiry Reality Asking questions Finding resources Applying information Real –world context Personal concern and issues in their life Interest Student Voice Reflection Analysis and Improvement Shared Product Decisions-How and What Learning, quality, obstacles Give and receive feedback Work public beyond the classroom-social media Pride and ownership

Active Learning Purposeful Integration of Open Source Technology Passive consumers Technology Consumers Information Consumers Technology- producers Information- producers Active: Increase student participation Increase student engagement Increase student retention More student ownership in course Less lecturing by instructor More exciting classroom experience Higher level thinking

Active Learning - Project – Based Learning for Students RESEARCH Select Topic From a list or topic of Interest Select group or independently Research Topic Interpret Social select sociological perspective Suggest a social policy to improve or lessen the social problem What is the purpose? Amalgamate their research Synthesize it into a video or infographic Post on Social Media-Transition of consumers of information to creators and explainers

Study Participants Data Collection Measures Data Analysis 65 students Study Participants NY CC Class LA CC Class Academic Grade Average: “B” 50.8% Academic Status as full –time: 78.5% 2 different professors Age: 18-25 (76.5%) Females: 63.1% Males: 36.9% Comfortable finding information online 46.2% Data Collection Web-based, self-administered anonymous survey Identifier - College location (NY and LA) Surveys were emailed by instructors Measures Based on National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Data Analysis MS Excel Scale questionnaire Survey responses recorded in binary response Odds ratio measures the odds that a presence of a “treatment” changes a quantifiable property in the population. In the instant case, the quantifiable property is the percent of respondents who agree with the survey questions. The “treatment” is the creation of the technological aspect of the project.

68.6% increased motivation to study. More engaged with the classroom material after working on the project Did the technological component of the project help you learn new concepts presented in class? Sociological Theories relevant to everyday life NY NY LA LA Agree beginning of course 90.8% 82.8% 86.2% 81.8% 77.3% Agree end of course 96.1% 68.6% increased motivation to study.

Students’ Work Infographics: Videos: Women and Technology Vaccination and Autism  Cigarette's Effects on Society  Globalization  CUNY Enrollment for Minorities Videos: Gun Control Transgender people and bathrooms  Minimum Wage Is Detrimental To Society   Woman Don't Get Paid as Much as Men; Unequal Rights  Do you think children pick dolls based on Race/Skintone? The Perception of Black Hair  More projects posted on: http://orithirsh.weebly.com

Students' Work ​Transgenders and Toilets Cell phones Effect on Women Technology and Religion Internet and Health The Revolution Of Hip Hop Tattoos and Society Male Actors Receive Higher Salaries Then Female Insurance in the Healthcare system Vaccination and Autism ​ Educational Outcomes and Socioeconomics Gendered Toys & Their Effect on Young Girls' Career Choices Children and Toys Racial Profiling CUNY Enrollment for Minorities The perception of Black Hair Gun Control

"What the educator does in Teaching is to make it possible for students to become themselves" (Paulo Freire) *Students' projects posted on: http://orithirsh.weebly.com *National Social Science Technology Journal V6 N1 2016 http://www.nssa.us/tech_journal/pdf/NSS_Tech_6-1.pdf