Evidence Based Teaching Strategy: Applied to Student Orientation Diane Ruiz Cairns, Ed.S. Lawrence Technological University eLearning Services

Agenda Overview of project Evidence Based Teaching Re-Design Q&A

Overview of Project University staff provide student orientation sessions to new students each semester. The staff choose their method of teaching students about university resources using techniques and tools based on intuition and previous experience rather than on scientific evidence of effectiveness. The College of Management is developing a student orientation program by applying evidence-based teaching. The enhanced program helps staff to choose techniques and tools that maximize student learning. Examples of the application of evidence-based teaching strategies will be provided with the orientation to Academic Honor Code - Student Code of Conduct and Plagiarism.

Evidence Based Teaching Engage students using active learning strategies Data gathered on student performance Identify functional relationships Reinforce successive approximation to mastery of material Instructor/administrators serve as facilitator, rather than gatekeeper Allow multiple opportunities; rapid feedback

Element of Redesign Student Orientation Planning for appropriate learning experience Design of Curriculum Methods of instruction Lecture, Demonstration Examples of Acceptable Work Example of Plagiarism Demonstrate ability to identify and resolve Complete quiz Identify desired results All students receive orientation Knowledge of Academic Honor Code / Plagiarism Comprehension of APA Requirements Application of Standards Acceptable evidence All students complete orientation Quiz scores Faculty feedback

Instruction Strategies For each topic a set of student-centered learning outcomes are developed The outcomes are designed to challenge students beyond recall Students are expected to apply concepts to situations Assessment of learning through quizzes aligned with learning outcomes Immediate feedback provided with correct and incorrect responses Taped lectures of the traditional content delivered by skilled lecturer Students will be provided access to the material prior to the start of the semester; at time of enrollment; reminder two weeks before class starts. Students are required to complete the instruction and quiz in the first week of class Vary examples each semester (students required to complete student orientation each semester)

Need for Change - Plagiarism Countless cases of plagiarism are detected Generally responses to the issue focus on punitive, rather than educative, measures Learning and teaching strategies varied Interpretation of plagiarism policy and practice varied Increase awareness of plagiarism policy Increase knowledge of APA standards, scholarly writing Reduce plagiarism

Information Gathering Quiz scores Identify student, degree program Topics requiring further instruction / attention Consistent low score across student population Students requiring follow-up: tutoring Number of students completing the quiz in a timely fashion Satisfaction with instruction Data will be used to evaluate effectiveness of student comprehension of instruction Faculty reports of plagiarism Data will be used to evaluate Student Orientation Program: Plagiarism instruction

Student Orientation Program Welcoming Remarks – Dean 15 mins for each topic; Face-to-Face; Reference to Webpages; Handouts Library Blackboard Academic Achievement Center Student Advising Policy on Course Attendance Time Management / Study Skills Academic Honor Code / Student Code of Conduct Plagiarism Examples of plagiarism; explanation of why the example demonstrates plagiarism Examples of scholarly writing; citing sources; paraphrasing; quoting, etc. Resources available for reference

Resources Development of Orientation University Media Pro - Development Course Designer – Design, Development College Dean’s Office – Requirements, Communication College Student Administrator(s) – Requirements, Student Communication, Evaluation of Results Commitment of resources to evaluate results and report out Follow-up with students by second week of semester to address tutoring options Document faculty reports of plagiarism Update orientation material with fresh/current examples

Implementation College of Management Introduced to Faculty at start of semester faculty meeting(s) Fall 2015 first semester Soft requirement for students to complete Plan for mandatory compliance following first academic year of implementation

Example of Student Orientation Program Blackboard Organization Student enrollment refreshed each semester University eHelp services host current orientation material Academic Honor Code / Student Code of Conduct and Plagiarism quiz within Blackboard Organization Example of Proposed Student Orientation Example of Proposed Administrator Presentation Example of College of Management Student Orientation

Style of Orientation to Follow current Blackboard Orientation: Welcome by Dean Topic specific video for each academic support service Professional Delivery Consistent delivery method

Apply same format as Faculty Orientation Visual of department administrator Talking points Examples for use of resources Standard location external to LMS

Next Steps Confirm transcript for each Student Support Service department Review of past recorded orientations Recommended transcript Develop examples to support comprehension of material Implement August 2015 Deploy to all College of Management students Evaluate Adjust Mandatory for all students Standard Operational Support

Discussion There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction. -- Winston Churchill

References