EDUCAUSE 2005 Annual Conference October 19, 2005

: Providing Distance Learning with New Tools for the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Biomedical Engineering & Sciences School Glenda R. Scales, Cheryl Peed, Emet LaBoone Virginia Tech John Boehme, Kevin Brewer Wake Forest University

Overview  Introduction  Instructional Technologies implemented  Lessons Learned

Introduction  Initiated by several faculty from Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 1999  Vision To offer a joint degree Interactive learning environment State-of-the-art instructional tools and techniques Easy to use technology

The Challenges  One classroom  Bridge geographical distance  Appropriate technological infrastructure  Work with both universities’ administrative policies and procedures

Classroom Renovation 220 Hancock after renovations220 Hancock before renovations

Technical Team Goals  Networking infrastructure Move from ISDN connection to Video over IP utilizing Internet2 One network expert at each site  Distance learning environment Identify new distance learning equipment that would reside on both campuses A network/teleclassroom contact at each site  Instructional technologies The ability to view computer generated images with clarity Instructional technology support group at each site

Faculty Support  Faculty Support Joint training and technical support  Virginia Tech’s Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning & Video Broadcast Services  Wake Forest School of Medicine, Academic Computing Provided individualized support and instructional consulting for faculty Observed a wide variety of instructional approaches

Student Support The Office of Academic Computing at Wake Forest University School of Medicine outlined the general strategy for blending instructional technologies and processes from both universities.

Instructional Technologies  Software Blackboard Centra One PowerPoint  Hardware Document Camera Wacom Tablet Streaming Server

Centra One Participants Course Agenda Content Window

DEMO

Lessons Learned Team Interaction  Early involvement of all respective areas University-level commitment from each school On campus departments involved  Communication Regular meetings Face to Face meeting Early identification and resolution of potential barriers  Flexibility

Lesson Learned Technical  Implementing standard operating procedures Develop technical documents Coordination software and security Support systems  Ensure student and faculty adaptation Conduct orientations Implement coordinated user support

Lessons Learned Assessment  Early design of performance measures Course evaluation Faculty feedback

Next Steps  Incorporate new tools into the infrastructure  Implement the seamless automation of the administrative procedures  Increase the use of rich media for the medical images  Implement proactive solutions to support faculty teaching styles

Next Steps Cont’d  Eliminate firewall issues  Transition a primarily face to face teaching and learning culture towards online  Investigating virtual reality as a delivery method

Conclusion  Collaborated effectively with many university-level organizations on both campuses  Blended existing and new instructional technology tools effectively  Worked through issues, learn from one another, and we had fun

“Joint degree programs enable institutions to utilize, in more effective manner, the emerging technologies. … Theretofore, it is becoming more feasible for two institutions separated by distance to combine resources through the use of technology to offer joint degree program.” Michael and Balraj, 2003