1. In the Trenches: Pinnacles and Pitfalls of Notebook Programs from a Faculty Perspective Jennifer Bolt Acadia Institute for Teaching & Technology Jennifer Bolt Acadia Institute for Teaching & Technology

2. T I M E PERFORMANCEPERFORMANCE Ending NeutralBeginning Managing Transitions, William Bridges Intervention The Trench Dealing with Organizational Change

3. Overview  Context: Why we use notebook technology (how did we get in the trench)  Best Practices: Meeting faculty needs  Lessons Learned: The pitfalls  Student Feedback: Survey says  Your questions and comments

4. Why Use Technology?  Accessing essential learning applications  Developing new instructional capabilities  Meeting varied learning styles  Meeting new student expectations  Overcoming difficult or impossible access  Creating information literacy  Preparing students for the “real” world  Narrowing the digital divide……..and many more…. Why Bother?: www.tltgroup.org/gilbert/WhyBother.htm Problems at Acadia:  Remain competitive  Manage limited resources

5. Our Mission To improve learning for students “Any time access to the world’s resources at the preferred work place of the student” Best Practice #1: Make Sure Everyone Knows Why

6. Why mobile computing? (leased, standard model, wired)  Students are mobile creatures  Students work/study at odd hours  Technology tools must be “evergreen”  Wired networks, today, are faster and more secure  Standardization allows for excellent technical support  Standardization allows for classroom environment to change

7. Acadia Advantage 2003  4,300 notebooks: Standard software  Technology Use: 928 online courses 215,000 online tests 3,082 e-discussion groups  Innovation Projects: 67 faculty involved Partnerships: Interdisciplinary faculty Faculty – Student University - Schools

8. Jennifer Bolt Director AITT Kim Rose Director User Support Centre Kerri Brewster Director Computing Services IT Support at Acadia IT Support at Acadia Best Practice #2: Invest Heavily in Support Infrastructure Faculty Staff and Students (20+3) (12+40) (15+8)

9. AITT “ To provide leadership in the creation of innovative learning experiences and teaching environments.”  Training  Application Development  Pedagogical Leadership  Research  Technical Support

10. Best Practice #3: Different Strokes for Different Folks Technology Adoption Curve Early Adopters Information Resources In-class help Email PowerPoint Workshops Templates Web pages Collaboration Pilot projects Development Showcases Consulting Late Adopters $$ Majority

11. Virtual Labs Pre-class preparation In-class support Post-class review Data Collection Interactivity Problem-based learning

12. Jump START (Selecting Technology And Resources for Teaching) 3 Easy Steps: 1: Fill-in a Request Form 2: Attend a Workshop(s)  Effective PowerPoint Design  Online Assessment Strategies  Effective Web Resources  Introduction to Website Design 3: Review Student Work … and GO!

13. Best Practice # 4: Save Time for Faculty  Pare down applications with a focus on time saving features – eg. ACMEACME  Build reusable, multi-purpose learning objects  Leverage the talents, energy and influence of studentsstudents  Meet faculty on their turf – eg. New Faculty Support PlanNew Faculty Support Plan

15. 550 500 450 Drawing a topographic profile from a topographic map.

16. A B SCRAP PAPER 450 500 550 500 450 490 480 470 460 A B

17. A B SCRAP PAPER 450 500 550 500 450 490 480 470 460 A B SCRAP PAPER 450 500 550 500 450 490 480 470 460 A B

18. A B SCRAP PAPER 450 500 550 500 450 490 480 470 460 A B 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 AB

19. A B 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 AB

20. Life in the Trenches  “Laptop U” – the program is NOT the laptop  Did not manage student expectations aggressively  Early Adaptors become Gadget Geeks  Intimidation factor of showcasing the cool stuff  What next….? Explain the full cost of the program; emphasis teaching objectives Develop and promote laptop use outside of class Accept proposals that begin by answering “why”; require evaluation Share time savers and simple ideas; involve those most reluctant

21. Campus Survey Says  Primary method of student technology learning is help from other students  Faculty appreciate individual student assistance most  Students appreciate the technology for course mgmt tool and online access to profs most  Students value face-to-face time more  Notebook is used more outside of class than in…and primarily for communications  Students always complain about cost, but appreciate value  Value increases with use  Students complain most about unreliable technology  So do faculty  Everyone appreciates the notebook program most when they no longer have it

22. Jennifer.bolt@acadiau.ca http://aitt.acadiau.ca (see Research, Projects, Training Programs)