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itconf@mtsu.edu

ITV: Choose Wisely, Train Wisely

Abstract

Are YOU (or another faculty member) ready for the ITV medium? Is your course "prime" for ITV instruction? Teaching via ITV is not just taking a traditional course, pushing a few different buttons, and assuming all will go well. ITV has its own special requirements, its own special techniques. This session will address not only the differences between traditional and ITV courses, but will also discuss a training plan THAT WORKS.

Description

Is ITV still being used on campuses? You bet; at this institution of over 15,000 students, 36 courses are being offered this semester via ITV. Despite a myth, ITV is not being replaced by online courses. It is here, it is here to stay, and it can be a very effective means of conducting a class.

Some big questions to ask before a "newbie" to ITV begins teaching using this medium. Is the course appropriate for ITV? Is the faculty member prepared (mentally) to use this medium? Has the faculty member been trained to teach via the ITV system, including course design/redesign; materials development; operation of equipment; sources of external programs; remote site origination; videoconferencing; computer interaction; and legal, administrative, and ethical issues related to teaching via ITV.

Is the course appropriate for ITV?

Some courses are "naturals" for ITV instruction, classes ranging from English literature, to introduction to management, to business law, to speech communication, to music appreciation. The list doesn't stop there, however; many courses can be taught and taught effectively via ITV. Granted, some courses are more difficult to adapt to this medium, and there are others where supplemental activities must be incorporated away from the ITV classroom (i.e. science labs).

Is the faculty member prepared (mentally) to use this medium?

Is every faculty member "ready, waiting, and willing" to teaching using the ITV system? Not hardly. Some faculty are just not risk takers, or they are not interested in integrating technology into their classroom, especially if it requires a great deal of effort on their part. Others can be persuaded, while some faculty members are eagerly waiting for the opportunity. What can institutions do about courses which need to be offered via ITV but the only faculty member teaching the course is not interested in exploring this medium?

Has the faculty member been trained to teach via the ITV system?

Faculty members teaching via the ITV system must be trained and trained well to use the system effectively. Training has been called the "Achilles Heel" of ITV. In some cases training does not take place (other than a 15-minute button-pushing session), while in other cases this training is done quickly and without a great deal of thought. For institutions committed to making an ITV course successful for both the faculty member and class, an effective training plan must be incorporated that will address a wide range of issues.

This presentation will discuss a training plan that is being developed for faculty so they are prepared to teach effectively. The training plan includes ten modules (which may be combined, within reason):

• Introduction to ITV
• Making ITV Work for
• Course Design
• Materials Development
• Operating the Equipment
• Sources of Programs (External)
• Remote Site Origination
• Videoconferencing
• Computer Interaction
• Legal, Administrative, and Ethical Issues