Name: Dr. Vladimir L. Uskov Type of Session: Presentation Preferred track: Track # 5: Faculty Development and Facilities Design Abstract: Teaching, learning, and doing business online through the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) are bound to change the structure of our traditional educational and business institutions. However, the effects will be more greatly felt by those who are directly involved in education. This motivated six professors of five different departments of the OMI College of Applied Science (OCAS), University of Cincinnati (UC), for the interdepartmental collaboration in enhancing the professional development of OCAS faculty on WWW-based education (WBE). The paper describes in details the main outcome of the UC Faculty Development Grant - i.e. OCAS faculty "brainware" on WBE, which enabled several OCAS professors to create WWW-based courseware in various technological areas. Description: Many US educational institutions at the forefront of using technology have already started offering WWW-based courses, syllabi, course project assignments, and other academic information. However, the potential of the WWW and Internet as an instructional medium and tool was not realized until 1997 at OCAS, UC. The Faculty Development Council (FDC) of UC awarded several OCAS professors by an interdepartmental collaborative grant to perform research and provide OCAS faculty with a training on WBE. Dr. Vladimir Uskov was appointed as a project's Principal Investigator. The objectives of this project were 1) to investigate the current status of national and international distance education (DE), including WWW-based education, 2) to ensure DE student learning competencies are consistent with learning competencies in traditional delivery courses, 3) to increase interest in and enthusiasm for DE among the OCAS faculty members, 4) to develop the OCAS faculty "brainware" in DE and WBE and to provide the College with a well-trained cadre of instructors ready to teach in a modern learning environment, including the Internet and WWW, and, f) to create and carefully test DE and WWW-based courseware for OCAS courses. A new breed of WBE-related hardware, software,courseware, pedagogical methodology, and instructional technology needed to be carefully investigated and analyzed well before this technology can bring out its full capability. "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them" (Albert Einstein). During the first half-a-year, an interdepartmental faculty development of a few OCAS most active and creative instructors on WBE has been established. Particularly, several presentations were made on 1) various national and international models and forms of DE systems worldwide, and well-known examples of DE systems, 2) DE hardware, 3) DE software, 4) DE courseware, 5) characteristics of DE teachers and facilitators, 6) characteristics of DE students and DE students learning competencies, 7) estimations of initial investments to a design and development of DE systems, and 8) current DE educational technologies, including WWW-based technology. During the second half-a-year project participants 1) learned independently and compared facilities of different Web-Based Instruction (WBI) tools such as Convene, WebCT, AuthorWare, Web Course in a Box, MentorWare, etc., 2) shared knowledge about WBE and WBI tools, new WBE-related teaching and communication technologies with OCAS faculty and students by organization of several hands-on training and workshops/presentations, 4) created and distributed a list of "Do's and Don'ts of WWW-based education", and 5) established videoconferencing facilities between different OCAS departments. Evaluation of project activities occurred at two levels. The first one focused on faculty and the quality of activities in which they participate. Each activity has been rated on its immediate value (timeliness, usefulness, practicality,for example) and its long-term value, with regular feedback from faculty on the continuing value of specific activities in which they participated. In addition, reviewers with Web-based expertise have been engaged to evaluate the quality and impact of offerings by faculty participants. Their focus was made on content, design and delivery of educational products. The second focus for evaluation was on students. Several fragments of Web-based courses have been beta-tested with a select group of students to determine quality of initial products. Beta-tests occurred as the product was designed so that feedback on individual units could be incorporated in the final course. Of special concern were content (level and appropriateness), effectiveness (satisfactory learning outcomes), and design (appropriateness of adaptation of material to a Web-based delivery system). Further evaluation will be undertaken over the life of WBE courses offered through the Web. Comparisons of educational outcomes in classroom-based courses and Web-based courses will be made using standards established by each instructor as appropriate to each discipline for which courses are developed. Results of evaluation outcomes will be discussed within the OCAS DEC and with representatives from disciplines, with feedback used to revise courses as necessary. Length: about 40-45 minutes Audience: general, faculty Audience level: all On-site equipment requirements: 3-gun projector or LCD projector (the author will bring his own labtop computer). Affiliation and complete contact information: Dr. Vladimir L. Uskov Associate Professor of Computer Science and Information Technology College of Applied Science, University of Cincinnati 2220 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45206-2839 Phone: 513/556-4869 Fax: 513/556-4878 Email: V.Uskov@UC.edu
1. Do you think this proposal is acceptable?
Definitely Maybe Definitely Not
Comments on Proposal Acceptability:
2. Do you think the topic is relevant to the theme of the conference?
Yes No Comments on Topic:
3. Do you think the track is appropriate?
Yes No Comments on Track:
4. Do you think the length is appropriate?
Yes No Comments on Length:
5. Do you think the audience and audience level are appropriate?
Yes No Comments on Audience/Audience Level: