Technology and Learning:Initial Results of SERU AAU Survey

SERU Colloquium

UMN October 9, 2014

John Douglass - UC Berkeley Ron Huesman - University of MinnesotaKrista Soria – University of Minnesota

• MOOCS and On-line Learning Technologies as the Next (Now) Best Thing and Salvation/Enemy

• Status of Research on Learning Technologies in Research Intensive Universities – Provider and Boosterism

SERU Module Focused on:o Student Use of Technologyo On-line and Hybrid Courses Takeno Faculty Use of Technology in the Classroomo Student Opinions on Learning Technologies and Behaviors

• S&T Module Administered in fall 2013 at:o Minnesotao Texaso Rutgerso Indiana

• Sample Size – limits of first round of data

SERU Technology and Learning SERU Technology and Learning Module – Four AAU Campuses Module – Four AAU Campuses

Face to Face Courses, Hybrid and On-line: All StudentsFace to Face Courses, Hybrid and On-line: All Students

Face to Face Courses vs. On-line: All StudentsFace to Face Courses vs. On-line: All Students

On-line vs. Face to Face Courses: Race/Ethnicity/InternationalOn-line vs. Face to Face Courses: Race/Ethnicity/International

On-line vs. Face to Face Courses: GenderOn-line vs. Face to Face Courses: Gender

On-line vs. Face to Face Courses: Family IncomeOn-line vs. Face to Face Courses: Family Income

Hybrid vs. Traditional: Family IncomeHybrid vs. Traditional: Family Income

Online vs. TraditionalOnline vs. Traditional

Student Use of TechnologyStudent Use of Technology

Faculty Use of TechnologyFaculty Use of Technology

• Instructors were most likely to use the following types of technology:o Course or learning management systemso Locally installed word processors/spreadsheetso Locally installed presentation software

60-80% of students indicated that “some” to “all” instructors used those three tools

• Instructors were least likely to use the following types of technology:o E-portfolioso Simulations/educational gameso Online multiuser computer gameso Photo-sharing websiteso Wikiso Facebooko Blogso Podcasts/webcasts

70-85% of students indicated that “none” of their instructors used those tools

Faculty Use of TechnologyFaculty Use of Technology

Technology Behaviors and Perceived BenefitsTechnology Behaviors and Perceived Benefits

• Face to Face vs On-Lineo Approximately 40% of students at the sample group of SERU AAU campuses

have taken a fully on-line course; most average 1 to 3 courses.o Students strongly prefer traditional face-to-face courses, hybrid next, and on-

line the least – even when accounting for Race/Ethnicity, Gender, Family Income.

o Students prefer hybrid courses that maintain contact with academic faculty/TA’s .

o Student strongly do not prefer on-line courses or learning technologies that nearly replace contact with faculty/TA’s.

o But the preference for traditional face-to-face does decline as students take more fully on-line courses.

SERU Technology and Learning SERU Technology and Learning Preliminary Thoughts Preliminary Thoughts

• Faculty use of learning technologieso Appears relatively high and effectively – assuming in and outside the

classroomo Slight majority of students say they do not skip class – are Learning

Technologies a supplemental or a replacement?

SERU Technology and Learning SERU Technology and Learning Preliminary Thoughts Preliminary Thoughts

• We need to know more – including analysis/correlations ono On-Line vs Hybrid vs Traditional Course Completion Rateso Student Background: Socioeconomic/Educational Capital, Race/Ethnicity and

Gendero Disciplineo Academic Engagement and Performanceo Beginning of a baseline of data as institutions (and faculty) further adopt Ed

Tech

• SERU AAU Campuses are increasing on-line courses in impacted courses/majors for financial/resources purposeso Course completion rates and, ultimately, time to degree?o The general student experience – cultural shift? As they become more common

will students adjust?

SERU Technology and Learning SERU Technology and Learning Preliminary Thoughts Preliminary Thoughts