Hi TIPSters, I have two requests. Hope you can help. First, I am working with our Department of Psychology here to explore the use of technology in our intro (PGS 101) classes. Currently, PGS 101 is taught in a 125-seat lecture hall. Many of our instructors use engaging or interactive strategies, e.g., in-class demonstrations, classroom assessment techniques, power-point presentations, etc., but we would like to offer more technical and non-technical support so that all feel that they can use active learning strategies more often. Next year, we will begin the process by experimenting with two sections of the course. I feel really confident about helping instructors and TA's with interactive strategies (such as case teaching, cooperative learning, and writing to learn) in the lecture and in the proposed break-out sections, but have less experience with using technology for student interaction outside of class. I haven't personally incorporated any online assignments in my undergraduate teaching, and need some guidance. Because IT at ASU supports the use of Blackboard Course Info, that's what we'll have available. Blackboard provides for a class home page, e-mail and chat - and probably some other things as well. A few weeks ago there was a brief discussion on TIPS about issues in teaching online. Larry Dickerson talked about assigning collaborative questions and projects, but I didn't see any other posts on the topic. It would really help me to have some actual to samples of assignments from those of you using online collaboration- I'd like to know what, specifically, you have students do. How do you ensure individual accountability? How formal are the products? Do you always grade them? How do you form teams? Do teams stay together all semester, etc., etc. Larry and others who have designed online collaborative assignments, might you be willing to share some samples? If any of you are willing to e-mail your assignments to me ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), I will be happy to compile them and send them out to others who request them. A second, related request - I am directing a new (not for profit, FIPSE-funded) teaching resource on the web, The Instructional Innovation Network. We are an online database of teaching resources for the use of cooperative learning and case teaching in higher education. Faculty may submit lessons, activities, cases, team-building ideas, syllabi and a variety of other teaching materials via the web. The database is browsable or searchable by discipline. I invite all of you who use cooperative learning or cases in your teaching to join the Network and share your successful strategies with other faculty. Because the database is new, there is not a yet a wealth of materials available - but with your help there can be soon. Check us out at http://bestpractice.net. Thanks, Susan ______________________________ Susan Ledlow, Director Instructional Innovation Network http://bestpractice.net/ Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence http://www.asu.edu/upfd/ Arizona State University Box 870101 Tempe, AZ 85287-0101 Phone: 480.965.8645 Fax: 480.727.7068 URL: http://www.public.asu.edu/~ledlow/sledlow E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
