Description of the context:
The topics discussed in the course are sensitive and thought- provoking. The course readings concentrate on how human affect global ecosystems and how these changes impact our health, behavior, social and cultural life. This course is aimed at engaging students by using case studies on biological and cultural adaptations from different parts of the world. Students are able to investigate ecological principles relevant to global concerns and are able to cultivate values that prepare them as informed and responsible global citizens.
Approach:
The course was entirely redesigned to promote collaboration and develop learning community not only with the course, but also beyond. Compared to a face-to-face or a traditional learning environment where one size fits all learning style is still being followed, this methodology of including assignments and interactivities, reaching students anywhere anytime emphasizes the learner-centered values in online courses. The students were provided with a variety of choices such as individual projects, community service projects, group projects, volunteering, internships, and service learning opportunities. Thus leverages innovative learning technology to help students put theory into practice, deepening their superficial knowledge, promoting leadership qualities, and developing high order cognitive skills.
Students study the suggested reading materials and other resources both inside and outside the courseware; and have a choice to submit their assignments in an active and collaborative manner. In addition, students get an opportunity to apply and experiment with the knowledge gained in the class in a real world environment. These students are provided relevant resources and support for their project completion according to their needs, background, interest and learning styles. The students work individually or in teams, thinking beyond the reading material. Technology helps them join hands and cross the geographical barriers to interact with different people, institutions and collaborate effectively. Assignments promote interactivity and collaboration using such tools as, Google docs, Wave, WIMBA, Skype, HP gabble, YouTube and Teacher Tube to reach across many boundaries. The overarching goal is to help the students develop a hands-on experiential learning opportunity within the course.
A few examples of the assignments related to the content covered in the course and contextualized learning are as follows.
1) In Biological Adaptation module, the students marked the human migration path on Google earth and were expected to substantiate the changes in skin color across the world. Students reflected their thoughts by collaborating with other students using Google docs.
2) In the Cultural Ecology module, the students drew a family tree and developed an audio/video file using cmap tools to discuss the changes in family norms and value patterns over a period of time.
3) In the Urban Ecology module, the students identified an under- resourced area in their community and found ways to make it efficient and sustainable. The students mapped these areas on to Google Earth software and identified local authorities, organizations and local outreach groups that could help these areas.
4) The Final project which was a follow up of the urban ecology assignment, enabled them to find a solution and gave them an opportunity to work with the local authorities, organizations and local outreach groups and engage the citizens of that area. This work was captured via Wave, WIMBA, Skype, HP gabble, YouTube.
Result: The projects and assignments promote active learning and interaction with in the course content and represents how it improved the following pillar(s).
Learning Effectiveness:
The tasks allocated in the course promote problem-solving skills and high-order thinking. The students get an opportunity to volunteer, realize their responsibilities as citizens and make a difference in the society. Identifying under - resourced communities and working along with the local authorities to provide a helping hand to keep the community clean, volunteering at old age homes, using energy efficient bulbs at homes, are some of the examples of final projects.
Student satisfaction:
The students were given a choice of projects that allowed learner control and self-regulation of learning process, which is important in online learning environment. One student wrote, "It has been a tremendous time with this course thus far and in regards to general ecological sustainability and I must confess that the real world applicability of the material is incredible." The projects certainly helped students to build a real world experience and implemented great ideas within a supervised environment within a course. By using a structured interactive environment and by providing a context for community engagement and service learning the course also met the goal of promoting higher order thinking. This was reflected in student comments. For example, one student said "I definitely agree that learning from first hand experience is the best way to learn and remember material." The instructor played different roles throughout the course such as a subject matter expert and a facilitator while helping students as and when required during the course. One of the students added, "Appreciate your inspiration in your suggestions and I think it has acted on me as a sort of call to action, and the opportunity for doing something practical." Another student wrote, "We are able to interact with the community and understand the issues of your community, the project ideas and hands-on work is the best way to learn."
Cost Effectiveness:
Certainly uses of open sources have reduced the cost associated with installation of expensive software by the students or the university. All software's can be easily downloaded and safely used anywhere and everywhere. With the economic set back and resources being slashed everywhere and everyday in the higher education sector, advocating free downloadable software seems to be a good option to provide quality education.
