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Conference Technology

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Miscellaneous

Designing and Implementing a Blended Course Training for a Global Faculty Pool

Presenter(s)
Sara Ombres (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, US)
Wendi Kappers (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, US)
Session Information
April 23, 2012 - 2:00pm
Track: 
Faculty Development and Support
Areas of Special Interest: 
Institutional Initiatives
Major Emphasis of Presentation: 
Practical Application
Institutional Level: 
Universities and Four Year Institutions
Audience Level: 
All
Session Type: 
Information Session
Location: 
Gilpatrick A-C
Session Duration: 
50 Minutes
Concurrent Session: 
2
Abstract

This presentation discusses the design of a blended course training for a global faculty pool interested in blended teaching, utilizing ERAU's web-conferencing tool and Blackboard.

Extended Abstract

The Worldwide Campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University(ERAU) is unique both in that the faculty is located at 150 campus centers spanning the country and the globe, and the Worldwide degree programs cater to the non-traditional college student. With the growing necessity and desire to create and offer blended courses throughout all locations, the Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence - Worldwide (CTLE-W) recognized the need for a cohesive and centralized process outlining the pedagogical practices needed within blended course offerings. In order to overcome the obstacle of a geographically-dispersed faculty pool, CTLE partnered with the ERAU Instructional Design and Development department to create a non-traditional blended learning environment. Grounded in theory, while including practical, yet, tangible learning artifacts created by course participants, the facilitator-led course design involves a modeling of the blended format through online and web conferencing sessions. This faculty development course is four weeks in length. ERAU uses EagleVision, a customized web-conferencing tool built specifically for the university that allows faculty, staff, and students to connect globally by simply using a computer, headset, and microphone. Utilizing EagleVision offers greater flexibility and the ability to reach and communicate with faculty across time zones and countries in a joint, collaborative setting. During the course, all participants will outline their course week by week, and build one-third of their courses within Blackboard, ERAU's Learning Management System of choice. This course intends to "jump-start" the faculty participants in their blended course design process by establishing a peer-review blended course template in which to complete their overall blended course offering to include tangible aspects learned during this faculty development session. Each participant is also provided ample opportunities for feedback and reflection, as well as real-world presentations of his or her deliverable. After completing the initial course design, the blended training course will be reviewed by instructional design, blended course experts, and global faculty as part of a beta test. The information obtained from this critical review will be utilized to enhance and further improve the blended course training. This presentation intends to demonstrate the above course content as well as a live demonstration of the course itself and our web-conferencing environment. Participants will be provided with a handout of useful tips based on our blended course design experience. Opportunities for audience interaction and discussion will be included; specifically, we will share our survey administered to the blended learning and instructional design experts and ask for the participants' feedback as well.

Final Presentation: 
Supplemental File 1: 
Lead Presenter

Sara Ombres is the Faculty Development Instructor for the Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Worldwide at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). In this position, she trains new and current ERAU instructors on pedagogical best practices, utilizing Blackboard in online and on-ground courses, and offers just-in-time training to faculty located all over the world. Prior to her most recent position, Sara also designed online and blended courses for the university. She holds an M.Ed. in Educational Technology, a B.S. in English Education, and has taught and designed curriculum for online, blended, and face-to-face courses.

Presenter 1 Email: 
sara.ombres@erau.edu