Enjoyable Instructional Technology Can Enhance Learning

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning surveyed a predominantly engineering campus on the many instructional technologies that exist for instruction. The purpose of the survey was to understand the types of instructional technologies that currently exist and identify the technological gaps for future purchases. Three categories of instructional technology were used to group the many technological tools that were found in various classrooms across the campus: (1) seating and room layout, (2) boards and projection and (3) computers and video capture. In addition to the survey data, comments were solicited and compiled for continuous improvement. A total of 75 students, faculty and staff responded to the survey. Within the three categories of instructional technology, three survey questions were asked to determine: (1) which technologies were used, (2) which technologies did individuals enjoy and (3) which technologies did individuals feel would enhance learning? There were several conclusions resulting from the data analysis including differences between faculty and student preferences. The most interesting result was the compelling relationship between enjoyment and learning that became evident in a simple scatter plot of the data. This relationship, while not surprising, may influence the types of instructional technologies for the modern classroom. Background (Introduction) During the Fall 2011 term, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) surveyed their campus community on the many technologies that exist across the campus. The small, private university educates primarily engineers, scientists, mathematicians and business majors, located in an urban Midwest setting. The survey instrument was developed with input from the CETL Advisory Board and input from the facilities staff regarding the types of instructional technologies that currently exist across the campus. The technologies were categorized into three categories with four to seven specific types of technology included for each category: (1) Seating and Room Layout a. Lecture style seating arrangement b. Group tables arrangement c. Pods or node chairs d. Web-based learning – partial face-to-face e. Web-based learning – completely online (2) Boards & Projection a. Chalkboards P ge 23541.2 b. White boards c. Computer projection w/ instructor notes d. Document Camera (3) Video and Lecture Capture. a. Mobile computing: handhelds, Smartphones, tablet PCs, laptops, + b. Fixed Lab Computing c. Video capture of lectures – real time or immediate viewing d. Video capture of lectures – on demand or delayed viewing e. Software replacement for fundamental learning f. Classroom Response System: Clickers + When discussing the technologies, the survey was intended to determine: (1) which technologies were used, (2) which technologies did individuals enjoy and (3) which technologies did individuals feel would enhance learning? Thus, the three categories of technologies were discussed with students, faculty and staff using three different scales Use, Enjoy and Learn each with a unique scale. #1. How often have you used each of the following? (Use) Scale: Used consistently in multiple classes Used consistently in one class Used it on multiple occasions Used once or twice Never used it