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student engagement in higher ed

Improved Student Engagement in Higher Education’s Next Normal

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/3/improved-student-engagement-in-higher-educations-next-normal

We define student engagement as a constructivist approach to teaching and learning: less “sage on the stage” and more learning by doing.

Digital collaborative technologies embrace three important student engagement objectives: connecting students with the content, with the instructor, and with one another, within and across groups. Formulating, sharing, and getting feedback on responses benefits all students by increasing the exchange of ideas and approaches to the given prompt, helping students develop critical thinking skills through thoughtful peer review and analysis, and engaging them with timely feedback from expert instructors. Retaining these “blended learning” practices and additional affordances post-pandemic is worthwhile as we move to the next normal.

The five teaching enhancements/adaptations discussed above—collaborative technologies for sense-making, student experts in learning and technology, back channels, digital breakout rooms, and supplemental recording.

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more on student engagement in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=student+engagement

AI use in education

EDUCAUSE QuickPoll Results: Artificial Intelligence Use in Higher Education

D. Christopher Brooks” Friday, June 11, 2021

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/6/educause-quickpoll-results-artificial-intelligence-use-in-higher-education

AI is being used to monitor students and their work. The most prominent uses of AI in higher education are attached to applications designed to protect or preserve academic integrity through the use of plagiarism-detection software (60%) and proctoring applications (42%) (see figure 1).

The chatbots are coming! A sizable percentage (36%) of respondents reported that chatbots and digital assistants are in use at least somewhat on their campuses, with another 17% reporting that their institutions are in the planning, piloting, and initial stages of use (see figure 2). The use of chatbots in higher education by admissions, student affairs, career services, and other student success and support units is not entirely new, but the pandemic has likely contributed to an increase in their use as they help students get efficient, relevant, and correct answers to their questions without long waits.Footnote10 Chatbots may also liberate staff from repeatedly responding to the same questions and reduce errors by deploying updates immediately and universally.

AI is being used for student success tools such as identifying students who are at-risk academically (22%) and sending early academic warnings (16%); another 14% reported that their institutions are in the stage of planning, piloting, and initial usage of AI for these tasks.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents said that ineffective data management and integration (72%) and insufficient technical expertise (71%) present at least a moderate challenge to AI implementation. Financial concerns (67%) and immature data governance (66%) also pose challenges. Insufficient leadership support (56%) is a foundational challenge that is related to each of the previous listed challenges in this group.

Current use of AI

  • Chatbots for informational and technical support, HR benefits questions, parking questions, service desk questions, and student tutoring
  • Research applications, conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and data science research (my italics)
  • Library services (my italics)
  • Recruitment of prospective students
  • Providing individual instructional material pathways, assessment feedback, and adaptive learning software
  • Proctoring and plagiarism detection
  • Student engagement support and nudging, monitoring well-being, and predicting likelihood of disengaging the institution
  • Detection of network attacks
  • Recommender systems

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more on AI in education in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=artificial+intelligence+education

Strategic IT Leaders

Strategic IT Leaders Between Pandemic and Post-Pandemic

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/5/strategic-it-leaders-between-pandemic-and-post-pandemic

The effective IT leaders who made strong impressions on me when I was a president or provost were those who actively listened to non-IT discussions, asked clarifying questions, and—either in the moment or as a follow-up communication—

digital transformation (Dx). To help these efforts, EDUCAUSE has created a “Dx Journey Map.” It offers an elegant, visual way of telling the story of digital transformation to non-IT campus leaders.

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more on leadership in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=leadership

Facilitate Effective Group Work at Business Schools

free webinar: ‘How to facilitate effective group work at business schools’ on May 5 at 1PM ET.

This webinar will gather teachers and instructional designers from business schools in a panel discussion to share and exchange ideas on improving group dynamics and social loafing in team based education.

We’re happy to welcome Mustafa Elsawy, Learning Technologist from Georgia State University and Jeff Webb, Associate Professor from David Eccles School of Business as guest speakers for the discussion to share their insights on:

  • Why and how team based learning adds value to course design;
  • The challenges of implementing and facilitating group work in online, blended and hybrid classrooms;
  • How peer feedback and peer assessment can contribute to achieve learning outcomes;
  • How to empower faculty to scale peer feedback/assessment in future courses and prepare students for the labor market

You can learn more about the event on our website and register for free here.

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more on online ed in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=online+education

XR in academic libraries survey

Lischer-Katz, Z., & Clark, J. (2021). Institutional Factors Shaping XR Technology Accessibility Policy & Practice in Academic Libraries. Survey. The EDUCAUSE XR (Extended Reality) Community Group Listserv <XR@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU>. https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Ya9id4uCXoktLv

participate in a survey is being sent out to those responsible for managing and providing XR technologies in academic libraries. This survey is part of a study titled “Institutional Factors Shaping XR Technology Accessibility Policy & Practice in Academic Libraries.” The principal investigator (PI) is Dr. Zack Lischer-Katz, PhD (Assistant Professor, School of Information, University of Arizona) and the co-principal investigator (Co-PI) is Jasmine Clark (Digital Scholarship Librarian, Temple University).

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) responsible for human subjects research at The University of Arizona reviewed this research project and found it to be acceptable, according to applicable state and federal regulations and University policies designed to protect the rights and welfare of participants in research

Please feel free to share this survey widely with colleagues.

Introduction

Over the past five years, many academic libraries have begun systematically integrating innovative technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and other “XR” technologies, into their spaces and services. Even though schools, libraries, and the library profession all stress equitable access to information and technology for all community members, accessibility – understood in terms of the design of spaces, services, and technologies to support users with disabilities – is rarely given sufficient consideration when it comes to the design, implementation, and administration of XR technology programs. Because XR technologies engage the body and multiple senses they show great potential for providing enhanced means for disabled users to access information resources; however, without accessibility policies in place, the embodied aspects of XR technologies can create new barriers (e.g., chairs and other furniture that cannot be adapted, controllers that cannot be adjusted for different degrees of dexterity, etc.)

Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to develop new understanding about the current landscape of accessibility policies and practices for XRtechnology programs and to understand the barriers to adoption of XR accessibility policies and practices.

The main research objective is to understand what policies and practices are currently in place in academic libraries and their level of development, the existing beliefs and knowledge of library staff and administrators involved with XR technology programs and spaces, and the institutional factors that shape the adoption of accessibility policies for XR technology programs.

The survey will be open from February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021. More information regarding confidentiality and consent can be found at the beginning of the survey.

Please access the survey here:

https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Ya9id4uCXoktLv

 

Thank you in advance for your interest and participation,

Sincerely,
Zack Lischer-Katz, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Information, University of Arizona; email: zlkatz@email.arizona.edu

Jasmine Clark, Digital Scholarship Librarian, Temple University; email: jasmine.l.clark@temple.edu

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more on XR in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=extended+reality

more on XR in libraries in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=extended+reality+libraries

Privacy in Higher Education

https://er.educause.edu/blogs/2020/12/key-findings-on-privacy-in-higher-education

report The Evolving Landscape of Data Privacy in Higher Education

Responses from the 2020 EDUCAUSE Student Technology report concerning student data privacy highlight a large gap of understanding that institutions need to bridge between student knowledge and administrative plans and policies

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more on privacy in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=privacy

Teaching, Learning, and Student Success 2020 and 2021

Webinar | Teaching, Learning, and Student Success: 2020 in Retrospect and 2021 in Prospect

https://events.educause.edu/webinar/2020/teaching-learning-and-student-success-2020-in-retrospect-and-2021-in-prospect

Outcomes

  • Discuss key shifts in higher education teaching, learning, and student success in 2020
  • Consider the prospects for these domains in 2021
  • Explore the implications of these developments and prospects

Speakers:
https://members.educause.edu/bryan-alexander                https://members.educause.edu/kimberly-arnold                    https://members.educause.edu/phillip-ventimiglia                      https://members.educause.edu/alexa-wesley

Microcredentials virtual conference

Microcredentials and Digital Badges in Higher Education

 

  • Cost and business model considerations
  • Different types of badging platforms and technology
  • How to partner with industry to deliver in-demand competencies
  • Considerations for monetizing microcredentials
  • Current issues impacting badges during COVID-19

Identifying Badges that Add Value to Your Institution
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Our faculty will establish a shared terminology, discuss the benefits and challenges of various badges, and explain how each type can advance the goals of your institution and best serve students. You will share your purposes for pursuing a badging initiative, identify the types of badges that could add the most value to your institution, and set goals for the conference.

Designing Quality Alternative Credentials
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
What goes into developing, designing, assessing, and maintaining quality microcredentials? In this session, you will learn about:

  • Standardization and rigor in development
  • Curriculum design and assessment
  • Developing a governance process
  • Continuous maintenance and improvement

Funding and Monetizing Badges
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Many institutions are looking into badging as a potential revenue stream during lean times. During this hour, you will learn strategies for monetization. We will also look at various fee-based and tuition-based funding models to financially operationalize microcredentialing.

Marketing and Branding
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
How do you articulate the value proposition of badges to internal and external stakeholders? During this session you will learn how to brand and market your microcredentials. You will study badge images and stacking considerations that will help you create the best design for your circumstances.

Jeff Bohrer

Technical PM, IMS Global Learning

Jeff currently serves as a program manager for digital credentials initiatives at IMS Global Learning Consortium. Jeff leads projects and programs related to digital badges, comprehensive learner records, and the interoperability of learning technologies. Jeff is also co-chair of the EDUCAUSE Microcredentials and Badges Constituent Group.

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More on microcredentials in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=microcredentials

virtual reality definition

This is an excerpt from my 2018 book chapter: https://www.academia.edu/41628237/Chapter_12_VR_AR_and_Video_360_A_Case_Study_Towards_New_Realities_in_Education_by_Plamen_Miltenoff 

Among a myriad of other definitions, Noor (2016) describes Virtual Reality (VR) as “a computer generated environment that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world or imagined worlds. The user wears a headset and through specialized software and sensors is immersed in 360-degree views of simulated worlds” (p. 34).   

Noor, Ahmed. 2016. “The Hololens Revolution.” Mechanical Engineering 138(10):30-35. 

Weiss and colleagues wrote that “Virtual reality typically refers to the use of interactive simulations created with computer hardware and software to present users with opportunities to engage in environments that appear to be and feel similar to real-world objects and events” 

Weiss, P. L., Rand, D., Katz, N., & Kizony, R. (2004). Video capture virtual reality as a flexible and effective rehabilitation tool. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-1-12 

Henderson defined virtual reality as a “computer based, interactive, multisensory environment that occurs in real time”  

Rubin, 2018, p. 28. Virtual reality is an 1. artificial environment that’s 2. immersive enough to convince you that you are 3. actually inside it.
artificialenvironment ” could mean just about anything. The photograph is an artificial environment of video game is an artificial environment a Pixar movie is an artificial environment the only thing that matters is that it’s not where are you physically are.  p. 46 “VR is potentially going to become a direct interface to the subconscious”

  1. p. 225 Virtual reality: the illusion of an all-enveloping artificial world, created by wearing an opaque display in front of your eyes.  

From: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2018/11/07/can-xr-help-students-learn/ : 
p. 10 “there is not universal agreement on the definitions of these terms or on the scope of these technologies. Also, all of these technologies currently exist in an active marketplace and, as in many rapidly changing markets, there is a tendency for companies to invent neologisms around 3D technology.” p. 11 Virtual reality means that the wearer is completely immersed in a computer simulation.

from: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2018/11/07/can-xr-help-students-learn/ 

There is no necessary distinction between AR and VR; indeed, much research
on the subject is based on a conception of a “virtuality continuum” from entirely
real to entirely virtual, where AR lies somewhere between those ends of the
spectrum.  Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino, “A Taxonomy of Mixed Reality Visual Displays,” IEICE Transactions on Information Systems, vol. E77-D, no. 12 (1994); Steve Mann, “Through the Glass, Lightly,” IEEE Technology and Society Magazine 31, no. 3 (2012): 10–14.

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Among a myriad of other definitions, Noor (2016) describes Virtual Reality (VR) as “a computer generated environment that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world or imagined worlds. The user wears a headset and through specialized software and sensors is immersed in 360-degree views of simulated worlds” (p. 34).   Weiss and colleagues wrote that “Virtual reality typically refers to the use of interactive simulations created with computer hardware and software to present users with opportunities to engage in environments that appear to be and feel similar to real-world objects and events.”
Rubin takes a rather broad approach ascribing to VR: 1. artificial environment that’s 2. immersive enough to convince you that you are 3. actually inside it. (p. 28) and further asserts “VR is potentially going to become a direct interface to the subconscious” (p. 46). 
Most importantly, as Pomeranz (2018) asserts, “there is not universal agreement on the definitions of these terms or on the scope of these technologies. Also, all of these technologies currently exist in an active marketplace and, as in many rapidly changing markets, there is a tendency for companies to invent neologisms.” (p. 10) 

Noor, Ahmed. 2016. “The Hololens Revolution.” Mechanical Engineering 138(10):30-35. 

Pomerantz, J. (2018). Learning in Three Dimensions: Report on the EDUCAUSE/HP Campus of the Future Project (Louisville, CO; ECAR Research Report, p. 57). https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2018/8/ers1805.pdf 

Rubin, P. (2018). Future Presence: How Virtual Reality Is Changing Human Connection, Intimacy, and the Limits of Ordinary Life (Illustrated edition). HarperOne. 

Weiss, P. L., Rand, D., Katz, N., & Kizony, R. (2004). Video capture virtual reality as a flexible and effective rehabilitation tool. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-1-12 

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