A Model for Faculty Collaboration: Integrating Technology into the Online Classroom
Abstract
Technology has become a vital component in all online classrooms. The importance of instructors integrating and creating these tools may become essential to meeting the various student learning styles. The increase and availability of technology has also led to the need to not only find innovative delivery methods but also to share them. This is a theoretical approach detailing how online instructors can enhance the classrooms with technology to better serve the students. Technology integration can foster a collaborative effort among those within one content area or be done exclusively as an individual instructor. The integration of technology can also make the classroom more fun and engaging. In this presentation the audience will be exposed to a 10-step diagnostic model of collaboration geared towards integrating technology into the online classroom using various ideas and innovative technology.
The objective was to target the low achievement areas in an introductory class by adding technology to better assist students with learning the content. The “Technology Think Thank” hoped this would enhance the student’s perception of the experience leading to an increased level of motivation and higher engagement positively resulting in higher achievement. The group was confident that this will increase scores on these assignments while also engaging more students in the lessons through differentiated instruction and teaching to multiple learning styles. The “Technology Think Thank” created a 10-Step Diagnostic Model of Integrating Technology Innovation which outlined the collaboration. The members hypothesize that following the 10-Step Diagnostic Model of Integrating Technology Innovation; faculty will create better solutions and technology to enhance any course.
Furthermore, the “Technology Think Tank” thought that the best way to achieve success through integrating technology into the classroom was via collaboration among instructors of the same content. While theories of collaboration are relatively new with regards to theories of Psychology and Education disciplines the group felt that it will be an important piece of these disciplines moving forward into the modern era. Basically, collaboration can be defined as nothing more than two or more people or organizations working together for a mutually beneficial goal. Trach (2012) notes that no matter what collaboration model is utilized it must involve relationships, benefits and some sort of outcome. One thing that was deemed important is commitment among those who are participating in the collaboration. With that being said, all instructors within the content should have the option of participating in the “Technology Think Tank”. Faculty who see the benefit of an endeavor will produce greater outcomes. Including those who do not want to be involved may cause problems within the collaboration. The “Technology Think Tank” determined that the finished product would only be successful if it was beneficial to all stakeholders including the instructors, students and the university as this is the most crucial aspect of successful collaboration.
Location
Room 1220 B
Recommended Citation
Steele, John P.; Dyer, Thomas; and Larson, Elizabeth, "A Model for Faculty Collaboration: Integrating Technology into the Online Classroom" (2015). SoTL Commons Conference. 159.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2015/159
A Model for Faculty Collaboration: Integrating Technology into the Online Classroom
Room 1220 B
Technology has become a vital component in all online classrooms. The importance of instructors integrating and creating these tools may become essential to meeting the various student learning styles. The increase and availability of technology has also led to the need to not only find innovative delivery methods but also to share them. This is a theoretical approach detailing how online instructors can enhance the classrooms with technology to better serve the students. Technology integration can foster a collaborative effort among those within one content area or be done exclusively as an individual instructor. The integration of technology can also make the classroom more fun and engaging. In this presentation the audience will be exposed to a 10-step diagnostic model of collaboration geared towards integrating technology into the online classroom using various ideas and innovative technology.
The objective was to target the low achievement areas in an introductory class by adding technology to better assist students with learning the content. The “Technology Think Thank” hoped this would enhance the student’s perception of the experience leading to an increased level of motivation and higher engagement positively resulting in higher achievement. The group was confident that this will increase scores on these assignments while also engaging more students in the lessons through differentiated instruction and teaching to multiple learning styles. The “Technology Think Thank” created a 10-Step Diagnostic Model of Integrating Technology Innovation which outlined the collaboration. The members hypothesize that following the 10-Step Diagnostic Model of Integrating Technology Innovation; faculty will create better solutions and technology to enhance any course.
Furthermore, the “Technology Think Tank” thought that the best way to achieve success through integrating technology into the classroom was via collaboration among instructors of the same content. While theories of collaboration are relatively new with regards to theories of Psychology and Education disciplines the group felt that it will be an important piece of these disciplines moving forward into the modern era. Basically, collaboration can be defined as nothing more than two or more people or organizations working together for a mutually beneficial goal. Trach (2012) notes that no matter what collaboration model is utilized it must involve relationships, benefits and some sort of outcome. One thing that was deemed important is commitment among those who are participating in the collaboration. With that being said, all instructors within the content should have the option of participating in the “Technology Think Tank”. Faculty who see the benefit of an endeavor will produce greater outcomes. Including those who do not want to be involved may cause problems within the collaboration. The “Technology Think Tank” determined that the finished product would only be successful if it was beneficial to all stakeholders including the instructors, students and the university as this is the most crucial aspect of successful collaboration.
