BOB: Barron's Own Blog

In lieu of waiting for the technology to be completely set up, which generally takes a little time, we went ahead today and built the database structure in Microsoft Access, as that structure can easily be ported over into the full Microsoft SQL Server.  I especially thought that Dr. Kemp's presentation was thought-provoking with regard to the use of New Media in improving student retention through increased engagement, multiple styles of learning, and context-specific, individualized instruction and reteaching.  I'm curious about other similar applications where the iPod can be used to improve the communication of important course content to students at their point of need.

Dr. Kemp articulated the research question as, "How do conceptual differences affect people's connection with instructional content?"  He then simplified the question to answer his typical colleagues' question, "So, why all this technology?"  His specific answers included:

1. First year composition students are from the most vulnerable population of university students.
2. 75% of teachers are doing a good job => technology can assist in the improvements of this.
3. The student profile is always changing, and this group of students is not made up of the same type of student as we've seen in years past.  Specifically:
1. Technology appeals to these folks, generally speaking.
2. Anything appealing increases the engagement factor
3. These students are often the least acclimated to the university learning expectations and university environment.
4. Many of these students are the least academically prepared, and they really need a quality learning experience to boost them forward toward academic success.
4. There are certain ecological qualities that can be improved in the student/teacher content encounter (note: it's not necessarily going to happen in the classroom).
5. Learning is enhanced through repetition.

Dr. Kemp uses Skype and AudioHijackPro ($28) plus iTunes plus Fission to do his interviews for the podcasts they use in the composition courses.

The future of the projects we viewed include:

1. Peer to peer assistance, advice, etc.
2. Library of files to become open source to encourage widespread instructor input and expansion of content covered.