Technology at Ashland
Ashland University supports teaching and learning through the integration and use of the latest technology in the classroom, on line, and through distance learning.
One of Ashland's Universities strategic objectives is to encourage the application of technology, enhance the quality of instruction and services delivered to students both on and off campus.
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Ashland University currently uses WebCT version 4.1 as its Learning Management System. In the last 3 years, Ashland University's web based and web enhanced classes have double each year. Now virtually every class taught at Ashland has some portion of an on-line component. Web CT allows instructors to give online quizzes, post syllabuses and other content read/send emails, hold threaded discussions, and assign grades.
Our research has shown that student satisfaction and academic performance is improved through the use of Web CT or a web -based educational resource, or web-based course tools.
In September of 2007, the Learning Management System Committee voted to introduce Angel Learning as Ashland Universities new online learning management system. Starting in January of 2008 we will start to offer new classes in with the Angel LMS and will have migrated the entire campus on-line content via Fall classes in 2008. As a University community, we are looking forward to our partnership with Angel Learning with great anticipation.
Ashland University use of Wimba Collaboration Bundle allows faculty to retain the highly personal and lively nature of traditional classroom instruction. From voice to video, from pod casting to content authoring to instant messaging, the Collaboration Bundle works seamlessly within WebCT, so instructors can maintain much of the F2F advantages and at the same time allow their students to have the flexibility needed in today's fast pace environment. All of this can be accomplished without needing a new username or password, and never have to leave their familiar online course environment.
Also, Ashland University uses Wimba collaboration tools of Voice Authoring, Voice Email, Voice Board and Voice Direst are perfect for language learning, our web-based voice tools facilitate and promote vocal instruction, collaboration, coaching, and assessment. Increase the interaction and student engagement level of any online learning environment by allowing faculty to easily embed vocal interactions into their web sites. This is a new use for Wimba Tools, which is finding favor with our Language and Communication programs.
Additionally, we are using Wimba Live Classroom as a standalone product for marketing our MBA programs in Web Conferencing Format.
One other classroom tool at Ashland is “Media Site”. Media Site records our instructors presentations or classroom instruction and can webcasts it live over the internet automatically, or students can access online lectures anytime, anywhere on-demand on the with in a on line video presentation catalog. Using Media Site allows instructors to reinforce studies with recorded lectures for reference and it reduces distractions and improve retention by reviewing content at a students own pace on line and on demand. Media Site is a great tool for on line classes because it can be played back through a standard web browser on both PC and MAC.
TURNING POINT:
Early in 2003, Ashland University became a pilot test site for the Turning Point Audience Response System with the purchase of 32 hand held RF transmitters responding devices and one receiver. We were one of the first Colleges to make use of this new instructional device. Our next purchase came with 32 much smaller transmitters and one receiver of equal reduction in size. The purchase also included a Turning Point Software Packages for use in a Networked Classroom without hardware. Thus, we have been ahead of the curve for several years. The new hand held recovers developed problems early on by burring out batters in days and being intermittent when it came to their RF connections. Our staunchest supporters of the early years were doping off left and right due to the reliability problems associated with the new receivers.
We use Respondus Software to create and manage exams, which are published directly into our WebCT courses. These Exams are created offline first, using a familiar Windows environment like Work 2007 and then the Modified Word Document is uploaded into the Respondus Product. Next, the files created by the Respondus Software are than upload as a batch file into WebCT and these files are used to populate questions in to WebCT Quiz/Survey Tool.
At present, we are working with our Math and Science departments to developed Math and Science testing documents, which include math problems and graphics, which meet their rigid standards for any testing documents.
The Respondus Software resides in an Application Folder in at Ashland University, which is accessible by the entire campus faculty community. After download the software and running the set-up programs, the professors are prompted to load an Installation Password. Once done, they have full access to the use or Respondus to create quizzes banks of questions and transfer files. Another way we are planning to use Respondus Software as a transfer vehicle to move files from our present WebCT 4.1 courses to a new Learning Management System, which is on the horizon. Faculty and staff, which have used Respondus thus far, reports that it cut down the time required to load questions into our on-line courses into WebCT immensely.
MICROSOFT OFFICE:
At present we are switching to Microsoft Office 2007 from Microsoft 2003 – our professors use Power Point, Access, Excel, and Word mainly. They also use Turning Point Software to get their audience's response to Power Point presentations.
BRIDGIT:
Ashland is using Bridgit to allow interaction between faculty and students using any presentation or application you have running on your desktop or SMART Board interactive whiteboard. As well, students can join their professors classes through a simple e-mail invitation – Because no installation is required, which is ideal for those who don't have the software application installed on their computers, students can demonstrate their understanding of a presentation by accuratly manipulating the professors desktop and the particular application running there. Again, adding some degree of a F2F component to Distance Learning.
Olin:
Up to five computers running Olin software can connect to the SMART interactive product at the same time. Only one of these computers can be shared with the interactive product at any time. When they are connected, either the shared computer or the interactive screen can be used to control the shared desktop, but not at the same time.