Fellows 2008 - Flexible Learning Spaces
Overview
During Fall 2008, CIT conducted a fellows program to support faculty interested in developing and evaluating innovative teaching approaches that take advantage of flexible teaching and learning spaces at Duke, with a special emphasis on the Link, the newly finished group of flexible classroom spaces in Perkins Library. The original call for applicants is here.
Fellows Activities
Fellows attended a two-day orientation that included demonstrations of technology related to flexible learning as well as short workshops and discussions dealing with flexible learning teaching approaches such as working with groups, planning active learning exercises, etc. The fellows used a Blackboard course site to create and maintain profiles and discuss new activities and reactions to learning spaces. During the semester, fellows participated in two additional meetings to discuss activities and outcomes of their flexible learning strategies. The fellowship concluded in December 2008 with a small focus group session and participation in the first Link feedback survey. Fellows received a stipend of $1250 for attendance at meetings and the completion of all agreed upon goals of the fellowship, including completed flexible learning space profiles (see below for more info) detailing their activities throughout the semester.
Outcomes
Faculty participating in the Flexible Learning Spaces Fellowship during Fall 2008 had a unique experience, as they were among the first faculty teaching in Duke's new flexible learning classroom space - the Link. Fellows provided CIT and Link staff with early feedback on Link processes, services, and expectations. Fellows also gave short presentations on their uses of the Link space for other Duke faculty, staff and administration at Link open houses.In December 2008, the fellows completed profiles detailing their flexible learning teaching experiences. These profiles provide 'real-world' examples of the uses of flexible learning teaching strategies and technologies for other faculty to use as a resource for planning their own courses. Summaries and links to full profiles are included below.
Participants
Alison Hill, Professor - Department of Biology
Hill took advantage of the break-out spaces and flexible arrangments in the Link to implement group work strategies to her course. Read Hill's full profile.
Scott Huettel, Associate Professor - Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (w/ David Smith - graduate student)
Huettel's students used laptops provided by the Link's laptop cart to work with fMRI software applications. Read Huettel's full profile.
Lilliana Paredes, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Spanish; Director, Spanish Language Program - Romance Studies
Paredes used ultra-portable Flip video cameras and Link break-out spaces to capture student group work. Read Paredes's full profile.
Deborah Reisinger, Visiting Assistant Professor; Interim Director, French Language - Romance Studies
Reisinger's students used whiteboards, projectors and flexible spaces to present group projects and learn course technologies. Read Reisinger's full profile.
Susan Wynn, Assistant Professor of the Practice; Director, Secondary Teacher Preparation Program - Program in Education (w/ Hugh Crumley)
Wynn and Crumley used the Link's laptops and flexible spaces to introduce students to various instructional technologies. Read Wynn's full profile.
