Instructional Technology Conference 2008

Title: Technology- Virtually Connecting the Academy and Practitioners Across the Globe

Name: Dr. Meral Anitsal, Dr. Bonita Barger, Dr. Bob Wood, & Ms. Jessie Daniels

Audience Level: Intermediate

Audience: Faculty, Deans, Instructional Technology specialists, General

Length: One hour

Abstract:
Strategically applying familiar open source software has raised the bar for one MBA capstone. Using tools like Google Calendar and Elluminate's vRoom allows students to collaborate with, not only faculty and their peers, but also practitioners around the world. Through a case study method of evaluation using a variety of innovative and widely available (free) technology tools, students put their knowledge into practice and have the opportunity to present to and get feedback from guest professionals.

Description:
MBA 6950, a 100% online course, is designed to integrate the basic skills and knowledge students have gained throughout the MBA program. It requires the application of critical thinking, strategic management models and effective decision making to a series of business cases. Each case is critiqued by a multi-disciplinary panel of academic and business professionals.

Business cases form the subject matter for the course and are analyzed by teams with the final case presented by each student to a panel of academic and business professionals using the highest state of technology which are all free in the public domain.

Google's Gmail is used by over 60 million people and is a rising star among students, who also take advantage of the free (and download free) chat, IM, and document sharing. In the same way, Google's Calendar is free for anyone who wishes to sign up and offers the ability to share calendars and collaborate interactively. Using software that the students already use and are familiar with shifts the modality of learning into all aspects of their lives, helping to immerse the students in learning while they manage their lives in the same technology.

Elluminate, a leading provider of live Web conferencing, allows real-time interaction between students, mentors, and external readers. Elluminate's free vRoom allows for three participants to present, share applications, and interact together in a virtual learning space.

Specifics:

• One semester before students enroll in the course, they complete an online needs analysis. Based on the analysis, a "Lead Professor"; is assigned and becomes their "First Reader"; for their final project.

• At the end of the course a final meeting with a selected panel of assessors is scheduled using Google Calendar, to defend their final individual research paper. The presentation is done using the virtual communication technology, Elluminate's vRoom.

• Upon completion of their presentation and final paper, they are awarded either an A or an I (incomplete). If they receive an I, they will be given 3 months from the date of your presentation to resubmit the paper. If, at that time, the revised paper does not receive an A, they will receive an F for the course.

• Desire2Learn learning management system provides structure and interaction for students. Some tools offered inside the LMS are student led chat rooms, discussions, note taking tools, and tools for the organization of course contents. Access to students is free.

• Pre and Post Tests with the latter requiring a 80% threshold are required to test knowledge comprehension of key textbook concepts. In addition, the data is compiled for faculty research addressing assurance of learning objectives.

• Google's Calendar tool allows faculty members, external readers, and students to share a course calendar in order to collaborate on presentation times.

• Course content and information are sent to both students and external readers via CD-Rom to ensure the material is available to them, even if an internet connection is not.

Session Type: Panel Discussion—moderator leads the participants through a discussion related to the session topic.

Contact information/affiliation:
Dr. Meral Anitsal, TTU, PO Box 5083, Cookeville, TN 38505
Dr. Bonita Barger TTU, PO Box 5022, Cookeville, TN 38505
Dr. Bob Wood TTU, PO Box 5023, Cookeville, TN 38505
Ms. Jessie Daniels TTU, PO Box 5023, Cookeville, TN 38505
Contact Phone #: 931-372-6466 (Jessie Daniels)

Equipment: Projector, Computer with internet access

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