Questions for Students:
What are your learning and research needs as defined by course
assignments? Map out the range and variation, including both the
content
and the kinds of resources you encounter and need.
Classroom:
1) Judicious use of multimedia in the classroom can be very helpful,
but the emphasis is on judicious. Some professors never use any,
while
others lecture only from Powerpoint slides.
Assignments:
1) Providing electronic versions of photocopied texts on the Internet,
such that readings can be easily accessed through computer terminals
instead
of having to share limited physical reserved copies with other
students.
2) Recording selected lectures and having these lectures accessible
through streaming media.
3) Providing class syllabi and assignments on the Internet, such
that
a centralized resource is available.
Research:
1) Having a simple starting research wizard in the library webpage
that
allows students to frame a general research area or topic, and
where the
wizard can suggest different databases and library areas in which
to search.
2) Knowing the availability of tools to conduct surveys, studies
and
even experiments on the Internet. Having a workshop where students
can
make good use of the resources available to them so they can conduct
research
themselves with a large sample.
Other:
1) Having anonymous feedback message boards for each class so
that opinions
about the class can be voiced throughout the semester, such that
professors
can have a better grasp of how students are handling course material.
2) For departments to have more attractive and more frequently
updated
webpages.
3) For ACC to get keyed licenses to a broader range of software
that
students can learn to use. Including software for web development
and for
information managing (such as programs that allow data to be recorded
in
a branching tree form).
What goals do you have for collaboration in this area?
1) Actual implementation of some of
the above so that faculty can see
it actually happening, and more importantly working.
2) The thrust of this has to come from the students, because the
technology
is easier for us to grapple with than for faculty. Acquisition
and workshops
on various exciting software programs such as Photoshop or Flash
will promote
student interest. Perhaps a student club that fosters interest
in web development
should be started and funded through student council and the Mellon
grant.
Student council money alone probably won't be enough for getting
this kind
of thing started. But it's exactly what we need.