Education Commons^™

Examining The Potential Of Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) At Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hbcus), Andrés Castro Samayoa, Thai-Huy Nguyen, Marybeth Gasman, Felicia Commodore, Ufuoma Abiola

Educational Foundations & Leadership Faculty Publications

This article reviews the extant literature on distance learning technologies and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In the context of increased attention to massive open online courses (MOOCs), this article argues that HBCUs’ challenges with respect to their technological infrastructure suggests that they may be better suited to serve as advocates for bridging the persistent digital divide in the nation rather than adopters of MOOCs as a new instructional platform. The authors offer some suggestions for further research to ensure that HBCUS leaders can address larger systemic issues affecting the quality of education on their campuses.

Strategies For Effective Online Course Development, Carol L. Considine, Michael W. Seek, Jon Lester

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Old Dominion University's Civil Engineering Technology (CET) program has a successful history of distance education, with more than half of the student population comprised of distance learners. Distance learning delivery has traditionally been via satellite and videostreaming with students having the choice of asynchronous or synchronous options. The university is in the process of updating their distance learning technologies and has encouraged programs to migrate to an online modality of distance learning. Developing and delivering online courses requires different competencies and facilitation skills than video streamed synchronous delivery or face to face instruction. A course delivered online changes the teaching …

Delivery Of Hands-On Technical Courses Through Real-Time Distance Learning, Steve C. Hsiung, John M. Ritz, Ece Yaprak, Feng Jao

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

It is generally believed that it is too challenging to deliver technical laboratory courses using distance learning technologies. The focus of this research was to develop strategies that may be used to address these challenges. A research team composed of faculty from several universities and community colleges explored what might be needed to make these types of technical laboratory course instruction possible using distance learning technologies. The team explored delivering a microcontroller embedded systems design course through audio-visual distance learning technologies. The team's research and development activities are discussed. These include focuses on the technical training equipment that had to …

Lessons Learned And Best Practices For Using An Analytic Strategy Approach For The Creation Of Virtual Laboratories For Distance Learning In Engineering Technology, Anthony W. Dean, Carol L. Considine, Gary R. Crossman

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This paper describes the use of an Analytic Strategy Approach used in the development of a Virtual Automation and Controls Lab in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program of the Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University. This paper looks at the three phases, as applied to the development of a virtual lab using an analytic strategy design:

(1) Formulation of the quantitative and qualitative approach to assist in decision process,

(2) Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the decision alternatives - within the decision context,

(3) Interpretation of the analysis results and implications for decision.

Performing Interactively A Thermo-Fluids Laboratory Experiment In The Virtual Domain, Sushil K. Chaturvedi, Ali O. Akan, Tarek M. Abdel-Salam, A. Priyadershini

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper deals with the development of an experiment in the virtual domain for the undergraduate thermo-fluids laboratory in the mechanical engineering program. A physical experiment titled "Venturimeter as a Flow Measuring Device" is replicated as a computer-based experiment as part of the ongoing effort at Old Dominion University to develop web-based laboratories that would provide students hands-on experience in the virtual domain. A web-based module is developed that allows experimentation and data taking in a virtual setting much like in the physical experiment. This module incorporating the virtual venturimeter has been used by students to take data for several …

Active Learning In Distance Education, Carol Considine, Tony Dean

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Although there are many strategies for incorporating active learning exercises into the traditional classroom, incorporating active learning exercises in a distance education delivery format is more challenging. Active learning has been shown to enhance student performance and attitudes when used in conjunction with a traditional lecture format.¹ In order for students to be actively involved they must read, write, discuss, problem solve and engage higher-order thinking tasks such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.² The implementation of active learning exercises in distance education classes may help establish student rapport and enhance the feeling of community among the students in …

Global Engineering In An Interconnected World: An Upper Division General Education Cluster At Old Dominion University, Sushil Chaturvedi, Gary Crossman, William Swart, Joseph Betit

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The “Global Engineering in an Interconnected World” cluster of courses fosters among students an awareness and understanding of global technology, quality assurance standards, and differences in cultural, communication, and business practices and their impact on a global work environment. This cluster will prepare the growing numbers of students who will accept employment with global firms or find themselves part of a merger or strategic alliance involving multinational corporations. This newly approved cluster of five courses described in the paper has been approved by the University for satisfying University upper-division general education requirements. As a consequence, students choosing this route to …