Data-driven decision making, popularized in the 1980s and 1990s, is evolving into a vastly more sophisticated concept known as big data that relies on software approaches generally referred to as analytics. Big data and analytics for instructional applications are in their infancy and will take a few years to mature, although their presence is…

Explores how integrating best practices for "deeper learning" with the robust tools provided by course management systems can create a very effective, engaging, and student-centered learning environment. (EV)

A major change has occurred in the way Web technology is being used in society. The change is grounded in user empowerment using Web 2.0 tools and processes. Students are already sophisticated users of these tools and processes, but outside of the mainstream instructional practices in higher education. In this reflection, the educational potential…

The use of computers in higher education instruction is addressed from a pedagogical point of view and is intended as a guide to the integration of computers into instruction in ways that will fulfill the technology's promise and avoid its problems. After an introductory section on the promises and problems of computers, Part One ("Enriching…

This conference report contains selected presentations and panel discussions concerning the experiences of faculty and students with learner-oriented approaches to college teaching. Following a welcome address by Kenneth R. R. Gross-Louis and keynote addresses by Faith Gabelnick and Linda Harasim, papers are organized in two categories:…

Perspectives on the improvement of college teaching and the contribution of high technology teaching tools are discussed. After reviewing some definitions of excellence in teaching found in the literature, the following competencies that are characteristic of "good" teachers are proposed: excellent knowledge of subject area; good organization;…

In response to a decision at Worcester State College (Massachusetts) that remedial mathematics and other mathematics courses should be taught in a non-lecture format--learning by doing rather than by watching--a math computer lab was created. Three courses each have a 1-hour lecture per week, with students responsible for all additional learning…

A project was conducted to increase as well as to professionalize communication between tutors and learners in a West German university's distance education program by the use of personal computers. Two tutors worked on the systematic development of a PC-based correcting system. The goal, apart from developing general language skills in English,…

Online teaching and learning has been in transition for its entire existence. The number of courses offered at a distance has grown rapidly. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (Waits & Lewis, 2003), in 2000-2001 more than 56% of four-year colleges and universities in the United States offered distance education degree…

Some of the areas in which Ontario educators currently employ microcomputers in higher education are addressed in several articles, bibliographies, and book reviews. Various uses of computer-managed instruction and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology are outlined by Frank A. Ford. Microcomputer CAI…

This collection of 18 papers covers four broad areas of teaching and learning in higher education: innovative college teaching/learning strategies; effective classroom research/assessment activities; advanced classroom technology; and developing teaching and learning centers. Titles include: (1) "Changing Teaching Styles When Technology Becomes…