Executive Summary of Results

In conjunction with the staff from TLTL, I worked on two of three Web sites—“Hip-Hop Music and Culture” and “Survey of African American Music.” My work on the former included: refining the Web site design, revising and adding lecture notes, developing theoretical models, updating illustrative materials, designing interactive assignments, and organizing the database. Work on the second Web site included: revising lecture notes and discussion questions, writing objectives, and identifying illustrative materials (audio and visual) for each unit. I completed work on the hip-hop Web site, which will be tested in a class of 75 juniors and seniors in the spring 2002. The “Survey of African American Music” Web site is about 50% complete, which I anticipate finishing it by the end of 2002.

Need for the Project

In the 1990s, many students were less prepared academically than those of previous decades, lacking adequate critical thinking, analytical and writing skills. They also tended to be less engaged in the use of traditional approaches to instruction. Moreover, they lacked the motivation to prepare sufficiently for class and to participate in their own learning. Yet, they were drawn to computer technology and I wanted to explore its use as a teaching tool. Specifically, I wanted to package and intertwine a range of illustrative materials--musical examples, transcriptions, photographs, and graphics (maps, charts, etc.)--with lecture notes and make these materials more accessible to students. I also wanted to shift from a primarily lecture format to discussion/activity-approach. Thus, the construction of Web sites results from student interest in technology and my desire to experiment with new instructional models.

Use of Technology

I chose a Web-assisted approach to increase my effectiveness in the classroom of 65-75 upper-level undergraduate students and to accommodate the diverse learning patterns as well as the personal needs of students. By placing lecture and illustrative materials and learning activities on the Web, students with learning disabilities and those who miss class due to the demands of jobs, unforeseen illnesses, family emergencies, and off-campus job interviews will have unlimited access to these resources. Moreover, I envision that this technological approach to instruction will encourage students to prepare for class, inspire the exploration of new information via the Web, and facilitate higher levels of computer literacy and the development of critical thinking skills.

Instructional Design Plan

Describe how the use of technology used supported your teaching approach:

• What student learning outcomes were expected?
• How did your teaching plan encourage active learning, provide feedback, address respective learning styles, and build collaboration?
• What resources were used? (campus technology support services, etc.)
• Would your project be easily understood and executed by other faculty?

The goal is to encourage students to master content and think conceptually and critically about course materials. The Web design, thereby, integrates lecture notes with a range of multimedia materials (musical examples, song lyrics, contextual photographs, maps, charts, and other images), discussion questions, and interactive activities. It also includes a range of supplementary materials such as an extensive glossary of terms, biographical sketches and links to relevant Web sites where students can search for additional information on specific topics.

Interactive activities require students to apply illustrative materials to concepts presented in the readings and lecture notes. Making these materials accessible in advance of class sessions eliminates the need for traditional lectures and allows more time for discussion and applied activities. I intend to incorporate a collaborative instructional approach by requiring students to participate in on-line discussion groups.

While teaching a graduate course on hip-hop music and culture in Fall 2000, I tested new applications for this Web site. The approach to the class was theoretical and several students were unfamiliar with the historical development and musical styles that define this tradition. Independent of class, they used the Web site as a resource for information. In class, I played illustrative examples and displayed song lyrics and various images from the Web site. This use enabled me to identify sections that needed revision and to correct errors in links and the placement of materials, etc.

Potential to Impact Student Learning

Clearly define how your project improved student learning - include specific examples of how your project:

• Fostered depth of learning

Graduate students unfamiliar with hip-hop music and culture used the Web site to find additional information on this tradition and to play musical examples cited in assigned readings.

• Has broader applications that will affect learning K-12 or community environments?

The Web sites can be used as a reference resource and for on-line instruction. I will explore their potential use in teacher development programs offered through the Indiana Department of Education.

Assessment Plan

Briefly explain the effectiveness of your assessment plan:

• What measure of assessment was used?
• How did your approach obtain measures of performance?
• Did you feel your measurement was accurate and effective?

The new set of learning modules was used and evaluated in the Information Visualization course taught in spring 2004. We plan to conduct more formal usability studies in May/June 2004.

Plan for Colleague Development

Describe your role and activities as a mentor:

• What mentoring activities were implemented to assist colleagues?

I have not yet served as a mentor or conducted workshops. I anticipate conducting a workshop for the faculty of the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology in 2002. My colleague Ruth Stone has expressed interest in developing a similar Web site and is planning to apply for an Ameritech grant. I will serve as a mentor for her.

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is very enthusiastic about the completed Web site and has expressed interest in using it as a model for distance learning courses. I anticipate becoming involved in the efforts of the COAS to establish standards for the development of Web sites for this purpose as well as work with members of the COAS faculty who want to develop Web sites to integrate into traditional classroom instruction.

• How do you think your contributions to the Knowledge Base will help colleagues planning similar projects?
• Is your project approach potentially applicable to other contexts or disciplines?

summer 1999, has expressed an interest in constructing a Web site based on my model. I will assist her in this venture. I will also volunteer to present in workshops on teaching sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Faculties.

1. Spend a summer or semester exploring the pros and cons of constructing
   instructional Web sites:
   1. identify a mentor and discuss the issues of time commitment, staff needs, and the process, etc.
   2. examine various Web sites to determine the model that is closely aligned with instructional objectives
   3. meet with a mentor and a TLTL consultant to discuss instructional objectives
   4. identify needs for technical and content staff
   5. identify needed equipment (computer equipment, software,4 May, 2007rces and consult with a mentor and TLTL staff to develop a budget
   6. develop the funding proposal
2. Depending on the scope of the project, be willing to commit 2-3 years
3. Spend a summer and/or semester preparing written materials before involving
   staff
4. Hire appropriate support staff
5. Exercise patience

Final Comments on Project Results

• Do you think you met the goals of your project?
• What, if anything,would you do differently?
• Did you have any unexpected outcomes? (positive or negative)
• Would you recommend this teaching approach to colleagues?
• What other comments or suggestions would you offer to complete this report?

Although I worked on this project for four and a half years (two of these years included working on two Web sites), I am very pleased with the results. The TLTL staff was extremely helpful in the design and development of a prototype. Over time the project became “larger than life” due to my desire to make it as comprehensive as possible and applicable to various contexts. I think I accomplished this goal and I look forward to its implementation in an undergraduate class in Spring 2002.

Now that I have a good model and a development/construction plan in place, I anticipate completing the remaining Web sites in far less time.

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Last updated: 18 May, 2007

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