Collaborative Initiative on Problem Based Learning in Music

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $10,000 Principal Investigator: Natalie Sarrazin, The College at Brockport Problem-based learning is an effective, student-centered approach in which students learn higher-order thinking skills and integrative strategies by solving real-world challenges. As one of the critical pillars in a liberal-arts educational system, music is uniquely situated to advance this new, innovative pedagogical approach. This pilot project seeks to develop models and materials for survey and topic-based music courses that integrates general education content while encouraging students to think creatively and develop flexible solutions to large-scale issues and problems – skills essential for success in the 21st century. Support materials emerging from this collaboration such as, outcomes, models, and case studies, will be made available through Open SUNY. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Tony Dumas, Assistant Professor of Music, Theatre and Music Studies/Delta College, The College at Brockport Reports and Resources: Mid-project report  

The Necessity of Accessibility Online

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $10,000 Principal Investigator: Michael Case, Alfred State This project would center on providing a day long Accessibility conference on our campus open to participants inside and outside of our institution. The morning session will consist of a presentation by an accessibility expert focusing on challenges unique to online learning. The break out sessions will occur in the afternoon and will focus on how faculty can make a variety of material types accessible. In addition, all sessions will be recorded and, if the presenters are willing, combined with their materials to be compiled and converted into a Accessibility Guide that will be available on our website. Ongoing training and support for faculty on accessibility software and procedures is the lasting byproduct of this conference with the goal of all online courses being accessible thereby aiding faculty development, retention, and student success. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Melanie Ryan, Student Disability Services Coordinator, Alfred State Ellen Sidey, Instructional Designer, Alfred State Reports and Resources: Mid-project report

Interactive Online Career Development: Expanding Access for all Students

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $20,000 Principal Investigator: David Youhess, University at Buffalo Self-guided online career modules will be created to expand access for individualized career decision- making and job-search guidance. This collaborative University effort will have the potential (upon taken to scale) to be accessible for all students and alumni that are part of the SUNY system. This endeavor will open new avenues for the accessing of career services, will increase the flexibility of the service provided, and will better cater to the diversity of student learning styles as users will be “self-pacing” throughout the modular experience. Evidence-based outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of the instructional innovation and user self-efficacy will be incorporated into the project. The first module (which is the focus of this grant application) will constitute career exploration and self-assessment while topics such as career decision making, networking, resume writing, interviewing, and success at your first job would follow in subsequent modules. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Arlene Kaukus, Director of Career Services, University at Buffalo Lauren Johnson, Counseling Manager of Career Services, University at Buffalo Robert Orrange, Associate Director of Career Services, University at Buffalo Jenna Smith, Marketing and Assessment Coordinator of Career Services, University at Buffalo Kimberly Yousey-Elsener, Director of Assessment and Evaluation for University Life and Services, University at Buffalo Xiufeng Lui, Director of Center for Educational Innovation and Professor, Department of Learning and Instruction, University at Buffalo Lynn Collis, Director of ITS-Student Affairs, University at Buffalo Reports and Resources: Mid-project report

Open Door to Open SUNY – MOOC Access and Completion Project (Open Door)

Written by buf-zhingoh on . Posted in

Awarded Grant: $20,000 Principal Investigator: Christine Kroll, University at Buffalo In 2012, 2.6% of institutions across the United States were offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with an increase to 8% in 2014 (Babson, 2014). Open SUNY is within the 8%, entering the MOOC arena in 2013. Open SUNY MOOCs are currently being offered by faculty from Stony Brook University, University at Albany, Empire State College, Broome Community College, and Buffalo State College (OpenSUNY MOOC, 2015). In this short time, Open SUNY MOOCs have attracted and enrolled a total of 92,413 students with plans to continue growing both student enrollments and the variety of course offerings. One of the key goals of the Open Door project is to establish a process for converting unmanageable data sets to useable learning analytics. Current data sets offer some insights for MOOC faculty but lack the ease with which many learning systems allow for usable data aggregation and analysis leading to an impact on practice (Straumsheim, 2014). With nearly 100,000 enrollments and growing, establishing a process for converting this data to a useable format is paramount to our existing and future MOOC faculty developing and customizing courses leading to student access, completion, and success as well as for establishing Open SUNY MOOCs as exemplars-at-large throughout the professional and academic communities. Co-PI’s and Key Partners: Thomas Mackey, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Empire State College Trudi Jacobson, Head of Information Literacy Department, University at Albany Cyndi Burnett, Assistant Professor of International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State Val Chukhlomin, Associate Professor & Academic Coordinator Marketing & Management, Empire State College Margaret Schedel, Assistant Professor of Composition and Computer Music, Stony Brook University Yvonne Harrison, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Policy, University at Albany Reports and Resources: Mid-project report