How We Are Improving the Online Learning Experience

Times are changing in online learning. With technology becoming more affordable, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is able to offer a higher, more personal way to deliver education to online students.

Tim Bartling, Assistant Director of eCampus, is leading the way for UNK in the development of online learning. We asked Tim what he has done so far in this ever-evolving industry:

What do you look for when implementing new technology for online learning?

The first thing I look at, before implementing any new tool, is how it will impact the student. The online market is very competitive, so any piece of technology that I recommend must create a positive experience for the student. It must be reliable and create an added value to their course. The second part is the usability of that technology for the instructor. The available tools can’t just be high quality; they must be intuitive, easy to use, and help save the instructor time. If they don’t, the instructors will choose to find other alternatives or just choose to not use the new technology altogether. I always try to request faculty feedback on new technologies that we are considering before implementing.

Can you explain some of the new technology you have implemented at eCampus?

A couple of our latest additions would be our video recording studio and our lightboard studio. The lightboard studio has a glass markerboard that uses light to allow faculty to face the camera while writing and recording a lecture. The board gives users a quick and easy way to communicate technical subjects, equations and sketches. The room is easily controlled by the user and the video is recorded directly to the presenter’s jump drive.

Our video recording studio is a full-service, live production studio that gives faculty the ability to produce high-quality, professional video without post-production time. Green screen recordings have been the most popular, but traditional backdrops are also available in this studio. Videos are available as soon as the recording is finished with both studios.

How can faculty use this technology to their advantage?

The lightboard is a perfect tool to communicate anything that would normally need a document camera or a classroom marker board. This can range from diagrams to math or scientific equations. It is a fun, new and colorful way to convey information to students that would normally be a bit more difficult with an online class. The video recording studio is much more flexible with what can be captured. The green screen allows us to place the presenter on top of their PowerPoint, images, or demonstration videos. This is done just like your local meteorologist informs of the upcoming weather forecast.

The studio works really well for one-on-one interviews or small panel discussions. With multiple camera angles, switching of views can happen live while the recording is in progress. Also, if you don’t need video, the studio is capable of just capturing audio such as voice or instrumental.

How can faculty gain access to this technology?

They just need to reach out and let us know! To schedule a space over here, they can get in contact with myself, our room scheduler or their college’s instructional designer. As a group, we’ll provide support for the faculty member every step of the way.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’m always looking for new projects and challenges! If you feel there is something holding your class back or you have broad ideas on what you’re wanting to do in your online class but fail to see how it can work, let me know. Not saying I’ll have a solution right away, but technology is always changing and working together we could come up with some creative ways to make it happen. Also, if faculty members or students have input on what could be changed that would benefit the experience, please let me know. Many things can be learned from firsthand experience, and I’m always open to suggestions!