Blended Learning Summit - Part 1: Blended Courses, Programs, and Institutional Strategy: Recent Research and Innovative Practices

Concurrent Session 1
Blended

Brief Abstract

Highlighting recent research and resources on blended learning, this session will explore findings that have emerged over the last year to guide course and program development, as well as institutional strategy. 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Nicole Weber, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Dr. Nicole Weber is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Foundations Department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she also coordinates the Instructional Design and Learning Technology (IDLT) master’s degree program. Prior to her current position, she served as the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Learning with the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), working closely with staff and global partners to advance professional learning opportunities, continuous improvement efforts, and research in support of quality digital, blended, and online learning. Before joining OLC, she was the Director of Learning Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she led online and blended faculty development efforts, technology training for the digital learning ecosystem, and emerging technology exploration and evaluation, collaborating across the institution to support student learning and success. With a depth of experience leading global, national, and campus initiatives that support continuous improvement of digital, blended, and online learning, Dr. Weber has presented widely at conferences in the field, as well as published various blogs, reports, playbooks, and articles sharing her work. Dr. Weber holds a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Ph.D. in Urban Education specializing in Social Foundations of Education with an emphasis on designing engaging digital learning environments. Her research interests focus on the impact of technology on the learning environment and research-driven practices for effective digital, blended, and online learning, support, and leadership.

Co-presenter: Patsy Moskal, University of Central Florida

Patsy Moskal is the Director of the Digital Learning Impact Evaluation in the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she evaluates the impact of technology-enhanced learning and serves as the liaison for faculty scholarship of teaching and learning. In 2011 Dr. Moskal was named an OLC Fellow in recognition of her groundbreaking work in the assessment of the impact and efficacy of online and blended learning. She has written and co-authored numerous works on blended and online learning and is a frequent presenter on these topics. Patsy's co-authored book--Conducting Research in Online and Blended Learning: New Pedagogical Frontiers--with Dziuban, Picciano, and Graham, was published in August 2015. She currently serves on the OLC Board of Directors.

Extended Abstract

Join Dr. Patsy Moskal and Dr. Nicole Weber as they reflect on three blended learning resources that were released in the past year: 

Together, these resources highlight key pieces of research and practice that offer emerging insight into the state of blended courses (e.g., defining blended, pedagogical shifts, reconceptualizing the blend, effective practices), programs (e.g., blending course modalities to meet students where they are), and institutional strategy (e.g., integrating modalities across the institution to center student needs and success).

Want to plan for your blended future? This one is not to miss! During this session, participants will be able to contribute to the discussion of opportunities and challenges impacting the evolution of higher education toward a blended future.