EDUCAUSE 2000October 12, 2000Nashville Tenn

David Ernst, California State UniversityGerard L. Hanley, California State UniversityBruce Mason, University of OklahomaJessica Somers, University System of Georgia

An International Teaching and Learning Network for

Faculty

MERLOTMERLOT

WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT?

M M ultimedia

E E ducational

R R esource for

L L earning and

O O nline

T T eaching

Vision & MissionVision & Mission

MERLOT’S VISION is to be the place where faculty from around the world will share teaching-learning materials and pedagogy.

MERLOT’S MISSION is to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning by expanding the quantity and quality of peer-reviewed online learning materials that can be easily incorporated into faculty designed courses.

Multiple Aspects of MERLOT

Multiple Aspects of MERLOT

MERLOT is a cooperative - 23 institutions and systems of higher education working together.

MERLOT is a set of processes - Implementing peer review of online teaching-learning materials and building online, discipline-based communities.

MERLOT is software - a searchable database of online learning materials, pedagogical support, and people. The On-line Community Starter Kit is the software application.

• Faculty control the teaching/learning process.

• Faculty-led peer review processes are the key to expanding the use and effectiveness of digital learning materials - NSF award.

MERLOT Assumptions:MERLOT Assumptions:

Be Faculty FocusedBe Faculty Focused

• Faculty need recognition of their contributions to teaching and learning with technology.

• An increased institutional focus on online teaching and learning.

• Powerful instructional technology resources and way to document contributions to teaching.

• Ability to share the work of many faculty in a collaborative environment composedof discipline communities.

MERLOT OffersMERLOT Offers

MERLOT Addresses MERLOT Addresses Faculty Development NeedsFaculty Development Needs

A way to reach the “other 80%”– Ease of use– Reduce time commitment– Lessen the demands on local support

staff

Is the MERLOT Cooperative

Really Working?

Is the MERLOT Cooperative

Really Working?

YES, if…...

It involves a commitment to:• Collaboration

• Community Building

• Coordination and Effort

MERLOT’s Value for Partners

MERLOT’s Value for Partners

• Way to engage faculty in teaching

and learning dialogues

• Faculty excitement over quality learning

modules

• Faculty development strategy

• Integration with Organization’s Strategic

Plan

Integration with Partner’s Strategic Plan

Integration with Partner’s Strategic Plan

• Regional training

• eCore course development

• Supplement WebMBA & European Union

learning resources

• Making MERLOT the best unkept secret

in the System

Institutional PartnerInstitutional Partner Commitments Commitments

• Faculty Reviewers– 8 faculty to serve as experts– Reassigned time/graduate assistant/stipend

• Travel– Training, presentations, meetings

• Project Director (10+%)– Planning, coordinating, budgeting, etc.

• Participation Fee

WHY Commit?WHY Commit?

The solution to some local, institutional problems requires global strategies.

MERLOT is: • committed to free access for end-users• built upon the principle of open exchange of

ideas• almost 200 faculty working in concert• a leveraging of partner resources

How Does MERLOT Work?How Does MERLOT Work?

Organization of MERLOTOrganization of MERLOT

• MERLOT Administrative Team

• MERLOT Advisory Committee

• MERLOT Project Directors

• MERLOT Discipline Co-Leaders

• MERLOT Faculty Discipline Team Members

MERLOT Discipline GroupsMERLOT Discipline Groups

Physics Business Teacher Ed

Biology

Chemistry

Health Sciences

History

Math

Psych

Music Info Tech

Foreign Languages

Discipline Community Discipline Community ManagementManagement

• Discipline co-leaders are critical for online communities’ success

• Leadership training for discipline co-leaders

- Facilitate faculty discipline team- Develop peer review processes- Use online tools and templates- Contact professional organizations

Peer ReviewsPeer Reviews

Workshop for faculty learning how to perform peer reviews:

• Adopting evaluation standards- quality of content- potential effectiveness for teaching-learning- ease of use

• Developing their peer review process

• Understanding their roles and responsibilities as MERLOT reviewers

Schedule of Partner Activities2000-2001

Meetings Date Location

Project Directors Meeting July 17-18, 2000 Denver

Discipline Leader Training Sept. 24-25, 2000 Salt Lake City

Discipline Team Faculty Oct. 13-14, 2000 Nashville Partner Faculty Developers Nov. 16-17, 2000 Ann Arbor

All Advisory Boards Jan. 30-31, 2001 New Orleans

MERLOT “Recruitment” Meeting March, 2001 TBA

MERLOT National Conference Spring, 2001 Florida

Using MERLOT for Using MERLOT for Teaching Teaching

and and LearningLearning

Using MERLOT for Using MERLOT for Teaching Teaching

and and LearningLearning

Scenario 1:Scenario 1:

Intro physics class is in 20 minutes

Topic: Random motion of gas atoms Temperature and pressureNeed: Visual demonstration of topicBonus: Student access to demoSolution: Search

Scenario 2:Scenario 2:

Preparation for Spring Semester Course

Topics: Classical mechanics, fluids Waves and oscillationsNeeds: Class demonstrations Interactive homework Advanced topics & readings Supplemental materialSolution: Browse

Users’ NeedsUsers’ Needs

Ease of Use

• Quick, reliable, efficient searches

• Standard topic organization

Added Value

• One-stop shopping

• Testing and reviews of material

• Examples of material use

Feedback

• Contact with authors, reviewers, users

Authors’ PerspectiveAuthors’ Perspective

Scholarly Recognition

• Basis for tenure/promotion/retention

• Standards and quality control

Feedback

• Correct existing errors

• Recommendations for upgraded material

• New ideas

Authors’ CommentsAuthors’ Comments

“...so I think the MERLOT approach is great, no matter how cumbersome the initial steps are…”

“I have been on a crusade for 3 years with the professional societies to host a peer reviewed curriculum web server but alas, they a) didn't grok and b) didn't care…”

“I am interested in MERLOT. What you are doing looks great.”

“… I think the site is a very valuable resource for science educators. I look forward to benefiting from and contributing to the site as a member.”

Reviewers’ PerspectiveReviewers’ Perspective

Dread• Much to do• Others feel MERLOT is premature

Enthusiasm• Developing standards where none exist• Recognizing areas of need• Providing feedback to authors

Building Discipline CommunitiesBuilding Discipline Communities

USERS REVIEWERS

AUTHORS

Professional Societies

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Thank You

Visit MERLOT at

http://MERLOT.org