how usm uses connectyard to successfully enhance engagement, persistence, and retention efforts
DESCRIPTION
This is a presentation we gave at the 2012 Blackboard World Conference along with our partners at ConnectYard.TRANSCRIPT
Engagement, Persistence Engagement, Persistence and Retention and Retention
How The University of Southern Mississippi uses How The University of Southern Mississippi uses ConnectYard to Successfully Enhance these Key Factors ConnectYard to Successfully Enhance these Key Factors
ConnectYard OverviewConnectYard Overview
An innovative communications platform that improves the student experience through increased engagement!
ConnectYard Overview ConnectYard Overview (continued)(continued)
Learn ANGEL Edition
WebCT
IntroductionIntroduction
Amy Thornton◦Project Manager - Learning Enhancement Center
and Eagle Learning Online
Cindy Handley◦Assistant Professor & Medical Technologist
Sheri Rawls◦Director - Learning Enhancement Center and
Eagle Learning Online
Snapshot of USMSnapshot of USM
Dual campuses◦ Hattiesburg◦ Gulf Coast◦ 6 Colleges
SACS AccreditedApproximately 800 facultyApproximately 16,000 students across all campusesOffering online courses since 1998
◦ over 27,000 enrollments in online courses (fall 2011)◦ 23 graduate hybrid/fully online graduate programs◦ 8 undergraduate fully online programs◦ 4 fully online certificates
Blackboard LMS - ConnectYard integrated
Why ConnectYard?Why ConnectYard?
We recognize the importance of socialization in online instruction
Knowledge of important role that social media plays in students’ lives
Desire to improve communication and increase participation in online courses
Mission is to enhance learning and the overall student experience
Campus email is not effective
Hurdles Associated with Pilot Hurdles Associated with Pilot ImplementationImplementation
MarketingFaculty and Student
Buy-in◦Fear that Professors
will have access to FB pages
◦Faculty concerned with added workload
◦Social Media Policy
ConnectYard Pilot ImplementationConnectYard Pilot Implementation
Faculty/Student Buy-In◦Easy to use◦Building Block Integration◦Bridge to Social Media
Position ConnectYard◦Integral part to each course◦Stress privacy protection
Encourage Students to Personalize Notifications
Stress Use to Quantify Class Participation
Promotion and AwarenessPromotion and AwarenessFeature at Innovation in
Online Learning Luncheons for faculty
Include in Faculty Professional Development
Standard tool on Bb Learn course template
Increase intra-departmental use for demonstration and modeling
Press ReleaseCampus Rollout
Current Use of ConnectYardCurrent Use of ConnectYardGetting Everyone Connected
◦Faculty to Student◦Student to Faculty◦Student to Student
Communication within CoursesStudent Notifications
Planned Uses of ConnectYardPlanned Uses of ConnectYard
Enhance hybrid courses & supplementalsCommunication/interaction tool between
learning teamsBack channeling during course and web
presentationsIntra-department interaction & communicationCampus NotificationsStudent Services
◦ Tutoring, Event Notifications, First Year Experience & Diversity Initiatives
Marketing & Recruitment
ConnectYard Key FunctionConnectYard Key FunctionPersonalize Channels
◦Personal Preferences◦Protect Privacy
One-Way & Two-WayBb Integration
◦Discussion Boards◦Announcements
Participation PointsGranular Administration
Student FeedbackStudent Feedback
"It was convenient to receive notifications regarding the activity on Blackboard.”
---------- “It allowed me to be better informed of what was
happening within the class with regard to blackboard.” ----------
Key benefit of ConnectYard, “…to receive instant notification of any updates or announcements as they
pertained to my class.”----------
"IT WAS A GREAT TOOL."
QUESTIONS?COMMENTS
ClosingClosing
Contact Contact
Thank You!Thank You!
Connect with us atPhone: 973.494-8063Email: [email protected]: http:///www.ConnectYard.comTwitter: http:///www.Twitter.com/ConnectYardFacebook: http://Apps.Facebook.com/ConnectYard