Technology in the Classroom, I'm Scared
"A Professor's Journey"

Julie A. Phillips, Associate Professor,
Organizational Leadership and Supervision
Purdue University
4601 Central Avenue
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 348-7207
japhillips@puc.iupui.edu

ABSTRACT

How many gigabytes do you have? Do you have a zip drive? How much RAM does your computer have? Do you have course materials on the web? What is your sign? The last question is the only question that I know the answer to, or for that matter, understand. I went to college in the early 80's when we were still programming in Basic. And word processing, what was that? I used a typewriter, one that had built in correction ­ very advanced. My students and children know more about computers than I do. I use Microsoft Office, Excel, e-mail, and the Web. However, since I only know the bare minimum about computer technology, I don't use them to their fullest capability.

So what does any of this have to do with the ASCUE conference? I am making a concerted effort during the spring semester 2001 to become educated on my computer and to be able to use this technology in the classroom. An associate professor from the computer information systems technology department has agreed to become my teacher/mentor. With his help, I am going to put one of my spring 2001 courses on the Web. This will include the syllabus, case studies and the class schedule. I am going to test this project with my fall 2001 class and make improvements based on feedback. My future plans are to put all of my courses on the Web.

This paper/presentation will focus on my journey from being basically computer illiterate to becoming a professor that uses technology in the classroom.

INTRODUCTION

I have to say, getting started was a struggle. I was afraid of the challenge of tackling new technology. If it weren't for my teacher/mentor, I would still be sitting at my computer staring at the computer screen wondering how to get started, and rethinking this entire project.

I first asked myself why I wanted to take on this endeavor. First, I felt out of sync, being an associate professor in the school of technology, yet using very little. Second, I knew that using technology could make my job easier and more cost efficient. I would be able to post lecture notes, grades, case studies, links to course related site, etc. Third, I knew it would be more convenient for my students. Since our campus is a commuter campus, with a majority of the students being full-time professionals, it would make it easier for the students to access course information, in the advent that their job required them to miss class due to traveling or work related issues.

GETTING STARTED

Since I decided that using the web was a good idea, based on the reasons stated above, OLS 376 Human Resource Issues was the class that I chose to put on the web first. Since this is a class that I teach every semester, it made sense for this to be the pilot. Also, this class generates a lot of paper. Each semester, I pass out a syllabus and eight case studies. The case studies are approximately 2-3 pages in length, with 30-35 students each semester. I figured there was a more cost efficient way to offer this class.

USING THE TECHNOLOGY

There are many ways to develop web pages. Since I have current knowledge in using Microsoft Word and Windows, this was the technology that I used. I contacted the local Network Administrator and he set up an area on the university web server. This is the location that I put my web page.

First I used Microsoft Word to type my syllabus and case studies. I saved these as a word document and then as a web document. I then created a file folder in the web called OLS 376 and saved all my web documents (syllabus and 8 separate case studies) to that file folder. I used my teacher/mentor's web page as a template and added my information. (Figures 1 & 2) The web page was created in Front Page.

I still plan on passing out a syllabus the first day of class but not the cases. On the syllabus will be the location of my Web page. The students will also be able to access this Web page by accessing my instructor profile on the IUPUC (Indiana University, Purdue University Columbus) Web page.

WHAT I LEARNED

I have learned that I do not know very much about all this new technology. I have become obsolete in this techno-world. As my teacher/mentor was helping me with my web page I was afraid to touch the mouse or keys on the computer, from fear of messing up the web page or losing all the work that I had completed. I was truly in the teacher/student relationship, trying to absorb all the information that I could. While he was sitting with me, coaching me, I did fine. Later when I tried to remember what he had told me, and tried to decipher my notes, I felt lost. I really am an eager learner, and I have the mental capability to get this, however, I think I have turned into a techno-phobic, something I don't want to be.

FUTURE PLANS

Now that I am finished whining, I will describe my future plans. I plan on signing up for computer courses through the continuing education department during the fall 2001 and spring 2002 semesters. I plan to continue to work with my teacher/mentor to further improve my skills. I plan to test the course web page with my fall 2001 class and make changes based on my students input. I plan on putting all of the courses that I teach on the web. I plan to add grades, lecture notes, links to technical sites, and publish, to all my courses web pages. Lastly, I plan to continuously improve my computer skills.