21348f


 * Proposal submission #21348**

Next Steps in the Support Instructional Assistants for Emporium-Based Math Courses: Using a Wiki as an Electronic Performance Support System
 * Title**

Charles B. Hodges, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA, hodgesc@vt.edu
 * Presenter(s)**


 * Description**

In an attempt to serve increasing numbers of students at a time when institutions are faced with often shrinking resources, several universities are moving toward course re-designs promoted by the National Center for Academic Transformation ('National Center for Academic Transformation,' 2007). One of the designs promoted has been referred to as the emporium design (Twigg, 2003). In an emporium designed course learners have access to various computer-based instructional materials such as online texts, video lectures, interactive examples, and practice problems. All graded work is submitted and graded automatically via computer. A staff of Instructional Assistants is available in a centralized laboratory environment for face-to-face consultations regarding the course content. Recently, the pre-service and in-service training of instructional assistants in an emporium designed learning environment has been documented (Hodges & Brill, 2007).

This round table discussion will focus on current efforts to use a wiki as an electronic performance support system (Hodges & Brill, 2007) for instructional assistants working in an emporium designed learning environment. In particular, the ability to easily use mathematical symbols in the wiki will be discussed. Issues related to the accessibility of web-based mathematics content will be addressed. The discussion will be grounded in the context of an emporium designed, university-level math course, but will be relevant to any collaborative learning efforts where web-based mathematical content is useful or required.

References: Hodges, C. B., & Brill, J. M. (2007). Developing a training program for instructional assistants within a large-scale emporium-based environment: A nine-year evolution towards systemic change. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 19(1), 93-104.

National Center for Academic Transformation. (2007). Retrieved December 20, 2007, from http://www.center.rpi.edu/

Twigg, C. A. (2003). Improving learning and reducing costs: New models for online learning. EDUCAUSE Review(September/October), 28-38.

Roundtable Not previously published Novice audiences
 * Notes & Comments**