Faculty at Winston-Salem State University use PlayPosit by WeVideo in a variety of ways for high-impact instruction. Here are two examples!
For asynchronous instruction
Dr. Yolanda Edwards, an accomplished instructor in research, group counseling, and placement courses, has been at the forefront of integrating technology into counseling education at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Her focus on enhancing learning through innovative methods has marked a significant shift in how counseling skills are taught and assessed in a fully online graduate-level program. In an effort to meet the needs of students and instructors in the online program, Dr. Edwards introduced PlayPosit. This allowed students to demonstrate attending skills in an online setting and gain helpful feedback.
Objectives
- Skill Demonstration: Students demonstrate and label attending skills with interactive video timestamps in PlayPosit.
- Streamline Learning Process: Make the learning and assessment process less time-consuming for students and instructors.
- Eliminate Tedious Tasks: Reduce the need for transcription of counseling sessions (as previously required), focusing on skill demonstration.
- Uniform Technology Platform: Provide a standard solution for all students to submit and showcase work, thus ensuring accessibility and ease of use.
Implementation
Dr. Edwards introduced the use of learner-made bulbs (PlayPosit’s word for interactive video), to replace the traditional methods of skill demonstration and adapt to meet the needs of the online program offering. Students upload recordings of their attending skills and label their attending skills. This eliminates the need for full transcriptions as were required in an earlier version of recording attending skills.
Results
The use of PlayPosit in online counseling courses at WSSU has been a success. This approach has resolved compatibility issues with various formats and reduced the time previously required for the assignments thanks to the elimination of transcribing. Additionally, it has proven beneficial for learners specializing in deaf or hard-of-hearing communities, as it allows for clear demonstration of skills without the need for interpretation.
Takeaways
This innovative approach has not only streamlined the educational process but also prepared students for future technological applications in their fields. The method has been well received by both students and instructors, marking an improvement in the course.
For synchronous instruction
Professor Cecile N. Yancue started her career as a professor with a traditional teaching style. As online learning has risen, she has shifted her approach to embrace the needs of learners of today. In doing so, she incorporated several educational technology tools in her courses as a Professor of Sociology at Winston-Salem State University including Zoom, Google Documents, and PlayPosit.
Objectives
- Adapting teaching methods: Transitioning from face-to-face to online teaching while retaining course effectiveness.
- Engagement in remote learning: Finding innovative ways to engage all learners, considering their diverse backgrounds and challenges, such as internet connection issues and balancing work with studies.
- Student-centered instruction: Ensure that online instruction remains focused on the needs and engagement of the students.
Implementation
To achieve the above objectives, Professor Yancu employed a variety of strategies. She used Zoom for group activities and Google Documents for collaborative projects. PlayPosit was introduced for self-paced learning and quizzing and was adapted to include its Broadcast feature. The Broadcast feature allowed Yancu to use an audience response system that enhanced real-time student participation and understanding.
Results
- Successful adaptation to online teaching: Professor Yancu effectively transitioned her face-to-face courses to the online environment using interactive tools like PlayPosit and Zoom.
- Enhanced engagement in remote learning: Students showed increased engagement through interactive content-driven interactions during lectures, which were accessible on their own devices.
- Maintained student-centered instruction: Using Broadcast and other PlayPosit features, Yancu ensured that her online courses remained engaging and student-focused.
Takeaways
Yancu’s experience highlights the importance of adaptability and the effective use of technology in education. Her approach demonstrates how challenges in online learning, such as maintaining engagement and equity (in this case, access and connectivity issues), can be addressed through innovative methods. The positive outcomes suggest that these digital tools are valuable in both online and traditional educational environments.