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The Teaching and Learning Center Director, Dan Riordan, requested Stout Solutions to conduct focus group meetings of UW-Stout students regarding focusing the efforts of the Teaching and Learning Center at University of Wisconsin-Stout to best benefit campus students. The Teaching and Learning Center was established in the fall of 2001 as a result of a grant provided by the Undergraduate Teaching and Learning program funds from the University of Wisconsin System. The mission of the Teaching and Learning Center is to support teaching and learning in the academic community. (Attachment A)

The focus groups addressed three questions: 1) What do teachers do who cause learning for you? 2) What do you do to cause learning for yourself? 3) Does using the laptop computer help you learn? (Attachment B)

In November, 2003, forty students from each undergraduate grade level were randomly selected for the university registration list. Since the Freshmen have had the initial year of using the laptops, they were kept separate from the upperclassmen. Freshmen were offered two dates and times for group meetings. The sophomores, juniors and seniors together were offered four dates and times for group meetings. In February, 2004, 150 freshman and 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors each were randomly selected from the university registration list minus the one-hundred sixty individuals selected in November, 2003. The Freshmen were offered two dates and times for group meetings. The upperclassman were also offered two dates and times for group meetings. The February groups were also offered snacks at the meetings. Therefore, 190 freshmen, 140 sophomores, 140 juniors, and 140 seniors were invited to attend the group meetings, a total of 610 students.

Participants were invited via e-mail (Attachment C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4). Each participant was sent the three questions for consideration and the mission statement of the Teaching and Learning Center. Thirty-eight students replied. Twenty accepted the invitation. Thirteen actually participated: 5 freshmen (3 of which were non-traditional age), 3 sophomores, 4 juniors, 1 senior (foreign student)

The participants of each group were interested in sharing ideas. There was a mix of ages. Three of the students were non-traditional age. Deanna Applehans, Stout Solutions, facilitated the discussion. Deanna welcomed the group, reiterated the purpose of the focus session, and began with self-introductions including the students background and general thoughts about attending UW-Stout. The group then proceeded to address the stated questions.

The question brought out several ideas. Some of the ideas related directly to the instructor methods and others to the environment created by the instructor.

1. use a variety of teaching methods – some visual, some auditory, etc.
2. create stimulation help to develop interest.
3. formulate a relationship between the information and the student’s world.
4. make the information interesting with antidotal stories. Well prepared for time in class – organized.
5. give short term projects.
6. give regular quizzes and tests keep the information from becoming overwhelming.
7. use study guides prior to a test
8. review main points to help students remember.
9. use hands on learning
10. use small discussion groups. It helps bring out more ideas.
11. require homework, but give flexibility to work at your own pace and enough variety to allow for individual interests and needs.
12. give broad assignments that give the student latitude for critical thinking and problem solving (This statement from the non-traditional students.)
13. use global, rather than just local, examples that can relate to different cultures. (This was mentioned by a foreign student.)
14. teach to students as regular people and do not talk down to them.
15. are energetic and enthusiastic about the material.
16. are available and approachable outside of class – office hours or whenever they can fit you in.

This question brought out both common sense practices as well as some individual techniques.

1. Have an attitude that life is continual learning (from non-traditional students)
2. Go to class
3. Listen in class
4. Take notes and recopy notes back at home
5. Read through notes and organize material
6. Read the book before class
7. Read over things twice
8. Highlight important things
9. Go see instructor for one on one help
10. Study ahead for a test rather than cram at the last minute
11. Get work done on time
12. Start on projects right away – schedule work in plenty of time
13. Relax before starting to study and reflect on material covered
14. Talk out loud to self to clarify thoughts
15. Draw out ideas – visualize
16. Find enjoyment in what you are studying
17. Get the teacher to see the global perspective (from the foreign student)

#3: Does using the laptop computer help you learn?

The upperclassmen had limited contact with the laptop computers, but did have some experience

with blackboard and use of the portal. The responses were very mixed.

1. Some instructors use the laptops in class others do not.
2. Some instructors allow keyboarding in class; others do not.
3. People playing games on laptop in class is distracting
4. Frustrating when technology does not work.
5. Wireless is good, convenient.
6. Portability is good. Use the computer a lot outside of class.
7. E-scholar portal helpful
8. Enriches the environment
9. Materials right at their fingertips
10. Laptop give opportunities to explore more
11. Provides easy access to research

The students made several comments that were inspired by the formal questions, but did not necessarily answer the particular question. Those comments seemed valuable to the overall teaching and learning environment. They are listed below.

1. Would like all lectures on the portal
2. Would like an orientation to the library. Uses the Internet much more and feels lost in the library.
3. Need a manual with the laptop to help solve problems on their own (from the non-traditional students)
4. All the technology is a challenge to learn. (from the non-traditional students)
5. The laptop is not required in several classes this semester. Why forced to pay for it? (from a non-traditional student)
6. Sometimes Ask 5000 is not as responsive as students think they could be.
7. Would be helpful to have one person to interact with at Ask 5000 when you need to come back time and again so they know the history of problems.
8. Would like the option to purchase the computer at graduation.
9. Do not like the per credit cost in place of the plateaus. (from the non-traditional students)

1. Blackboard is good to use as a classroom tool. Frustration is strong, however, when the technology does not work.
2. Group work is not very helpful to learning. Some students carry the load while others do not engage.
3. Stout is a good place to come for school. This was acknowledged by several of the students.

Although the focus group participants were a cross-section of the student body, the sample is a small portion of the campus community.

As intended, this was a diverse group of students. The students varying levels of college experience and life experience contributed to the range of comments. It was a small number, but the overall trend of the comments indicated that the students understand that 1) teaching and learning is a partnership between students and faculty and 2) technology in the classroom is a useful tool for studying and opening a wide range of information.

There are three main questions that the Teaching and Learning Center would like addressed. As you think about these questions, consider not only the issues of style and technique, but also the inspiration of exploring uncharted territory and illuminating minds. What is teaching? What is learning?

Questions for discussion:

1. What do teachers do who cause learning for you?
2. What do you do to cause learning for yourself?
3. Does using the laptop computer help you learn?

Dear Students,

You have been selected to serve on a focus group for the UW-Stout Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This will involve a 1-hour focus group meeting in November.

The TLC was established in the Fall of 2001 as a result of a UW System grant. The Teaching and Learning Center is devoted to supporting teaching and learning in the academic community with the primary goal to encourage sharing and valuing of teaching and learning, creating a richer teaching/learning culture at UW-Stout.

Your input is needed to help focus the efforts of the TLC to best benefit our campus students. The mission of the TLC is attached for your reference, along with the three main questions we will consider in the focus group sessions. Please come and share your ideas at one of the group sessions.

I will attend the following session: (Please underline one and reply to this email.)

Thank you for your willingness to help you and fellow students find satisfaction in learning at UW-Stout.

If you have any questions, please contact me at x2460 or applehans@uwstout.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Deanna Applehans

Focus Group Moderator

Dear Students,

You have been selected to serve on a focus group for the UW-Stout Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This will involve a 1-hour focus group meeting in November.

The TLC was established in the Fall of 2001 as a result of a UW System grant. The Teaching and Learning Center is devoted to supporting teaching and learning in the academic community with the primary goal to encourage sharing and valuing of teaching and learning, creating a richer teaching/learning culture at UW-Stout.

Your input is needed to help focus the efforts of the TLC to best benefit our campus students. The mission of the TLC is attached for your reference, along with the three main questions we will consider in the focus group sessions. Please come and share your ideas at one of the group sessions.

I will attend the following session: (Please underline one and reply to this email.)

• Thursday, November 13, 12:15-1:15, Ballroom C
• Monday, November 17, 4:40 – 5:40 pm, Ballroom A

- Wednesday, November 19, 3:35-4:35 pm, Ballroom C

Thank you for your willingness to help you and fellow students find satisfaction in learning at UW-Stout.

If you have any questions, please contact me at x2460 or applehans@uwstout.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Deanna Applehans

Dear Students,

As a Freshman, you have been randomly selected by the computer to serve on a focus group for the UW-Stout Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This will involve a 45-60 minute focus group meeting (with cookies) in February.

The Teaching and Learning Center is charged to create a richer teaching/learning culture at UW-Stout, and we want to know what practices best help students learn. We will use the information you give us to plan programs for faculty and we will write a report that we circulate to faculty and students.

Your input is needed You can help focus the efforts of the TLC to best benefit our campus students. The mission of the TLC is attached for your reference, along with the three main questions we will consider in the focus group sessions. Please come and share your ideas at one of the group sessions.

I will attend the following session: (Please underline one and reply to this email.)

Thank you for your willingness to help you and fellow students find satisfaction in learning at UW-Stout.

If you have any questions, please contact Deanna at x2460 or applehans@uwstout.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dan Riordan Deanna Applehans

TLC Director Focus Group Moderator

Dear Students,

As an upperclassman, you have been randomly selected by the computer to serve on a focus group for the UW-Stout Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This will involve a 45-60 minute focus group meeting (with cookies) in February.

The TLC was established in the Fall of 2001 as a result of a UW System grant. The Teaching and Learning Center is devoted to supporting teaching and learning in the academic community with the primary goal to encourage sharing and valuing of teaching and learning, creating a richer teaching/learning culture at UW-Stout.

Your input is needed to help focus the efforts of the TLC to best benefit our campus students. The mission of the TLC is attached for your reference, along with the three main questions we will consider in the focus group sessions. Please come and share your ideas at one of the group sessions.

I will attend the following session: (Please underline one and reply to this email.)

• Monday, February 23, 12:30-1:20 pm
• Monday, February 23, 3:30 – 4:20 pm

Thank you for your willingness to help you and fellow students find satisfaction in learning at UW-Stout.

If you have any questions, please contact Deanna at x2460 or applehans@uwstout.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dan Riordan Deanna Applehans

TLC Director Focus Group Moderator

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