036

tb08 1/7/2010 14:46:55

General Session - Conference Presentation Only (no formal paper)

//Elizabeth Donnellan, Kaplan University, USA, edonnellan@kaplan.edu//
 * Virtually Collaborative: Linked Courses for Interdisciplinary Learning**

Traditional collaborative model used in college classrooms typically includes two professors and one set of students. The reported success of this class often relies on relationships between professors and between professors and students. Many deans support this model in theory but rarely support it in practice as it is expensive to pay two professors to teach the same class. Further, many professors struggle to make compromises in assignments and grading standards. However, many students report that learning from two different professors using integrated pedagogy is a valuable experience. How do we mitigate the disadvantages while increasing the advantages?

One of the best but often overlooked models of collaborative teaching that can be easily adapted to traditional, blended, and online learning environments is the linked collaborative model. In this model, there is one set of students but two separate professors and two different classes. Students co-enroll in Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Communications, for example. The same students enroll in both classes and each professor has access to the other's class. Professors use discussion board threads and seminars to ask students questions that demonstrate their ability to integrate information from both classes. Many deans, professors, and students enjoy this model because the professors still teach their material, students earn credit for two classes, and learning is integrated. Professors report great satisfaction with this model as they have access to their colleague's class and can thus learn the information with their students.

In this presentation, participants will view video of this model as it was conducted in a traditional classroom. Then, we will discuss how this model translates to online learning and to strategies for creating linked classes for online classes. Participants will complete an interdisciplinary collaborative learning exercise similar to one that students would complete in their online, linked class.

All Audiences Interdisciplinary Collaboration