Creating a Virtual Academic Community for STEM Students „Lisa B. Elliot, Benjamin Rubin, James J. DeCaro, & E. William Clymer, Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf „Kathy Earp, Camden County College „Michele D. Fish, Cornell University „Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference, University of Central Florida, January 14, 2013 Who We Are „Deaf STEM Community Alliance „Supported by the National Science Foundation, HRD #1127955 „3-5 year project (2011-2016) Campus Partners Rochester Institute of Technology Camden County College Cornell University Project Rationale „Participation gap for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) „Contributing factors: ŠStudent preparation (STEM basic skills, concepts) ŠSocialization (peers, role models) ŠAccessible media Project Rationale „Solution: Deaf STEM Community Alliance „Student preparation „Remote tutoring „Remote captioning „Remote interpreting „Socialization „Remote mentoring „Peer interaction „Accessible media „Curated collection of STEM resources Goal and Objectives „Goal ŠIncrease the graduation rates of postsecondary D/HH STEM majors in the long term „Objectives Š document and disseminate a description of the process of creating a model VAC for replication Š increase the GPAs and retention rates of D/HH students in STEM majors. Remote Tutoring Using Google+ Hangouts „Remote Tutoring Using Google+ Hangouts „Remote Tutoring through the VAC Š What is it? Insert Video Here „Challenges & Strategies „Challenges ŠNetwork/browser inconsistencies ŠTraining & technical assistance ŠGoogle+ UI changes Strategies ŠEthernet connection/Chrome browser ŠOngoing feedback & technical assistance ŠOn-line guides ŠGoogle Educational Enterprise account Findings & Conclusions „GPA unchanged (n=8; 3.26) „Progress toward degree=one graduate „Early in project Š more to come! „Great opportunity to learn about digital learning and connectivism vs. conventional models of learning „Opportunity to learn about embracing innovation and technology „Contact Information Deaf STEM Community Alliance www.dhhvac.org