If one word could capture the common thread that ran through the presentations at our Los Angeles Active Learning Conference it would be “innovation.” In addition to  presentations from Echo360 product staff about the future direction of our products, the conference featured several guest speakers who are using the Active Learning Platform, lecture capture, and student engagement features in innovative ways.

Here are just a few of the highlights from the conference.

Loyola Marymount University

Our conference kicked off with a presentation from our host institution, Loyola Marymount University. Crista Copp, Director of Academic Technology, Matt Frank, Manager of Classroom and Creative Services, and David Scozzaro, Manager of Instructional Technology talked about the systematic rollout of the Echo360 system at Loyola Marymount. Since the autumn of 2014, software-based lecture capture is available in every classroom on campus. As one would expect, usage has increased, but students and faculty alike have already started to realize the benefits of anywhere, anytime, on any-device access to classroom lectures and course materials.

One particular highlight of the day was a group tour of several of the new active learning spaces on campus. Not only has Loyola Marymount incorporated the latest technology within the classroom, they are also reinventing the spaces in which learning occurs.

A new Active Learning space at Loyola Marymount University

University of Michigan

Dr. Perry Samson, Echo360’s Head of Teaching Innovation shared his experiences with using the Active Learning Platform in his classes at the University of Michigan. He presented ideas for increasing student participation and engagement in the classroom. And, he also shared insights he has discovered from learner analytics. The Active Learning Platform collects a rich suite of information about how students actually behave in class. Are students taking notes? What questions do they ask? Are they confused? What part(s) of the lecture is confusing?

Dr. Samson’s analysis showed the relationship between student classroom activity (such as taking notes), as well as other factors such as GPA, on grades and outcomes. Finally, the Active Learning Platform lets students ask questions anonymously and Dr. Samson has found that this feature helps many of his students, especially those for whom English may not be their first language, become actively engaged and participating in class.

The value of anonymity when asking questions. Are your students comfortable asking questions?

University of Ottawa

Dr. Colin Montpetit from the University of Ottawa spoke about how he uses the student engagement features of Echo360 and how this has improved student outcomes in his large lecture classes. Dr. Montpetit has nearly 100% participation in his large lecture classes. This participation translates to higher post-lecture assessment scores and higher grades.

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