From Course “Management” to Course “Networking”

Abstract

In this poster presentation, IUPUI CyberLab (cyberlab.iupui.edu) will showcase its applied research and innovation product, CourseNetworking/CN (thecn.com), an academic social networking site powered by new technology and pedagogical concepts. CyberLab is a research and development center in the School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The lab provides research and intellectual support for the design, development and commercialization of innovative educational technology. Since it was first established in 1996, the CyberLab has been leading the development of innovative and successful online technologies. Past projects include: Oncourse, ANGEL Learning and Epsilen. Currently, CyberLab is providing research and technical development support CN. CN was first launched in 2012. It provides innovative learning management tools, such as Tasks, Quizzes, Dropbox, Gradebook, etc, and a MOOC platform to instructors and students. Compared to traditional Learning Management Systems and other MOOC platforms, CN was developed based on emerging concepts of course "networking", as opposed to course "management". In this “networking” based environment, learners are put in the center of their learning. They freely share learning materials and ideas and build academic connections with peers from across the world. The innovation and implementation of the Anar (pomegranate) Seed reward system in CN creatively brings more incentives into learning and helps students track their progress on their own. In addition to above, CN also offers learning analytics, group functions, course pair-up, mobile learning and other advanced online learning possibilities. So far, CN has hosted 14,500 courses for over 40,000 students from more than 136 countries around the world. Since the first day of establishment, the IUPUI CyberLab has been trying to fulfill its mission of preparing IUPUI students for their future career through engaging them in real-world projects. This year, 11 interns from various study areas (ie. Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Computer Information Graphic Technology) are actively involved in the innovation and development process of CN. For instance, from the summer of 2013 to the winter of 2014, two of the CyberLab interns developed the CN iPhone and Android app (http://news.iupui.edu/releases/2014/01/App-cyber-lab.shtml). In this poster presentation, CyberLab interns under the lead of Professor Ali Jafari would like to present their R&D work in details to more IUPUI professors and students.