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Leveraging Engagement to Solicit Participant Feedback in a VE

Dr. Tara Mathien

University of Florida

10/14/24

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Agenda

  1. Brief overview of VE projects
  2. Engagement strategies
  3. Data collection
  4. Participant feedback analysis
  5. Feedback
  6. Enhancements

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About me

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Welcome Padlet

Scan the code and add 2 pins:

1. Pin a location that is a favorite place to visit or a place you would like to visit. Drag the pin using the + button to where you want. Click on the pin to add a photo and change the color to green. Pin it with a photo AND a short description explaining why you chose that specific location.

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2. Pin a second location that is "home" to your favorite food - either the type of food or geographic location of that food. Include a photo or description along with your pin and change the color to purple.

https://padlet.com/taramathien/ufl-usfq-virtual-exchange-coil-project-ovej6owzwflo00en

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2 projects over 1 year

VE1: Spring 2022

VE2: Spring 2023

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Participants: undergraduate students (majority teacher education candidates) from Florida, US and Quito, Ecuador

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Engagement Strategies

Tools used:

  • Google Site - link
  • Padlet - link
  • Exit tickets - link
  • Zoom breakout rooms
  • End of project - link
  • Project rubric - link

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Goals:

  • Collaboration
  • Active participation
  • Communication
  • Share perspectives / experience

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Data collection

  1. Informal formative and summative feedback
    1. Session exit tickets (Google forms)
    2. Class reflections (Google classroom)
    3. Review of tools mentioned in reflections (Padlet, Spotify, icebreaker questions)
  2. Formal IntCrit and IntComm surveys

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Analysis - Informal Feedback

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VE experience feedback

“The three sessions were well structured and organized. We always know what we should work on and all the information exposed in the website was clear.”

I have a very hard time socializing but I want to try similar experiences because I consider them as great opportunities to grow as a person.

“I learned a lot of activities, games and ways of teaching that probably I will use one day in my classes. These sort of activities with great materials engage students all the time!”

“It was an amazing activity and this opportunity to share and learn from other people from different countries enhance your personal growth.”

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Enhancements

Feedback VE1

Enhancements VE2

Results

  • Difficulty in accessing materials & unclear expectations of sessions
  • Development of Google site
  • Accessibility of materials increased session preparedness which led to higher engagement
  • Increase communication and connecting opportunities
  • Spotify playlist
  • Padlet with photos and maps
  • Icebreakers with ways to contribute (talking, sharing images, text)
  • Expanded focus to include personal connections to be made outside of VE focus area
  • Language proficiency variability & confidence in sharing
  • Increased synchronous time to talk / ice breakers each session
  • WhatsApp groups for text communication
  • Exit surveys
  • Diversified ways to participate and share perspectives in ways that felt more neutral

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Analysis - Pre/Post Survey results

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Figma share out

  1. What data might you collect to help you engage your participants more while simultaneously providing you feedback about your VE practices?

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  • What might you try in your own future versions of VE?

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Next steps in my journey…

  • Hybrid model of synchronous and asynchronous expectations
    • week “on” / week “off” model
  • Student-driven topics
  • Study abroad program
  • Follow up with graduates to discuss impact on current teaching practice

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Questions?

Tara Mathien, Ed.D.

tmathien@coe.ufl.edu

@taramathien