October 10, 2010
II.
Abstract of Sabbatical Leave Proposal
APPLICANT’S NAME: Julie Harland
DEPARTMENT: Mathematics
CHECK (X) THE TYPE OF SABBATICAL LEAVE:
_____ADVANCED ACADEMIC STUDIES, or
X NON-TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES (may partially include academic studies)
(select Advanced Academic Studies only if all 12 semester/18 quarter units are upper division/graduate credit. Otherwise, choose Non-Traditional Activities.)
SABBATICAL LEAVE PROPOSAL
In this expandable box, clearly state the purpose(s) of the proposed sabbatical leave (in 200 words or less):
My purpose is to help students learn and practice mathematics, and to provide them access to clear, easy to understand videos wherever they can access the Internet. I will create at least 100 instructional math videos, which will include step-by-step explanations and examples. The videos will be available to all students at MiraCosta College. The videos will cover topics covered in math classes at MiraCosta College, and will also be useful for students needing to review or to learn material they need to know in order to pass the placement test. Videos will be posted on Youtube and also be organized on my website by topic, with links to the videos.
III.
Identification of Objectives,
Description of Proposed Activities,
and Documentation
a. My Objective: My objective is create at least 100 clear, easy to understand, math instructional videos that all students at MiraCosta College can access anywhere they can access the Internet. Videos will include step-by-step explanations and examples. Videos will cover topics covered in math classes at MiraCosta College, and will also be useful for students needing to review, or to learn material they need to know in order to pass the placement test. Videos will be posted on Youtube and also be organized on my website by topic, with links to the videos.
b. How I plan to accomplish my Objective: I will plan what to record on each video, and then record the video on a tablet PC. Each video is often made up of several shorter cuts. I will watch the video cuts, put them together in a meaningful order, and re-record any parts or all of it if necessary. I will edit the video, and go through the process of producing it in an acceptable form to be uploaded on Youtube. After production is complete, I will watch the video again to make sure it was produced correctly. I will organize the various files that arise from production into appropriate folders. I will upload each video to my Youtube channel, and fill in all of the information needed on Youtube, including a name for the video, a description of the video, tags, type of video, etc. After a video is uploaded, processed, and live on Youtube, I will again check to make sure it loaded correctly. After it is uploaded on Youtube, I will organize it on various webpages on my website, and will include a name and a description, and create the link to Youtube. I will organize the videos on my site by topic, and by section in a book it can be used with, if appropriate.
c. Documentation and Estimation of Time Spent on This Approved Activity: I have experience creating videos of this type, and an average video usually requires approximately six hours of work. Some take less time, some take more, so this is an average. I propose to create at least 100 videos, which is approximately 600 hours. I will submit a log of hours. Also, the videos will be organized on my webpage at yourmathgal.com, and may be accessed on my Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/videosbyjulieharland.
IV.
Contribution to District
a. Professional Development of Applicant
Creating these videos directly contributes to my professional development as a mathematics professor. My main goal is to clearly and thoroughly explain mathematics so students will understand it and enjoy it. I love this activity as I am able to help students in my own classes, as well as other students at MiraCosta College, and beyond. I grow professionally as I hone my teaching skills, broaden my technical skills, and meet an important demand for our 21st Century students: 24 hour access to quality educational mathematics videos.
b. Anticipated Impact of Projects
Explain the anticipated short- and/or long-term impact of your project(s) on:
1) Students: This project directly helps students in math, science and other classes at MiraCosta College. My videos will be available to all students. Links to my videos are on the MiraCosta College homepage, the math department page, my home page, and the Math Learning Center page. Also, bookmarks may be provided throughout campus. The testing center also directs students to my videos as a review before taking a placement test.
2) Department: This project benefits the Math Department in various ways. Instructors may choose to play parts of my videos in class, they may review them on their own to get ideas about how to teach certain topics, they may post them for their own students to view (especially in online classes).
3) College: This project is good for the college. MiraCosta College benefits because more and more people see my videos on Youtube, and then go to my website. My Youtube channel states I am a professor at MiraCosta College, so more students are finding out about MiraCosta College. Also, students across the disciplines benefit from my videos. Some use it to review before taking the placement test so that they can get an AA, transfer, or enroll in a transfer-level class. I am working hard to get out the word about my videos. There have been articles in the newspaper. An increasing number of students and teachers in the public schools in the area are aware of my videos, and therefore MiraCosta College is becoming more well-known.
4) Community: This project is helpful to the community as a whole, as my videos are available to anyone. My comments under part (3) are pertinent to the community as well.