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:
�Student preparation (STEM basic skills, concepts)
�Socialization (peers, role models)
�Accessible 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
�Increase the graduation rates of postsecondary 
D/HH STEM majors in the long term 
�Objectives
� document and disseminate a description of the process of creating a model VAC for replication 
� 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 � What is it?


Insert Video Here
�Challenges & Strategies
�Challenges
�Network/browser inconsistencies
�Training & technical assistance
�Google+ UI changes

Strategies
�Ethernet connection/Chrome browser
�Ongoing feedback & technical assistance
�On-line guides 
�Google Educational Enterprise account


Findings & Conclusions
�GPA unchanged (n=8; 3.26)
�Progress toward degree=one graduate
�Early in project � 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