Winter Workshops Connect Faculty and Technology

For more information, go to Staff Training page or contact Donna_Mellen@uml.edu or 978-934-2925.

Long gone, of course, are the days when teaching with technology meant learning how to avoid squeaky chalk on the blackboard.

Today, Blackboard is a program that brings learning online. And that’s just one of the tools — from clickers that provide faculty with instant student feedback to Echo 360 that captures lectures electronically — that professors can employ for enhanced teaching and learning.

“The Faculty Development Center Steering Committee was delighted by the wide range of participation in the winter workshops, which included new faculty, tenured faculty and even emeritus professors,” says Prof. Susan Braunhut, steering committee chair. This level of faculty enthusiasm to embrace new and exciting ways to enrich the teaching environment is just one more indication of the dedication and commitment they have to our students.”

This winter, 15 different workshops were offered by IT in collaboration with the Provost’s Office, the Faculty Development Center, Web Services, Continuing Education and Centers for Learning and Academic Support Services.

The 86 faculty members took, on average, over three workshops each in what was the highest registration level for several years.

“The faculty members are so engaged in learning these skills,” says Donna Mellen, manager of academic technology for IT. “They are committed to taking every opportunity to improve teaching and learning and are thoughtful about how to use technology.”

Adds Mellen, “There is so much happening on campus and we saw that excitement reflected in the faculty.”

Courses this past January included introduction to web-enhanced teaching in Blackboard, Echo 360 capture, Adobe Contribute faculty templates and technology enhanced classrooms.

The next set of workshops will be offered during and after spring break on March 14, 15, 21 and 22.