Vol. 18, No. 3Sept. 17, 1998

Employees honored for distance learning efforts

Computer-friendly trio, (from left) Sherry Kitto, Kathleen Troutman and Lesa Griffiths,
shown on the roof of Pearson Hall under the satellite uplink dish used
for relaying distance learning programs.
Kathleen Troutman, Information Technologies, received a Barrier Buster Award from the Agricultural Distance Education Consortium (A*DEC) at its August conference in Madison, Wisc.

The award is given to those who help faculty overcome barriers to using technology in the classroom. The other recipients were from Cornell and Oregon State universities.

Troutman manages the instructional TV facilities on campus, helping faculty to develop courses using technology.

Lesa Griffiths and Sherry Kitto, agricultural sciences, received an ADEC grant to develop a distance learning course as part of ADEC's goal of exchanging information among member schools. The project also received funding from the Center for Teaching Effectiveness (CTE) and from continuing education's FOCUS distance learning program.

The team, including Mark Radosevich, agricultural sciences, turned to Troutman for assistance in developing a multidisciplinary course, featuring guest faculty lecturers, entitled "Biotechnology: Science and Socioeconomic Issues." Troutman explained the technical options and assisted the team in coordinating a web site, videotaping for distance learning students and satellite uplinking.

The three recommended Troutman for the ADEC award and wrote, "At the time the project started, we were very techno-phobic and only capable of word processing. When faced with live satellite lectures, videotaped lectures, PowerPoint presentations and an interactive web page, we were truly terrified....Kath went into motion. She is one of those rare individuals who is a motivator....She is willing to brainstorm and share ideas and encourages you to experiment with technology in a non-threatening environment."

According to Kitto, the award is well deserved. "We were novices but thanks to Kath and her staff, we have become comfortable and knowledgeable with using technology in teaching." .