Faculty Technology Development Programs that Work
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Presenters
David G. Brown Vice President and Dean, Wake Forest University,
brown@wfu.edu
Janet R. de Vry Manager, Instructional Services, IT/User Services,
janet@udel.edu
George Watson Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University
of Delaware, ghw@udel.edu
Terry Morrow Associate Director, Office of Instructional Resources,
University of Florida tcm@ufl.edu
Summary
Three universities with very high faculty participation rates present
three different solutions for supporting faculty. The solutions are all
flexible, homegrown, and cost effective. Topics include “Training
Programs that
Expand to Meet Demand” (UFL); “Student, Departmental, and Campus Initiatives
that Make a Difference” (WFU); and “Faculty/IT Partnership that Transforms
Learning” (UD).
Statement of the Problem or Issues
At many campuses, the “wiring” is complete. Networks are robust.
Student and
faculty access is convenient and nearly universal. Our current challenge
is to motivate and enable faculty to use the technology in ways that increase
the efficiency of learning. The solutions must be ongoing and sustainable
and not merely one time, high profile events. All three programs address
the issue of leveraging faculty and staff time in the process.
Description of Activity, Project, or Solution
These three universities experimented
with over 20 faculty development projects and programs. Among these twenty
initiatives, ten stand out as the most successful and include such
topics as “have training computers and will travel to departments,” “train
for two days and get a new laptop,” “standardize so that everyone is a
potential help desk,” “partner with faculty mentors,” “disciplinary computer
specialists in every academic department,” “student technology consultants
for course redesign.” This presentation focuses on three solutions
and highlight critical factors in planning, implementing, and sustaining
these programs. The University of Florida explains how it is
expanding and customizing its popular faculty technology training
program while increasing convenience. Wake Forest presents the
elements that go into selecting and managing the work of student
technology assistants and staffing at the departmental and campus
level. The University of Delaware shows how a faculty-led,
problem-based learning initiative creates informed clientele for the teaching,
learning, and technology center. The sustained follow up in the center
helps the ideas become effective learning materials.
Relevance
Although each institution is unique, faculty support staff at other
universities can
logically and effectively replicate the programs presented.
By mixing and matching the ideas, most institutions will increase their
overall
instructional success.
University of Florida Training Programs
Hands-on Training
Computer Challenge
Wake Forest Student Technology Assistants
International Center for Computer Enhanced
Learning (ICCEL)
Student Technology
Advisors
University of Delaware Faculty IT Partnership
Center for Teaching, Learning
and Technology
Institute for Transforming Undergraduate
Education
Presentation
Slides
(PowerPoint format)