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Center for Teaching & Learning Steering Committee
Chair Notes
September 3, 2010
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Attendance
- Kip Finnegan
- Danny Fuller
- Cari Keller
- Martha Parrott
- Earlena McKee
- Linda Summers
- Zac Thorp
- Vanessa Whitley
Wimba Collaboration Suite for Higher Education
Those who were able to attend the Wimba presentation on September 2nd were both impressed and inspired as to how the software could enhance the classroom environment, whether fully online or blended. The general consensus is that purchasing Wimba would be a wise investment. The following is a synopsis of committee member comments.
Teaching –
- Can teach virtually when out of town, rather than cancelling class when away for professional development.
- Highly interactive. Allows for more synchronous opportunities, e.g., instant messaging, smart board, voice discussion board. Great for creating a more engaging e-classroom environment.
- Encourages 100% participation.
- Point-to-point network system allows for extending the geographic distance between students and instructor, particularly important for deployed soldiers and those who would otherwise have to commute long distances. Also has potential to increase the diversity of the class.
- Allows for archiving lessons via simple lecture-capture process
Technology –
- Integrated into Blackboard, so no special software needed (Some concern that demo was on Bb 9.1, which will not be implemented until Fall 2011. NSU currently running Bb 9.0)
- Has cloud storage, so can store work virtually and access same from any computer that has internet access; won’t slow down university network or personal computer
- Has screening process to test compatibility of system with all participants’ computers
- Does everything Camtasia does – and more
- No ITV needed to e-teach in synchronous environment.
Training –
- Training materials can be revised according to individual preference
- Wouldn’t take a long time to learn
AVPTL Search Update – Martha Parrott
The search for Assistant Vice President for Teaching and Learning is down to a single candidate, as one of the final two withdrew. The committee will now reassess the original pool of applicants in the attempt to raise the number of candidates back to three.
The remaining candidate, Dr. Scott Newman, will be on campus September 22-23, and will participate in an open forum on Sept. 22 from 3-3:45 p.m. The forum will be broadcast to Room 225 of Building B in Broken Arrow and Room 141 of the Synar Building at Muskogee. All are encouraged to participate and offer input to the selection committee.
Marketing CTL Services
Current Methods
- CTL website
- Dean Jenlink’s weekly e-bulletin, an email listing of calendared events that is sent to BA faculty and staff
Methods to Consider
- Targeted email. For example, the upcoming workshop for online instruction could be sent to all faculty currently teaching online courses. Make the title of said email relevant and specific, in order that it will be read rather than deleted.
- Create targeted flyer of workshops, print on bright-colored paper and post to office doors of targeted faculty.
- Create small handout of workshops, similar to NSU mission, vision, core values card, and give to faculty at semester meetings and orientations – maybe personally deliver 2 weeks into semester, or send via campus mail.
- List events in Riverhawks Daily.
- Send workshop information to deans, so they can forward to faculty.
- Send information to committee members, so they can forward to colleagues.
Realities to Consider
- Faculty have a heavy load of responsibilities: teaching five classes, which are often of increased size due to too few instructors; serving on multiple committees, with varying degrees of responsibility; and maintaining a heavy advising load. They perform these duties gladly out of service to NSU and the community it serves, but the reality is the heavy load leaves little time for professional development opportunities. What can we do to help faculty have time to go and do these things?
- Faculty want to know what teaching and learning will look like in a few years, but need to find more balance in terms of responsibilities in order to have time and intellectual energy for professional development.
Solutions
- Create webpage with links to tutorials of most frequently requested assistance items – currently Blackboard. May be NSU-CTL produced, or videos vetted for quality by same.
- Tutorials should be brief and clearly labeled as to content.
- Lecture-capture and archive F2F workshops for 24/7 access.
- Grad students in relevant programs could assist in creation of tutorial library – receiving real-world experience and course credit simultaneously.
Quality Matters Update – Kip Finnegan
CTL now has all the instructors required to implement the program. All have access to instructional guides, but still need training. Kip and Rick are administrators, but they, too, still need training. Kip will share a list of instructors and courses soon.
General Comments
- Faculty want Camtasia workshop and/or tutorial.
- CTL should organize a Vendor Day, during which vendors of teaching tools come to NSU and give demonstrations. Offer giveaways and other incentives.
- It would be great to have a general e-course template for newly hired faculty, especially for those hired at beginning of semester who have little time to prepare.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 17th from 3:30pm-4:30pm.
Locations: BA – E105 & TQ – NET621
Linda Summers
