Program transforms teaching by incprporating technology
Sophia Chan, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/7/07Section: News
Transforming Teaching with Technology, a St. John's grant program also known as T3 which launched its third year this October, hopes to close the gap between teaching and new technology.
The program's goals are to revise the core curriculum to incorporate technology and to familiarize the faculty with using technology, such as electronic whiteboards.
Those participating will learn about information and research literacy, technology, critical thinking, and how to incorporate all these into the courses they are teaching.
In addition to learning about new technology, the faculty will familiarize themselves with laptops, which enable them to make use of other programs like Microsoft PowerPoint.
"We have trained about 30 faculty, and are in the process of training 17 more this year," said T3 project coordinator Bradley Shope.
He added,"By the time the program is over, we will have directly worked with between 50-55 faculty. We anticipate that, in the end, this program will enhance the learning experience of students."
Shope is part of a three-person team also comprised of Maura Flannery director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and the program's co-director, and Pelham Mead, educational technology specialist.
This year, Mead introduced podcasting to faculty in addition to electronic whiteboards.
Podcast, which is the combination of the words iPod and broadcast, is a digital recording of audio or video that is made available to download on the Internet via an RSS feed.
"I do think it's good to explore at least some aspects of technology, not only because it is becoming so influential, but because it gives one a sense of accomplishment when technology is mastered," Flannery said.
Professors involved in the program feel optimistic about the effects of T3.
"Students felt more comfortable and participated much more during class discussions when I was able to 'sit down' with them around a cluster of tables rather than standing in front of them or behind a podium," said Professor Frank Cantelmo in a University press release.
The program's goals are to revise the core curriculum to incorporate technology and to familiarize the faculty with using technology, such as electronic whiteboards.
Those participating will learn about information and research literacy, technology, critical thinking, and how to incorporate all these into the courses they are teaching.
In addition to learning about new technology, the faculty will familiarize themselves with laptops, which enable them to make use of other programs like Microsoft PowerPoint.
"We have trained about 30 faculty, and are in the process of training 17 more this year," said T3 project coordinator Bradley Shope.
He added,"By the time the program is over, we will have directly worked with between 50-55 faculty. We anticipate that, in the end, this program will enhance the learning experience of students."
Shope is part of a three-person team also comprised of Maura Flannery director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and the program's co-director, and Pelham Mead, educational technology specialist.
This year, Mead introduced podcasting to faculty in addition to electronic whiteboards.
Podcast, which is the combination of the words iPod and broadcast, is a digital recording of audio or video that is made available to download on the Internet via an RSS feed.
"I do think it's good to explore at least some aspects of technology, not only because it is becoming so influential, but because it gives one a sense of accomplishment when technology is mastered," Flannery said.
Professors involved in the program feel optimistic about the effects of T3.
"Students felt more comfortable and participated much more during class discussions when I was able to 'sit down' with them around a cluster of tables rather than standing in front of them or behind a podium," said Professor Frank Cantelmo in a University press release.
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