French professor Sophie Adamson uses Skype to enhance students’ out-of-class learning experiences

Posted on: May 22, 2013 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Instructional Technologies, Teaching & Learning
TalkAbroad icon.

Sophie Adamson, associate professor of French, believes technology can effectively enrich students’ out-of-class experiences. By introducing innovative technology to the intimacy of face-to-face interactions, Adamson expanded her French students’ language-learning opportunities this spring. “I think it’s really interesting to be able to take advantage of technological innovations that are out there right now,” she said. “I …

Read More

Dr. Joel Karty uses clickers to hold chemistry students accountable

Posted on: March 19, 2013 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Tech Tips
Dr. Joel Karty

Dr. Joel Karty, associate professor of chemistry, knows succeeding in organic chemistry is no small feat. It’s a tough class to teach, and students are required to take (and pass) it if they wish to attend professional school in the medical field. “Teaching organic chemistry is intimidating, and it’s a high-profile class for a lot of …

Read More

Professor Randy Piland boosts class engagement in online courses via VoiceThread

Posted on: March 12, 2013 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Instructional Technologies
VoiceThread logo.

About three years ago, Communications Professor Randy Piland heard about a new, interactive tool called VoiceThread that educators were beginning to incorporate into their classrooms. The web-based application allows individuals to create and share collections of images, videos, and documents, so others can comment on them and start conversations. Because of its universal accessibility via cloud …

Read More

How do you use clickers? Faculty share experiences from clicker pilot

Posted on: February 12, 2013 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Instructional Technologies, Teaching & Learning
iClicker Technology

Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT) held an end-of-term discussion luncheon titled “An Unfiltered Look at Clickers in the Classroom” on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Created to facilitate conversations among faculty about clicker usage on campus, TLT invited faculty members from all disciplines to share how clickers can be used as teaching tools. Twelve faculty members volunteered to …

Read More

Professor Brooks Depro: Using clickers as a reinforcement tool

Posted on: January 15, 2013 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Instructional Technologies

Brooks Depro, assistant professor of economics, tried something new in his introductory-level economics courses last fall by incorporating clickers into his lectures. Professor Depro participated in TLT’s Clicker Pilot Program, serving as one of several clicker pioneers who tested out various uses for clickers. I met with him to find out more about his experience. Q: …

Read More

LectureTools: An engaging presentation tool to use in the classroom

Posted on: October 30, 2012 | By: Sam Parker | Filed under: Instructional Technologies
Jim Barbour, associate professor of economics, uses LectureTools in his introductory-level courses.

While searching for an alternative to clickers to use in his classes, Jim Barbour, chair of the economics department and associate professor of economics, stumbled upon LectureTools. Run by a five-person team in Ann Arbor, Mich., LectureTools is an engaging, web-based program that allows instructors to create interactive presentations. “I was looking for something that was more …

Read More