French professor Sophie Adamson uses Skype to enhance students’ out-of-class learning experiences
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 MoreDr. Joel Karty uses clickers to hold chemistry students accountable
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 MoreProfessor Randy Piland boosts class engagement in online courses via VoiceThread
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 MoreHow do you use clickers? Faculty share experiences from clicker pilot
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 MoreProfessor Brooks Depro: Using clickers as a reinforcement tool
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 MoreLectureTools: An engaging presentation tool to use in the classroom
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 …
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