New Instructional Technology Center Energizes Learning at UMass Boston
University Communications
University Reporter
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By Anne-Marie Kent
Not
too long ago, Professor Richard Gelpke of the Earth and Geographic Sciences
Department approached the Learning Center. He wanted help developing a
web site for his "Global Environment" course. Before long, Professor Gelpke's
students were accessing course materials online. While he ran into a few
glitches--most caused by limited equipment resources--Professor Gelpke
was pleased with his overall experience and continues to use technology
in his classrooms.
Provost Charles Cnudde, in a move to encourage more faculty to follow suit, has reconfigured the departments currently known as the Learning Center, Distance Learning, and Media Services into one entity: the Instructional Technology Center (ITC). "For years, UMass Boston has been online and offering computer literacy training, distance learning, and media services to faculty. This reconfiguration speeds us into the next level of sophistication," explains Provost Cnudde.
Newly appointed ITC director, Sara Baron says that the goal of the ITC is "to improve and increase instructional technology on campus." She explains, "Instructional technology - the use of technology including PowerPoint presentations, video, and web-based technology--provides faculty with the opportunity to teach the same old subject in a different way, and that's exciting for students." And students, according to Professor Gelpke, expect it. They come to the university, he says, "with more and more of an understanding and indeed expectation, that technology will be a key item in the classroom setting."
Baron outlines three possible stages of faculty involvement. A faculty member might begin by taking a Learning Center workshop. "The Learning Center has been making a concerted effort," says Program Coordinator Jason Belland, "to provide effective instruction in the areas most needed." In the past year alone, the Learning Center has served over 2,100 faculty and staff. After taking a Learning Center workshop, a faculty member might choose to visit Media Services to implement an idea. For example, a professor who learned PowerPoint at the Learning Center might want to implement a custom presentation in the classroom. "Media Services will support that faculty member with equipment and advice. It's a big job and they do it very well," says Baron.
Raymond Melcher, Media Services director, estimates that in the past 15 years the use of media in the classroom has almost doubled. Interestingly, the overhead projector was the most-used piece of equipment 15 years ago and is still the most popular. However, video tape players have come up the list to second most-used and computer projections, while nearly unheard of eight years ago, have moved to third place.
Baron suggests that faculty who have developed strong familiarity with instructional technology in the classroom might want to consider the third possible level: teaching via distance learning. Baron notes that the ITC works very closely with the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education. This year, 18 classes were supported by Distance Learning, serving 188 UMass Boston students and 143 students at remote locations. Those numbers are expected to rise in the coming years.
Baron says that among her goals is increasing faculty response at all levels. She says, "Some faculty are just now realizing 'I can put my syllabus on the web. I can make a PowerPoint presentation. Hey--this is an exciting way to teach my students'" Excited by his own explorations of instructional technology, Professor Gelpke is interested in doing more, and he is looking for more help--not so much with the technology, but, with, "the pedagogy of just how to incorporate this technology into the classroom." He says, "I am not talking here about "distance learning' but rather 'close-up learning.'"
Baron, her ITC staff, and their faculty advisory board will continue to work to respond to this and other faculty needs as more faculty and staff take advantage of ITC resources.