UD Online honors distance learning
faculty
September
17, 2007
At the
third annual UD Online Faculty Appreciation Reception, held
on September 17, the Division of Professional and Continuing
Studies honored four faculty members for their outstanding
contribution to teaching and serving students in a distance
format. This year’s event also featured a “technology
showcase” which offered attendees the opportunity to
learn about some of the innovations and successful techniques
being used by their colleagues.
Dr. Lesa
Griffiths, professor in the Department of Animal and Food
Sciences and director of the Center for International Studies
was given the Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Griffiths
has been teaching in online for seven years. “She has
continued to learn new technology and implementation strategies
that enhance student learning,” commented Dr. Dayle
Thorpe, director of Academic and Professional Programs for
Professional and Continuing Studies. Dr. Griffith’s
impact on students was underlined by one of many comments
from her students: “She is an amazing teacher. I would
take any course she taught.”
A Pioneer
Award went to Dr. Larry Purnell of the School of Nursing.
Dr. Purnell was one of the first faculty members who adopted
distance education at the University, and he has been teaching
in a distance format since 1995. Dr. Thorpe noted that after
taking one of Dr. Purnell’s UD Online courses, a student
commented, “UD is a master at distance learning.”
Dr. Thorpe commented, “It is Dr. Purnell who is the
master.”
Two Innovative
Teaching Awards were presented. The first was given to Dr.
R. John Brockmann, professor of English. Jann Lightcap, UD
Online instructional designer noted Dr. Brockmann’s
exceptional creativity in encouraging online group work. Dr.
Brockmann gave a demonstration of his system for a peer group
editing process, noting the ways in which it enhances student
learning.
Also receiving
an Innovative Teaching Award was Dr. Penny Rodrick-Williams
of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology. Ms. Lightcap cited Dr.
Rodrick-Williams’ enthusiasm and interest in teaching
and technology and noted that these qualities have led her
to receive numerous other awards including a Technology Assistance
Award and the Institute for the Transformation of Undergraduate
Education’s Problem Based Learning award. Dr. Rodrick-Williams
demonstrated some of the techniques she uses in her Wildlife
Ecology course to reinforce learning and make the class enjoyable
and the material memorable.
Opening
remarks for the event were given by Dr. Charlene Hamilton,
Nutrition and Dietetics, one of last year’s award winners.
Janet DeVry of the PRESENT showcased techniques for making
online learning more interactive. She noted ways in which
the PRESENT can help faculty with online discussions, collaborative
space, self-paced evaluation, and feedback for improvement,
all with the goal of enhancing learning through technology.
Click
here to view a video
recording of the awards presentation and technology showcase.
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