UDMessenger

Volume 12, Number 4, 2004


Book on technology in teaching
has strong University influence

Twelve members of the University community contributed chapters to a book intended to help faculty better use technology to enhance their teaching.

Developing Faculty to Use Technology: Programs and Strategies to Enhance Teaching is a collaborative work by members of the Learning Technology Consortium, which was founded in 1997. Published by Anker Publishing, the book offers practical, proven information on how to help faculty integrate technology into teaching and learning activities.

Of the 70 brief chapters chronicling how a wide range of universities successfully implemented faculty development programs, 12 chapters were written by current or former UD faculty and staff. Those authors and their chapter titles are:

  • Araya Debessay, professor of accounting and management information systems, and Paul Hyde, resource consultant, Information Technologies, "Wireless Laptop Computers in a Problem-Based Learning Classroom";

  • Janet DeVry, manager, Information Technologies, "Showcasing Faculty Work: A Joint Effort," "Responding to the Individual, Reaching the Mainstream: A Hybrid Approach to Faculty Support" and, with Leila Lyons, director, Information Technologies, "Special Programs: Grants for Course Redesign";

  • Susan Giancola, assistant professor of education, "Using Assessment to Improve Teacher Education";

  • Ann Rucinski, instructor in nutrition and dietetics, and Erin Sicuranza, resource consultant, Information Technologies, "A Case for Authentic Assessment: Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Program";

  • George Watson, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Unidel Professor of Physics & Astronomy, "Report From the Trenches: Faculty Development Through a Successful Grassroots Campaign," "Creating Time and Desire in an Annual Program of Faculty Fellowships" and, with Sicuranza, Valerie Hans, professor of sociology and criminal justice, and Karen Kral, resource consultant, Information Technologies, "Using PBL [problem-based learning] in a WebCT Faculty Development Session"; and?

  • Dennis Williams, associate director, Information Technologies, "Classroom Technology: Becoming a 'Common Utility' for Teaching."

In addition, William Frawley, former UD professor of linguistics and now dean of arts and sciences at George Washington University, contributed the chapters "Motivating Faculty: Five Strategies" and "Development Grant Program: Advanced and Emerging Technologies in Instructional Contexts."

Developing Faculty to Use Technology is divided into seven parts--philosophy, communication, staffing and support strategies, teaching environments, model programs, assessment of student programs and assessing the effect of technology on learning. The editor is David G. Brown, provost emeritus and former vice president of Wake Forest University.