Professors who utilize technology to enhance their students’ experience both inside and outside the classroom have been honored by being selected for this year’s Wall of COOL.
The department of e-Learning provides this award to showcase faculty members who integrate technology into their courses in an exciting and innovative way.
However, combining the cool aspect is what sets these professors apart from other faculty members who are also utilizing technology.
Victoria Bhavsar, director of the department of eLearning, said some foundational basics the department looks for are clear learning outcomes that are well organized for students to succeed, and that’s what’s cool.
Bhavsar said professors stand out by offering “a great class with something nifty.”
For winners, the main objective in implementing such technology all comes back to the central goal of student success.
Chemistry professor Jodye Selco said it was nice to be recognized for implementing something that has been beneficial to her students.
For a chemistry class, such as the general education course, “Modeling the Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry,” Selco is able to film demonstrations that would normally take a long amount of time, and speed them up into a video that gets the information across within a few minutes. These videos are used to enhance her teachings on topics such as the physical properties of molecules and chemical kinetics.
Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Gabriel Davidov-Pardo, who was recognized for his Sensory Evaluation of Foods course, said he is happy to be acknowledged for his efforts.
“My main motivation is to give students as much of a real-world experience as possible,” Davidov-Pardo said.
Davidov-Pardo uses cloud-based software RedJade, that allows his students to properly interpret and design sensory tests that they will use beyond their academic experience when they get jobs.
Vernon Snyder from the Department of Music said he appreciated the recognition that comes with being selected for the Wall of COOL.
“I really do love teaching, and I love trying to find ways to improve,” Snyder said.
With the availability of information online, Snyder designs his Introduction to Music course with all readings online that include embedded links to videos, audio and images.
Although this is something that may be used by professors in other departments and universities, Snyder feels the design of his course is unique within his department.
“I wanted to first distill it down to the basics that I thought were more applicable to everybody,” Snyder said. “It’s a process of evolution, so everything that I am doing now will continue to change.”
While there may be no actual physical Wall of COOL, you can head over to the eLearning site to view the winners and see videos that highlight their innovative courses.
This year’s presentation will take place March 22 in the Bronco Student Center’s (BSC) Ursa Minor suite between 10 and 11 a.m.