Purdue News
Purdue NewsStill another element of integrating multimedia and computer technology into teaching is educating the educators about how to do it.
The Center for Instructional Services offers an array of classes for faculty on how to use multimedia -- including the Internet -- in teaching. The classes are taught primarily by other faculty members.
"We can't offer enough of the workshops on new teaching technology," says Richard Forsythe, director of the Center for Instructional Services. More than 200 faculty members have taken courses in using multimedia in the classroom. He says he easily could fill twice as many classes, but is limited by instructors' time and a shortage of places to have the classes.
"The labs we need for these courses are in high demand for student use," he says.
In several disciplines, faculty have to stay abreast of the latest technology in order to teach their students. Computers and the attendant technology are the tools their students will use when they leave Purdue.
But a great number of faculty, while having to keep up with the latest trends and knowledge in their field, can do so without knowing how to employ technology in the classroom.
"A lot of teaching has to go on to equip faculty to use these new technologies," Forsythe says. "It requires learning about the technology itself and how to design curriculum around it."
Forsythe says more multimedia classes for faculty will be available in the future, especially with the addition of the Multimedia Instructional Development Center. The center initially will have a director and an instructional technologist to assist faculty.
James Russell, professor of instructional development in the School of Education, will serve as interim director of the center until July 1, when a permanent director takes over.
The multimedia center this year awarded the first of what Forsythe says will be annual grants to faculty who are working to incorporate the latest technology into teaching.
Money for the awards was provided by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
"We want to do all we can to encourage and support faculty to develop, implement and evaluate innovative strategies that employ technology to improve teaching and increase student learning," says Robert Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
