How are you using technology in the classroom?

How do you integrate technology into the classroom?

How are you using technology as a tool to achieving your teaching goals?

I have been involved with technology in education from W-A-Y back, using computers in the classroom while back at UNH. In fact, along with a faculty member at UNH, Dr. Jim Davis, I obtained my first NSF grant, submitted while a grad student, during my first year at Oswego. I went back to UNH for the summer of ‘82, hired Doug Lea (fellow grad student) and in 10 weeks we built a Unix-based statistical exploration system, GraphStat, using DEC graphics terminals.

As a faculty member in computer science, how could I not use technology? Doug ported Unix to a PDP-11 (the first port to that model of PDP). He had the first Unix account (dl) and I had the second (dab), which modeled our Unix account names from that NSF grant. And we pushed the use of Unix and related software in our classes.

In early 1994 I built the first website at Oswego, and the computer science homepage went live in early April, in time for the Open House where we had a dial-up line to the Internet and our display was a very large television. It was impressive (at the time!). Too bad the Internet archive does not go back that far! But you can see an early version of the cs home page at http://web.archive.org/web/19970111073254/http:/www.cs.oswego.edu/index.html

That fall, the first distance course that Oswego offered was my CSC101 course taught using one-way video and two-way audio over cable television throughout upstate NY and portions of Ontario. I had created my own version of powerpoint using web pages, and rolled it all online at the class website after each broadcast. I was able to demo various computer tools, mark up the screen in real-time and magnify portions of the screen. Tina Pieraccini also taught a distance course that semester.

I pushed for faculty involvement in the design of new classrooms, leading to the creation of our so-called “smart” classrooms. I chaired the CourseSpace Pilot Project and did the same with the Hybrid Task Force. I worked closely with the late Don Michaels on these projects, and his wisdom and patience were very helpful during those projects.

How do you see technology improving learning?

I have long pushed the use of technological tools to make educational experiences better. The key, of course, is that the teaching methods used by instructors must integrate the strengths of technology and not merely tack them on as some sort of added bonus to the classroom experience.

How have your students responded to your use of technology?

When done well, the use of technology should not actually be noticed so much as the types of questions and activities that the technology allows are new and engaging. When done poorly, the technology becomes another hurdle to overcome on the way to course completion and often leads to frustration.

What does technology add that would not be possible without it?

What first drew me to technology was the ability to do simulations of activities that could not otherwise be experienced. In GraphStat, we tried to create an interactive statistics package that was graphically oriented and enabled a student to play with data and graphs in real-time, to see what would happen if you added a data point, shifted or deleted a data point. Students could play “what if” games and get a feel for statistics that they otherwise could not appreciate through tons of calculator-based (or SPSS-based) number crunching.

What new goals do you have for using technology in teaching?

We often take for granted that when we talk about “technology” that we are talking about computers, or video, or some such. Pianos are technology, as are microscopes, “clickers” and cellphones. For me there are no new goals, just the same old goal – integrate whatever technology you choose to use into the class (either the classroom or outside of the classroom) to foster student success for each of your course objectives. That always means having to rethink how you teach a course and that is what makes you an effective instructor – trying out new tools means you have to refresh the way you teach your course.

How could the University better facilitate the use of technology in instruction?

We always struggle with the issue of available resources, but in the short-term we can maximize the effectiveness of the common tools that are already available with additional professional development for instructors as well as opening up Angel for use in all courses.

What is your biggest challenge in using technology in the classroom?

There are three – resources, resources, and resources. There is always a need for upgraded equipment, additional equipment and the support needed for their use and maintenance. This is not my problem. I am only a mere associate dean. But I work with faculty and departments to see what can be done through our office to facilitate curricular revision and innovation.

How are you using technology to transform your teaching?

How are you using technology in interesting or unique ways?

Is there anything that you love about technology?

Hah! The use of *all* technology is a love-hate relationship. Heck, even POS terminals are great when there is power but perish the thought that a clerk has to make change manually. Same is true in the classroom. Build your course around Powerpoint, the Internet connection in the classroom and an Elmo (video visualizer) but make sure you can have a productive class if any or all of them fail.

How are you using technology in your daily life?

I love my Garmin Nuvi and audible.com for travel. My iPod is used for listening to books while walking the dogs more than for music. I enjoy being connected but I also enjoy leaving it all behind for days at a time. Oh, and I hate cell phones.

If you had to pick one technology item that you couldn’t live without what would it be?

Pretty old technology, but I would really hate to go without some good books to read.