Four engineering technology faculty members shared the Instructional Technology Teaching Award, presented at the Faculty Awards and Retirement Dinner April 29.
The four Richard L. Jones, Bruce J. Pardus, Steven C. Wells and F. M. "Sank" Williams were nominated collectively by William D. Stanley, chair of the engineering technology department, for their project "Synchronous Audio/Video Internet Instruction."
The award includes a $4,000 grant to enhance the winner's or in this case, winners' office or classroom computing environment with new software or peripheral devices. In his letter of nomination, Stanley said that if the group won the money it would be used to further support their efforts to provide new approaches to distance education via TELETECHNET.
For their project, the faculty developed a technique that promises the possibility of live, synchronous instruction over the Internet with both audio and video components. It permits live classes to be transmitted without conflicting with the already crowded television schedule. "The instructor could be in his or her office, if desired, and the students could be in their homes," Stanley said. "The only requirement is that the students have an Internet provider service and a certain minimum computer configuration.
"The implications of this approach are enormous. The current dilemma concerning the availability of satellite TV slots would be greatly alleviated. Furthermore, engineering technology virtual laboratory instruction will be greatly enhanced."
The approach used by the team utilizes Data Beam Learning Space Software coupled with Microsoft Net Meeting. The instructor uses a microphone/headset, a small video camera, a whiteboard and any software he or she wishes to share with students. Each student, sitting in front of a computer, is likewise outfitted with a microphone/headset.
Once the instructor begins the lecture, he or she could choose any one of a combination of supportive materials, including: slides and charts via Power Point; real-time notes written on a whiteboard; and software packages such as Electronic Workbench.
If the instructor wants the students to interact with each other, the software permits the creation of a chat room.
Jones, assistant professor of engineering technology, has utilized this approach twice to teach an electrical engineering technology virtual laboratory. In both cases he taught the lab class to about 25 students scattered throughout the state and elsewhere utilizing departmental computers. Wells, an associate professor, also has used this approach to teach certain specialized courses to students all over the country.
During the next two semesters, several courses will use this technique for a portion or all of the instruction. According to the engineering technology team, the advantages of this approach to teaching, particularly with regard to their classes, are
- Steve Daniel
