From Faculty to Students: The COE’s Work Continues

"The Gleaners" by Jean-François Millet

Like all of you, I read the CET blog every day. I like the 5-day-a-week format, with everyone in the CET contributing and with most entries (excluding this one and a few others) designed to support the use of technology in some way. Anyone who is not reading the blog is missing out on some great resources for integrating technology into her classroom and using D2L to its greatest capacity.

That said, I have been thinking a lot about how we are preparing our students to use technology in their professional lives. I do not doubt that we have lots of great things going on, with some of you using technology in your classrooms and preparing students to take up similar efforts. I know the IKE is introducing many students to the possibilities of digital media, which, hopefully will be eventually available to all students. And, of course, no student should graduate without having multiple experiences with D2L. Those who are doing all this know who you are.

Yet, even with all the good stuff, I worry about the fact that most, if not all, of our programs have yet to develop a plan for the integration of technology into their coursework, a plan that prepares our students not only for using technology in creative and research-based ways but also prepares them to evaluate critically how and why technology is used—a plan that positions them to say “yes” to technology when appropriate and “no” when necessary.

We have seen our technology resources grow exponentially over the past few years. We have brought in people who not only have strong technology expertise but who also know how to work with faculty and students. We have plans to do much more.  Unfortunately, however, we have not had the serious discussions that we need to have about what our students need technology-wise. That is, we have not had the discussions that lead to action.

The e-Learning Committee has had these discussions off and on for a number of years. Through the work of Carol Wren and the committee, plans have been put forward only to be rejected at the program level. This has got to change.

A major goal this year of the e-Learning Committee is to start the discussion again and take the actions necessary to extend what we are doing for faculty by way of technology for our students. If your program is not represented on the committee, I want to encourage you to identify someone who can commit to being part of this work. So when the e-Learning Committee comes calling, please answer and take on this important project.

Equipment

CET equipment, particularly laptops, flip cameras and other recording equipment, is being checked out regularly, and in order to guarantee everyone has access, we ask that you reserve your equipment in advance, say a week or two, if possible.

Also, please know checkout periods are for 1 week. At that point the equipment need to be returned if someone else has requested them or renewed. Regardless, after a week, you need to check in with CET staff.

Merit Review

Full-time faculty are encouraged to participate in the Digication merit review training scheduled this month:

The dates for the training sessions are:

Monday, 10/10/11, 3:00-4:30, SAC 232

Wednesday, 10/12/11, 3:00-4:30, SAC 232

Friday, 10/28/11, 3:00-4:30, SAC 232

The dates for the open lab sessions are:

Thursday, 10/13/11, 5:30-8:30, SAC 240

Thursday, 10/27/11, 5:30-8:30, SAC 240

Full-time faculty, please fill out this very brief survey to help us plan for who might attend each session.  Also, all full-time and part-time faculty have access to Digication. Simply go to the Digication site (linked with the CET site or in Campus Connect) and use your Campus Connect sign-in info.

D2L

Check the blog for the latest D2L tutorials and to set up/ask questions contact sbrown33@depaul.edu  They really are great.

Don’t hesitate to contact CET with any questions, concerns, or support needs.