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Support for Improved Pedagogy
Course fees and the Student Technology Fee often are used to fund teaching innovations and improvements in teaching technology. In some cases, differential tuition is used for these improvements. In addition, the travel opportunities mentioned above indicate support, as well as on-site presentations and workshops. Blackboard allows faculty to interact electronically with students as well as support their learning more effectively, especially in large courses. For more information about the use of technology in teaching, see “High-Tech Learning Environments” under Core Component 3c. The Department of Music has a new technology lab that was provided because of the program’s need for this technology for accreditation. Departmental technology facilities benefit a number of other programs as well, including Art, CIS, English, Foreign Languages, Mass Communication, and Psychology.
Most departments report that faculty are developing and using innovative techniques, and that they are supported in those endeavors in various ways. For example, some faculty have received released time for making innovations. Faculty in English and business are developing problem-based learning techniques using Internet resources. However, it is important to note that, in some cases, innovative practices lead to lowered student evaluations, at least initially, and it is not clear how that challenge is addressed in the different departments and colleges.
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