CRLT hosts first Teaching with Technology Institute

Hypertext can give readers on the Internet access to layers of information. But what about languages such as Hebrew and Arabic, which are read from right to left? Doran Lamm, a U-M instructor, tackled that question in a new program sponsored by the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT).

Lamm, who teaches Modern Hebrew in the Near Eastern Studies Department, was one of five faculty selected for CRLT's first-ever Teaching with Technology Institute, held May 14-20, which included seminars and workshops with CRLT and Media Union staff. The faculty members each received a $2,500 grant to implement and disseminate the ideas resulting from the institute.

The others selected were: Vicente Diaz, assistant professor, American Culture Program; Larry Gant, associate professor, School of Social Work; Brenda Marshall, lecturer, Department of English; and Julie Skurski, lecturer, Department of Anthropology.

The institute was a collaboration among campus units, particularly CRLT and the Media Union, that offer instructional technology (IT) services to faculty, says Constance Cook, CRLT's director. "This year, CRLT funded the institute as a pilot. We did so because we have long wanted to provide more support for faculty who use technology in their classes, and we had noticed that many faculty spend some of the month of May preparing classes for the fall. So it seemed an ideal time to offer the institute."

For the final meeting of the institute May 20, participants presented their projects. In Lamm's case, the adoption of hypertext was successful. "I wanted to strengthen the cultural dimension of our curriculum, not just for Modern Hebrew, but for Arabic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and other similar languages," he said.

Diaz took a passion for seafaring and combined it with IT to create a virtual environment "that can help build a community of learners and a model for learning."

Gant sought proficiency in the use of Time-Enabled Geographic Information Systems animation and TimeMapping. "I'll teach students to use these tools so they can better evaluate the effectiveness of community-based social programs," Gant said.

Marshall will introduce digital technology into her technical writing classroom to integrate words, images, graphic design and other media components to help students practice communications skills they will need in "the real world."

Skurski's goal is to promote more active learning among her students. She has decided to use Course Tools as a forum for group projects that will combine a variety of visual and audio media.

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