The future of learning

Professors adopt technology in classrooms

Interactive learning is going beyond Blackboard as teachers adopt innovative technologies both in and out of the classroom, catering to all different types of thinkers.

"I think the more technology you have available, the more learning styles you address," said Diane Wilcox, assistant professor of adult education and human resource development.

Wilcox introduced her and Jodi Myers’ HRD 240 classes to Centra Symposium, after she used the program facilitating corporate training. Centra Symposium is a live, virtual classroom where teachers and students can simultaneously interact with one another in a setting of their choice.

Once students log in, they can hear one another talk, break into groups and record conversations.

"Everyone can see what is on my desktop, and they don’t have to be looking over my shoulder," Wilcox said. "It opens up a bunch of possibilities."

The class alternates, sometimes meeting through Centra Symposium, while other times in the classroom where they can interact face to face.

"I try to use a mix because everyone is different in how the learn," Wilcox added.

She also utilizes an online survey service, surveymonkey.com, to gather student opinions of the curriculum materials, activities and technologies.

Yvonne Stapp, assistant professor in the English as a second language program, has also implemented different technologies into her class, EDUC 490. Stapp is using Tegrity, another virtual classroom program which combines a visual presentation with a pre-recorded lecture from a teacher.

Students can view the lecture and demonstration from their own computer. "The advantage is the student can see it up close and repeat it until they understand [the material]," Stapp said. "People need to see things as much as they can."

She explained having direct access to information makes for better understanding of the course material.

"In the classroom students are trying to keep up and may not correctly get the information down.

"People have different requirements as far as how much practice people need; teachers can provide this and we have the resources." Stapp added.

Sarah Cheverton, manager of faculty development within the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT), said she primarily works to help teachers use technology for classroom instruction. In addition to Centra Symposium and Tegrity, CIT helps faculty prepare video for streaming, which makes video clips and movies accessible for reference in the classroom. CIT also offers assistance with the Madison Digital Image Database, an easy way for faculty members to share images with their students.

"Technology is broadening the possibilities for teaching and learning, offering more dynamic ways for students to learn," Cheverton said. "It brings the student into the real world, and this kind of technology is what they will be experience once they leave here, there is no way around it."

Cheverton said she is pleased with JMU’s efforts to adopt new technologies. "In the last two years, I have seen tremendous interest and willingness to learn and try new things."