Meeting Faculty Needs for Training in Instructional Technology: The Academic Technology Lab at ETSU
Delbert L. Hall, Ph.D.
Abstract
As we approach the 21st century, faculty members at colleges and universities are looking at how technology can improve teaching. As new tools and means of instruction are developed, faculty members must learn how to use these high-tech innovations. To help faculty understand and implement technology into their teaching methods, East Tennessee State University created the Academic Technology Lab. This paper discusses the development of this facility, its training programs, and faculty reaction.
In 1994, East Tennessee State University decided to convert five of its traditional teaching auditoriums into "state-of-the-art" multimedia auditoriums. When these newly renovated auditoriums went into use in August of 1994, they were equipped with a multi-preset lighting system, a video projector, a computer, a visual presenter, a laser disc player, a VCR, a video slide projector, wireless and podium microphones, an integrated sound system, and a remote control panel which allowed the instructor to control the equipment from anywhere in the room. Despite all of the preparation that went into the design of these rooms, no plans were made for training faculty members in using the equipment.
Soon after classes began in the fall of 1994, faculty who taught in these auditoriums began experiencing problems. Four of these five auditoriums were located in classroom buildings principally used by the College of Arts and Sciences. Therefore, the dean's office was soon overwhelmed by complaints from numerous departments within the college. Fortunately, two faculty members of the Department of Communication, Drs. Dan Brown and Delbert Hall, had experience in teaching large classes and the use of multimedia equipment. The Center for Multimedia Development was created to train faculty members in how to operate the equipment in the multimedia auditoriums and to diagnose equipment problems. Over the next year, Brown and Hall, through the Center for Multimedia Development, offered several different "workshops" on multimedia. The most popular was on using Microsoft PowerPoint for creating lectures.
Because the Center for Multimedia Development did not have a training facility these "workshops" were more like demonstrations with accompanying handouts. By August 1995, Brown and Hall had concluded that there was enough demand by faculty for training in multimedia to warrant the creation of a training facility. A meeting was set up with Dr. Bert Bach, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Don Johnson, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Norma MacRae, Director of the Teaching and Learning Center. After listening to the request, Dr. Bach agreed to fund a three-phase project that would provide computers and other equipment for a faculty training facility. The College of Arts and Sciences provided the space for the facility and fifty percent release time for a faculty member to manage the facility. The equipment would be on the inventory of the Teaching and Learning Center but would be managed by the Center for Multimedia Development. This training facility would be known as the Academic Technology Lab.
By fall 1996, the new electrical service had been installed, the network connections were run, and six workstations and an instructor's computer were in place. The room was also equipped with a flatbed scanner, a visual presenter, a VCR, and a video projector. On August 13, 1996, the Academic Technology Lab at ETSU became a reality.
The mission of the Academic Technology Lab (ATL) is to "provide faculty members and graduate teaching assistants with training and resource facilities for using technology in the classroom." The ATL provides faculty with knowledge and training to enhance their teaching potential and is a resource center with specialized instruction, hardware, and software for faculty and teaching assistants to use in preparing lectures or other instructional materials.
The original mission statement called for the ATL to conduct at least three workshops per week, but from opening day, it was clear that the demand for training in instructional technology was going to exceed expectations and resources. Within four days of the first workshop schedule being announced, all seats were reserved and a long waiting list was created. In the brief time it has been opened, more than 200 faculty and staff members from 82 departments have taken workshops at the ATL. Many individuals have taken more than one workshop. By May 1, 1997, the end of the current academic year, it is estimated that more than 700 seats in ATL workshops will have been filled.
The original mission statement also called for the ATL to be open as a resource center twenty hours per week during fall and spring semesters. With the help of a full-time graduate assistant, this goal is also being met. Many faculty and staff take advantage of the "Open Lab" time to try out new programs, do color printing, or get individualized help.
Phase II of the funding for the ATL occurred in November 1996. By the start of classes in January 1997, three additional workstations had been added to the classroom area. Also purchased were a server, a color printer, new computer desks and chairs and additional software. The hiring of a graduate assistant and getting more faculty members' to teach workshops helped the ATL expand its workshop offerings.
The ATL has tried to teach a wide variety of workshops on instructional technology. More than 30 different workshops have been offered to date. These workshops include Beginning PowerPoint, Advanced PowerPoint, Creating Web Pages, Advanced Web Pages, Using Authorware, Macromedia Director, Adobe PhotoShop, Advanced PhotoShop, Microsoft Excel, Gradekeeping Software, Windows 95, Netscape Navigator, and Teaching on the Internet.
When Phase III is funded in the summer of 1997, the ATL will be equipped with twelve "student" workstations, an instructor's workstation, a server, a video projector, a visual presenter, video-conferencing hardware, and VCR, in the classroom area. The ATL will also include a resource area with two computer workstations, a flatbed scanner, a Hi-8 video camera, and video capture software. Long-range plans also call for multiple graduate assistants to help prepare materials for faculty instructional needs. The center will conduct workshops for faculty members from other campuses during the summer months and at other appropriate times of the year. Plans for two and four-day workshops are being developed for July 1997. These workshops which will enhance the reputation of ETSU as a leader in using instructional technology and multimedia instruction, offer strong potential as a revenue source. The excitement of multimedia is also helping fuel the development of a new MA program in Professional Communication at ETSU.
Response from faculty and staff members to the ATL and its workshops has been extremely positive. Feedback from faculty members indicates that this program is changing the way faculty teach. Nearly every workshop offered has a long waiting list. There is great excitement about our newest project, a four-part workshop on teaching on the Internet. As we approach the 21st century, many faculty members at ETSU are eager to learn to use technology to improve their teaching. ETSU's Academic Technology Lab is helping them to do it.