For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 10,
2003
Public University Faculty Recognized for E-learning Coursework
ABERDEEN
– Twelve faculty members from South Dakota’s public university system earned
awards Thursday for their work in delivering high-quality instruction via technology. The
Board of Regents’ Faculty Recognition Awards for Excellence in E-Learning were to be
presented Thursday night at the South Dakota Distance Education Conference in Aberdeen.
“These
awards honor faculty for creative accomplishments on behalf of students, as well as
acknowledging the universities’ support for faculty development and technology
innovation,” said Lesta Turchen, the Regents’ chief academic officer. “The
high quality of the courses submitted for this year’s competition attests to the
talent and expertise in our public universities.”
The
Best Overall award in the e-learning competition went to Michelle Rogge Gannon, who
teaches English 101 for the University of South Dakota. Rogge Gannon’s course
also took top honors in the Internet-only category.
Reviewers
said the USD English course made innovative use of WebCT tools and features that afforded
students the opportunity to learn whether on campus or elsewhere. “Her Web site is
comprehensive and provides a strong example for other distance education courses,”
one judge noted. “The course includes many components that are often not found in
traditional face-to-face courses. Those students who take this course benefit from their
online experience.”
“These
awards demonstrate the Board of Regents’ commitment to integrating technology to
enhance quality of education, as well using technology to better deliver distance
education across this state and region,” said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett.
Other
winners of the Regents’ E-learning Excellence Awards were:
- Internet-Assisted
(Team)
– Lisa Bryan and Roger Ochse, Black Hills State University, for
their Joint Venture Creation/Technical Communication course (BADM 316/ENGL 379). Reviewers
singled out this course for utilizing various delivery methods, collaborating across
disciplines, and use of an interactive syllabus. “This
course was more complete than courses I’d seen being offered via the Internet alone,”
one judge said. “If I’d been a student, I would have been thrilled because these
instructors have it together.”
- Digital
Dakota Network
– Judy Vondruska, South Dakota State University, for Introduction to
Astronomy (PHYS 185). Vondruska was given high marks for being inventive and resourceful
in reaching students using the Digital Dakota Network and the Internet. Reviewers said
course activities met the different learning styles of students, while encouraging
students at different sites to interact with each other. One judge commented, “Ms.
Vondruska has recognized the fact that student interaction in DDN courses is a necessary
component.”
- Support
of Large Section
– Dan Tallman, Northern State University, for the Biology Survey course
and lab (BIOL 101/101L). Tallman was recognized for utilizing various technologies,
including the Internet, to support a large-section course. The course’s Web site was
praised for its easy navigation and user-friendly nature. “If I was enrolled in this
course, I feel the site would be invaluable as a resource for the class,” one
reviewer said. “The strongest aspect of the site is the information provided on
exams, quizzes, and assignments. Students can take practice exams, and review the rubrics
for each of the assignments.”
Because
of the high caliber of many of the entries in this year’s e-learning competition,
special awards of merit were presented to two additional projects, Turchen said. Winners
of the merit awards were:
- Judy
Sneller
of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for the Technical Communications I
(ENGL 279) course. Reviewers said the course offers students opportunities to expand their
interaction and explore content, both in and out of class. One of the judges said, “Students
have many more avenues for interaction with both peers and content than they could get
with a one-hour class meeting.”
- A
team of University of South Dakota instructors who teach Nursing 281, Caring for
Persons Across the Lifespan. Judges praised the course for an instructionally sound
interface and content. Online material greatly improves the quality of instruction in this
course, the reviewers said. One judge commented, “It offers varied media for
learning, complete content, tools for empowering the user, and varied interactions to
ensure successful learning outcomes.” Members of the NURS 281 instructional team are Connie
Evenson, Jennifer Leonard, Kathy Manning, Kathy Jorgensen, Gary Larson, and Bob
Corio.
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