2009 Spotlights
Current Spotlight
Spotlight on Innovative Faculty
Throughout the year, we will "put the spotlight" on a member of the UT teaching community so you can share in the innovative uses of technology they bring to the teaching practice.How to enhance lectures with video: |
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Garry MenendezAssociate ProfessorPlant Sciences |
Dr. De Ann PendryLecturerAnthropology |
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Video has become ubiquitous in our daily life; and faculty members realize its instructional value. Many of them would like to use video to enhance their lectures. Is it possible for busy faculty to incorporate video in their teaching without getting involved in the technical aspects? Absolutely! Read the stories of two UT faculty members who came up with two different creative solutions.
Garry Menendez, Plant Sciences
Garry Menendez records his lectures in a Landscape Graphics course where the live video of his drawing is projected on a big screen during the class. Menendez has his video lectures converted to podcasts and posted on iTunesU. The benefits of this approach have been “beyond whatever I expected,” says Menendez. It helps him “cover more ground”, be much more efficient, and provide an easy access for his students to archived lectures.Having the help of OIT’s Instructional Development and Training staff, Menendez does not need to get involved in the technical aspects of the video and podcast production. He also has OIT help developing a Study Abroad trip website and compiling a DVD with the trip video footage. Speaking of his plans for the future using technology in teaching, Menendez says, “I am not really sure what the next is going to bring, but I am sure when I call them they’ll be there for me. And that’s pretty comforting."
View Garry Menendez’ video story
Dr. De Ann Pendry, Anthropology
Dr. De Ann Pendry uses ethnographic films in introduction and upper-division anthropology courses focused on particular cultures to help students visualize the history, places, and people they are studying. She regards the videos as “the next best thing to being able to visit a place and observe other cultures.” The films are an integral part of the curriculum, and the students are tested on their content. Dr. Pendry shows full-length films and short video clips in class to complement readings and lectures, illustrate her points, generate engaging discussions, and provide crucial case studies. The films usually make a big emotional impact on students; several usually feel compelled to come to Dr. Pendry after the class and thank her for videos.OIT’s Digital Media Services (DMS) digitized the films at Dr. Pendry’s request; and now students have the ability to watch the videos online as well. Having a film available through DMS is “a good backup” if a DVD or VHS tape fails. In addition, Dr. Pendry uses the online versions of the videos when she wants to show small segments of a film. The links to online movies are posted on Dr. Pendry’s Blackboard sites. Dr. Pendry decided that a good option for extra credit would be to offer students the opportunity to watch a film online and write a short essay on it.
View Dr. Pendry’s video story
Transcript
Read Dr. Pendry’s detailed response [PDF] on how she is using videos in her classes.
Videography by
Pat Watson of OIT's Instructional Development and Training Group
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