Becoming a Millennial

220. Taylor Selected as "Benchmark" School

Taylor received an indirect honor last week.  A nearby university is undergoing a self-study of their academic technology program, and has contracted with a consulting firm to assist in evaluation and forward-planning.  Three universities were chosen as "benchmark" schools for this study:  University of Indianapolis, DePauw University, and Taylor University.  I spent most of Friday afternoon with the two consultants showing them the ETC, classroom technology, computer labs, and discussing what we have done over the past dozen years to make Taylor a place where technology fosters learning. 

 

I was asked about Taylor's vision statement for academic technology.  I'm not sure we have settled on an official statement, but this is a draft that communicates where we are headed:

 

Taylor University's Vision of the role of technology for students and faculty can be summed up in the phrase "digital fluency".  In today’s world one must be competent with computer technologies.  Taylor University has been aggressively pursuing this goal by equipping every classroom with smart technology, promoting the wide use of the Blackboard course management system, systematically developing the graphics and video services of the Educational Technology Center, and offering to faculty many opportunities for technology training.  Professors are steadily progressing in their use of technology for teaching using tools such as PowerPoint, the web, online discussions, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and sophisticated interactive systems such as Dyknow Vision.   Every student has an electronic portfolio, and faculty are now required to use an e-portfolio to apply for promotion and tenure.  Digital tools of all types are being woven into Taylor’s academic environment for the purpose of developing digital fluency, and improving teaching and learning.

219. Pajama Day in the ETC

The last Friday of J-Term was dubbed "Pajama Day".  Students and faculty who wore their PJ's into the ETC would receive free hot chocolate or coffee, be invited to play some games, and win some prizes.  Everyone at least walked away with some candy.  Several won flash drives, and one lucky winner garnered a 300 GB external drive.  The day was a successful combination of gimic, fun, and promotion.  We may just have to make this an annual event to spice up the gray month of January. Pictured are Steve Curtis, Gary Friesen, and Mick Bates the unofficial winner for the best attire.