Four faculty members have been awarded small grants to enhance their use of educational technology for teaching and/or learning. Funds were awarded through the MUSC’s Information Technology Innovation (ITI) grants program.

David Glenburn Askins, Jr., left, and Robert D. Hadley

Receiving $4,306 to license LXRTest software and to purchase scanners, clerical and CCIT assistance to implement shared exam question banks, and an interactive online student testing model in the College of Health Professions were Robert D. Hadley, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical services, and David Glenburn Askins, Jr., and professor and chairman of clinical services.

This project will be implemented for multiple courses in the Department of Clinical Services, College of Health Professions and other departments will be invited to utilize the newly-developed capability.

Stephen B. Davis, DDS, assistant professor of general dentistry, division of endodontics in the College of Dental Medicine, was awarded $14,507 for his proposal, “Applied Microscopy in Dental Education.” Davis plans to produce teaching videos and 35mm slides of microscopic dental procedures from video recordings of images seen through a surgical microscope.

The technology will support real-time observation, via video monitors, of laboratory and clinical procedures performed by faculty, residents, and students.Live demonstrations of these procedures will be presented in teaching laboratories and clinics. Davis will create an operating protocol and manual so he can mentor faculty in the use of these technologies. He will also offer a demonstration of the technology to MUSC faculty in the coming year.

Elizabeth Bear, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Nursing, received $7,141 to enable her to develop expert skills in creating web sites and understanding the technology related to effective distance learning in order to create sites that involve faculty, students, alumni, and colleagues in other institutions of higher learning.

“Ready access to sites specifically created for the College of Nursing will provide information which can be used for patient care, research, teaching, and continuing education,” Bear said. “By using effective links to topic specific information, users will avoid the lengthy and often frustrating process of searching for data. If the experience is positive, then the user will gain a degree of confidence in exploring other sites, and embracing the concept of incorporating distance learning into their professional endeavors.”

The proposals were evaluated using the following criteria:

• Clearly defined aims and expected deliverables/outcomes.
• Degree to which the proposed project contributes to the educational mission and priorities of the university, college, and/or department.
• The project faculty’s capacity for successfully implementing the project, including evidence that the project will contribute directly to enhancing the applicant’s and/or other faculty’s skills in using the proposed technology for teaching-learning.
• The potential for replicability in other courses or departments.
• Clearly specified plan for measuring the project’s impact.

Information Technology Innovation (ITI) internal grants, administered through the provost’s office, develop and strengthen the faculty’s use of educational technologies for teaching and learning. The University Educational Technology Articulation Committee, which includes representatives from each college, various academic support services units, and the Student Government Association reviews proposals for the awards. The deadline for the next review cycle is Jan. 15.

A copy of the complete guidelines and format for applying for an ITI grant may be obtained from Marcia Higaki, Office of the Associate Provost for Education, room. 200G, Administration Bldg., 792-1928.

Questions may be directed to Nancy McKeehan, interim chair of the committee, 792-7672.

Educational Technology Articulation Committee

Janis P. Bellack, Ph.D., R.N., Provost’s Office - Chair

Nancy McKeehan, MSLS, Library & Learning Resources - Interim Chair (9/97-3/98); Gail Barbosa, Sc.D., R.N., College of Nursing; Thomas G. Basler, Ph.D., Library and Learning Resources; Richard Gadsden Jr., CCIT; Robert Gellin, DMD, College of Dental Medicine; Richard Hernandez, MPH, College of Health Professions; Laurie D. Johnson, SGA; Kristi Lenz, Pharm.D., College of Pharmacy; Jerry Mallard, TV Services; Mary Mauldin, M.Ed., Educational Technology Lab; Lisa Minnick, MBA, Distance Education; Ronald Nickel, Ph.D., Continuing Education; Michael Schmidt, Ph.D., College of Medicine; Tracy Smith, South Carolina AHEC; John Sutusky, Ph.D., Facilities Planning; Eberhard Voit, Ph.D., Graduate Studies