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Education technology director's role reflects CHP changes by Cindy Abole Public Relations Fran Lee’s vision of a perfect classroom goes beyond desks, chairs, tables or a chalkboard. In her mind, classrooms would be wired to accommodate large video screens, touch screen podiums, digital video cameras and other wireless capabilities to complement today’s goals for teaching and learning.      In July, Lee was named the College of Health Profession’s (CHP) new director of educational technology. An associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, Lee never considered herself a techno-geek, rather more of an early adopter of technology. In her new job, she is responsible for helping the college’s faculty, staff and students understand and use technology in the classroom and teachings.      Technology team dedicated to students and staff include from left, Dr. Fran Lee, director of education technology; Jim Moore, IT coordinator; James Jones, IT coordinator; and Dr. David Ward, associate dean of student affairs and planning.  Lee’s new role is a reflection of the many new changes in the College of Health Professions. On Aug. 23, the college will open its doors to MUSC students at the new 80,000-square-foot complex on the site of the former High School of Charleston on Rutledge Avenue. Not only does this opening mark an important milestone in the history of the college, but it also ushers in a new era of technology-based education aimed at preparing men and women interested in a career in the health professions.      “This is an exciting time for the college,” said Lee, who has been with MUSC since 1991. “I’m honored to have been chosen by my peers in this capacity.”      As the idea for a new College of Health Professions project was revealed by Dean Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., around 2002, so was the college’s interest in improving technology. Ripich and her colleagues wanted to do more than expand classrooms and offices and arrange them under one complex. They wanted to create a sophisticated teaching and learning environment outfitted with the latest cutting edge technology.      The college consulted with ideaReserve, an educational design consulting company, which provided the needed guidance. They also consulted with colleagues at the Herbert H. And Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions at Central Michigan University, which recently opened its new $50-million technology high-tech classroom building in 2004.      To do this, Ripich and her staff assembled a technology team dedicated to handling this and coordinating all of the technology needs of students and faculty. The team includes Lee; David Ward, Ph.D., associate dean for student affairs and planning; two technology coordinators, Jim Moore and James Jones; and master control room coordinator Bud Cooper who will manage the college’s nerve center to record lectures or coordinate video, voice and data streams to  classrooms and labs throughout the complex.      “Dr. Lee was a wonderful choice for this position,” said Ward. “She brings a strong bent in technology and is also a strong educator within the college’s faculty. There was no need to hire a gadget person in this position, we needed an educator. She has good rapport with faculty and is anxious to work with faculty and staff on all levels either individually or in groups.”      Several years ago, the college tested the wireless waters beginning with a new laptop learning program for masters students in the college’s Department of Health Administration and Policy. The idea was to teach students how to use laptops as a tool to access and move information.   Today, the new CHP facility is totally wireless, allowing students to stay connected and access and send information through a convenient, high-speed wireless Internet service. Besides areas in the new Library/Student Center, the College of Health Professions is the first college to provide these services to its students. After coordinating a partnership with Dell Computers, the college began distributing about 250 laptops to CHP students attending summer sessions. This fall they will continue the laptop distribution for fall semester.     “Laptops in education are commonplace today,” Lee said. “Recently, the college expanded their laptop program to accommodate all CHP students. It was a step forward for students and a tremendous educational benefit that also supports the mission of the college. My goal for educational technology is to continue finding ways that enhance student learning.”      Aside from the flash and glitz of technology that surrounds her, Lee’s focus remains on staff and faculty development. For some faculty, the use of touch screen devices, live video or other media simultaneously can be daunting. Some individuals even fear it, according to Lee. The key is to provide technology that’s easy to use.      A lifelong educator, Lee wants to assist her colleagues in finding new, creative ways to use technology as teaching tools. To do this she’s identified several components that will help guide the college’s efforts in educational technology. First, be flexible. In education, the faculty and student’s needs change almost daily. Lee recommends improved communications through discussions and consultations.      “Our college is composed of multiple programs with different needs,” Lee said. “Technology can also be adaptive to specific programs. For example, technology training would be different for nurse anesthetists, health care managers and therapy educators.”      Another component is the ability to recognize that skills development is always evolving. Faculty and students respond to different types of learning whether it’s one-on-one, groups, independent, etc. Lee wants to establish customized learning. People are apt to learn more based upon their own style and schedule, Lee said.      Throughout her efforts, the ability to obtain feedback and evaluate is continuous. She plans to collaborate with the college administrators, the technology team, CHP student government and faculty/staff for steady guidance.      In years to come, Lee would like to see faculty and staff use a wider range of tools and training programs. Currently, she’d be happy to see faculty and staff use technology that’s currently available to enhance teaching and learning.      “Our faculty are doing an excellent job,” said Ward. “We’re just giving them more tools to work with and provide creative ways to reach their students.”     Friday, Aug. 5, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. 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