2007 News Archive

Annual Teaching and Learning Colloquium To Ring In the New Year posted December 2007

The 2008 Teaching and Learning Colloquium held on January 8-9 focused on engaging students in the classroom, reflecting the theme of Innovations and Basics for Learning.  The informative sessions were well attended, as were the hands-on technology workshops that supplemented the colloquium. These workshops are scheduled throughout the semester, http://www.utexas.edu/academic/cit/services/training/workshops/index.php or are available as a one-on-one session.

The annual DIIA Award for Excellence in Teaching went to Alexandra Albright, Associate Dean in the School of Law. Albright and her contributions to teaching excellence will be featured as a DIIA Spotlight on January 28. [more]

DIIA Team Delivers Encore DMS Presentation at Campus Technology Winter Conference posted December 2007

At the 2008 Teaching and Learning Colloquium January 8 and 9, an interdisciplinary collection of guest panelists and presenters will focus on the tried and the new in engaging students for active learning. Reflecting the theme of Innovations and Basics for Learning, the two half-day programs include stand-alone sessions on innovations such the 3D virtual world called Second Life and on basics such as designing good writing assignments and fostering collegiality through peer review. [more]

Digital Media Services Initiative on Display at Campus Technology Annual Conference posted December 2007

At last summer’s Campus Technology annual conference in Washington, D.C., four panelists from DIIA shared with a national higher education audience insights from the Digital Media Service’s (DMS) year-long pilot program to encourage faculty to use multimedia technologies. Moderator Susanna Wong Herndon, associate director for teaching-enhanced learning, was joined by DIIA associate dean Robert Bruce, media specialist Lucas Horton, and senior lecturer Leslie Jarmon for a session entitled Preparing 21st Century Students. [more]

Brian A. Bremen Presented with Burnt Orange Apple Award for Outstanding Teaching posted November 2007

Brian A. Bremen, associate professor in the Department of English, College of Liberal Arts, has been presented the Marilla D. Svinicki Burnt Orange Apple Award in recognition of his leadership in advancing teaching and learning and for his commitment to UT Austin students. Dr. Svinicki, a professor in educational psychology, initiated the award to recognize faculty members whose teaching has positively impacted the lives of their students. [more]

DIIA Team Leads Discussion of Inquiry-Based Teaching at Discovery Learning Project Seminar posted November 2007

At the November luncheon seminar of the Discovery Learning Project, a DIIA team coordinated by Lynn Jones Eaton, Associate Director for Faculty and Graduate Student Instructional Development, led a discussion of ways that DIIA supports innovative instruction at UT Austin. The interactive session addressed the division’s initiatives in supporting innovations in using virtual worlds, in facilitating ongoing student feedback, and in providing individual consultation [more]

Workshops to Offer Hands-On Training in Using Grading Tools and Designing Improvement Plans posted November 2007

A week of interactive workshops beginning November 26 will kick off DIIA’s new series of regular assessment tutorials, with two offerings each on two topics. [more]

IITAP 2008 Call for Entries posted November 2007

The Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment is pleased to announce the eleventh annual Innovative Instructional Technology Awards Program (IITAP), the provost’s initiative to encourage, support, and reward innovation in using instructional technology. IITAP participants will be recognized and honored at the 2008 Innovative Instructional Technology Awards Program on April 23. The total amount of cash awards is $10,000. [more]

Panelists at Fall GSI Colloquium Celebrate the Diversity of UT Academic Centers posted October 2007

Four panelists at the fall Graduate Student Colloquium urged their colleagues to seek out opportunities to be involved with UT Austin’s many interdisciplinary academic centers, where graduate students may broaden their perspectives, enrich their studies, and forge social, scholarly, and professional relationships with peers and faculty. Sharing the stories of their trials and triumphs as graduate students arriving at a large, diverse campus, the panelists struck a common theme: graduate study can be expanding even as it demands specialization. [more]

Ongoing Faculty Development Series Offers New Sessions posted October 2007

DIIA encourages faculty to participate in the free, monthly faculty development series in FAC 327, "How People Learn." Join colleagues for in-depth pedagogical insight and hands-on experience. Learn new techniques, ask questions, and build classroom instructional materials that work. [more]

Fall 2007 Faculty Development Opportunities posted October 2007

In its commitment to ongoing instructional development, the Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment (DIIA) offers a free, monthly faculty development series in FAC 327, “How People Learn.” Join colleagues for in-depth pedagogical insight and hands-on experience. Learn new techniques, ask questions, and build classroom instructional materials that work. [more]

Catherine Dossin Garners Inaugural Graduate Student Instructor Award posted September 2007

Catherine Dossin, Ph.D. candidate in Art History, was presented with the inaugural Graduate Student Instructor Award to acknowledge her outstanding work in teaching and learning. [more]

Graduate Student Instructor Colloquium Models Professional Peer Presentations posted September 2007

Graduate students who are currently, or expect to become Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), or who wanted to learn more about teaching, had an opportunity to further their professional development at the 2007 Graduate Student Instructor Colloquium, held Saturday, September 15. [more]

2007 New Faculty Seminar Eases Transition to The University posted September 2007

The 2007 New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar featured the theme “Helping you succeed at UT.” Participants had an opportunity to hear and meet President Powers, Provost Steven Leslie, and other UT administrators who are dedicated to quality instruction at UT Austin. The Seminar offered a broad array of presentations, discussion, and networking activities to help ease the transition as a new faculty member. [more]

Teaching is a Privilege for this Graduate Student Instructor posted September 2007

Rebecca LaVally believes that good teaching transforms students. LaVally, Assistant Instructor in the College of Communication was chosen to present a session at the 2007 Graduate Student Instructor Colloquium on September 15 on how good communication skills can improve teaching and learning at The University. [more]

Instructional Assessment Resources (IAR) launches new Web site posted August 2007

The Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment has developed a unique online resource to guide university instructors and staff in assessing student learning, teaching, instructional technology, and conducting program evaluation—the Instructional Assessment Resources (IAR) Web site. [more]

Karron Lewis to participate in international research study posted August 2007

DIIA Associate Director Karron Lewis will take part in an international research study through a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRD). [more]

Karron Lewis on faculty at international institute for new faculty developers posted August 2007

Dr. Karron Lewis, Associate Director for Instructional Consulting and Research, served on the faculty for the 6th International Institute for New Faculty Developers (IINFD), which took place June 24-29 at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. [more]

2007 Graduate Student Instructor Colloquium posted August 2007

The 2007 Graduate Student Colloquium, scheduled for Saturday, September 15 in Welch Hall, will again feature peer-to-peer presentations with the theme "Communication: The Foundation of Teaching Excellence." [more]

New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar—August 21-24, 2007 posted June 2007

The University welcomes all new faculty members to campus and invites you to attend the New Faculty Teaching, Learning, and Orientation Seminar: Helping you succeed at UT August 21-24. Distinguished faculty, staff, students, and administrators will share advice on successful teaching and research at the University during four morning sessions in Avaya Auditorium, adjacent to O's Campus Cafe in the ACES building. [more]

Jones Eaton joins University Charter School advisory board posted May 2007

Lynn Jones Eaton, team leader for the Faculty & Graduate Student Instructional Development group in DIIA, was recently appointed to the advisory board of the University Charter School (UCS). [more]

Judy Ashcroft honored as distinguished alumna posted May 2007

Judy Ashcroft, Dean of Continuing Innovative Education, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni medal from the College of Education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. [more]

Instructional Technology Showcase scheduled for May 30 posted May 2007

The 2007 Instructional Technology Showcase is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30. The annual showcase is a unique opportunity for IT staff throughout the campus to share news, display their favorite projects, and discuss new tools and techniques. [more]

UT Faculty attend tenth annual Wakonse South conference on college teaching posted May 2007

Each spring, a group of faculty from colleges and universities across the southwest gather at the Canyon of the Eagles Lodge and Nature Park on Lake Buchanan to interactively engage in informal dialogue about teaching. The first Wakonse Conference on College Teaching took place at Camp Miniwanca on the shores of Lake Michigan in 1989. Regional Wakonse conferences evolved as more and more faculty have been inspired and energized by the conferences. [more]

IITAP award winners announced at April 24 ceremony posted April 2007

The Innovative Instructional Technology Awards Program (IITAP) celebrates ten years of recognizing and rewarding faculty efforts to incorporate appropriate technology in their teaching. These annual awards are supported by the Office of the Provost, and administered by DIIA.

The winners for IITAP 2007 awards program and showcase were announced at the Tuesday, April 24 ceremony. [more]

Dean Ashcroft on panel of Women in Executive Administration posted March 2007

Dr. Judy Ashcroft, Dean of Continuing and Innovative Education (CIE) will participate in a panel of distinguished women administrators at The University of Texas at Austin to share their professional backgrounds and strategies to overcome societal bias against women in leadership roles. [more]

Division of Continuing and Innovative Education reflects new relationship posted March 2007

Judy Ashcroft, Dean of the new Division of Continuing and Innovative Education, guides both the Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment and the Division of Continuing Education in enhancing their common goals of integrating pedagogy, innovative technology, and assessment to more effectively serve the university community and all Texans. Rob Bruce and Shan Evans will assume new leadership roles in DIIA. [more]

Spring 2007 faculty development opportunities posted February 2007

Faculty are invited to join their colleagues for hands-on experience in building classroom instructional materials that work by registering for free, monthly "How People Learn" workshops. The Collaborative for Instructional Impact (CII) Noontime Forums also return with new topics for spring 2007. Focused on “Sharing What Works,” these monthly, informal brown bag meetings are an opportunity for faculty to share instructional practices at UT Austin. [more]

DIIA award presented to Allen/Banner team posted January 2007

Jay Banner, professor in the Jackson School of Geosciences and director of the Environmental Science Institute, and David Allen, professor in the College of Engineering and director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Resources, were presented with the DIIA Award for Excellence in Teaching for their ground-breaking signature course pilot, Sustaining a Planet. [more]

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