WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
CIIA > SHOWCASE INDEX > 2013
Center for Instructional
Innovation and Assessment

INNOVATIVE TEACHING SHOWCASE

2013
2014
ISSUE 15

This year's Showcase theme, Blended Learning, seeks to honor faculty who have designed exemplar courses that capitalize on an effective blend of face-to-face and web-based instruction.

THEME 

Paula Dagnon, Associate Professor in the Elementary Education Department, emphasizes the "importance of new media skills" and "the critical ability to write in academic English" in her Instructional Technology & Education course. She and her students learn from each other's strengths as they explore creating videos, screencasts, social media tools, infographics, and websites – all while focusing on the intersection of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge.


Rebekah Green, Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Department, first realized the necessity of blending online and traditional tools in her Human Ecology and Sustainability class when it doubled in size. What she didn't expect was the development of powerful learning communities, enjoyable web conferencing activities, and being better able to reach students with diverse styles and needs.


Jerimiah Welch, Instructor in the Engineering Technology Department, decided to match the constantly changing nature of projects in the engineering profession by giving his Computer Aided Design (CAD) students the opportunity to discuss, create, and adapt 3D models. He created a vast collection of self-paced video modules, increasing class time for project feedback, face-to-face grading, and support for individual and group work.

We know that when teachers 'blend' thoroughly evaluated technological resources with rigorous and directed instruction, students are more interested and motivated to learn. With this kind of teacher-focused instruction, students will be well-prepared to contribute to society, make ethical choices, and better compete in a 21st century global economy.

— Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association