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Background:
I've
been teaching at MCC since 1978, first as an adjunct and
then as a residential faculty member. As the demand for
online classes grew at MCC, I tackled creating MCC's first
online laboratory science class. Bio 100 online was piloted
in 1998, and I haven't looked back since!
In
Bio 100, a gen ed inquiry-based course, students use a laboratory
kit and supplies they purchase (such as fresh spinach or
hydrogen peroxide) to complete experiments at home. They
conduct online discussions about the results of their experiments,
complete textbook readings, and experience online "lectures"
in a question-and-answer format.
Students
are assessed via a weekly online quiz, delivered through
WebCT. Midterm and final exams are proctored - in person,
no notes, and no computer access. The online course I developed
is now used by four instructors (including myself) to serve
approximately 100 students per semester who might not otherwise
be able to enroll in the college biology course they need.
Developing an online course involved learning a lot of new
skills and reexamining what is known about how we learn.
It has changed the way I teach my on-campus microbiology
class in ways I never envisioned! My latest challenge is
to create engaging, interactive Flash animations.
Teaching
online somehow seems much more public than sequestering
yourself in a traditional classroom. It was very reassuring
to receive several national awards as a result of this challenging
endeavor (2000 Gustav Ohaus Innovation in College Science
Teaching award from the National Science Teacher's Association,
2000 Two-Year College Biology Teacher of the Year Award
from the National Association of Biology Teachers, and course
selected as WebCT Exemplary Project in 2001).
In
addition to my teaching duties, I lead the Distance Learning
Mentoring Group (DLMG), which is supported by the CTL and
Dean Mee. In response to a request for proposal announcement
each semester, faculty wishing to participate in DLMG complete
a form describing their internet experience and skills,
an explanation of the online course they propose to develop,
and a letter of support from their department chairperson.
Faculty
who are approved for acceptance in DLMG receive reassigned
time or payment for a semester as they work on their online
course offering. DLMG faculty meet each week to dialogue
with faculty who are experienced teaching online and implement
best practices. This meeting also provides the opportunity
to share with each other the problems/solutions they are
encountering. I have mentored approximately 50 MCC faculty
in DLMG, including faculty developing online courses in
history, humanities, biotech, criminal justice, computer
science, nursing, reading, math, English, Japanese, German,
French, business, film writing, psychology, instructional
design, music, religion, and fire science. It is inspiring
to see work with such professional, creative, competent
colleagues each semester!
One other task
I tackle for the CTL is to be part of the team that brings
you TechConnect, our MCC newsletter to keep you in tune
with what is happening with technology on our campus.
Hobbies:
- Reading
- Bridge
- Golf
(though it's on hold these days as you can see from the
photo)
- Traveling
- Computers
(or is it an obsession?)
Family:
I
have two grown daughters, whom I adore. One is working on
her dissertation (will it ever get done ????). The other
is doing legal work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
My husband teaches at ASU, so we are totally immersed in
teaching and students. My father, a retired Air Force general,
is an 87-year-old resident of Sun City, and still kicking
after all these years!
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