Teaching and learning technologies explored at upcoming campus roundtable

The results of a university-driven study of teaching practices and student learning and how these areas relate to technology usage will be presented at a campuswide roundtable from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 in The W.A. Franke College of Business Gardner Auditorium.

NAU's e-Learning Center recruited teams of faculty fellows to conduct research over a 12- to 18-month period in various topic areas: instructional design and teaching practices in undergraduate courses, faculty and student perspectives toward technology, and enhancing collaboration through emerging technologies.

Their findings offer solid recommendations on the ways in which the university can support effective use of technology, said Don Carter, the center's director.

"The ultimate goal was to gain a better understanding of the barriers and challenges faculty and students face in adopting technology," Carter said, adding that he is encouraged by the results.

"We learned that students who used technology more frequently in a class received higher grades for that course," he said.

The study also revealed that students tend to master a technology skill if they know it will be useful in their future jobs.

Carter said the roundtable will further explore the study's results to identify new opportunities for effective practices that promote student success.