News & Events

Variety in VARIETE!

August 4, 2011

CTL Learning Circles have been overflowing with ideas this summer. “How Learning Works” participants pondered teaching strategies that can enhance student motivation and mastery, “SOTL” faculty devised pedagogical studies to be conducted in courses this fall, and “Inner Lives of Students” members considered the spiritual development of college students. Give faculty the time and space to reflect, and inspiration follows.

“Hybrid Learning” participants, encouraged by their reading of Jason Allen Snart’s 2010 book on the benefits and challenges of blending online and face-to-face teaching, are striving to expand dialogue about instructional technology beyond their learning circle. Through VARIETE (Virtual And Real Integrative Educational Technology for Everyone!), a workshop open to the entire campus, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to learn about current teaching technologies and consider their usefulness in engaging students and facilitating student learning. Organized by the CTL and sponsored by Teaching and Learning with Technology Resources and the University Teaching Council, VARIETE features five UNC Asheville faculty members who already make use of innovative technologies in their classrooms.

VARIETE will take place in the library’s Whitman Room on Wednesday, August 17th (12:30-4:30 p.m.). Two members of the “Hybrid Learning” group will share their experiences: Nancy Ruppert (Education) will consider how student discussions with Moodle enhance their learning, and Tracey Rizzo (History), who created the VARIETE acronym, will explore virtual possibilities in Humanities classes. In addition, Jen Ward (Biology) will introduce podcasting, Mike Ruiz (Physics) will demonstrate making “how-to” YouTube videos, and Karen Cole (Education) will explore Second Life and its applications to teaching.  Following the presentations, slides and handouts will be posted at http://ctl.unca.edu/variete.

For more information, please contact Melissa Himelein (himelein@unca.edu, 250-3896). Nearly 30 faculty members have already signed up for the workshop, but more spots are available!

VARIETE schedule

VARIETE presentations