Technology and Distance Education Committee 2024-2025

Technology & Distance Education Committee

Year: 2024-2025

https://education.ufl.edu/committees/technology-and-distance-education/

Co-Chairs

Bojan Lazarevic & Walter Balser

FPC Rep

Katy Chapman

24-25 Tech & Distance Ed Members

Notes: (1) = serving final year of 2-year term and (2) = serving first year of 2-year term

  • HDOSE: Walter Balser (1), Justin Ortagus (2)
  • SESPECS: Katy Chapman (2), Alisa Hanson (1)
  • STL: Tammy Huang (2), Bojan Lazarevic (1)
  • Dean’s Office: Dr. Glenn Good

Constitutional Charge

This committee will consist of two people from each school. This committee shall make recommendations and review policies regarding accessibility to and support for the use of technology for instructional, research, and operational purposes. In addition, committee members should:

  • (a) Serve as liaisons between their school faculty and technology/distance education administrators by bringing suggestions and concerns from faculty to the committee.
  • (b) Share information regarding college and university technology/distance education efforts during school meetings.
  • (c) Propose potential solutions to technology/distance education issues in the College in consultation with faculty and administrators.

FPC Representative Responsibilities

  • Set the first meeting date.
  • Facilitate the election of a committee chair
  • Work with the committee chair to set goals for the year
  • Ensure that committees are working within the FPC constitution and collective bargaining agreements
  • Report on committee work to FPC each month
  • Work with the committee co-chairs, ensure that committee minutes are saved for posting to the website each month.
  • Ensure the chair submits the final committee report

The Committee’s Established Goals for 2024-2025

  1. Continue supporting the faculty with using AI in teaching and learning
  2. Provide support aimed toward course mapping procedure including QM+UF Markers of Excellence.
  3. Work with ETC to organize Blue-Ribbon competitions
  4. Support preparation of TAs and adjuncts.
  5. Support ETC and College related to 2025 Strategic Online Plan.

Goals 1 and 2 – Met

The ETC office organized a well attended workshop for faculty which combined the use of AI in the process of course mapping (goals 1 and 2). The webinar presenters were Dr. Beckett, Dr. Chapman, and Dr. Geiger. The event topic was “Cutting-Edge Course Design: Discover AI-Assisted Mapping Technique” and it took place on April 8th.

The following is the summary of the conducted session: The meeting focused on the importance of course mapping in online education, with discussions on its role in aligning objectives and outcomes, ensuring curriculum coherence, and improving student engagement. The team also explored the use of AI tools in course mapping, with Macy Geiger demonstrating how to use Chat GPT for course mapping and design. The conversation ended with a discussion on the potential of AI in aligning course objectives with assignments and the importance of co-creation and dialogue in the process.

Goal 3

The committee decided not to organize Blue-Ribbon competition during the academic year of 2024-2025.

Goal 4 – Met

The ETC office lead by Domenic Durante conducted a well attended Open House session via Zoom on January 8, 2025. The session entitled “Adjunct/New Instructor Zoom Open House” was structured around several topics including but not limited to Canvas course setup, demonstration of various Canvas features and tools, student rosters, troubleshooting, etc. The workshop moderator also addressed various online strategies for boosting teaching and social presence in an online environment.

Additionally, numerous resources for faculty were shared in the follow up summary. For example: New Instructor Training: Powerful Online Teaching, Canvas Instructor Guide, LinkedIn Learning, Supplemental Syllabus Information, etc.

Goal 5

The directors of the three schools and deans should reconvene to address the 2025/6 Online Strategic Plan and develop college wide goals that are incremental.

2025-2026 Tech&Ed Carry Forward Recommendations

Continue supporting faculty efforts in utilizing AI technologies in teaching and learning as follows:

  • Special attention should be given to workshops focused on utilizing AI in research
  • Support AI related student work and course development

Continue with Open House initiative aimed toward the preparation of the following categories of instructors:

  • New instructors
  • Teaching assistants (TAs)
  • Adjuncts

Additional Recommendations:

  • Continue supporting faculty in their efforts to create course maps and complete the QM+UF certification process.
  • Discuss and/or conceptualize mechanisms for sharing or re-using tech hardware at the college level.
  • Provide support in the process of creating 2025/26 Strategic Online Plan.