The Academic Technology Lab (ATL), a resource center for faculty, instructors and TAs interested in using multimedia to improve teaching, learning and research at Stanford University, has recently adopted a new consulting model.
ATL consultants will provide training and support for the development of instructional materials including interactive presentations, videos, DVDs and Web sites. Faculty will also receive assistance integrating technology tools such as CourseForum (a Web-based forum) and CourseWork (Stanford's learning management system) into their courses. See also CourseWork Integrated with Stanford Syllabus in this issue.
Academic Technology Report Podcast Series
The new Academic Technology Report podcast series contains information and interviews with Stanford faculty and other experts that address of-the-moment technology for teaching, learning and research on campus and beyond.
The podcasts offer contact resources, as well as technology services; the series also explores current technology trends and what's happening at other institutions. The Academic Technology Report blog contains podcast show notes and links to transcripts. The blog gives listeners the opportunity to add comments, provide feedback and suggest topics for future episodes.
ATL Wiki Component Project
When Professor Virginia Walbot contacted the ATL about creating a multimedia textbook for her Biological Sciences 137/237 Plant Genetics course, Academic Technology Specialist, Kimberly Hayworth, worked with Professor Walbot to realize her specific objectives for the project.
Professor Walbot's objectives included increasing student engagement, improving collaboration, and developing a documentation process for research. In Spring Quarter 2008, Professor Walbot will be including a wiki component (software that allows users to create, edit, and link web pages easily) for students to collaborate on developing experiments and analyzing results of the plant genetics class laboratory.
A major element of the wiki component will be students' digital images of dahlia plants and flowers. Student-generated content (images, experimental designs, data) will be used as a resource for future course materials; each successive group of student participants can add to the understanding of the regulation of pigmentation, as well as the form of leaves and flowers in dahlias.
New ATL Equipment
The ATL has purchased a variety of new equipment to support Academic Computing projects that require video and audio capture, podcasting and media streaming. The ATL acquired a Canon HV20 High Definition camcorder, as well as Flip Video Ultra Camcorders. In addition to video equipment, the ATL now has a Zoom H2 Digital Recorder that is ideal for mobile recording and podcasting.
For More Information
The Academic Technology Lab is part of the Academic Technology Specialist Program. For more information, visit:
