SUNY Enters Phase 4 of Educator Tech Infusion Training

A project to help faculty and staff learn how to use online instructional techniques begun in 2012 at the State University of New York (SUNY) is deep into its fourth phase. The Tools of Engagement Project (TOEP) provides an online community and incentives to encourage people within the SUNY system of colleges and universities to embrace "tech-infused pedagogy."

A major aspect of the work is participation in a Google+ community, where people can post their ideas and questions and get help from others who have already developed mastery.

Participants register to join the TOEP community, complete the self-paced online "Lifelong Learning discovery activities" and explore at least three technology tool "clusters," such as blogs & wikis, mobile apps and social media.

In this latest phase, those who finish the activities by April 1, 2016, earn digital badges and can pursue other kinds of incentives through a peer review process. That includes professional development awards "valued at $300" or iTunes cards.

The work was initially funded through two rounds of "innovative instruction technology grants " awarded through the SUNY provost's office. Now it's supported by the SUNY Center for Professional Development, the University at Buffalo (where TOEP originated) and Binghamton University, as well as through a campus membership fee structure. The current roster of institutions participating encompasses 19 schools.

A recent event led by Cherie van Putten, an instructional designer for the Center of Learning and Teaching at Binghamton and a project lead on the initiative, introduced TOEP to educators at her institution.

"I want instructors to know that this exists and hopefully they will join," van Putten said in a recent student newspaper article. "Even if they are not registering and taking part in our community, at least they know that there is that resource out there for them when they need any information."

She added that the skills acquired by participants are meant to be integrated into the classroom. "It's not just about the technology," van Putten said. "It's about ways to serve the students better, to increase their learning and to engage them more."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

  • cybersecurity analyst in a modern operations center monitors multiple digital screens showing padlock icons, graphs, and a global map with security markers

    Louisiana State University Doubles Down on Larger Student-Run SOC

    In an effort to provide students with increased access to real-world cybersecurity experience, Louisiana State University has expanded its relationship with cybersecurity solutions provider TekStream to launch TigerSOC, a new student-run security operations center.

  • flowing lines and geometric shapes representing data flow and analysis

    Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

  • geometric pattern features abstract icons of a dollar sign, graduation cap, and document

    Maricopa Community Colleges Adopts Platform to Combat Student Application Fraud

    In an effort to secure its admissions and financial processes, Maricopa Community Colleges has partnered with A.M. Simpkins and Associates (AMSA) to implement the company's S.A.F.E (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) across the district's 10 institutions.