Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
Health Sciences Administration
The Health Sciences Center for Educational Resources (HSCER) is changing how faculty in the health sciences teach. Through the use of modern computer technology, the Internet, and proven instructional design techniques for distance learning, HSCER is facilitating a revolution in teaching within the health sciences core disciplines. The goals of the Instructional Technology Support unit in the HSCER are to assist faculty in using computer-based instruction (CBI) and manage server technology needed to efficiently and effectively move instructional materials onto the World-Wide-Web.
UPDATE: HS Center for Educational Resources merged with HS Academic Services and Facilities in the summer of 2001. They continue to provide essentially the same set of services for researchers, instructors and students throughout the UW community as they did before the merger. However, the services that they provide have changed. The Instructional Technology Services (ITS) group changed its name to Educational Technology Services (ETS), but is still comprised of instructional designers who focus on building web sites for computer-based instruction. Please follow this link to the Health Sciences Academic Services & Facilities web site: http://depts.washington.edu/hsasf/ for further information.
| Contact: |
Jim E. Barrett, EdD Director, Center for Educational Resources barrett@u.washington.edu |
| Allocation: | $120,000 |
| Date Funded: | September 1998 |
PROGRESS REPORT: Fall, 1999
The of support from the Tools for Transformation program has allowed the Health Sciences Center for Educational resources to move forward with improved technical support, new hardware installation, and expanded services to faculty. The proposal goals have been met and the overall under-taking had been an outstanding success.
PROJECT GOALS AND OUTCOMES
| Goal 1: | Improve the maintenance and technical support: a Web Manager (Systems Administrator) position was created and successfully filled. This individual has provided a sound foundation for the subsequent expansion of our server capacity and reliability. |
| Goal 2: | Improve the computer hardware and software systems for greater reliability, faster access, and greater security: three servers, upgraded software, and auxiliary hardware to assure backup, reliability, and redundancy were purchased and placed into operation in support of computer-based instruction: |
| Goal 3: | Employ hourly staff and students to maintain and upgrade current materials and expand instructional offerings: while the Instructional Technology Support unit is fortunate to have nine professional staff supporting the development and implementation of computer-based instruction, the assistance of student employees has greatly increased the unit's production. |
EFFECTS ON THE CURRICULUM
We helped 42 faculty in the six health sciences schools prepare
computer-based instructional materials. We have refined many of the
software tools that facilitate production of courseware and have developed
some new approaches. We worked with the Schools of Nursing, Medicine
Public Health and Community Medicine, and Pharmacy. to develop
standardized templates for course home pages
EVALUATION
Overall, the sites were accepted with enthusiasm. The one comment that
was expressed most often can be summarized as "give us more." Students
were enthusiastic about immediate feedback and explanations for decision
points, quick access to reference points, graphics, photos and animations
used in explanation of phenomena, and home access.
SUMMARY
The award has provided the transitional funding that enabled the Health
Sciences Schools to both develop a far greater number of Web-based course
resources than would otherwise have been possible and to examine a variety
of new approaches to delivering unique health science content. Although
we fully intend to maintain this valuable program, without permanent
funding in the 1999-2001 biennium we will be forced to reduce the number
of projects and faculty served to 50% of the current levels.
Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
