Tech lab opens in ND's Kaneb Center
By SHEILA EGTS
News Writer
Last week marked the grand opening of the Learning Technology Lab in the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning at Notre Dame.
A consensus regarding the need for more support for faculty in evaluating, selecting, and implementing technological tools in the classroom prompted the building of the lab. The idea for the Learning Technology Lab is about two years old, but the actual planning for the facility began in March.
The Learning Technology Lab, located at 350 DeBartolo Hall, offers assistance to faculty and teaching assistants in developing technological tools that the meet specific needs of individual courses.
According to Kevin Barry, assistant director of the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, "The operation of the facility consists of working with the faculty and teaching assistants to determine if there are technology tools that will help them in their classes and, if so, to develop and implement those tools. This interaction can take the form of individual consultations or group workshops."
The primary objective of the new facility is to enhance teaching and learning through the addition of computer-based technology. Barry said, "This service is intended to augment the faculty support provided by the Office of Information Technologies Educational Technology Services with whom we have a close collaborative relationship."
The space also includes a high-tech faculty and teaching assistant lounge where instructors can connect laptops to the Internet and meet with colleagues. Coffee and tea are also available compliments of the Kaneb Center. The lab and faculty lounge are open for drop-in assistance or by appointment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Student consultants are available for assistance for about 30 hours a week along with Kevin Barry and Chris Clark.
"The response has been positive," said Barry. "For many people, the grand opening was the first time that they became aware of the lab's existence, and their comments indicated that they were excited to be aware of the facility and interested in taking advantage of the support that is being offered."
Contact Sheila Egts at
egts0236@saintmarys.edu
All News Stories for Thursday, October 11, 2001
