Mabry Trumpets Technology at UTT Convocation

TYLER — The continued incorporation of technology into the university’s product is The University of Texas of Texas at Tyler’s biggest initiative for the 2010 – 11 academic year, President Rodney H. Mabry announced at Monday’s opening convocation ceremony. UT Tyler will be using the Tegrity course capture and delivery software through which faculty will record lectures for students.

“This is an important step for UT Tyler to take because we’re serving students who have grown up with technology and use it as a natural way to communicate and learn. We should use more technology because students are immersed in it and expect us to use it. Most important of all, we should use it because it has been shown that students actually learn more,” Mabry said. Hybrid courses, which comprise about two-thirds traditional, face-to-face lecture and discussion sessions and one-third anytime online instruction, are the way to go even though adaptability of each course varies, he added.

Tegrity software will allow faculty to capture certain lectures right at their desks and put them directly online. University staffers say faculty can meet fewer face-to-face classes, and that ultimately allows them to spend more time helping students individually or answering questions online. University officials say this technology initiative, which includes Blackboard course management software and Tegrity, is intended to make the university a leader in the use of technology. The initiative is just one major element of the new Center for Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Learning that is developed by Dr. Peter Fos, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

“Becoming known as the university in Texas where students get to take hybrid classes and where their penchant for using technology is recognized and encouraged by faculty would create a very important market distinction for UT Tyler itself. This distinctive reputation would help attract more of the high-ability students we seek,” said Mabry.

The convocation highlighted achievements of the past year such as sponsored research topping the $12 million mark. Also at the convocation, 35 new UTT faculty members were introduced. Mabry concluded his presentation by acknowledging an upcoming milestone birthday for UT Tyler. On June 10, 2011 the university will celebrate its 40th year.