Professor uses podcasts in lessons to relate to and teach students
Allison Bramlett
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Campus News
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The International Conference on College Teaching and Learning honored a GCSU professor with the 2009 Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning award.
Dr. Walter Isaac, an associate professor of psychology, was honored with the 2009 Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning award for his use of podcasts to help students learn complex brain functions.
The award, given by the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, recognizes full-time faculty who find creative ways to teach. Isaac was nominated along with 21 other professors from around the country for the award.
"I was truly excited that I just got the nomination," Isaac said. "But being there and receiving the award was fantastic."
The conference, in its twentieth year, included high school teachers up to faculty from four-year universities. There were
presentations from students and faculty on things they have tried in the classroom that have worked. The conference is an annual event hosted by Florida Community College in Jacksonville.
Each college or university is allowed to nominate one full-time faculty member. Dr. Deborah Vess, professor of history and recipient of the 2008 award, nominated Isaac for this year's award.
"Dr. Isaac was in an iPod learning community that I facilitated, and he did a number of very creative, innovative things," Vess said. "He did some incredible podcasts that teach students how the brain works."
Isaac credits Dr. Rob Viau and Dr. Hank Edmondson with laying the groundwork for using iPods in the classroom. When video iPods hit the scene, Isaac thought he could use them to help his students. He learned the necessary software, such as Keynote, iMovie and GarageBand, in order to create his podcasts.
"Professor Isaac's pioneering use of podcasts taps into students who are accustomed to receiving most of their information through electronic avenues of sight and sound that are highly personalized," said Dr. Lee Gillis, psychology department chair. "His approach builds on this by teaching the 'iPod generation' in ways that allow them to more easily absorb deeply complex information."
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