Inspire, Summer 2009

2 SUMMER 2009 what’s abuzz your source for what ’ s new and exciting at C edarville U niversity While in Vienna, Dara Fraley, a staff member for the Center for Teaching and Learning, filmed Dr. Chuck Clevenger, professor of piano, as he lectured in the city. The clips were later integrated into online classes. Cedarville may not be able to bring every student to Vienna to study the fine arts — but through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Vienna has come to the students. This summer, the CTL traveled to Austria with Dr. Chuck Clevenger, professor of piano. While there, they filmed on- site lectures that were incorporated into the online course Introduction to the Humanities. As demand increases for online classes, the CTL is helping the University expand course offerings and develop creative ways, like the Vienna teaching clips, to make e-learning more engaging. And as a result, online enrollment continues to increase. It is this level of ingenuity and foresight that makes the CTL so successful. But it doesn’t stop with online coursework. Dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and excellence of Cedarville’s overall teaching environment, the CTL collaborates with faculty to build innovative instructional solutions. “My vision is for the center to become an indispensable part of the University,” said Donald Humphreys ’89, director of the CTL. “When professors have a question about how to teach with technology, design a course, fix an instructional problem, assess learning outcomes, or improve their courses, I want them to think of us and say, ‘I know where I can go for help.’” And there’s certainly no shortage of opportunities. During the 2008–09 school year, 50 percent of the faculty made use of teaching and learning seminars as well as instructional design consulting. “What we do benefits students immensely,” Don said. “As faculty improve their pedagogy, students are bound to see a better, more engaging product in the classroom.” Since its inception in 2006, the CTL has been a sought-after resource for more than 200 faculty members. The CTL is also committed to sharing its expertise with University friends and alumni. Visit www.cedarville.edu/ctl for more information. Vienna in View