Interview with Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
STEVE O. MICHAEL, PHD
ON THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY
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Are you able to measure the effectiveness of the University’ s ability to utilize internet-based technology as a primary teaching and research tool? What other tools seem appropriate going forward?
Distance education has been around for some time. We have always known that we could teach remotely and computer technology can be used to augment pedagogy. We also know that there are varying levels of sophistication in remote education depending on the skills and resources of the teacher and experience and determination of the learners. Long before COVID-19, CDU invested in online educational technology; hence, the relatively seamless transition from on campus to online teaching immediately after the State ordered Safer at Home guidelines. While we are currently assessing student satisfaction with their online education, it is important to note that both clinical and laboratory instructions as well as wet laboratory research work were halted. Reopening of the campus when the shelter in place order is lifted will have to be in phases. We anticipate clinical, simulation, and laboratory instructions to be the first back on campus.
What opportunities have emerged in this shift to find new strategies that will enhance the professional relationships between students and faculty?
CDU faculty and students have been pleasantly surprised by the University’ s capacity to work remotely and to transition to online teaching. We have dedicated faculty that learned the technology pretty quickly; students willing to adapt, and IT crew that responded promptly. The future of the University is that of hybrid teaching and to the extent possible, remote teaching will be integrated with face to face instruction. In this way, we will provide flexibility to CDU students and faculty.
Future opportunities, however, call for additional resources to ensure excellence in online education. Resources will include restructuring and expanding academic computing, upgrading classroom lecture capturing technology, and ensuring that all faculty and students have the hardware, software, and connectivity necessary for effective online learning. In addition, we will provide series of faculty professional development henceforth for faculty to learn and upgrade their remote teaching knowledge and skills.
Regarding lessons learned, are best practices emerging that will guide new academic study, training, and research policy guidelines?
Yes. Creative use of technology means that we can expand enrollment without significantly increasing the cost of operations. The use of technology will improve student faculty interactions with a resultant effect of better and more timely advising and expansion of collaborative projects. CDU’ s science and clinical research requires personal attention, a task that does not lend itself to remote operation. However, scientific presentations and fora can be done remotely, which will increase participation by campus and non-campus community members. Under the capable leadership of Dr. Jay Vadgama, the Vice President of Research, we anticipate continuing research productivity resulting in an increasing number of publications, greater grant funding, and more empirical based solutions to society’ s nagging medical conundrums.
CDU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | PG. 04