Workshop: Selecting Appropriate Teaching and Learning Technologies
The Dean’s office in the School of Arts and Sciences organized a one-day workshop on “Selecting Appropriate Technologies to Support Teaching and Learning”. The workshop took place on September 26, 2014 in Byblos and September 27, 2014 in Beirut. It was conducted by Professor Buket Akkonyulu from Hacepette University in Ankara, Turkey. Fifteen faculty members from the School of Arts and Sciences attended the full-day event along with three members from the Education Center for Research and Development (ECRD) and two representatives from the Ministry of Education.
Professor Buket Akkoyunlu holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from Hacettepe University, an M.A. degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Education from Hacettepe University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. Her main research areas include information literacy, web-based learning, multimedia learning, instructional design, and the development and evaluation of instructional materials.
The workshop was divided into three main sessions, followed by a discussion session. These sessions covered topics ranging from ‘Exploring 21st Century Learning’ to ‘Models of Online Teaching and Learning’ and ‘Transitioning to Online Teaching’.
Faculty members and invitees who attended the workshop praised Dr. Akkoyunlu’s vast knowledge along with the added-value of the many references provided for further reading, the discussion about the applications currently used in teaching, and the many useful statistics provided. For most participants, the exchange of ideas on the use and expectations vis-à-vis technology in the classroom was one of the most useful aspects of the course.
This workshop is one of many that the Dean’s Office in the School of Arts and Sciences is organizing or supporting. The aim of these workshop is to provide development opportunities for the School faculty on new programs, technologies, and modes of learning.