Fostering student engagement in a virtual world can be challenging, but two Delta State University faculty members have been recognized for going the extra mile.<\/p>\n
The DSU Office of Information Technology recently recognized Assistant Professor of Psychology Jacqueline Goldman and Elementary Education Instructor Nicole Spinks as the 2020 Student Engagement Educator Award winners.<\/p>\n
DSU students were asked throughout the month of October to nominate faculty members who have gone above and beyond through the use of technology to positively impact their educational experience this year at Delta State.<\/p>\n
A total of 179 nominations recognizing 89 faculty members was received. The winners were selected based on the total number of nominations and were recognized Oct. 30 in a video distributed to faculty by Chief Information Officer Dr. Edwin Craft.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a semester like no other we\u2019ve had and the spring semester will be different from what we\u2019re used to as well. Your nominations tell us that you\u2019ve gone above and beyond to help students feel connected and engaged,\u201d said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Charles McAdams during the virtual event.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students were very candid in their submissions highlighting faculty members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis instructor has gone above and beyond to make her students feel safe and understood,\u201d wrote one student of Goldman, \u201cShe uses PowerPoint, Zoom, articles, and extra videos that allow us to learn the material in different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has taught us about so many other materials and technological resources that real teachers use,\u201d commented another student about Spinks. \u201cThe information will help us in the real world of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n
McAdams noted that awards were renamed to highlight the importance of student engagement in the educational experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngagement is important because students learn by doing. Engagement includes students being engaged with (faculty), engaged with each other and engaged with the subject matter. When they\u2019re engaged, they learn,\u201d McAdams said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for all of the extra work, all of the extra effort and all of the extra time you have put in to help our students\u2019 experience be the best that it could be during these unusual times.\u201d<\/p>\n