Published Title:

    Practical Tools for Faculty Work.

    Kirk Martini
    Department of Architecture
    October 8, 1999

    Reference resources
    Real Title:

    If technology is the answer, what was the question?
    How can I improve my teaching?
    How can I spend more time on things that are interesting and satisfying?

      And how can I spend less time on things that are not?
    How to judge?

      "Understand the harm and benefit in everything."

         --Musashi Miyamoto, 1645.
    Slope matters.
    The Cost-Benefit Spectrum
    A Taxonomy of Tech Projects
    How much can you afford?
    Know the territory.
    ...beware.
    Questions to ask before pursuing a new tool or skill.

    • How much time will it take?
      • How many new computer programs do I need to learn?
      • How many new computer accounts do I need to set up?
      • How many new files do I need to create?
      • How many new people do I need to manage or deal with?

    • What are the benefits?
      • Can I do something I already do but more efficiently?
      • Can I do something new and valuable?
      • How widely applicable is it to my work in teaching, research, and service?
      • Will it make my work more visible?
    Low Hanging Fruit: Toolkit

      Toolkit http://toolkit.virginia.edu/

        Administrative:

      • Ordering books
      • Submitting grades
      • Up-to-date class rolls
      • Electronic reserve

        Pedagogic:

      • Automatically created mailing list
      • Anonymous feedback (guidelines for use)
    Slightly Higher Fruit: Professional Home Page

    faculty.virginia.edu:
    http://www.itc.virginia.edu/itcweb/networks/web/faculty.html

    Things that everyone should have on the web (especially tenure track):

    • Vitae
    • Brief bio (suitable for talk introduction).
    • Course syllabi.
    • Abstracts of current research projects.

    Get a easy-to-remember URL (e.g. faculty.virginia.edu/martini)

    Put it on your business card.
    A little higher: Putting course materials on the web

    "Don't do anything useless"
        --Musashi Miyamoto, 1645

    • Use the web as a component of communication, in concert with handouts, email, books, etc.

    • Don't put something on the web unless it is the easiest or most effective way.
        Examples
        • Quiz Solutions
        • Journals and Sketchbooks

    • If your room is equipped to project web pages:
      • It can be effective to use images or pages to introduce a topic (10 to 15 minutes), and then go to a conventional chalk lecture.

    • Get professional web authoring software (e.g. Dreamweaver) for anything but the simplest pages.

    • To get server space for course materials:
      • Send email to John Alexander (john@virginia.edu) and ask for an account.
    Up in the high branches: Major and Medium Projects

    Get a Grant:

    • TTI for large projects.
    • Faculty Senate Initiative for medium projects.

    What's the most important expense on your grant money?
    An able assistant on your payroll

      Behind nearly every succcessful TTI and IATH project, stands a highly competent and energetic assistant dedicated to the project.

      Don't expect general technical staff (NMC, DMC) to deliver a project for you.
    Everyone should:

      Never forget the central question:

      • How can I spend more time on things that are interesting and satisfying?

      Pick the low-hanging fruit:

      • Use the toolkit, even if your students don't know you're doing it.
      • Make a simple professional home page, put the URL on your syllabi, email signature, and business card.
    A lot of people should:

      Use the web as a component of communication in teaching:

      • Post course-related materials when it is easy or especially effective.
      • Produce elaborate materials only if you will teach a course many times.

      Take advantage of University resources:

      • Get space for course materials on the ITC server, rather than cluttering up your www.people account.
      • Take advantage of the DMC and NMC for training and services.
    Some of those people should:

      Pursue major projects:

      • Get a grant and use it to support an able assistant.
      • Produce innovative work that is a contribution to your field.
      • If you're on the tenure track, get it published.
    Summary:

    • Start.

    • Start small.

    • Find your level.

    • Use computers as an opportunity to analyze the way you communicate.

    • Avoid the middle ground between the small & efficient and the large & innovative.

    • Don't underestimate the value of visibility.