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November 9, 1995

Distance education resources merged into new center

On July 1, Provost James Maher established the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education (CIDDE) as the central resource for faculty developing distance education programs and courses.

The new center also supports on-campus teaching through workshops and consultations; academic testing services; and technologies ranging from traditional audiovisual equipment to instructional software and 3-D animation, among other services.

CIDDE combines two former units, the Office of Faculty Development and University Center for Instructional Resources (UCIR), with the University External Studies Program (UESP). In addition, three instructional computing staff members formerly with the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS) now report to CIDDE.

"For the purpose of strengthening the University's focus on distance education, this was a natural marriage," said CIDDE Interim Director Diane Davis. "UESP has been delivering distance education courses for years, and the program has curriculum specialists with a lot of expertise in instructional theory. UCIR and CIS had the technological expertise.

"Initially, I thought it was strange that the Office of Faculty Development would be added to the mix," Davis said.

"But actually, it makes perfect sense because of Faculty Development's emphasis on enhancing teaching. There wasn't anything unusual in this [combination]. A number of other universities have combined their offices of faculty development and instructional resources."

CIDDE encompasses the following eight units:

*Instructional Development 3802 Forbes Ave.

Joanne M. Claus (624-3335) E-mail: CLAUS+@PITT.EDU Curriculum and instructional development assistance for creating new courses and programs or enhancing existing ones; design of instructional materials using print, video, interactive television, computers and other media; help in designing instructional materials for the World Wide Web; assistance with selecting and implementing classroom teaching methods and strategies; research to identify existing instructional materials in various media.

* Faculty Development Program 3804 Forbes Ave.

Laurie Richlin (624-6593) RICHLIN@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Seminars, workshops, conferences and other activities to enhance teaching; library of books, audio and video tapes and journals on university teaching; consultations on teaching, classroom visits, and review of videotape of teaching.

* University External Studies Program 3808 Forbes Ave.

Robin G. Wingard (624-7210) RWI+@PITT.EDU Assistance with creating, selecting and scheduling distance education classes, and resolving problems encountered by distance learners; on- and off-campus academic testing, including computer-based testing; study skills workshops and individual academic counseling, among other services.

* Classroom Technology Center G-20 Hillman Library

Bill Johnson, 648-2615 BILLJ@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Faculty training for classroom use of electronic media; graphic design for interactive television; hardware and software demonstrations; World Wide Web design for instructional purposes, among other services.

* Visual Communication Services B212 School of Library and Information Science (SLIS)

Blaine Walker (648-3013) BWALKER@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Graphic design and illustration to support instruction and research; technical art and illustration, including charts, graphs and diagrams; computer graphics for 35 mm. slides, overhead transparencies and electronic display; preparation of scientific poster session presentations; exhibit and display design and production; design of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional animation; high contrast black and white photography.

*Video Production Services A114 SLIS

John Rebhun (648-7226) JWR1@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Collaborate with faculty in creating academic programs; pre-production planning and script writing; broadcast quality recording and editing facilities; two camera studio operation; 2-D and 3-D animation; full-feature audio production facility; VHS editing suites; interactive television classroom; location video recording.

* Photographic and Electronic Imaging Services A114 SLIS

Gary Guydosh (648-9870) GARYG@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Black and white and color lab services (six-hour E-6 processing, custom B&W and color printing and slide production, slide duplication); electronic imaging services (35 mm. slides, color overhead transparencies, color thermal prints and high resolution B&W laser prints); 35 mm. slide and print scanning, including photoCD services; all electronic imaging services are network accessible via PITTNET.

* Instructional Media Services G-20 Hillman Library

Michael Arenth (648-7236) MJA3@VMS.CIS.PITT.EDU Satellite downlink teleconferencing; video and audio tape duplication; international video standards conversion; viewing facilities for media materials; data projectors for classroom use; training in the use of renovated classrooms; audiovisual equipment for instructional use.

–Bruce Steele

Filed under: Feature,Volume 28 Issue 6

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