The University of Findlay - Conference Description

Teaching, Learning and Technology Centers (TLTCs) often serve diverse purposes. Some cite as their goal to help faculty use technology more productively in the classroom while others serve as a center for digital writing or a center for faculty and students to collaborate on digital projects. Still others aim to strengthen faculty teaching and research through a variety of strategies and programs, not exclusively focusing upon the utilization of new technologies.

The University of Findlay’s SEED conference attempted to provide a “snapshot” of the types of TLTCs that currently exist at colleges and universities and the types of work we do. While many centers are well-established, others are recent developments on campus and still others are in the founding stage. All most likely vary in scope and emphasis and employ a variety of faculty and staff. The conference provided an opportunity to discuss and share the variety of training opportunities offered through various centers (e.g., online teaching, multimedia tools, sophisticated programs/applications, technology hardware), special faculty development projects, student involvement and growth and development plans.

The conference presentations looked at the following questions:

1). What does a TLTC look like? A presentation might explore questions such as the following: Where is the center physically housed? Does it have a web presence? Where is the web presence housed? Who does the center report to? How was it founded? Who “works” at the center? What is the title of the TLTC on your campus? How was the title determined?

2). What audience does a TLTC serve? A presentation might explore questions such as who uses the center (faculty, staff, students, community?) and how these groups are encouraged to use the center (campus, community advertising?). Also, how can many different clients be served effectively within limited budgets?

3). What does a TLTC do? A presentation might explore questions such as what the overall goal of the TLTC is, what types of projects it does, what training workshops are offered, and what its mission is on campus.

4). Why do we need TLTCs on campus? In other words what makes TLTCs unique? Tell us about some unique projects your campus is doing with its TLTC.