Belinda Louie
Professor, Education, UW Tacoma
Dr. Louie, a professor in the Education department at UW Tacoma, was a 2012 UW Tacoma Tech Fellow and developed 鈥淢ethods and Curricula in Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners鈥� (TEDUC 564) into an online course. It is one of five required courses for teachers who would like to be certified in English as a Second Language in Washington state.
Access: 鈥淥nline courses allow teachers flexibility and increase their access to muchneeded professional development. If they cannot come to me, I will bring the training to them.鈥�
Efficacy of online instruction: 鈥淚 see online courses as an alternate form of course delivery, neither superior nor inferior to face-to-face classes, just different.鈥�
Benefits for students: 鈥淭eachers need the professional development; however, it is difficult for them to come to campus to take courses after a long day of work at school. Teachers in smaller districts, such as the Yakima Valley, have limited professional development opportunities.鈥�
Advice: 鈥淗ave clear goals for converting a face-to-face class to online. It takes much mental energy and hard work to launch the first online course.鈥�
Links: One of the videos Dr. Louie uses in TEDUC 564, in which she interviews a local expert on teaching English as a second language
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Read the full Provost report on how UW faculty are enhancing teaching with technology.