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Friday Live - October 10, 2008
Faculty Helping Faculty - Cracker Barrels
Jane Harris, Ph.D., Instructional Technology Consultant
School of Health and Human Performance
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Cracker Barrel Format
- One hour in duration excluding provided lunch (pizza and drinks).
- Very informal -
- Faculty are told that this is for works in progress.
- They are told that their colleagues need to know what works and what doesn't - because both are helpful.
- Multiple media stations set up on tables
with chairs around them.
- Laptop(s)
- Separate larger monitor.
- Speakers, mics, whatever ancillary hardware/software required.
- Wireless access to the Internet.
- Takes place in large open lounge area; faculty and TA/GAs can float and/or come and go.
- Simultaneous faculty/staff/student presentations that change at set time intervals.
- We have done 15, 20, and are now trying 30 minute sessions.
- Except when presenters are doing their sessions, they can attend as well.
- Agendas and evaluation forms presented at the session.
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Preparation
- Instructional Technology Consultant, assigned to the School, asks for volunteers but mostly solicits presentations from faculty.
- Advertising is done via the School faculty and TA/adjunct listservs.
- Agendas with annotations of the sessions are emailed ahead of time.
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Key Factors
- Strong support from the Dean and Associate Dean.
- Instructional Technology Consultant assigned to and physically situated in the School for maximum faculty and student access.
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Other Elements
- Email thank-you notes are sent to presenters and more feedback is often gained that way.
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Faculty Reaction
- Many presenters are apprehensive beforehand, but report afterwards, that it was a great experience.
- Faculty now come with specific sessions circled on their agendas.
- Faculty want to do things they saw at the cracker barrel.
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