The Teaching and Technology Collaborative (TeachTech) at the University of Michigan has started planning for the 2021 Enriching Scholarship Conference. Siba el Dallal is a TeachTech representative for LSA and serves on the Enriching Scholarship planning committee. She joined U-M in 2019 as a Learning and Teaching with Technology Consultant for LSA Technology Services. She holds a Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology from Wayne State, where she worked as an adjunct faculty and a GSI . We asked Siba to tell us about her work with the TeachTech and share an update about what we can expect from this year’s Enriching Scholarship.
Q: What is TeachTech?
A: The Teaching and Technology Collaborative, or TeachTech, is a group that provides technical and pedagogical support to instructors, staff, and students interested in using technology to facilitate and enhance learning at U-M. TeachTech draws members from units across the U-M campus. Our partners include the Center for Academic Innovation, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT), Digital Media Commons, Health Information Technology & Services, ITS Teaching and Learning, LSA Language Resource Center, LSA Technology Services, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and University Library.
Q: How are you involved with TeachTech?
A: As a TeachTech member, I meet with my colleagues monthly in one of the unit buildings (take turns) or virtually to:
Plan workshops for the campus community.
Share resources about information technology and pedagogy among the units.
Explore new instructional technologies, such as the EduClass platform.
Plan for the annual Enriching Scholarship (ES) Conference.
Q: What is Enriching Scholarship?
A: Enriching Scholarship is an institution-wide conference that offers a series of workshops, seminars, and panel discussions around the use of technology in teaching, learning, and research. It normally offers around 100 workshops with nearly 800 participants and often kicks off with a nationally-known keynote speaker. TeachTech has been hosting an Enriching Scholarship (ES) Conference every May for the past 22 years—except last year due to Covid-19 challenges.
Q: How will Enriching Scholarship 2021 be different from previous years?
A: Due to our current need to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the conference, our group decided for 2021 we will be having the event online. The event is still in the planning stages, as we are adapting to the constantly changing reality on the ground. However, we are hoping to have a major theme focused on successes and lessons learned about remote and hybrid instruction at U-M and from peer institutions (e.g., Unizin partners). The conference will likely include a keynote panel, as well as online workshops and discussion groups on teaching remotely using various tools and techniques.
Q: What aspects of remote learning is the TeachTech most interested in?
A: We are really interested in success stories and lessons learned about remote and hybrid instruction at U-M and at our Unizin partner campuses. We want to hear about the lessons learned from the sudden shift to online learning, as well how and when other institutions are thinking of returning back to campus.
Q: Will you be seeking instructor and staff participation in facilitating and/or presenting conference sessions?
A: TeachTech will be sending out additional communications about how instructors and staff can become involved in the conference soon, including any calls for session proposals. Watch for an email!
Q: What is the date of Enriching Scholarship 2021?
A: The Enriching Scholarship event will be hosted online from May 3–6.
Q: Are there other initiatives you would like to highlight?
A: TeachTech also compiled a resources shortlist to help faculty navigate the transition to remote teaching.
