4CAST 2017: Our Lives Online Recap

Each January the Campus Academic Strategies and Technology (4CAST) event draws together UI instructors and support staff to examine how learning technologies can be leveraged to engage students, make connections between instructors and support staff, and identify educational potential in new technology.  In its tenth year, 4CAST focused its two 2017 keynote addresses on topics that served as the launch for the University of Iowa’s Theme Semester, “Our Lives Online.”

Since 2008 the Office of Teaching Learning & Technology has hosted the event in collaboration with the Office of Outreach & Engagement, the University of Iowa Libraries, and the Division of Continuing Education.  This year, the Office of Outreach and Engagement was invited to partner with the team.

"4CAST events are welcome occasions to discuss expansively and across disciplines some of the big issues in teaching, learning and student engagement,” Hallsie Reno, Professor of Physics says, “I always come away energized and knowing more about what is happening at the UI.  I wish there were more opportunities like this on campus."

This year’s keynote speakers, Penn State University Senior Director in Teaching and Learning with Technology Jennifer Sparrow and University of Iowa Retired Adjunct Professor of Law Nicholas Johnson, challenged attendees to consider their lives online and making the most of technology to enhance educational opportunities on campus.  Several departments hosted short breakout sessions to explore technology innovations in their academic fields and other departments brought innovative technologies that can be used to support the generation of new and innovative ways to engage with teaching and learning.

The 10th Annual 4CAST was a great kick-off to the Theme Semester!