The Innovations in Teaching with Technology Awards (ITTA) fund significant, innovative projects that have the potential to improve teaching and learning throughout the University of Iowa. The ITTA is funded through student technology fees, sponsored by the University of Iowa Chief Information Officer, and coordinated by the Academic Technology Advisory Council. This year, seven UI instructors received awards in support of their innovative approaches.
Guided Tinkering and Learning About Relational Databases: Gamifying a Course in Information System Design, Phase 2
Geb Thomas was awarded $25,000 to continue course gamification designed to increase student understanding of relational databases through guided tinkering for a required course in industrial engineering.
Enhancing Caries Management Education Using a 3D Printed Model
Erica Teixeira was awarded $28,520 to develop a prototype to enhance the education process related to caries management (tooth decay). This prototype will provide a clinically accurate simulation that is a realistic representation of the caries process according to various stages of the disease progression—from initial to extensive lesions—simulating the texture and feel of the affected tooth structure using 3D printed models.
An ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) Learning Laboratory for Engineering Student Education in Industry 4.0
Shaoping Xiao was awarded $10,691 to create an “internet of things” (IoT) learning laboratory that will provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with the Industry 4.0 fields of automation; robotics; programmable logic controllers; human-machine interfaces; CNC programming, set up, and operation; laser engraving; networking; variable frequency drives; material handling; troubleshooting; and more.
Engaging Nursing Students in Gerontology Utilizing Virtual Reality in the Classroom
Shalome Tonelli was awarded $14,472 for a project that will engage students in learning about the experience of older adults through a first-person virtual reality training experience.
The Use of Biomedical Engineering to Enhance Realism in Neonatal Simulation-based Medical Education
Timothy Elgin was awarded $11,500 for a project that will provide experiential opportunities to undergraduate biomedical engineering students to develop lifelike, realistic, and cost-effective simulations that will in turn be used for medical education in neonatology.
Virtual Reality in Law and Ethics Online Teaching
Andrew Hosmanek was awarded $5,208 to expand the use of virtual reality and immersive video to increase student success and engagement in an online business law and ethics course.
History of Technology Laboratory
Jenna Supp-Montgomerie was awarded $4,500 to purchase equipment for the History of Technology Lab (HOTLab), a space in which students, faculty, and researchers across the university can play and create with old media. The HOTLab engages three primary techniques of student-centered pedagogy: collaboration; experiential learning in which learning is accomplished by doing, not just by reading about something; and play-based learning, that is, open-ended activities that encourage student ownership of outcomes, creativity, and intellectual risk-taking.