Expanding the Graduate Seminar
through Compressed Video: Linking Students and Scholars
Article by Jennifer Smith
Much talk about educational technology has focused on its uses in revamping undergraduate courses and in asynchronous distance education. What role can it play in advanced courses for on-site graduate students, particularly in the social sciences and humanities? With UW-Madison professors Rudy Koshar (History) and Leigh Payne (Political Science) as examples, this article explores how limited use of technology can do much to broaden the research circle of graduate students pursuing specialized topics.
Professor Angela Burger
Department of Political Science, UW Center-Marathon County
ABSTRACT (no feature article available)
Professor Burger uses a computer data analysis package (with bar graphs, cross-tabs, scatterplots, mapping, with Chi-square and Pearson's R) and computer simulations provided by HarperCollins for political analysis in her classes. Her students use email to turn in assignments and to facilitate communication on group projects. Burger also uses the Web in her classes; course syllabi, study test questions and writing assignments are posted on the Web, and students use the Web to explore intelligence sites and participate in Barry's interactive simulation (ecological and international). Check out the political science home page at http://mthwww.uwc.edu/wwwmahes/courses/pol-sci.htm You can reach Professor Burger at aburger@mail.uwc.edu
Professor Tracey Gladstone-Sovell
Department of Political Science, UW-River Falls
ABSTRACT (no feature article available)
Professor Gladstone-Sovell has been using electronic communication, particularly class newsgroups, in her classes for the past three years and intends to integrate more Web material into courses next year. Her department is currently working on a project to integrate multimedia elements into their introductory American Politics course, which is part of the General Education program on campus. She has also set up a Web site for her department at http://www.uwrf.edu/polsci/welcome.html You can reach Professor Gladstone-Sovell at Tracey.L.Gladstone@uwrf.edu
Professor John Kozlowicz
Department of Political Science, UW-Whitewater
ABSTRACT (no feature article available)
Professor Kozlowicz uses presentation software in his classes. These presentations are placed on either Astound or Bravo. He also uses email and electronic discussion lists to distribute materials to students and encourage out-of-class discussion. You can reach Professor Kozlowicz at kozlowij@uwwvax.uww.edu