FIC & Dr. Billy Koen Produce Award Winning Website
Instructional innovation is a topic of keen interest to Dr. Billy Koen of the Mechanical Engineering Department. Last year, he developed a version of ME 205, Computers and Programming, that is not only Web-based, but it is also taught using the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). PSI is a mastery oriented, self-paced program that emphasizes direct interaction between student, proctor and professor. "This course really opened my eyes. I was truly amazed at the ease that traditional PSI could be transported to the Web. Eighty percent of the students who completed ME 205 said they would like to take another course taught this way", commented Dr. Koen. This site blurs the boundary between Web and live course interactions by using Web cams and chat programs in all aspects of proctoring, teaching and evaluation. Dr. Koen and Dr. Kathy Schmidt, the FIC's manager, were recognized for ME 205 with a first place prize from the University's Innovative Instructional Technology Awards Program (IITAP). This summer, energetic Dr. Koen will teach ME 391R, AI for Engineers, and ME 205 online and from Japan.