Dr. Mia Markey
Mia K. Markey is an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering who joined the faculty in 2002. A self-described instructional technology junkie, Mia enjoys finding ways to use technology to help students learn.
After a discouraging first semester teaching an undergraduate course on probability and statistics, Mia sought the assistance of the Faculty Innovation Center (FIC). The FIC has helped Mia develop into an effective teacher and advisor, as evidenced by her receipt of the 2006 UT Student Engineering Council faculty appreciation award for the BME department, 2006 Faculty Appreciation Award from the UT Graduate Engineering Council, and the 2006 Outstanding Teaching Award of the American Society for Engineering Education Gulf-Southwest Section.
Mia came into the FIC to create innovative course materials, integrate technology effectively, and improve her teaching technique. Because she is an “instructional technology junkie” she works with many of the FIC staff and resources. FIC Director Dr. Kathy J. Schmidt advised Mia extensively on several projects and provided detailed feedback based on teaching observations. Bruce Mitchell coordinated Mia with other FIC staff including Juan Diaz and Juan Garcia to produce a short video of BME faculty describing their research topics. This video is to help students understand the role of statistics in biomedicine. The FIC’s system analysts, David Dinh and sr. systems analyst Amar Mabbu, help Mia use the Classroom Performance System to get real-time feedback from her students in the classroom. Erik Zumalt developed graphical content for Mia’s course notes to aid visual learners. The FIC has also helped Mia to work productively with other UT resources. For example, Mia and Kathy teamed with BME undergraduates to develop hyperlinked course notes with the support of the Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment ~FAST Tex program.
The BME department is evolving and Mia realizes new challenges are looming in teaching and learning. Mia noted, “With the formation of our new inter-institutional department, new distance learning opportunities will be available to our faculty and students. We must also continue to improve our interdisciplinary graduate curriculum since students enter our program from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds.” Mia is keenly aware that effective use of instructional technologies can make a difference for her students and we look forward to seeing what instructional issues Mia addresses next.