Appointment of TLTR Faculty Chair - Seton Hall University
Thursday, July 1, 2021
An avid user of educational technology during his time at Seton Hall University, Dr. Taylor is always looking for technology that can improve student communication, engage students outside the classroom, and provide novel opportunities for students to demonstrate their mastery of course materials. His earliest technology adoptions in the classroom included the use of digital storytelling and blogging in both Political Science and Environmental Studies classes. In the late-2000s, he began utilizing smartphones within student projects. These include the creation of public policy documentary shorts, the collection of geo-tagged, multimedia environmental data, and the development of location-based augmented reality experiences.
During his last sabbatical, through partnerships with Nokia, AT&T, and Microsoft, he raised $365,000 for the launch of the Center for Mobile Research & Innovation (CMRI). These funds supported various programs and projects including the development of the port of the Nokia Data Gathering software program to Windows Phone OS and the launch the Young Developers Program. The CMRI also partnered with the Department of Information Technology and the TLTC to pilot the distribution of Windows Phones with full AT&T connectivity to all incoming freshman as part of the mobile computing program. He has also published research on the application of universal design in learning principles to address accessibility issues in the technology rich classroom.
Dr. Taylor has also served on the Faculty Senate IT Committee for eight years and served as chair or co-chair for four of those years. He has also served on the Digital Humanities Committee. “Both of these committees have helped me gain a better understanding of how faculty interact with technology across all of the schools and colleges”, Taylor said. He has also served on multiple Teaching, Learning & Technology Roundtable (TLTR) committees in the past, and most recently served as the co-chair of the Teaching and Learning with Technology Roundtable Emerging Technology Committee that was responsible for the establishment of Space 154 in the Walsh Library. Taylor is a recipient of a TLTC ReSoft grant, Technology Resource Innovation Opportunity Grant (TRIO), and Faculty Innovation Grant (FIG).
Dr. Taylor will work closely with Paul Fisher, Associate Chief Information Officer and Director of the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, to enhance the University’s long-range teaching and learning with technology goals and work to align those goals with Harvest Our Treasures, the University’s strategic plan. Together, they will work with the TLTR to create action teams to achieve essential short-term goals deemed necessary by the Executive Committee of the TLT Roundtable, and by their constituencies, advancing to the Provost, recommendations as they emerge from these teams.
“A revitalized TLTR can reestablish our campus as an innovative leader in higher education, and my knowledge and experience, from both the faculty and the IT perspective, gives me the confidence that I can help lead this effort as the Faculty Fellow/TLTR Chair”, said Taylor.
The Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable, established in 1995, is a consortium of faculty, administrators and students that meets regularly in action teams to discuss institutional issues related to teaching, learning, and technology. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Department of Information Technology, the TLT Roundtable makes recommendations in support of the University’s Strategic Plan as outlined by stake holders such as the Faculty Senate, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Student Government Association, the Department of Information Technology, and other key organizations or groups across the University.
Categories: Science and Technology
