How Boston University, Wellesley & Wheelock Are Using the Internet In Ways Beyond Social Media
When we talk about how colleges and universities are embracing the Internet, we typically refer to their use of social media. From their various blogs, to the aggregated feeds streaming across their social media dashboards to the newest Facebook milestones they all hope to achieve, the institutions in and around Boston have been adapting to the times and using social media to engage with their students, staff, faculty and alumni outside of the classroom years after graduation.
But their use of the Internet goes far beyond Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare. Schools like Boston University, Wellesley College and Wheelock College are helping connect students with tutors, and are launching new professional development courses in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, thanks to the World Wide Web.
At Boston University and Wellesley College, they’ve adopted TutorTrac, a web-based tutor and learning center management and tracking software. Hosted by the Redrock Software Corporation, TutorTrac allows schools to connect their registrar, IT department, learning center directors and other tutoring staff to a unified system that tracks course registration, records visits to the tutoring and learning centers, as well as reports on progress and grades earned in the various courses provided.
Students at Boston University no longer need to visit the Educational Resource Center to register for tutoring sessions. Instead, they can log on to the system with their computer, smartphone or tablet, and input the times they’re available. The software takes the stress out of scheduling and spares staff the administrative time spent pairing students with tutors and writing fellows, according to BU Today.
The University began using TutorTrac last fall, allowing students to sign up for tutoring in selected chemistry courses. Now, the Educational Resource Center offers every chemistry and physics course, along with writing assistance. Wellesley College’s Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center also makes tutoring sessions available through the TutorTrac software in various chemistry, math and neuroscience courses.
On Monday, Wheelock College also announced the launch of new online science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses. A part of the College’s STEM Teacher Enhancement Program (STEP), funded by NASA, the classes will provide in-service elementary teachers with the opportunity to improve their instruction methods within a schedule that fits their lives. There will be eight courses offered in total, each which will help educators who teach grades one through six.
Starting in January 2012, the program will offer, “Numbers and Operations” and “Teaching and Learning in Elementary Science.” Designed by Wheelock faculty and expert consultants, the courses will strengthen both teaching methods and knowledge in the math and science fields. All STEP classes are offered on a flexible schedule, but will occur over an eight-week period of time.
Although social media is crucial for an institution’s survival, colleges and universities need to continue embracing the Internet in other innovative ways. What could be next thanks to the World Wide Web?
from BostInnovation.com http://bostinnovation.com/2011/11/23/how-boston-university-wellesley-wheelock...