2012-2013 Miller Faculty Fellowships

Title:		Expanding the Digital Matrix: From Virtual Monitor to the Material Realm of the Studio Arts
Proposer(s):		April Katz (with Ingrid Lilligren, Brenda Jones, Barbara Caldwell, Cindy Gould, Christopher Martin, Joseph Muench, Barbara Walton, Emma Powell, and Teresa Paschke)
Department(s):		Integrated Studio Arts
College(s):		Design
Abstract:		The purpose of this project is to develop a guidebook and training materials, apply them to eleven courses, evaluate their effectiveness and revise elements for future use. These instructional resources will enable integration of new digital technologies (laser cutters and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router) into College of Design studio arts courses which have traditionally focused on hand processes. All Design College faculty will have access to these new teaching resources.

Title:		The Iowa Policy Network
Proposer(s):		David Peterson
Department(s):		Political Science
College(s):		Liberal Arts and Sciences
Abstract:		This proposal supports the development of the Iowa Policy Network (IPN). The IPN will be an informational resource for Iowans about the public policy debates in Iowa government. Students contributing to the IPN will be trained in policy analysis and the political process of Iowa. They will construct the IPN's content by analyzing the policies being debated in Des Moines and reporting on the policy process as it occurs. The reports will vary from background analyses on the status of the policy in Iowa, reporting on the debates that occur in the legislature, and summaries of the bills that are passed into law. The product of the network will be a public webpage archiving and publicizing this student conducted research. The policy briefs will be organizied following the Legislature's committee structure, and students will be assigned to specific committees to develop expertise in this policy area.

Title:		Development of an Online Offering of Hort 380, Principles of Garden Composition
Proposer(s):		Lisa Orgler
Department(s):		Horticulture
College(s):		Agriculture and Life Sciences
Abstract:		The goal of this project is to create an online offering of HORT 380 Principles of Garden Composition which is currently offered through the Department of Horticulture as a face to face course each spring. The online version of this course will become a key part of the Landscape Horticulture Certificate currently under development. Interest in this course has grown steadily over the past four years from non-horticulture majors and those outside the university practicing within the landscape profession. Creating an online version of the course will allow us to better serve those audiences. New components of the online course such as drag and drop self-tests, short video clips and an extensive online image library illustrating design principles will also be used in the face to face offering. This proposal focuses on the instructional design, development and implementation of an online version of the course.

Title:		Enhancing Student Learning in Knowledge-Based Courses: Integrating Team-Based Learning Approach into Mass Communication Theory Class
Proposer(s):		Gang Han
Department(s):		Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
College(s):		Liberal Arts and Sciences
Abstract:		This proposed project seeks to combine the team-based learning (TBL) approach into a cross-listed course: JLMC 401 Mass Communication Theory. Among the first to bring TBL to a communication-related class, this project aims at boosting learning effectiveness and creating a student-centered, self-motivated and cooperative learning environment in knowledge-based or research-oriented undergraduate courses. Students are expected to work in teams of various dsciplinary bacgrounds to facilitate their understanding of theories and research about media and mass communication as well as enhance their abilities in creative and critical evaluation on the role and influence of mass media in the American society. The project, as a pedagogical innovation, also has potential to be adopted for theory and research courses in public relations and advertising as well as for a variety of courses in social sciences or the humanities.