South Dakota Board of Regents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, May 13, 2004
CONTACT: Janelle Toman, 773-3455

E-learning Instruction Recognized By Regents 

PIERRE, S.D. – Four faculty members from South Dakota’s public university system have been recognized by the South Dakota Board of Regents for their outstanding work using technology to deliver high-quality instruction.

“These annual awards recognize faculty and staff for excellence in technology-based instruction,” said Lesta Turchen, the regents’ chief academic officer. “Courses taught by our award winners showed strong promise of enhancing student learning. All of these courses have advanced our efforts to effectively design, deliver, or assess high-tech learning environments.”

Chosen “best overall” in the Faculty Recognition Awards for Excellence in E-Learning was Gloria Craig, who teaches a nursing practicum at South Dakota State University. Craig’s course also took top honors in the Internet-only category. Judges said Craig’s course focused on the kind of dynamic and valuable interaction that provides students with very strong learning opportunities.

R.D. Theisz of Black Hills State University received the top award in the Internet-assisted category for his English course in American Indian oral literature. Judges said this course effectively used popular and cost-effective software such as WebCT and PowerPoint to provide students with multimedia experiences beyond what is possible in a traditional classroom setting. 

Christopher Maynard’s U.S. history course at Dakota State University was singled out as best in the category for support of large-section courses. Maynard’s course makes use of WebCT and the Internet to help students easily access class materials and complete cultural diversity modules.

In the Digital Dakota Network (DDN) category, Denise Peterson of South Dakota State University was recognized for an adult and higher education course in adult principles and practices. Judges noted that including WebCT e-learning technology enhanced the structured interactions and project portfolio in Peterson’s course.

Winners in each e-learning category received a $1,000 cash award. The best overall winner received an additional $1,500 award .

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