Each year since 2004, the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center selects faculty at GVSU to receive a variety of teaching awards. These awards were presented during the 2019 Faculty Awards Convocation, held on February 12 where faculty are publicly recognized for their teaching, service, and scholarship.
The Pew Teaching with Technology Award was established to recognize faculty who use technology in innovative ways. This year, the FTLC recognized Julia VanderMolen and Julie White as recipients.
The eLearning team offers a hearty kudos and congratulations to Julia and Julie!
Julia VanderMolen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Joined Grand Valley State University in 2013
While integrating educational technology into teaching public health, Julia VanderMolen incorporates TED-Ed assignments that require students to research, present, dig deeper, inquire, and discuss. Other tools include Brainshark (for recording lectures), Lightboard technology, and Google Drive. Colleagues and students recognize the thoughtful implementation of technology coupled with sound pedagogical strategies to create excellent learning environments. VanderMolen also has successfully published on the following topics: assistive technology, disabilities as they pertain to public health issues, interprofessional education, and teaching and learning.
Julie White, M.A.
Senior Affiliate of Writing
Joined Grand Valley State University in 2002
The hallmarks of Julie White’s success in integrating technology with her teaching are her openness to innovation and her collaborative spirit. By partnering with Grand Valley librarians, she introduces new ways for students to use technology. Additionally, by using Google Sheets to provide feedback on student writing and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for office hours, she gives students opportunities not only to learn new tools, but also ways they can use the tools in their professional lives . As a testament to the success of this strategy, one of her student’s essays was chosen for publication in WRT 150: A Guide to Student Writing .