2020 Award Recipients | Teaching and Learning Commons

The Teaching and Learning Commons (TLC) has awarded six grants to West Virginia University faculty to encourage innovation in the classroom.

Grants were awarded to:

Hanna Szczepanowska (Assistant Professor of Art History, WVU College of Creative Arts) – Zarbeco MiScope and accessories to use as a field digital microscope to document characteristics, conditions and surface features for use in ARHS classes and to support the nation's first Technical Art History degree.
Arron Fleming (Associate Professor of Accounting, WVU College of Business & Economics) – Oculus Quest VR Headset and accessories to immerse students in real-life processes and procedures for expansion of the hybrid online Masters in Forensic and Fraud Examination into a virtual residency.
Amelia Simpson (Graduate Research Assistant aided by Dr. Taliaferro and Dr. Bulger, WVU College of Physical Activities and Sports Sciences) – 3D printer and other accessories for use in designing/developing physical activity-related assistive technologies through student collaboration in CPASS and Davis College APE practicum related courses.
Jennifer Stueckle (Teaching Associate Professor of Biology, WVU Eberly College of Arts & Sciences) – Aquarian Hydrophone and accessories to establish a biotechnology project for hands-on exploration in an outreach and community service context, and address a significant portion in GEF course BIOL 101's curriculum.
Nina Assimakopoulos (Associate Professor of Flute, WVU College of Creative Arts) – Apple iPad and accessories to provide Applied Flute undergraduate and graduate student access to study and perform many electro-acoustic works, expanding their repertoire and performance experiences, and raising international program visibility.
Randy McCombie (Associate Professor of Human Performance - Occupational Therapy, WVU School of Medicine) – Meeting Owl Pro and accessories to enhance student group discussions, debates and demonstrations on national and international levels for better understanding and appreciation of global healthcare perspectives.

Honorable Mentions:

Crosby Hipes (Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, WVU Tech College of Business, Humanities & Social Sciences) – Student resources for in-class activities / out-of-class research projects.
Ryan Hansen (Teaching Instructor of Mathematics, WVU Eberly College of Arts & Sciences) – 3D printed manipulatives for hands-on approach to "grasp" abstract ideas within a concrete context.
Clifton Smith (Teaching Assistant Professor of Visual Journalism, WVU Reed College of Media) – Student resources for first "Use of Drones in Media" class for visual storytelling.

The awardees are expected to incorporate the technology into the classroom during the 2020-2021 academic year and present their findings in a poster session at Celebrate in May of 2021.