Applause for FLASHLIGHT

Awards

Although Flashlight methods and tools can be used in any sphere of technology-supported learning, we have received particular praise for our contributions to distance education. In 2001, Flashlight received the ITC Award for Outstanding Innovation in Distance Learning (see below).   

The citation wrote that Flashlight "moved the debate about the role of technology in education from the realm of opinion and expectations to a more solid ground based on research, analysis and tools that work.”  The Instructional Telecommunications Council (ITC) is an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges.  In 1998, Flashlight shared in the award for "best contribution to research" from the United States Distance Learning Association. 

Praise from Network Members and Hosts of Events

Steve,

We got [the grant]! Thanks to you and the Flashlight Project for your help on the evaluation side of “The Statistical Concepts Buffet,” our Pew Course Redesign grants proposal. The day you spent with our writing team really produced some great results in our approach to evaluation. Of course, now the real work begins- we need to build our implementation-assessment cycle step-by-step. We’ve got 3,200 students to satisfy. Stay close to the phone, keep your airplane tickets at hand.

All the best and thanks again,

Steve Acker
Ohio State University

About Our Events

Thanks again for a thoughtful and provocative workshop! As you know, our intent in setting the TLT Symposium was twofold: first, to give our faculty, chairpersons, deans, and staff and opportunity to discuss and evaluate issues that they don't normally consider beyond the 'I have a problem' level; second, to help our institution, through the participation of key administrators, move into a university-wide consideration of teaching, learning and technology from a pedagogical and programmatic perspective.

You have helped us move closer to achieving both goals! From initial reactions it is clear that your hands-on, brainstorming approach has had the desired effect. The examples you brought from around the country and the insights you shared from your days at FIPSE and the Annenberg projects were invaluable in convincing our people that the topic deserves an in-depth examination.

Best regards,
Leora

Dr. Leora Baron, Director, Academy for the Art of Teaching, Florida International University

 

"I really appreciated how the Flashlight process was modeled during the workshop. Rather than telling participants what he does, the facilitator actually coached us through developing a study. I leave the workshop feeling I can do a study on my own!"

Sherry Clark, Board of Regents staff, University System of Georgia.

"I never imagined I would come away with such great ideas and insight. It was a great day and the highlight of my time at the American Library Association conference. I will keep you posted on what happens with our work. Thanks again for everything".

Beth Hammond, Mercer University

"The Flashlight Workshop was definitely a worthwhile learning experience for me. Dr. Ehrmann is a thoughtful and attentive workshop leader, with a ‘learn by doing’ style that he applies to himself as well as the workshop participants. The Flashlight workshop made me think very carefully about the components of teaching and learning in my classes…I believe I'm walking away with a much-improved sense of what may need to be evaluated in my courses, how components might or might not be related to one another, along with instrument items from the Current Student Inventory that I can use to assess particular outcomes in my class. All teachers should take such a workshop."

Lisa Troyer, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology, University of Iowa

"I want to thank you again for your leadership at our faculty retreat. You modeled a style of leadership for us that centered on discussion and critical reflection of the use of technology for teaching and learning. Several times you redirected questions that exposed our thinking of technology as an end in itself, and challenged us to know first the purposes for which we use technology--that is, teaching and learning. Our faculty has been given a big boost forward in our ability to think about our use of technology in a useful and positive way. Thank you so much."

Pauline M. Coffman, Ed.D., 
Chair, North Park University's Teaching, Learning& Technology Committee.

"The techniques and active learning were extremely helpful. We used a practical example from one of the participants to develop a workable evaluation tool. I can use this model to carry out much needed evaluations for my projects."

(name withheld)

"I was very impressed and I am a sarcastic cynic, so that is saying a lot."

(name withheld)

"…a wonderful opportunity to address evaluation design issues in a highly interactive environment; excellent opportunity to gain practical experience on a topic of immediate concern to me and get immediate and focused input from an expert practitioner."

Kate Glaver, Office Information Analyst, Sinclair Community College.

Next Steps

To discuss the possibilities, or just to chat about the issues facing your institution, please contact us at Flashlight@tltgroup.org.

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