University News
2008 COEHS Awards
September 3, 2008
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) recognized four faculty members for their outstanding contributions to the University at its annual opening school reception Aug. 28.
Jennifer Plos, a kinesiology instructor and clinical coordinator for the department's athletic training program, was named the COEHS 2008 Outstanding Teacher. Plos has been a faculty member at WIU since Fall 2004. Students from the athletic training program noted that Plos not only teaches the required material, she has integrated independent learning opportunities into a clinical education class by using a simulation software program to help students develop critical thinking skills and has introduced an Internet scavenger hunt assignment in her Introduction to Athletic Training Class to increase students' curiosity about the field.
"Clinical education accounts for 50 percent of the student's educational preparation as an athletic trainer. Jennifer must be vigilant in determining the placements are appropriate for student learning," said Miriam Satern, chair of the kinesiology department. "Her greatest strength as a teacher is her ability to communicate with students, and she is an excellent mentor. The department of kinesiology has really benefited from Jennifer's presence. Her advocacy for the students and her commitment of time to the service roles she completes are exemplary."
Darlene Young, associate professor of kinesiology, received the COEHS 2008 Award for Outstanding Service. Young, who has served as the Sports Management Club adviser for four years, has been a faculty member at WIU since 1987 and has served as the graduate coordinator for the Master of Science Degree in Sport Management since Spring 2006. She has served on the Faculty Senate as a member-at-large, was a member of the first College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) Dean's Faculty Council and completed a three-year term as the COEHS representative to the Council on Intercollegiate Athletics. As advisor to the Sport Management Club, Young leads members on field trips, hosts speakers and maintains ties with WIU alumni. During the 2007-08 school year, she brought two successful alumni to campus to speak, Kevin Weiberb, vice president of university planning and development for the Big Ten Network, and Steve LaCroix, vice president for sales and marketing for the Minnesota Vikings.
"My reward comes from knowing I have been involved in activities outside of the classroom that help strengthen the students' educational experience and in committee work that will contribute to achieving the departmental and University mission, goals and objectives," Young said.
Mary Jensen, special education professor, received the 2008 Award for Innovative Use of Technology. Jensen, who came to WIU in 1990, started from scratch in regards to technology, determined to learn the latest trends. Her philosophy of teaching with technology is based on the facts that current students in P-12 schools and colleges have lived, breathed and teethed on technology their entire lives and that teachers must keep up in order to provide a quality education. She has integrated technology into her lessons – from Powerpoint lecture slides incorporating Quick Time movies to web-based activities – to keep her students motivated and interested. Jensen has also worked with students at West Prairie Middle School, incorporating technology into their classroom as a way to teach appropriate classroom behavior and social skills.
"Dr. Jensen has been continually devoted to integrating technology into education. Her creativity with implementing technology into student projects have enabled her to motivate her students to use technology in their coursework as well as in their preparation for their future classrooms. She has dedicated her own time and resources to go to local schools to provide training and support so those under-served populations have the opportunities to become technology literate," said Dawn Sweet, instructional technology systems manager, COEHS Office for Partnerships, Professional Development and Training.
Instructional Design and Technology Associate Professor Leuanda Hemphill was named the recipient of the 2008 Award for Internationalizing the Campus. Hemphill joined the department in 2003. She was recently recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for her project, "Looking at Technology Integration Issues in the K–12 Classroom: A Cross-Cultural Collaboration." She was the only Illinois educator to receive commendation. Hemphill has integrated the use of virtual worlds, specifically Second Life, to create rich learning experiences for her students in IDT 534, Issues in Instructional Technology and Professional Development for Educators. Students at the Macomb campus work with students and educators in China to review opportunities in Second Life for K-12 teachers.
"In my classroom, I always try to include resources and activities to enhance educators' awareness and understanding of international and cross-cultural issues and challenges. For example, I wanted to incorporate global perspectives in my IDT 534 Issues in Instructional Design course. As part of their coursework, my students look at cultural, social and legal issues related to technology integration in the K-12 classroom, while gaining international awareness. I worked with a professor from Hebei University in China on two collaborative online projects between our two classrooms. Rich cross-cultural exchanges were evident in the discussion forums," Hemphill noted.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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