Daniel Waugh, Associate Professor in the Department of History and the Jackson School of International Studies, admits that several months passed before he even turned on his first computer. Motivated by his interest in historical documents and art, however, he found that the Web offered unique advantages for his courses. Today, he is an enthusiastic, yet pragmatic advocate for integrating technology into course designs. Students in his course on Medieval Russian History now benefit from a class Web site that integrates a collection of documents, images, and maps and also provides a way for students to take part in online conversations using Catalyst Web tools. Read further to learn why Professor Waugh integrates technology or visit his Medieval Russian History course Web site to see what he has done:

Professor Waugh uses technology to make documents, images, and analyses available in one place at all times:

• Documents not in print, like primary sources translated by Professor Waugh’s colleagues at other universities, are readily accessible through links from his site.
• High quality images and maps that require careful scrutiny are available to students at any time. Professor Waugh can also accompany these materials with his own explanatory text.
• Course expectations, announcements, and lecture overheads can be easily accessed from any computer with an internet connection -- no more stacks of handouts or dated material with conflicting information.

New technologies may seem overwhelming given busy schedules, but Professor Waugh has a few strategies for integrating technology into a course:

• "The secret to getting it done is to work incrementally."
• Select technologies that meet your teaching goals and offer advantages over traditional methods.
• Learn from others’ experiences and use packaged resources, such as Catalyst tools and web-authoring programs, as you build a repertoire of skills.
• "If you just set it up, results won't happen." Encourage students to use the web resources by integrating and reinforcing the material in class and by creating incentives such as web-based assignments or required on-line discussion postings.

• For face-to-face help, visit the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT), Room 230 Odegaard Undergraduate Library, M-F, 9-5.
• For web-based tools, guides, workshop information, and on-line support, visit Catalyst: http://catalyst.washington.edu/
• For more information, call 206.616.8154, or e-mail catalyst@u.washington.edu.

Read other profiles of UW professors using new technologies at: http://catalyst.washington.edu/help/profiles/

At CIDR we can help you design your course, articulate learning goals and activities, and explore ways to devise, implement, and assess innovations to a course. Call or e-mail to arrange an appointment with a CIDR consultant.

This edition was written by Jean Hanson and the staff from the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT). Special thanks to Professor Daniel Waugh for contributing his experience to this Bulletin.