2008 Woodie Awards
Photo rosters make classes more personal
Vincent Capone, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
It has happened before at the University of Massachusetts: a student raises his hand to answer something in a well-populated classroom; and the professor may say, "Yes, Mr. … I'm sorry I don't recall your name. But don't worry, give me a few weeks, and I'll have everyone's name down."
Getting to know the names of students can be challenging, even for seasoned teachers. But now, a new tool on the University's S.P.I.R.E. network can help professors get to know their classes faster than ever.
The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) made progress this summer with what they said will help improve the learning environment by providing professors with a photo roster on SPIRE. When given the opportunity to use this new classroom tool, a number of faculty members jumped at the chance.
The new rosters are expected to help teachers get to know their students on a more personal level. Some professors are "face people" while others remember names better, this tool, OIT said, will place a name with the face and even allow them to quiz themselves at home.
Developers behind the photo rosters say that using such a tool could not only promote a better classroom environment, but also improve classroom security, discourage cheating and allows professors to approach students who they feel may need extra help.
However, the new roster is not necessarily improved in the minds of some students. They believe OIT's expectations could be exaggerated.
"In small classes, teachers will probably learn your name regardless," senior Katie Wilson said. "In the huge lectures, it's kind of pointless. I can't see it being a bad thing, ineffective maybe, but not a bad thing."
Some worry that their UCard photo will be the image used on the SPIRE roster. The photo, typically taken during freshman orientation, is not always the most up-to-date photo to pick someone out of a crowd.
"I personally am disturbed because my I.D. photo is not something I like people viewing - I look rather unfortunate in it," said Adrienne D'Agostino, a junior who took her photo on a sweaty summer day.
Getting to know the names of students can be challenging, even for seasoned teachers. But now, a new tool on the University's S.P.I.R.E. network can help professors get to know their classes faster than ever.
The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) made progress this summer with what they said will help improve the learning environment by providing professors with a photo roster on SPIRE. When given the opportunity to use this new classroom tool, a number of faculty members jumped at the chance.
The new rosters are expected to help teachers get to know their students on a more personal level. Some professors are "face people" while others remember names better, this tool, OIT said, will place a name with the face and even allow them to quiz themselves at home.
Developers behind the photo rosters say that using such a tool could not only promote a better classroom environment, but also improve classroom security, discourage cheating and allows professors to approach students who they feel may need extra help.
However, the new roster is not necessarily improved in the minds of some students. They believe OIT's expectations could be exaggerated.
"In small classes, teachers will probably learn your name regardless," senior Katie Wilson said. "In the huge lectures, it's kind of pointless. I can't see it being a bad thing, ineffective maybe, but not a bad thing."
Some worry that their UCard photo will be the image used on the SPIRE roster. The photo, typically taken during freshman orientation, is not always the most up-to-date photo to pick someone out of a crowd.
"I personally am disturbed because my I.D. photo is not something I like people viewing - I look rather unfortunate in it," said Adrienne D'Agostino, a junior who took her photo on a sweaty summer day.
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