UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) is accepting applications through April 19 for the 2023-24 Faculty Engagement Awards. This year’s theme is "Smart Tracking and Advanced Features in Remote Synchronous Courses."
Recipients of the Faculty Engagement Awards will be given an AI (artificial intelligence)-powered webcam to use for their project. The webcams’ cutting-edge technology includes:
- auto-framing and auto-tracking
- auto-exposure and lighting adjustment
- anti-blurring/auto-focus
- gesture-controlled zooming and tracking
During their project, award recipients will collaborate with an instructional designer and technology support staff to identify possible uses and constraints of the webcams and explore best practices for teaching in remote synchronous courses. Additionally, TLT staff will help to assess the technology’s impact and share relevant findings with the Penn State community.
“We’re excited to partner with faculty to push the envelope of teaching in remote synchronous courses through the use of AI-powered webcams," said Amy Kuntz, an instructional designer with TLT. "These types of technologies spur faculty innovation by taking advantage of new teaching capabilities with potentially transformative effects.”
Award recipients will be notified in mid-May.