Teaching and Learning Commons Becomes One-Stop Shop for Technology Support

Computer and technology support centers at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College are being combined into one central campus location to offer more streamlined and convenient service to students, faculty and staff.

The Solution Center and the Learning Technologies Center are joining to create the new Teaching and Learning Commons. Space in the Ruth Ann Musick Library is being renovated to accommodate personnel. Both areas will continue to report to the Office of Information Technology. In the fall, the Center for Teaching Excellence will also become part of the revamped services area and will continue to report to the FSU Provost's Office. To contact the Teaching and Learning Commons, anyone on campus should call extension 4810 (367-4810).

"We will continue to provide the help desk support we've always given," said Joanie Raisovich, Solution Center Manager. "We don't expect to cut back on any of the services we have offered in the past."

For the past few years, the Solution Center has assisted students and staff with their computer and technology needs, including questions about Blackboard Vista. The Learning Technology Center has assisted faculty members with similar support. The combination of the two centers will allow all requests for technology support to go through one central office. Staff will be cross-trained to assist students, faculty and staff with their needs, allowing more efficient service for all.

Plans for the combination of the Center for Teaching Excellence with these services grew in part from suggestions offered by faculty members who participated in a survey through FSU Faculty Senate.

"By putting all these centers together, they will be able to draw synergy from one another," said Maria Rose, FSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. "This is an opportunity to provide faculty with more online resources in areas such as pedagogy of online learning, how to develop a syllabus, how to implement classroom management strategies and how to use different instructional strategies."

In the future, professional development services for faculty and staff will also be offered through the Teaching and Learning Commons.

"President Tom Krepel's vision is to create a one-stop shop for faculty and staff similar to the Student Access and Support Center being proposed for students in the Turley Center," Rose said.

Teaching and Learning CommonsJoanie Raisovich