Connect with us

Business

SECAC Recognizes VSU's Glenda Swan for Excellence in Teaching – Valdosta State University News

Published

on

January 13, 2022
22-5
Jessica Pope
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
VALDOSTA — Dr. Glenda Swan’s exemplary work in visual arts recently earned her the 2021 SECAC Award for Excellence in Teaching.
SECAC, formerly the Southeastern College Art Conference, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the study and practice of the visual arts in higher education on a national basis. Its Award for Excellence in Teaching annually recognizes an outstanding teacher who demonstrates exceptional command of his or her discipline through the ability to teach effectively, impart knowledge, and inspire students.
Swan began teaching two decades ago and joined the Valdosta State University Department of Art & Design faculty in Fall 2013. She currently holds the rank of associate professor.
“I love teaching students about how material culture — the objects made and used by people — can reveal insights into the way people lived and thought, especially as we so often treat visual images as something to absorb rather than analyze,” she shared. “I’m addicted to the revelation that comes from students who come to understand that they can use detailed observation and research to see beyond the surface and gain meaningful insight into a past time or place.”
Swan primarily teaches courses in art history and perspectives and enjoys researching ancient art. She said she works very hard to make the material from the past as intelligible and relatable as possible to the current lives of her students. 
“I always enjoy introducing students to visual culture, either in Introduction to the Visual Arts or Art History Survey,” she explained. “My love for mythology in art is evident from the perspective course I created on World Mythology in Art. Still, it is always special to share topic courses on my academic specialties with students, such as Roman Life in Pompeii or Greek Mythology in Art. The study of gender was not something that was formally part of my own education, but I have relished the opportunity to share important perspectives about its display with my students in Gender in Art.”
VSU honored Swan in 2020 with its Presidential Excellence Award for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, recognition of her unwavering efforts to produce innovative scholarly work on the science of teaching and learning and to regularly contribute new questions and knowledge on the subject. She currently has a book in preparation for Palgrave Macmillan called Re-Envisioning the Material Past: How to Educate and Engage Modern Students Using Visual Culture
“As someone who turns down the lights when class begins in order to show images — often from ancient cultures — it was quickly evident to me how important it is to find to ways to effectively engage students,” she shared. “I employ a lot of different approaches to the material and make students an active part of class discussion and content, as well as provide them with a variety of materials and activities to support student learning. I think transparency in teaching is very important, so I also strive to explain to students how course activities are designed, as well as scaffolded, to help them to build discipline-based skills and master content. Ultimately, because of my belief in the primacy of student-centered education, I work very hard to find as many ways as I can to be a supportive partner of student learning in the classroom.”
Over the years, Swan has spent countless hours designing a lot of her own active learning activities, evaluating their effectiveness, and sharing them at conferences and in articles to get feedback outside her own classroom. She said that encouraging engagement and understanding of non-contemporary objects and images with general education students as well as art majors is a challenging task — one not commonly found in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
“I strongly encourage other faculty to look for opportunities where they can share the results of the time and effort that they spend evaluating student success in their own courses, even if that sharing starts with something simple like peer-review or participation in a teaching circle,” she added. “Students shouldn’t be the only ones who get to experience the joy of learning new things.”
 

source

32dentmmmf

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

Realm Scans: Navigating the Uncharted Territories of Digital Discovery

Published

on

In the expansive landscape of digital exploration, there exists a realm where information becomes an adventure—Realm Scans. Beyond a mere scanning service, this digital haven is where curiosity converges with innovation, and the uncharted territories of digital discovery come to life. Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the unique dynamics of Realm Scans, navigating through the realms where information is not just scanned but transformed into a digital odyssey.

“Digital Horizons: Exploring the Essence of Realm Scans” is not just a title; it’s an exploration into the multifaceted dimensions of a scanning service that transcends the mundane. This article is an invitation to delve into the layers of technological prowess, user-centric design, and the transformative impact that defines Realm Scans in the dynamic world of digital information.

At the core of Realm Scans lies a commitment to redefining how we interact with information. “Digital Horizons” delves into the innovative features and functionalities that make Realm Scans more than just a scanning service. It’s a digital gateway where documents become gateways to exploration, and information is a portal to new discoveries.

A standout feature is the user-centric approach that defines the Realm Scans experience. “Digital Horizons” explores how user interface design, accessibility, and intuitive navigation are seamlessly integrated to create an environment where users don’t just scan documents—they embark on a digital journey of discovery.

Realm Scans is not confined by the traditional boundaries of scanning; it is a catalyst for a digital revolution. “Digital Horizons” illustrates how Realm Scans empowers users to go beyond the expected, transforming the act of scanning into a dynamic and enriching experience that transcends conventional notions.

As we navigate through the digital horizons of Realm Scans, the article becomes a celebration of the fusion between technology and user experience. It is a recognition that in the world of digital services, there are realms where functionality meets innovation, and where information is a gateway to new digital frontiers.

“Digital Horizons: Exploring the Essence of Realm Scans” is not just an article; it’s an ode to the tech enthusiasts, the information seekers, and the digital explorers who recognize the profound impact of a scanning service that goes beyond the surface. It’s an acknowledgment that in the realms of digital discovery, Realm Scans stands as a beacon, inviting users to embrace the transformative power of information in the digital age.

As Realm Scans continues to redefine the digital scanning landscape, “Digital Horizons” invites us to appreciate the nuances of a service that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary—an exploration where every scan is not just a document but a digital adventure waiting to be unfolded.

Harry Clam

Continue Reading

Trending