Technology-Based Support for Quality Teaching and Learning at TAMUQ

Abstract

ABSTRACTâ??This paper discusses the experience of utilizing technology-based instruction in teaching four undergraduate courses and two graduate courses at Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ). This technology-based instruction relied on the capabilities of Camtasia Studio and PowerPoint software for recording lectures or solutions of various problems. These recordings were made available to students through the Blackboard Vista and MediaMatrix systems. The studentsâ?? feedback was assessed using a web-based survey that included questions about the quality of the recordings and their possible benefits to students in understanding the course material. The studentsâ?? responses and the instructors experience have demonstrated that technology-based instruction contributed to enhancing studentsâ?? learning experience, capturing knowledge of experts teaching the courses, and improving the exchange of information between instructors teaching a course in parallel at the main campus of Texas A&M University in College Station-Texas (TAMU) and TAMUQ. It was clear from the survey responses that the availability of lectures and solutions helped them to better understand the lectures and comprehend the course materials. It is believed that the multi-national environment at TAMUQ, where English is not the first language for most students, was a main factor in the positive response to the availability of recorded lectures and solutions.