Much of our work in the Lehigh Lab consists of consulting with faculty who are using—or  hoping to use—new technologies in their teaching.  However, we also continually test promising new tools and techniques so we can understand what forms teaching and learning will take in the not-too-distant future.  Some of our projects are investigations into a new tool, others involve research into some new approach to teaching or learning,  but all have required our sustained attention and coordinated action.  In this article, I would like to offer a brief overview of some of the many Lehigh Lab projects that are in the works so you can keep abreast of what we’re up to. 

Some of the projects listed below are quite new, others have been going on for some time, but all are open. As you read, I invite you to get involved with those projects that pique your interest. If you want to participate in the experiment or to hear of our results, simply contact the individual(s) listed and they will be happy to provide you with more information.

• Documentary Resource Team:  An increasing number of faculty are asking their students to produce short digital video pieces as assignments for their courses.  To respond to this growing need, Lehigh Lab staff members have formed a Documentary Resource Team that is charged with coordinating the many resources we have available for this kind of work.  The goals of this team has been to enumerate and publicize the many different video production resources (labs, equipment, support staff, local experts), to reach out to faculty to discover who is planning what sorts of projects and when, to consult with faculty both to help ensure that the projects are suitable for the available resources and to help design educationally valuable assignments.  We also hosted a Digital Storytelling Workshop in the Digital Media Studio in early March. 
      Contact: Greg Reihman, Christy Roysdon, Julia Maserjian, Elia Schoomer
• Lehigh in Second Life:  In the last issue of the Lehigh Lab notes, both Natalie Foster and I wrote about Second Life, spotlighting some of the different ways that project is unfolding. Rather than recount the ideas expressed in those articles,  I want only to note here that more individuals are becoming involved in using the island.  To keep up with progress, visit the Lehigh Second Life website listed here
  Web: https://sites.google.com/a/lehigh.edu/secondlife
  Contact: Greg Reihman, Natalie Foster, or Johanna Brams
• Technology Classrooms: Our classroom website has been rebuilt with a view to having classroom instructions be current and easily accessible.  Wide screen projection will make its first appearance in three classrooms this summer. We are beginning work on classroom planning for the new steps building.  We are evaluating exciting new technology for possible inclusion as part of our life cycle program (see feature article, this issue). 
  Contact: Elia Schoomer
• Moodle Pilot Test: A group of LTS staff have set up a locally hosted Moodle server and are working with a small group of faculty in a pilot test of Moodle, an open source course management system (an alternative to Blackboard).  
  Contact: Peggy Kane or Robin Deily.
• TRAC (Technology, Research and Communication) Writing Fellows Program:   The Lehigh Lab is helping incubate Lehigh’s new TRAC Writing Fellows program.  The program selects and trains talented undergraduates to work as writing fellows in courses in disciplines across the university.  The idea is that the Writing Fellows will be resources to faculty during the development and design of assignments and will then hold conferences with students who are working on paper drafts.
  Web: http://www.lehigh.edu/~inwxc/tracmain.html
  Contact: Greg Skutches or Greg Reihman
• Google Apps: We have partnered with Google to bring some Google Apps to the Lehigh Community.  A group has been working diligently for some time now testing these tools to help ensure that these web-based applications work, and work securely in Lehigh computing environment.   On March 10th, these resources were announced publicly and faculty, students, and staff are beginningg to use the useful applications in a variety of interesting ways.
  Website: https://sites.google.com/a/lehigh.edu/lehigh-google-apps/google-apps-faq
• Confluence Testing: Confluence is a web-based collaboration tool that holds great promise as a way for groups at Lehigh to work together, keep track of projects, share information, etc.  A group is testing Confluence and will have information to share soon.
      Contact: Sherri Yerk-Zwickl
• Virtual Aquarium:  Lehigh Lab Faculty Fellow Natalie Foster is working with Lab students and staff to develop a virtual aquarium students can use to apply their knowledge of biology and chemistry in order to keep the tank running. More soon!
      Contact: Natalie Foster or Johanna Brams
• Geographical Informations Systems (GIS): Library and Technology Services (LTS) is in the process of installing the ArcGIS Server Application Suite on powerful new UNIX servers. ArcGIS Server provides the Lehigh scholarly community with the power of the geodatabase, which uses Oracle and the Internet to efficiently manage and store immense amounts spatial information, ranging from the geographic to the demographic.  Lehigh faculty and students already employ geographic information systems (GIS) investigate questions ranging from public health to geochemistry to urban history.  This enhancement of Lehigh's GIS capabilities will extend the institution's ability to foster cross-disciplinary research initiatives and community outreach projects.
  
• Eco-friendly Printing:  LTS staff are looking into various software solutions that will help reduce paper and toner waste at the many public site printers across campus
      Contact: Jason Slipp or Sharon Wiles Young
• Brown and White Web Archive:  LTS Special Collections is working with the Journalism Department to help improve the online archive of the Brown and White.
      Contact: Ilhan Citak or Johanna Brahms
• Teacher Development Program for Graduate Students: In partnership with the Graduate Life Office, we have developed a yearlong program that will help Lehigh’s graduate students become more effective teachers, both in their current roles as teaching assistants and in their futures as professors. 
      Contact Greg Reihman or Kathleen Hutnik
• Clickers: We continue to support Lehigh faculty and students who are using Audience Response Systems in their classrooms.   Lehigh has adopted TurningPoint Technology.
      Contact: Judd Hark or Greg Reihman
• Waypoint: Waypoint is a software program that allows instructors to create rubrics for their assignments and simplify the process of getting clear feedback to students.
      Contact Jason Slipp or Greg Skutches
• Elluminate: This Blackboard-integrated web-conferencing tool allows faculty to work meet together synchrously with students for online office hours, exam review, recitation sessions, etc. 
      Contact: Ilena Key or Peggy Kane.
• Turnitin: Turnitin is a web-based plagiarism deterring tool that compares student papers to online materials, digital resources, and an archive of student papers.  Recommended as just one part of a comprehensive approach to fostering academic integrity, Turnitin can help teach and reinforce good citation practices.
      Website: http://www.lehigh.edu/~infdli/UsingTurnitin.htm
      Contact: Greg Reihman, Jason Slipp or Robin Deily
• iTunes U: We have seen continual growth of faculty and staff usage of this resource, which the Lehigh community to share podcasts and vodcasts, internally or with the world.  Many courses put material there, as do various university organizations.  While this tool has been available for several years now, we are always seeking input on new ways to put it to good use.
      Contact: Ilena Key or Robin Deily.
• Global Citizenship: We’ve worked with the Global Citizenship Program to set up and maintain their website so that GC students travelling and working abroad can keep a blog and keep in touch with student at Lehigh. 
      Web http://lehigh-in-ghana.blogspot.com/
      Contact: Johanna Brams or Gisella Gisolo
• South Mountain College: We’ve worked with several South Mountain College instructors (I’m one of them!) helping to foster the development of this unique new innovative teaching and learning.
      Contact: Greg Reihman or Peter Zeitler
• College of Arts and Sciences Learning Outcomes Assessment: We are consulting with the CAS Deans office and various CAS faculty on developing a college-wide learning outcomes assessment plan.
      Contact: Greg Reihman or Gus Ripa
• South Side Initiative: The Digital Scholarship Center has partnered with the South Side Initiative to co-develop plans for scholarship focused on the South Side of Behtlehem.
      Contact: Julia Maserjian, Seth Moglen, or John Pettegrew
• Symposium on Teaching and Learning: In order to share good ideas and showcase successes, we hosted Lehigh’s second annual Symposium on Teaching and Learning in November 2008.
      Web: http://www.lehigh.edu/~infdli/symposium.html 
      Contact: Greg Reihman

Okay, I realize I’ve gone on long enough with this inventory of the many different things going on in the Lab.  If you’re working on a Lab project I’ve left out, let me know.  If you see something of interest to you, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.   And please stay tuned: in my next column, I hope to provide some more detailed updates on these and other projects.