ITS leverages I&O expertise to benefit teaching and learning

In fiscal 2017-2018, two examples of how I&O leveraged its expertise to benefit teaching and learning include rolling out course groups in Office 365 and enabling the Department of Computer Science to teach courses through Carolina CloudApps.

Instructors are using CloudApps in multiple ways and to varying extent.

First, instructors are teaching the platform as part of the course — with assistance from the CloudApps team — in Computer Science 523, a software engineering laboratory course, and Media and Journalism 584, a course in which students work on a semester-long documentary multimedia project in an international location. The CloudApps team assisted, when required, with configuration of the applications and ensuring successful usage of the platform, said Patrick Casey, who oversees the CloudApps team as Middleware Services Manager. When needed, developer liaisons worked with the instructors and/or student population to resolve any concerns.

Second, in several courses within the School of Media and Journalism and within the Gillings School of Global Public Health, instructors and teaching assistants use CloudApps to collect assignments and for testing.

Finally, in a larger variety of schools and programs, instructors and teaching assistants use CloudApps in order to host content required by the course. Programs that use CloudApps include English, Biology, Pharmacy and American Studies.

Technical and interpersonal skills, which are often taken for granted, were key to the success of these projects. Many technicians are experts in working with machines and codes. ITS has staff members who have that technical expertise and have good interpersonal skills and have trusting relationships with customers. This eases anxieties and ensures a successful outcome.