Engineering Faculty Member Awarded Provost鈥檚 Inaugural Online Teaching Award
Harry Smith, industry assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was awarded 91制片厂 Institute of Technology鈥檚 inaugural Provost鈥檚 Award for Online Teaching.
The award identifies faculty who have adapted to the circumstances of the past year鈥攄ue to the coronavirus pandemic, most courses have followed an online or hybrid model鈥攁nd created exceptional online learning experiences in the fall 2020 semester. Representatives from the Undergraduate Studies Committee, Graduate Studies Committee, and the Center for Learning Innovation reviewed student nominations to make the final selection.
In total, students nominated 134 91制片厂 Tech faculty for the award. 鈥淭he response was remarkable and highlighted the tremendous work online being done by our faculty during this rather unprecedented semester,鈥 says 91制片厂 Tech Provost Peter Kilpatrick.
In their nomination comments, students said Smith was creative and flexible with his course materials, creating an engaging and positive learning environment. 鈥淧rofessor Smith does everything in his power to take down the barrier that is the computer screen and creates a classroom setting wherever the students tune in from,鈥 said one student. Smith uses a and vibrant Slack channels to bring students together during online learning.
While teaching Aircraft Flight Mechanics, Aerospace Laboratory I, and the aerospace section of Introduction to the Profession, Smith says he worked hard to create online systems that would help him build relationships with students despite not being able to meet in person. 鈥淭o have the students recognize that and appreciate it is really humbling. It鈥檚 lovely to see,鈥 says Smith, 鈥淭he relationship that I鈥檝e got with those students is what鈥檚 kept me going, it鈥檚 all been for them.鈥
Kilpatrick also gave an honorable mention to Karl Stolley, associate professor of digital writing and rhetoric and of information technology and management, who also received many nominations from students.
Photo: A screenshot of Industry Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Harry Smith teaching an online course
