UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Jennifer Sparrow has been announced as the new senior director of Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), a subunit of Information Technology Services (ITS) at Penn State.
Sparrow is the current director of online and innovative learning at Case Western Reserve University and strongly advocates the use of technology to engage students. She is passionate about exploring new technologies and their potential in the learning process, and is excited to work with faculty to adopt such technologies in support of teaching, research and service.“I believe all conversations we have with faculty should start by asking, 'What do you want your students to know and be able to do,' and, 'How can technology be leveraged to engage our 21st-century digital learners,'” said Sparrow. “Then we need to work with faculty and students to find solutions around how we as Information Technology can become strategic partners in the teaching, learning and research activities of the institution.”“Jennifer brings with her a strong national reputation in the teaching and learning technology field,” said Kevin Morooney, vice provost for Information Technology at Penn State. “She is a champion for the use of technology to engage students in the learning process. We are excited to welcome her hands-on approach to working with staff to lead the diverse and innovative technology initiatives TLT is known for.”Sparrow earned a bachelor’s degree at Smith College, a master’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University and a doctoral degree at the University of Central Florida. In 2013, Sparrow received the Educause Rising Star award, which recognizes emerging IT leaders in higher education whose records reflect ongoing and exceptional growth in contributing to the profession. Her current projects focus on the convergence of technologies and learning spaces to develop interactive and engaged learning opportunities.TLT is a leader in the creation of innovative technologies in and out of the classroom that enhance teaching and learning for students, faculty and staff at Penn State. Working to design, provide and support technology platforms that promote multiple approaches to teaching and learning, TLT leads such technology initiatives as Media Commons, which provides digital media services to faculty and students, and Educational Gaming Commons, which uses games as a tool to improve teaching, learning and research. The One Button Studio, a multimedia recording studio created and developed within TLT, has recently been recognized as a cutting-edge technology in library services by the American Library Association’s Office for Information Technology Policy.For more information about Teaching and Learning with Technology, visit tlt.psu.edu. For more IT stories at Penn State, visit news.it.psu.edu.