State University of New York
College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Instructional Development, Evaluation, and Services
8 Moon-IDEaS, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY 13210
Charles M. Spuches, Director,
315-470-6810, 315-470-6818 (fax),
cspuches@mailbox.syr.edu http://www.esf.edu/ideas/
SUNY-ESF is a public, Carnegie-classification Research University D2
with 107.75 FTE faculty, 13 part-time faculty, 927 FTE undergraduate student
and 496 graduate students.
Instructional Development, Evaluation, and Services (IDEaS) was established
in 1987. The unit reports to the Provost and Vice President of Academic
Affairs through the Dean of Instructional and Graduate Studies. Permanent
staff include 2 FTE professionals and 1 FTE professional/faculty member,
plus work-study and temporary service student assistants. Our non-salary
budget is approximately $30,000. This budget is supplemented by approximately
$6,000 by the President's and/or Provost's offices for special programs
such as the GA Colloquium, Faculty Symposium on Teaching, Learning and
Technology, and other related programs.
IDEaS is an educational services unit of SUNY-ESF that provides instructional
and professional development opportunities and assistance to the College
Community in support of ESF's mission in instruction, research, and public
service.
Services Offered:
Consultation: Personal, confidential consultations with faculty members
or groups are designed to help instructors explore a variety of teaching
and learning needs and issues.
Workshops and Seminars:
We conduct programs on instructional improvement and faculty development
that focus on topics of special relevance to faculty and graduate students.
IDEaS helps plan and deliver departmental or college seminars, dialogues,
or retreats. In addition to workshops, major events include the Graduate
Assistant & New Faculty Colloquium on Teaching & Learning and the
College-Wide Symposium on Teaching, Learning, & Technology.
Publications:
IDEaS prepares and distributes a variety of publications and materials,
including Focus on Teaching and Learning, a newsletter on events, issues,
and ideas relevant to the needs and interests of the entire community of
teachers and learners at ESF. Focus is issued each semester. Focus features
practical articles on teaching and learning by ESF faculty and occasionally
reprints of short papers and other material by authorities in the field.
Special Projects:
IDEaS is often involved in joint efforts with faculty and departments
College-wide. Recent projects include the development of Environmental
Ethics in Practice, funded by the USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants
Program, and the development of courses for the SUNY Learning Network (an
asynchronous www-based delivery program).
Instructional Evaluation and Testing:
IDEaS administers a standardized College-wide questionnaire on student
experiences at the conclusion of each course, we process the results and
distribute them to the faculty. IDEaS facilitates the processing of tests
and exams, and consults on the collection and use of mid-semester evaluation
data.
Media & Related Services:
IDEaS provides a range of media and related services and support that
include consultation, production services, media equipment distribution
and maintenance, teleconferencing and a media supplies stockroom.