Tortorelli receives Collins Award for Innovative Teaching

6/25/2012 By Linda H. Conway

Professor Daniel TortorelliThe College of Engineering has named Daniel Tortorelli as the latest recipient of the Collins Award for Innovative Teaching. Professor Tortorelli is being recognized for the innovative teaching methods he has developed for a large introductory dynamics class (TAM 212).

Written by By Linda H. Conway

Professor Daniel Tortorelli
Professor Daniel Tortorelli
Professor Daniel Tortorelli
The College of Engineering has named Daniel Tortorelli as the latest recipient of the Collins Award for Innovative Teaching. Professor Tortorelli is being recognized for the innovative teaching methods he has developed for a large introductory dynamics class (TAM 212).

Recognizing that students have different learning styles, Professor Tortorelli began trying out several computer-based, interactive teaching tools. By refining the tools and seeking student feedback each time he has taught the class, he can now offer students a variety of ways to learn difficult concepts.

Professor Tortorelli posts class materials online prior to each class so that students can use them as a reference during his lectures. He also records his lectures so that students can view them online throughout the semester. During his lectures, he regularly uses interactive software called Iclicker to administer “conceptquizzes.” The students use clickers to answer questions anonymously, which encourages student participation, and their answers enable him to gage the level of student comprehension of important concepts that he is introducing.

Homework is also done online, with HELPS offered in the form of videos, computer simulations and tips for solving problems. Another important innovation of the online homework is the instant grading system that lets students know if they have not worked a problem correctly and allows them to re-work a problem until they arrive at the correct answer. To encourage interaction outside the classroom he also provides an online “Whiteboard” where students can post questions and answers anonymously.


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This story was published June 25, 2012.