JANUARY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 23
SPOTLIGHT LONG ISLAND
ENHANCING EDUCATION The Academic Technology
What role is remote work and
making use of and why? Canvas
Services (ATS) department was
education playing in your
is our virtual classroom, and we
recently created at New York
organization? Many New York
have a variety of tools within this
Institute of Technology as part
Tech employees are working
virtual classroom to support the
of a collaborative effort between
remotely. A majority of our
learning experience. Canvas
the Offices of Academic Affairs
students are also entirely remote
Studio is used to create videos.
and Information Technology
from the Thanksgiving break
Kaltura is used for lecture
Services to provide and support
until March. New York Tech had
capture. Additionally, New York
technology-enabled services that
adopted Zoom many years ago as
Tech has invested in lab and
Laurie Harvey, Director of ATS
enhance education, research, and
a videoconferencing tool, so our
visual simulation software for
at New York Tech
scholarship.
community was very familiar
life sciences, engineering, health
with it. We also upgraded all
sciences, and mathematics.
The new department’s goal is
of our technology-enriched
to leverage the interactive and
What is the biggest technology
classrooms to be Zoom enhanced
creative nature of technology,
challenge that ATS is facing?
so that we could simultaneously
combined with the engaging
Hiring managers with experience
support in-person and online
content and expertise of New York
in online teaching and learning
instruction when we returned
Tech faculty, to create exceptional
who want to work in the New
to campus in the fall. We also
learning experiences for students
York-Long Island area is the
equipped our faculty with teachfrom
online, in person, or in a hybrid
most difficult challenge. Many
home kits, as needed.
format — a combination of both
candidates would like to work
remotely or have limited
online and onsite, according to
What is the mission of ATS?
experience in online course
Laurie Harvey, director of ATS
The mission of ATS is to
collaborate with faculty to
development.
at New York Tech.
produce innovative, engaging and
What is the biggest technology
We recently interviewed Harvey
exceptional teaching, learning
challenge that your students are
about ATS’s mission, the pandemic,
and research experiences that
facing? Many students used our
other challenges, and more.
increase student success. ATS
on-campus technology resources
What impact did the pandemic
provides a laser-focus to New
to complete their work. When
have on the creation of ATS?
York Tech’s investments in
Covid-19 hit, the students could
The pandemic delayed ATS’s
technology and applies these
not come to campus. We worked
introduction, yet made the
investments to maximize the
with our software vendors and
need for its services even more
student’s learning experience.
content providers to procure
Our students come to New York
essential to the New York Tech
online access to these resources
Tech not expecting to learn about
community. We needed to pivot
for our students.
technology, but to learn with
immediately to provide all of
technology, and we deliver.
How did you become interested
these resources online and to
in technology and education? I
equip our faculty and students
What types of technologies are
started as a teacher of the blind
to work and learn remotely.
Academic Technology Services
and visually impaired. I became
involved in technology by
adapting computers to provide
a means for disabled students to
take advantage of the power of
technology.
What is your favorite part of
your job and why? The best part
of my job is the New York Tech
community of people I have the
pleasure of working with. As the
expression goes, Tough times
don’t last, but tough teams do. I
love my job because we make a
positive difference in the lives of
our students.
Custom Computer Specialists
is proud to sponsor Spotlight
LI. Since 1979, Custom has been
dedicated to providing Long
Island’s schools, local government
agencies, healthcare facilities
and businesses with advanced
technology solutions and support.
To learn more about Custom
Computer, or to be considered for
a future Spotlight LI, please email
info@customtech.com.
NEW YORK TECH
The George & Gertude Wisser Memorial Library, Old Westbury Campus New York Tech New Faculty Orientation, September 2020
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