Dr. Fuhrman uses computer-based presentation tools to motivate students to come to class. Each semester he teaches this introductory course to 500-600 students in a large auditorium. Using a computer coupled with powerful projection capability to display 10' x 8' images to his classes, Fuhrman engages students by presenting lecture points followed by two to four- minute digitized movie clips which apply and reinforce those points. He has created more than 25 multimedia lectures, incorporating more than 1,000 slides, numerous film clips, and animated figures. The lectures were developed with a grant through the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
One of his students writes:
The courses Dr. Fuhrman teaches are really a challenge. His style requires a person to think, synthesize, and then write about it coherently in a limited amount of space. At some point while in his course you forget about the grade and begin to pursue the knowledge for its own sake.
For additional information on this innovation, contact:
fuhrman@vt.edu