Wayne State facuty are invited to take advantage of the many resources available through the Office for Teaching & Learning (OTL), including professional recording equipment and support services via its new One Button Studios (OBS). Faculty only need an idea and a USB drive to get started.

Located in the Purdy/Kresge Library, the OBS are equipped with professional video, lighting and sound equipment as well as a green screen, a lightboard and an interview set. OTL staff can assist with planning a video, demonstrating the use of the OBS and its resources, and providing tips on how to effectively edit and share completed videos. 

“In creating the One Button Studio, the OTL is expanding our resources to further help faculty connect with students. In all that we do, we’re considering both student engagement and accessibility,” said Sara Kacin, director of the OTL. “Not everyone learns in the same ways, and we’re excited to offer video resources that will both increase faculty’s teaching resources and students’ learning outcomes.”

Launched in fall 2019, the OBS were designed to offer streamlined technology resources to allow faculty to grow and develop their teaching techniques while also focusing on content and pedagogy.

“Wayne State’s faculty are incredibly talented and creative,” said Keith E. Whitfield, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “We know that faculty success has a direct connection to student success, and I’m proud of the OTL’s ongoing innovation and leadership in fostering that culture.”

Alissa Novoselick is an adjunct instructor in the theatre management program within the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts who recently used the One Button Studios' lightboard resource. 

"As a first-time online instructor, I am very grateful for the resources that e-Learning Specialist Carly Lesoski and the team have given me. I was very anxious about how I would teach accounting online, but things such as lightboard have proven to be wonderful assets in the ability to "lecture" with a "whiteboard," Novoselick said. "I have been beyond impressed with her patience and ability to teach me the new technology, and with how easy it made concept sharing. I can't imagine my class now without this resource." 

The OBS recording capabilities include:

• Green screen
  • An optional component with the OBS, the green screen allows presenters to include images or video footage.
• Lightboard
  • A pane of glass suspended in a metal frame with embedded lights, the lightboard allows instructors to create video lectures and directly interact with handwritten notes and diagrams while facing the camera. The diagrams and notes seemingly float in the air in front of the instructor.
• Interview set
  • The interview setting provides a professional environment to focus on discussions.

Consultants are available to discuss the OTL’s resources, including the OBS and various workshops and webinars. Schedule a meeting — in person, by phone or virtually — online today.