RADFORD – In April, Jolanta Wawrzycka, professor of English at Radford University, was honored with an Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology at the 18th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.  She was also honored as RU’s nominee for the Ernest L. Boyer International Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology. During a conference presentation, she addressed the importance of students’ computer literacy in the classroom and beyond. Wawrzycka received a trophy and will have the opportunity to participate in the selection of future recipients.       

Wawrzycka was selected as RU’s nominee for these prestigious awards because of her commitment to incorporating technology with education. She requires that all of her students complete digital research portfolios as part of their coursework, and in spring 2006 she was the first English professor to introduce “Wireless Digital Classroom” components in an English course. Wawrzycka also includes technology in her summer study abroad program, “European Literary Trails: Ireland and Italy,” where, as final projects, students create websites and podcasts based on their international experiences.  Wawrzycka hosts some of these student-designed websites on her own study abroad website as examples of her students’ academic and technological achievement.