Abba Gumel uses mathematical models to understand how diseases spread—and how to stop them.

Awards for projects fund use of AI, DNA replication simulation and more in the classroom.

Twenty-four Teaching Innovation Grants were awarded to instructors to help boost teaching practices. Part of the University of Maryland’s strategic plan to reimagine learning, the program is awarding $1.3 million in grants in 2024 to emphasize the intersection of education and technology, including AI, virtual reality and gamification.

“The ultimate goal is for faculty to experiment, integrate technology into their courses, increase engagement and expand collaboration,” said Marcio A. Oliveira, assistant vice president of academic innovation and technology.

Three multi-year projects are focused on prototyping or testing the adoption of educational technology. The program will also fund 21 one-year projects that explore evidence-based digital teaching approaches. The one-year projects also incorporate a wide range of educational tech, whether that’s adding computer simulations to biology courses, training students in AI-assisted journalism, or using gamified scenarios for language learning.

In all, the grants are projected to bolster 73 courses with over 32,000 student seats across 10 academic units.

Faculty from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences are involved in two of the three-year grants:

• Read, Watch, Play: Development of a Pedagogical Approach and Technical Infrastructure to Build Gamification, Game-Based Learning, and Other Hands-On Projects into Courses across Campus (Kendall Williams, Mathematics)

CMNS faculty members are involved in seven of the one-year grants:

• Large Lecture just for Me - A Personalized Student Approach (Kendall Williams, Mathematics)
• Free, Accessible, and Comprehensive Course Text for Stat 400 (Jonathan Fernandes and Mestiyage Gunatilleka, Mathematics)
• Refining Mathematics Instruction through Student Feedback and Success in Research Engagements (Lawrence Washington, Mathematics)

Announced in fall 2023, The Provost’s Do Good Innovator Awards sought to recognize faculty and staff members across UMD’s Do Good Campus who have been hard at work tackling the grand challenges of our time. 

From left to right: Larry Washington, Jacqueline Dwyer-Xec, Archana Khurana, and Doron Levy Images courtesy of same.

The Innovator Awards highlight the incredible members of our campus community who create, nurture, expand and amplify social impact throughout education, programs and research, both inside and outside the classroom. Over the past academic year, members from the Do Good Campus Strategic Leadership Council received nominations from across their unit and selected up to three awardees. Congratulations to the awardees from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences!

Jacqueline Dwyer-Xec, Administrative Coordinator, Mathematics

Dwyer-Xec is the face of the Department of Mathematics, using her office to create an environment where every student feels they can belong. For several days at the start of the semester, Dwyer-Xec sets up a table at the entrance decorated with balloons in Maryland colors, greets students as they enter, hands out candy and hand sanitizer, and gives directions to their classrooms.

Archana Khurana, Senior Lecturer, Mathematics

Khurana received almost two-thirds of the college’s nominations, all from students who recognize her compassion, going the extra mile to support students and creating an engaging learning environment. This recognition is even more impressive considering STAT100 has more than 300 students. As one student stated, "She exemplifies diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging."