Trent University will be pleased to recognize mathematics professor Dr. Marco Pollanen for his 2009/10 National Technology Innovation Awards from the Learning Partnership at a special reception on March 30th at Trent University.

Professor Pollanen is being honoured at this year’s reception as he was on sabbatical during last year’s event.

The award celebrates the achievements of educators whose innovative use of technology has been instrumental in building modern, interactive-learning environments for students in publicly-funded schools, colleges and universities across Canada.

“I am grateful just to have been nominated and I feel very honoured to receive this award,” said Prof. Pollanen. “It will encourage me to continue to innovate and explore new ways to keep my students engaged both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Prof. Pollanen is being recognized by The Learning Partnership for his work in developing enVision, a freeware program that provides web-based whiteboard-chat capabilities to assist students in the communication of mathematical content.

enVision allows Prof. Pollanen to assist his students with producing mathematical expressions for on-line communication. The application also makes it possible to engage many students concurrently. As well, the program relieves math anxiety/phobia because students feel anonymous in their interactions. Through this innovative tool, students can have greater access to their instructors for individual help and greater opportunity for student-to-student and student-to-teacher dialogue. enVision is also used as a tool to enhance the completion of online assessments and has expanded to other disciplines as well.

As a professor in Trent’s Mathematics Department since 2003, Prof. Pollanen has loved his time teaching at the University. He is constantly impressed with the dedication and quality he sees in his students. With the smaller class-sizes at Trent, he sees the benefit of the one-on-one communication within the classroom.

At Trent, Prof. Pollanen teaches a range of undergraduate courses, including mathematical finance and introductory calculus. In addition to his undergraduate teaching, he also works with students at the graduate studies level.

Prof. Pollanen will be among six teaching award recipients honoured at a special reception celebrating Trent’s teaching excellence on Wednesday, March 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Lady Eaton College’s Pit. Presentations will begin at 4:15 p.m. All are welcome.

Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2011.