Special to The Hays Daily News

Gavin Buffington, associate professor and chairman of the Department of Physics at Fort Hays State University, is the winner of the first DyKnow Mobile Learning video contest sponsored by Intel.

Buffington will receive a $5,000 grant and 100 DyKnow Software Suite licenses for creating a unique video highlighting his use of DyKnow's software.

"I am very pleased FHSU has been recognized as a leader in the use of mobile learning technology," Buffington said. "I am always searching for effective ways to use technology in the classroom. The DyKnow product is a great technology that enables the use of pen-based computing in the classroom."

Buffington's video, produced by Andrew Tincknell, video production specialist from the Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning Technologies, creatively demonstrates one of his favorite DyKnow features: the "Request Status" option. This option allows students to indicate their levels of understanding during a lecture.

"The judging committee found Dr. Buffington's video to be unique and creative while still showcasing how technology is positively impacting teaching and learning in his classroom," said Katie Hahn of DyKnow.

DyKnow software was first introduced at FHSU in 2006 for a pilot program sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Mobile Teaching and Learning Task Force.

FHSU then purchased 1,000 perpetual DyKnow software licenses for faculty and student use and integrated it into the mobile teaching and learning initiative.

FHSU Provost Larry Gould said it is important to understand technology, but is only as successful as the educator using it.

"DyKnow is a great product, but it's only great because it's used in conjunction with some of the finest FHSU instructors on and off campus," Gould said.

"With some of my virtual classes, I hold virtual office hours in DyKnow, where virtual students can actually speak with me and discuss any possible problems," Buffington said. "Two or three minutes in DyKnow is the equivalent of 10 or 15 minutes spent on an e-mail exchange."