Dr. Nils Roemer, the director of the Ackerman Center and interim dean of the School of the Arts and Humanities, led a virtual discussion during Friday’s “State of the Center Address,” where he discussed the current situation regarding the University and the Ackerman Center’s transition to online classes and programming due to COVID-19.
Dr. Roemer described the impact of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent quarantine from his unique position as both a professor and Dean of A&H. He emphasized the system-wide efforts of University faculty and administration to quickly implement a web-based system for transitioning courses and public events into an online format that was accessible for students and staff during this period of uncertainty was nothing less than a show of strength from the UT Dallas community.
His presentation focused on how the Ackerman Center has not only risen to the challenges of our new reality but has exceeded expectations on multiple levels. He mentioned that the transition has introduced new and exciting ways of virtual engagement with Holocaust study, including the inception of the Ackerman Center hosting virtual events, where audiences from all around the globe can tune in, ask questions and engage with other online attendees.
Dr. Roemer emphasized how rewarding this experience has been for him, explaining that he has a renewed understanding about teaching gained through the insight that has come from interacting with students via online learning. He highlighted how during a time of uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 virus, the creation of tools for adaptive teaching and learning environments has achieved in bringing UT Dallas together with the larger community.
After his discussion, Dr. Roemer answered questions from online participants, which included current and former students, advisory board members, and members from both the UT Dallas and the general community. The cyber meeting was, in itself, representative of the successful transition to an online format, as an exemplary example of the variety of web-based communication platforms that have been utilized for distance learning.
