Greg Siering, faculty development coordinator for the Office of Teaching and Learning Advancement at Ball State University, has won the Indiana Partnership for Statewide Education Award for Innovation and Leadership in the category of support for online teaching and learning. 

"I was flattered that so many people supported my nomination," said Siering, who received the award April 15 during a conference at the University of Indianapolis. 

Established in 2002, the award is one of three given to Indiana's top technology faculty and support staff. Siering was chosen from 25 nominees for his work coordinating faculty development programs, including support for the use of Blackboard in online teaching.

With the support of a group of faculty facilitators, Siering coordinates the Teaching and Learning Academy, which offers professional development seminars, Alpha and Alpha/Beta teaching seminars, instructional technology workshops, lunchtime discussions and reading groups. The academy encourages the development of five basic domains essential for online and on-campus teaching. 

"This shows what kind of support we have for distance learning," Siering said.

Dave King, executive director of the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System, the statewide consortium that supports the technology award, praised participants' efforts.

"All those in Indiana who further the use of technology in education deserve to be recognized," King said. "The award winners this year epitomize the best and brightest in pedagogical innovation."