eLearning polymath Saul Carliner wins top international teaching award

Saul Carliner — associate professor in Concordia’s Department of Education, provost fellow for eLearning, and director of the Education Doctoral Program — has received the highest honour for instructors offered by the Society for Technical Communication.

The Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching Technical Communication recognizes academic mentorship; a record of successful students, involvement in student activities outside of the classroom, innovation and creativity in teaching, and involvement in research that leads to changes in the way technical communication is taught.

With members in almost 50 countries, the Society for Technical Communication is the world’s largest and oldest professional association dedicated to the advancement of the field of technical communication.

Carliner is the author of eight books, 50 peer-reviewed articles and 150 professional articles and book chapters. His research and teaching focus on the design of materials for learning and communication in the workplace.

As provost fellow for eLearning at Concordia, Carliner has focused on making the adoption of online learning tools and technology in the classroom a friendly and engaging experience for the university’s faculty members.

“The idea is to really open people’s minds, but always keeping the fun factor there,” he said when he was appointed to the position in October, 2012. “There is an apprehension about technology — I don’t want to deny that that exists. But at the same time, I want to try to keep people enthused, and keep it fun.”
 

With files from the Society for Technical Communication.