The last of the Master Teacher lecturers will discuss the potential of digital video today.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, will speak about “Enhancing Traditional Teaching with Technology” at 3:30 p.m. in room 1230 of the Communications Building.

“The theme is involving technology in instruction, especially in large classes,” said Peter Rabideau, dean of LAS. Schmidt accomplishes the theme well with his use of digital video clips in his classes, he said.

The workshop focuses on using digital video to teach students both in the classroom and over the Internet, Schmidt said. Digital video makes a course more interesting and exciting, which sparks student learning.

“I have been using technology a long time,” he said.

Schmidt will also talk about how to best use and stream digital video over the Internet to give students maximum benefits of the material. “There are too many things that we do on the Internet that are text based, but the future of teaching on the Internet is really not in text,” he said.

After coming to Iowa State in 1970, Schmidt has been able to collect years of teaching and research experience. Mack Shelley, professor of statistics and educational leadership and policy studies, said Schmidt has been a leader in his department.

“He’s one of the earliest members of the political science department,” said Shelley, co-author with Schmidt of the textbook “American Government and Politics Today.”

He said Schmidt has “that magnetic personality” which makes him popular with students and others.