Panola
College’s Freddy Mason featured as an
Outstanding Distance Education Instructor
Mr. Freddy
Mason, Chair of the Fine Arts Division and Professor of Speech at Panola College, is
currently featured online in NETnet’s Outstanding Distance Education Instructor
Showcase. Mr. Mason has been teaching
distance education courses via interactive videoconferencing (ITV) courses for several
years, and has recently begun teaching courses delivered over the Internet.
Nominations for
the showcase are received from the 15 NETnet member colleges and universities, students,
and other individuals familiar with the instructor’s accomplishments. Mr. Mason is
the third Panola College faculty member to enjoy this distinction, and is the 19th
consortium faculty member to be featured.
NETnet’s
Outstanding Distance Education Instructor Showcase states:
Freddy Mason, Chair of the Fine Arts
Division and Professor of Speech at Panola College, is an accomplished speaker and
performer. Presently, he is serving as president of the Texas Community College Speech and
Theatre Association for the second time. As a well-liked speaker, a talented performer,
and a member of the Marshall Council of the Arts Board, Mr. Mason is involved in various
performances in the East Texas area.
Mr.
Mason is as popular with his distance learners as he is with his face-to-face students.
Two years ago, he introduced Speech 1315 via Interactive Videoconferencing (ITV) to Early Admissions high school
students at Timpson and later Waskom. Presently, he is teaching his first online
version of the class. In preparation for teaching via distance delivery methods, Mr. Mason
completed the Distance Learning Training Program at Panola College.
Mr. Mason’s love of teaching keeps him open to new ideas. His students usually just
refer to him as “awesome.” Recently one student commented, “When Mr. Mason
asks, ‘How are you today?’ it is not rhetorical. He really wants to know.”
Countless others have stated that he helped them overcome their fear of public speaking.
Freddy
Mason touches the lives of hundreds of students through class and club activities, as well
as performances, whether they are in speech, drama, instrumental music, art, or choir.
The showcase is
available at: http://www.netnet.org/instructors/introduction/trainingresources.htm.