M.A.
Instructional Design Manager
Hoehn Room 140
(205) 934-8476
Department: Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Education:
- B.A., Hunter College, French/English
- M.A., Eastern Michigan University, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Françoise Lefort is the Instructional Design Manager for the concentration in Structural Engineering (SE). Ms. Lefort brings a unique blend of teaching experience and technical expertise from a diverse professional background to assist with the design of online instruction and facilitate the use of technology in SE courses.
To help support the program’s commitment to providing a top quality online education experience within a collaborative and interactive virtual environment, Lefort spends a great deal of time monitoring weekly virtual synchronous class sessions and online activity during proctored exams, as well as punctually publishing instructional content and recorded lectures through Canvas. She meets with faculty and students, in person or in the virtual classroom, to provide hands–on training and support. Topics include Canvas, lecture capture tools and virtual classroom for instructors, while students receive assistance in testing equipment, accessing course materials, and learn how to participate, present and work in groups in the virtual classroom. Lefort is the liaison to relevant support personnel for the technologies currently in use and, working closely with the CEM team, coordinates the implementation of new tools to support CEM distance education goals.
While teaching French and ESL, Lefort became involved with technology in the mid-‘90s, an interest developed as she translated computer training materials for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. To expand on her technical skills, she took a position at National TechTeam providing computer support to Owens Corning employees worldwide. She later joined the IT Department at the district library in Ann Arbor, MI, where she developed and implemented a computer training program to enable better use of the first networked computers, and delivered hands-on training to librarians and staff. Lefort developed and maintained the computer staff training website to publish instructional materials, on-line scheduling, and class evaluations.
As new technologies emerged in education, Lefort came back to an academic setting to work in the field of instructional technology in 2003. She managed the ePortfolios project at Miami Dade College InterAmerican campus. With her team, she assisted faculty in the conversion of course materials for on-line portfolios, provided technology training and support to faculty and students, and developed the ePortfolio website to provide resources and to showcase outcomes of the project. After relocating to Birmingham, Lefort taught a course on Instructional Technology for the UAB School of Education. The course aimed to prepare pre-service teachers in integrating technology in their teaching. She later joined UAB’s Instructional Technology group where she assisted faculty in designing/developing online courses and conducted hands-on training sessions on the online education platform and associated tools.
Lefort received her B.A. in French/English from Hunter College, NY, and her M.A. in TESOL from Eastern Michigan University, MI. Born and raised in France, she came to the United States in her early 20s with the goal of improving her English and discovering America. A U.S. citizen for many years, she still enjoys the ongoing learning experience that comes from being exposed to very contrasting cultures.