It is a widely known fact that living in North Carolina means having to constantly adjust to the whims of Mother Nature. Residents of this state become pros at preparing for the constant change in weather. This is a trait that will serve N.C. State Film Professor Tom Wallis well, as he transitions from living in North Carolina to his new home in Ireland. 

Wallis began teaching at State in 1994, making him invaluable to the film studies program. The move, which was prompted by his wife taking a job at the University of Ireland in Maynooth, took place in mid-January. However, this is not Professor Wallis’ first time in Ireland, and he said he feels he is adjusting well. 

“I have traveled to Ireland pretty extensively in the past…so I kind of know the lay of the land”, Wallis said. 

In addition to the many adjustments that come with moving to a new country, Wallis is continuing to teach Writing about Film online through N.C. State’s distance education program. Fortunately, Wallis said he is experienced with online course work and that has made the transition to complete distance education easier to manage. 

About two years ago, Wallis acquired a grant that changed the way he taught his regular classes. It was a grant to use new technologies to do what is called “course flipping.” 

“Course flipping allows for some of the class lectures to be put online, which frees up more time to do interactive work with students,” Wallis said.  

With this grant, Wallis acquired iPads, which he said made group work more effective and allowed for better discussions in class. Wallis used his grant for one semester before moving to Ireland. 

“One of the reasons I wanted to explore the possibilities of teaching online is to take advantage of what I have learned through the grant and also allow the University to take advantage of what they have invested in me,” Wallis said. 

Wallis also said his experience with distance education this semester has enabled him to improve the emphasis of the course. 

“I’ve successfully been able to focus on making the course more writing intensive rather than content intensive…which is how it should be,” Wallis said. 

Wallis said one of the things he cherishes most about teaching is being exposed to various perspectives from his students.

“I’ve already been wowed by my students’ forum discussions,” Wallis said. 

Wallis said the most difficult adjustment he encountered is the lack of face-to-face interaction with his students. 

“I do believe intellectual exchange is possible online,” Wallis said. “However, I do miss seeing my students laugh at my corny jokes. That is one component of the traditional classroom that simply can’t be replicated via online learning.” 

Wallis will return to the classroom at the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic school year when he starts at University College Dublin as a visiting instructor. He said that even though the move to Ireland is quite long term, he is still hoping to teach for State as long as possible.