Simon Says: Educate!

In Episode #37 of "Simon Says: Educate!", Global Accessibility Day Part 2, Austin Donovan continues discussing UDL and accessibility in education. She emphasizes the need for clear, consistent communication across various platforms and proposes incorporating multiple formats for instructions to enhance accessibility. Austin shares strategies for structuring courses and creating inclusive learning...

In Episode #36 of "Simon Says: Educate!", Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Part 1, Austin Donovan discusses the importance of accessibility and UDL in education. She highlights creating equitable, flexible learning environments and ensuring all students, especially those with learning differences, have access to necessary resources. Austin emphasizes clear communication, individualized instruct...

In Episode #35 of Simon Says: Educate!, Geoff Cain interviews Simon Robot, powered by ChatGPT, to discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and AI's role in education. Simon explains UDL's principles of providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression for all students. He highlights how AI can enhance accessibility through tools like captioning, transcription, and personali...

In Episode #34 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald explores the student perspective on Clover Park Technical College's community of care. Student Lydia Foster highlights the importance of personalized learning, supportive instructors, and career guidance. They discuss strategies like student introductions, recorded lectures, and smaller class sizes to foster better relationships. The episode also touc...

In Episode #33 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald and Jazmin discuss strategies for teaching ESL and fostering a sense of belonging for diverse learners. Jazmin emphasizes cultural sensitivity, community-building activities (including games!), and collaboration with external resources to support student needs. They explore overcoming tech challenges and adapting teaching methods to cater to different...

In Episode #32 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald and Thomas delve into the importance of using controversial literature to foster empathy, understanding, and inclusion on campus. They explore the power of storytelling in helping us connect with experiences different from our own, highlighting how a book can spark meaningful conversations around sensitive topics like race, identity, and sexuality. Th...

In episode #31 of Simon Says: Educate!, the TLC Team introduces the CARES acronym, outlining the Clover Park Technical College Teaching and Learning Center's goals for Community of Care, Access, Retention and Completion, Employment, and Sustainability. The episode features discussions on strategies like building relationships, removing barriers to education, supporting diverse learners, and indust...

In Episode #30 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald introduces James and Austin, new members of the curriculum and instructional design team, who share insights on the transition to online education and designing for neurodiverse learners, while also discussing strategies to optimize online learning experiences, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and adapting instructional methods to meet divers...

In Episode #29 of Simon Says: Educate!, Geoff Cain interviews Dr. Meagan Sanders about the significant role of instructional design at the Alamo Colleges District, highlighting its importance in faculty support and student success. They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education, including the rapid pace of technological advancements and the necessity of developing AI po...

In Episode #28 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe has an engaging reunion with Kevin Storm Jorgensen, his former classmate from the Learning Design and Technology master's program at San Diego State University. They delve into the transformative impact of AI in education, discussing the development of personalized AI "assistants" and the application of GPTs for enriching course content and st...

In Episode #27 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe, Kristin Copeland, and Geoffrey Cain engage in a comprehensive discussion about realigning their professional development track to better support faculty, incorporating gamified modules for more engaging learning experiences. They reflect on the effectiveness of book clubs, stress the importance of clear communication and transparency in imple...

In Episode #26 of Simon Says: Educate!, Geoff Cain interviews Sara Mickel from Peninsula College about the intersection of education and technology. Mickel discusses her accidental journey into instructional design and her current role as eLearning administrator. She emphasizes the importance of equity in teaching and learning, highlighting initiatives like the Four Connections for student engagem...

In Episode #25 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe interviews Dion Alexander, a math instructor at Clover Park Technical College, about his innovative approach to education presented at the Lilly conference. The episode delves into directed self-placement (DSP) and co-requisite support, examining their effects on enhancing student success and engagement. Alexander provides insights into crafti...

In Episode 24 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe has a meaningful conversation with Jovan McCoy from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Clover Park Technical College. They focus on 'Caring Conversations', designed to create a nurturing and inclusive campus environment. The episode explores the complexities and methods of fostering inclusive communication within academic setting...

In Episode 23 of Simon Says: Educate!, Geoff Cain talks with Brett Christie, Ph. D., VP of Educational Innovation & Inclusivity at Alchemy, about AI's role in education. Christie, an expert in educational innovation, delves into AI's integration in learning environments. He highlights AI's capacity to personalize and refine teaching methods, its ability to boost student engagement, and its potenti...

In Episode 22 of Simon Says: Educate!, English teacher Dionna Faherty from Clover Park Technical College discusses integrating Generative AI into English 101. She innovatively uses AI for various stages of essay writing, including brainstorming and thesis development. Dionna emphasizes teaching students to critically evaluate AI-generated content, recognizing its biases and limits. This approach,...

In Episode 21 of Simon Says: Educate!, we meet Elena Guel from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, who shares her instructional design journey. Initially skeptical of AI, Elena now sees its educational potential. She discusses AI tools' role in efficient lesson planning, while addressing faculty resistance and ethical considerations. The episode highlights change management in AI integratio...

ChatGPT In Episode 20 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe and Diane Follett discuss AI in education post the 2023 Creative Commons Global Summit. They explore AI’s integration with open resources and licensing. Diane, enriched by the summit, talks about AI's role in administrative efficiency and creative content development at Clover Park Technical College. They examine AI's cultural impact, i...

In Episode 19 of Simon Says: Educate!, the spotlight is on the Fall 2023 Faculty In-Service at Clover Park Technical College's Teaching and Learning Center. The episode delves into the planning and execution of this event, with a forward-looking perspective on future professional development. Highlighted are the diverse training modules, including AI literacy and classroom management, with a speci...

In Episode 18 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ungrading Part 2, Ronald Lethcoe continues the enlightening discussion with Eric Stokes and Dionna Faherty. They delve further into the nuances of ungrading in education, where Eric and Dionna share real-world experiences. They tackle the misconception that ungrading simplifies teachers' work, instead highlighting its role in nurturing authentic learning expe...

In Episode 17 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ungrading Part 1, Ronald Lethcoe, Eric Stokes, and Dionna Faherty discuss "ungrading" at Clover Park Technical College. Ronald moderates as Eric, a chemistry professor, and Dionna, an English lead, share their experiences. They explore ungrading's shift from scores to authentic learning, aiming for a stress-free environment. Eric talks about ungrading in STEM...

In Episode 16 of Simon Says: Educate!, Jessica Fuller and Geoff Cain come together to discuss the groundbreaking potential of the "Hypothesis" tool in the realm of digital education. Dive into their conversation as they explore how this social annotation tool can redefine student engagement, active reading, and collaborative learning. Understand the nuances of how "Hypothesis" bridges the gap betw...

In Episode 15 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe and Alex Dejean explore the innovative "liquid syllabus." This dynamic tool transforms traditional educational approaches, offering a personalized, accessible syllabus that enhances student engagement and learning experiences. They discuss the stark differences between the conventional and liquid syllabi, emphasizing how the latter fosters a mo...

In Episode 14 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald and guest Diane Follett explore the concept of inclusive syllabi in education. The episode features Diane's journey, which led her from studying Russian to her enthusiasm for teaching English as a Second Language. They delve into the importance of crafting syllabi that not only inform but also welcome students, creating a sense of belonging and communi...

In Episode 13 of Simon Says: Educate!, we welcome Tiffany Smith for an insightful discussion on the observation process in professional development. This episode focuses on the pivotal roles of mentorship and community building in enhancing teacher agency. We delve into the concept of "teaching circles" and how this approach nurtures a supportive network among educators. The conversation also expl...