ODLI on Air

Assistant Director of Inclusive Excellence & Accessibility Amber Alvord and Interim Accessibility Specialist Connor Goyne discuss WCU's new Digital Accessibility Resource Team and other accessibility efforts. Cohosts: Dr. Tom Pantazes & Dr. MB Henry Captions Show Notes: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Digital Accessibility Foundations D2L Course (Only accessible to WCU...

Special Educators Dr. Ashlee Brown & Alyssa Blasko discuss a CELT-funded project that uses simulated classroom experiences, video analysis, and feedback to help prepare future special education teachers. Cohosts: Dr. Jes Drass and Amber Alvord Captions Research Connection: Blasko, A. (2024). Preparing pre-service and in-service special educators to write high-quality individualized education p...

Computer applied linguistics educator Dr. Mahmoud Amer discusses how he created a digital game-based learning platform called Gamehut.org available for any educator to use.  Hosts: Dr. Jes Drass and Dr. MB Henry Captions Research Connection: Research Highlights in Game-Based Language Learning Game Based Approaches to CALL Show Notes: Gamehut.org

Statistician Dr. Laura Pyott describes her one-credit experiential learning project in support of the Jewish Relief Agency.  Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes  Closed Captions   Show Notes: Ram Poll: Gauging Student Opinion Across the State with Dr. Laura Pyott   Ram Institute for Survey Research Jewish Relief Agency

Assistant Professors Dr. Laura Brown and Dr. Jordin Clark of the Department of Communication and Media reflect on the successes and challenges of their first three years as tenure-track faculty at West Chester University, including a discussion of their dedication to responsive teaching practices and community engagement in the classroom. Cohosts: Dr. Tom Pantazes & Dr. MB Henry Closed Caption...

Dr. Rebecca Chancellor, Dr. Aaron Rundus, and Dr. Jordan Schugar discuss their interdisciplinary study abroad work in Rwanda, including the development of the Shinehouse Gishwati Research Station and the ways students engage in research, community partnerships, and experiential learning in and around Gishwati Forest. Cohosts: Dr. Jes Drass & Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: Forest...

The TLC staff discuss their Spring 2026 Book Club reading, Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates, 2nd ed. by Neil Selwyn, including reflections on the role of technology in the TLC's work at WCU in the past, present, and future. Host: Dr. MB Henry Guests: Dr. Naomie Nyanungo, Dr. Tom Pantazes, Dr. Jes Drass, Marc Drumm, Amber Alvord, Connor Goyne, Brian Carothers, Hannah Glatt, and...

Introducing the two newest members of the Teaching & Learning Center staff, Laurie Hays and Dr. MB Henry. Hosts: Amber Alvord & Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: Spirits Podcast Lore Podcast Strike Force Five Podcast Your Money Guide on the Side Podcast SoTL Spotlight: Social and Emotional Learning

The Teaching & Learning Center staff discuss our recent reading of the Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching written by Isis Artze-Vega, Flower Darby, Bryan Dewsbury, and Mays Imad.  Guests: Dr. Naomie Nyanungo, Marc Drumm, Brian Carothers, Connor Goyne, and Hannah Glatt Cohosts: Amber Alvord, Jes Drass, & Dr. Tom Pantazes   Closed Captions Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching

First Year Experience (FYE) instructors and members of the common content development team Dr. Karen Mitchell, Dr. Shannon Mrkich, Dr. Jennifer Raskauskas, and Michelle Blake discuss how they collaborated to create common content to help students succeed in their transition to university. Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: WCU First Year Experience Requirement H5P

Reflecting on their experiences completing the ACUE Certification in Effective Teaching, professors Nancy Barker, Merry Perry, & Ola Kopacz share what they learned from the year long program. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: ACUE Certification in Effective Teaching Supporting Faculty Excellence | Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education PASSHE Facu...

Found poetry advocates Dr. Nancy Pearson and Dr. Rebecca Rich describe how they came to incorporate found poetry techniques into their English and Public Health courses. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Johnson, J. (2019). Using found poetry to cultivate student literacy, empathy, and creativity. Social Studies Research and Practice , 14 (3), 335-348. Ri...

Dean of the Arts and Humanities, Dr. Jen Bacon shares what it is like to be a dean as she reflects back on her 26 years at West Chester University. Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Bacon, J. (1998). Getting the story straight: Coming out narratives and the possibility of a cultural rhetoric. World Englishes , 17 (2), 249-258.

Past participants Diane Santori & Alison Gardiner-Shires describe the experience of engaging in a Teaching Circle faculty learning community that explored Generative AI. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: PICO Questions Six Degrees of AI Assignments - RECAP Presentation Video

Investigative reporter and associate professor of journalism Dr. Dyan Neary describes her reporting, writing, and hosting of Serial Productions: The Preventionist Podcast. Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: From Serial Productions: The Preventionist The Mastermind Behind Serial’s “The Preventionist”: An Interview with Prof. Dyan Neary Show Notes: Serial Productions Podcast...

This episode explores the processes of the West Chester University Institutional Review Board or IRB with two experts: Dr. Melissa Reed, Professor in the Kinesiology Department, who has served on the IRB for 15 years, including 7 years as co-chair; and Dr. Heather Leaman, Professor in Early and Middle Grades Education, who has served on the IRB for 6 years, including 4 years as co-chair.  Hosts: J...

Nutrition professor Dr. Michael Holik describes creating a virtual reality kitchen experience for his students using ThingLink. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection Batista, J. A. F. A., Souza, M. M. P., Barros, T. D., Gupta, N., & Reis, M. J. C. S. (2022). Using the ThingLink computer tool to create a meaningful environmental learning scenario. EAI Endor...

Responding to frustrations with traditional grading systems, communication studies professor Dr. Roger Gatchet tells the story of his switch to ungrading and specifications grading formats. Cohosts: Jes Drass & Amber Alvord Closed Captions Research Connection: Clark, D., & Talbert, R. (2023). Grading for growth: A guide to alternative grading practices that promote authentic learning and s...

First year writing instructor Dr. Margaret Ervin discusses how she works to build and maintain trust with students. Cohosts: Amber Alvord & Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Hagenauer, G., Muehlbacher, F., & Ivanova, M. (2023). “It’s where learning and teaching begins‒is this relationship”—insights on the teacher-student relationship at university from the teachers’ per...

Podcaster and associate professor of digital and global media Dr. Jeremy McCool, interviews the ODLI on Air cohosts to celebrate 75 episodes. Cohosts: Amber Alvord, Jes Drass, and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: Raps of Resistance: How Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition Rap & Reason Podcast Earl Hopkins Rigor with Compassion: Leading an Ed. D. Program with Dr...

Neurodivergent scholar and librarian Dr. Jennifer Slagus discusses the importance of hearing and incorporating diverse perspectives into research, academics, and other university spaces. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., Botha, M., Hens, K., O’Donoghue, S., Pearson, A., & Stenning, A. (2023). Cutting our own keys: New possi...

Barbie and children’s pop culture expert Dr. Emily Aguiló-Pérez discusses how she uses toys and personal experiences as topics for engaging students in learning about research and writing. Cohosts: Jes Drass & Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Aguiló-Pérez, E. R., & Hains, R. C. (2025). Barbie in the Media: The Transmedia Presence of Mattel’s Celebrity Doll.  Hains, R....

Dr. Jaeyong Choi, Dr. Eryn Travis and Dr. Linh Ngo discuss how AI can strengthen research and feedback for both faculty and students — without replacing the critical thinking that drives meaningful scholarship. Hosts: Jimmy John and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions

Biochemist Dr. Tom Kwiatkowski shares how he incorporates Nanome Virtual Reality and AlphaFold AI into his instructional practice. Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Research Connection: Berkmen, M. B., Balla, M., Cavanaugh, M. T., Smith, I. N., Flores‐Artica, M. E., Thornhill, A. M., ... & Peterson, C. N. (2025). An idea to explore: Use of the virtual reality app Nanome for teaching three...

Students who have potential to succeed at West Chester University, but don't quite meet all admission requirements can enter the Academic Success Program. ASP faculty Dr. Paris McPherson, staff member Jake Mann, and ASP students Tymir Jones and Cass Cooper provide their perspectives on this important program. Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes Closed Captions Show Notes: Academic Success...