ON Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed

In this first part of the episode, guests, Kenneth Larsen and Stefanie Tate from Cidi Labs  stressed the importance of striking a balance: while interactivity is powerful for re-engaging attention and building mental models… too much of any content can easily overwhelm learners. The key takeaway is that thoughtful course design — the combination of consistent structure with purposeful interactivit...

In this next segment, we pick up with Kenneth and Stephanie on accessibility as a daily habit rather than a one-time initiative, the four issues that trip instructors up most often, and how Design Plus helps tackle them. We also cover where to start when you're staring at a blank course, how thoughtful design actually supports how students learn, Cidi Labs' targeted use of AI to handle t...

In this episode, my guests explored AI’s impact and the question of whether students have learned or are merely performing learning, complicating assessment, motivation, and course design beyond the limits of detection tools. My Guests discussed redesigning curriculum around purpose, process, and metacognition; ensuring assignments answer “why this matters”; and giving students choice to connect w...

In Part 2 of this episode, our guest continue to discuss shifting student trust and agency, the decline of college as a guaranteed pathway, and the need for higher education to prove its value through pivots like microcredentials and “good enough” course design that builds community. They raise concerns about the perceived validity of online degrees and AI-assisted work, emphasizing portfolios and...

In this final part of this episode, Tim, Anna, and Jillian continue the discussion, focusing on redesigning or supporting assignments for engagement and integrity. They emphasize removing busywork without attacking faculty, valuing faculty expertise, and using student-centered strategies like self-relevant prompts and strong prep work (practice, low-stakes feedback, and clear purpose) to reduce mi...

In this three-part series, host Lauren Kelley joins mental health experts to examine the evolving landscape of student mental health support in higher education, with a particular focus on the emerging role of AI-powered tools. The conversation begins by exploring how campus mental health conversations have transformed, addressing faculty misconceptions and establishing appropriate boundaries for...

In this second installment of our three-part series, we explore the complex world of AI-powered mental health support and its implications for students. We continue the conversation with Becky and Kate as they examine the growing trend of students turning to AI chatbots for mental health assistance. This episode tackles critical questions about the 24/7 availability of AI mental health tools versu...

In this final episode of our three-part series, we turn theory into practice with concrete strategies faculty can implement immediately to support student mental health. My guests wrap up this episode as they share actionable techniques for recognizing warning signs and creating supportive classroom environments. This episode  also provides guidance for identifying students in distress.  This fina...

In the second part of the podcast episode, Mathieu discusses the current AI-driven initiatives at his institution. The focus is primarily on raising awareness among faculty members about AI's potential. Faculty members are exploring small-scale projects like voice cloning and AI text-to-speech tools to enhance productivity in creating lecture videos. Additionally, there are discussions about...

In the first part of this podcast episode, Mathieu Plourde reflects on the impact of generative AI on higher education. Mathieu shares his extensive background in instructional design and educational technology, highlighting his work at the University of Delaware as well as his current institution, in the College of Business at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec. The conversation touches on t...

In the first part of the episode, 4 humanities professors, Alison, Persepone, Ju-A, and Meghan introduce themselves and share their initial reactions to using AI in their teaching practices. They discuss their initial fears, challenges, and motivations for experimenting with AI, highlighting the mixed emotions of excitement and hesitation. The conversation delves into how they navigated AI literac...

The second part of the episode focuses on the practical applications and implications of AI in the humanities. The professors discuss specific classroom activities and assignments that incorporate AI, such as using AI tools for writing, creating images, and enhancing language learning. They explore the ethical challenges and biases associated with AI, and how these issues are addressed in their te...

In this insightful episode, join us for a fun discussion on the University of Delaware's innovative 10-Day Accessibility Challenges designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive and accessible learning experiences for all students. We are joined by Jamie Summerfield, Educational Technology Consultant, and Molly Thomas, Instructional Designer, from Academic Te...

In this episode, Dr. John Jungck, Professor of Biological and Mathematical Sciences, and Jamie Summerfield, Ed tech Consultant with Academic Technology Services (ATS), talk with me about the popular Tech Talk Tuesdays speaker series at the University of Delaware (UD). John shares how he started the series in 2013 to facilitate cross-disciplinary conversations around using technology for teaching....

In this captivating episode, part of our exclusive series on The Paul J. Rickards, Jr. Teaching Innovation Grant Program, we explore the transformative power of innovative teaching strategies within education. We're thrilled to feature Katie Leech, a distinguished graphic designer, fine artist, and educator with a deep-rooted passion for printmaking. Katie shares her expertise on the critical...

In this special episode that is part of a short series about The Paul J. Rickards, Jr. Teaching Innovation Grant program, we highlighted Dr. Katy Bender, an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Delaware's Lerner College of Business & Economics. With a Ph. D. in Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics from The Ohio State University, Dr. Bender specializes in...

In this second episode, we're going to dive deeper into how UD's Academic Technology Services pivoted with resilience and innovation when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Stacy and Ali will share their insights on adapting to the sudden shift to remote learning, the creative solutions they provided, and how their support evolved as we emerged from that crisis. We'll also explore the compe...

You will have a chance to discover the state-of-the-art video production studios and services available right on the University of Delaware's campus in this insightful two-part series. In Part One, featured guests, Stacy Weile, Manager of UD Studio & Video Conf, and Ali Pawlowski, Digital Media Specialist offer an exclusive look at the impressive Pearson Hall studios, control rooms, and n...

This episode provides audio shorts that explore three tech tools for enhancing student engagement and assessment. This episode spotlights Poll Everywhere, Perusall, and FeedbackFruits as innovative edtech solutions for interactivity, collaboration, and meaningful feedback. This special episode includes the help of artificial intelligence as my co-pilot in providing audio bites for two of the three...

In this second part of this first episode of Season 5, we continue with conversational stories about how our guests work with their teams of TAs to support the Poll Everywhere tool, their take on academic honesty with the use of Poll Everywhere, and their biggest challenge with the tool. We wrap up this episode with faculty sharing their discoveries that might not have been revealed if not for the...

In this first season's episode, we dive into a two-part series exploring the transformative journey of Poll Everywhere at the University of Delaware. Since the onset of the pandemic, this multimodal tool has become an integral part of the university's pedagogical toolkit. Poll Everywhere has the ability to gather instantaneous feedback from students, even in large lecture settings, throu...

Part I: Navigating a Sea of Students - Class Size, Types, and First Experiences Ever wondered how the dynamics of a classroom change with its size? In this podcast, we dive into rich conversations with a faculty panel who share their perspectives related to whether or not class size mattered, the types of large courses they have been teaching, and their first teaching experiences with large lectur...

Part II: Managing Challenges with Design and Delivery for Large Lecture Courses Teaching a sea of students is no easy feat but it comes with the job. This episode brings to the forefront the inherent challenges of large-scale instruction and how these educators implement thoughtful strategies for managing how they design and deliver their courses. Listen to their stories of innovation and adaptabi...

Part III: Tools, Tips, and Time Management in Large Lectures With the sheer volume of students in large lectures, how do faculty ensure every student feels seen? Tune in for this final episode to explore the tools and tactics these educators use for ongoing encouragement. From time management to assessment strategies, this final episode provides their pearls of wisdom and ways that they bring thei...

This podcast focuses on the perspectives of faculty work with specifications grading. The final part of this series features Ellen Monk, Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting and MIS in the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Ellen also serves as the Associate Chair of the MIS department. Ellen shares her perspective of specs grading and the challe...