Speaking of Higher Ed: Conversations on Teaching and Learning

AI can help faculty think beyond static course content and toward learning experiences where students practice, reflect, receive feedback, and connect ideas to their own interests.  For this June Summer Short, Andrew Everett revisits three conversations about AI and course design. Dr. David Wiley discusses how generative AI may change the future of open educational resources by creating more custo...

Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, also known as Dr. PBJ, joins Speaking of Higher Ed to discuss faculty burnout, recovery, and reconnecting with purpose. She explains how burnout differs from ordinary end-of-semester exhaustion, why productivity fixes often fall short, and how faculty can recognize signs of surviving, overwhelm, and burnout.  The conversation explores compassion fatigue, boundaries, gu...

In this episode, Arthur Takahashi talks with Dr. Rafael Pacheco , associate professor and associate dean for digital technologies at the Dental College of Georgia, about how he is using AI to create more personalized learning experiences for students. Dr. Pacheco shares his path from dentistry and computer science to higher education, explains the teaching challenges that led him to build an adapt...

In this episode of  Speaking of Higher Ed , Jeff Mastromonico talks with Monica Cornetti , President of Sententia Gamification, about what gamification really means in higher education. You will hear why meaningful gamification goes beyond points, badges, and leaderboards, how safe failure and visible progress can support learning, and how narrative and role-based design can help students engage m...

We are seeing more generative AI in higher ed, but what does it look like when we use it to actually build course elements? In this visual episode, you will hear how we use “vibe coding” (coding by conversation) to create interactive learning materials in D2L Brightspace while still relying on the basics: alignment, accessibility, and thorough testing. You will also see real examples, including a...

Dr. Bonni Stachowiak  is the host of  Teaching in Higher Ed,  a long-running podcast focused on the art and science of teaching. In this episode, we talk with her about what years of conversations with educators have taught her about teaching and learning. She reflects on curiosity, presence, relationships, and the role failure plays in meaningful learning. Our conversation also touches on faculty...

In this episode, Dr. David Wiley joins us to explore how generative AI is reshaping open education. We look at the foundations of open educational resources (OER), what OER-enabled pedagogy makes possible, and why open licensing alone doesn’t drive better outcomes without thoughtful instructional design. Dr. Wiley also discusses how generative AI may shift the future of OER toward conversational a...

Accessible design isn’t just about meeting requirements; it’s about creating learning experiences that work for everyone. In this episode, Peter Berryman, Director of Digital Instruction at the University System of Georgia Office of Teaching and Learning Excellence, explores what accessibility really looks like in higher education. He shares clear and practical ways faculty can make their material...

How do we help students step out of silos and see themselves as part of a collaborative team? In this episode, Dr. Joann Denemark , program director for Speech-Language Pathology, and Dr. Megan Mobley , assistant professor of Physical Therapy, share how interprofessional education (IPE) is reshaping the student experience at Augusta University. You’ll hear how IPE builds confidence, strengthens pr...

Creating an asynchronous course can feel overwhelming—but the right partnership makes all the difference.  In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , Georgia State University’s Mary Peabody , Learning Experience Designer, and Dr. Peter Demerjian , Associate Professor and Director of the School of Accountancy, share how they teamed up to design an Online MBA course. They discuss design thinking, fa...

Will AI change the role of faculty in higher education? In this episode, Dr. Jason Orlosky , associate professor with the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Augusta University, joins Arthur Takahashi to reflect on how AI is reshaping academic work—and why human connection remains central to teaching and learning. From navigating new tools to rethinking what only people can do, he offers a cl...

In this summer short, Speaking of Higher Ed brings together powerful insights from past guests on what drives authentic learning in today’s classrooms. Dr. James Lang (episode 28) shares a thoughtful approach to handling suspected AI use—not through punishment, but through dialogue and design. Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang (episode 23) explains how emotion isn’t separate from learning—it fuels it....

In this summer short, we revisit standout insights from three episodes that explore how innovation, multimedia, and generative AI are reshaping higher education. Dr. Richard Mayer (episode 22) explains how simple, well-designed multimedia lessons enhance learning. A.B. Osborne (episode 26) reflects on creativity, storytelling, and the emotional complexity of AI in the arts. And Dr. Cynthia Alby (e...

Can spontaneity and scholarship go together? “Yes and…”    In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , we welcome Dr. Meredith Rausch —Associate Professor of Research, Counseling & Curriculum at Augusta University’s College of Education and Human Development. An NBCC Servant Leadership Award recipient and Augusta University Outstanding Faculty Award winner, Dr. Rausch’s award‑winning research o...

In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , we welcome acclaimed author and teaching expert Dr. James Lang to explore one of the most pressing topics in higher education today: academic integrity in the age of generative AI. Drawing from his influential book Cheating Lessons , Lang shares practical, research-based strategies for designing learning environments that reduce cheating and enhance stude...

Generative AI is rapidly changing the landscape of higher education, offering new possibilities for student engagement, personalized learning, and course design. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Alby , professor of teacher education at Georgia College and lead instructor in the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, shares how faculty across the country are integrating AI into their teaching.  She discu...

How do you prepare students to enter a rapidly changing industry like animation? What impact does AI have on such a competitive industry? On this episode, we’re exploring animation education with our guest, A.B. Osborne. We discuss the development of Augusta University’s animation program, how students balance creativity with technical skills, and the impact of AI on the animation industry—and wha...

What is the lifelong influence of undergraduate research experiences?  For this month’s topic of undergraduate research, Drs. Michael Rifenburg and Kristine Johnson discuss their book A Long View of Undergraduate Research: Alumni Perspectives on Inquiry, Belonging, and Vocation . They discuss insights into undergraduate research learned by interviewing alumni about the effect that participating in...

“Have you ever wondered if the principles of gaming could transform how your students learn?” In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , we explore gamification and game-based learning in higher education with Jeff Mastromonico and Arthur Takahashi . You’ll hear about the differences between these approaches, how they can boost student engagement, and practical examples like escape rooms and simul...

“There is no learning without emotion.” This bold statement, likely familiar to many educators, is at the center of Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang’s research. In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , we speak with Dr. Immordino-Yang, a renowned professor of education, psychology and neuroscience at the University of Southern California. We explore why emotions are essential to learning from a neu...

“How can you teach people in ways so that they can take what they’ve learned and use it in new situations?” This question has been the driving force behind Dr. Richard E. Mayer's work for over 40 years. In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , we talk with Dr. Mayer, the world’s most cited educational psychologist, about two of his most significant contributions to education: his involvement in...

What happens when a professor throws paper balls and playlists into the mix to get students engaged? In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed , Gary Green, EdD from the University of Georgia shares how he uses unconventional, yet effective, strategies to capture student attention and keep them involved. Dr. Green explains his approach to fostering a classroom environment that encourages active par...

Discover how real-world experiences shape student success in our conversation with Lynsey Steinberg , Director of Innovation at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. She offers practical tips for faculty on creating impactful community partnerships and interdisciplinary projects, while also sharing the growth journey of the Innovate Competition from 20 students to over 300 participants...

In this special summer shorts episode, we revisit conversations from the past year to help you gear up for the upcoming semester. Join us as we explore practical strategies and innovative approaches shared by our expert guests.  From episode 13 , JoAnn Edmond and Jenn Rose kick things off by emphasizing the importance of a learner-centered syllabus. "Creating tools like a syllabus, which can...

On this Summer Shorts episode, we highlight transformative approaches in teaching and learning, including hip-hop pedagogy, documenting effective teaching, and innovative grading practices.  In episode nine , Dr. Lauren Barbeau from Georgia Tech discusses her publication on the Critical Teaching Behaviors framework, which provides a comprehensive system to identify and discuss good teaching, offer...