Andy Schumpert & Kristen Hogan, Instructional Faculty & Lab Coordinators, Biological Sciences

BIOL 202: Infectious Diseases, Human Health, and Ethics 
BIOL 206: Genetics and Society 

Studies have demonstrated the power of active learning, yet typically these successful strategies are implemented in face-to-face courses. What about asynchronous online courses? As part of a McCausland Innovation Fund Student Centered Project, Andy and Kristen have participated in a faculty learning community centered around active learning.  In this session, Andy will discuss the use of active, social learning in two asynchronous online courses. He’ll showcase their course set up, philosophy, common issues, use of technology, and discuss the future of active learning in online courses. 

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Rebecca Stern, Associate Professor, English Language and Literature

ENGL 280: Literature and Society

Rebecca developed this online course as part of the McCausland Innovation Fund Online Program & Course Development and will be discussing using the Groups tool in Blackboard to create community in a large asynchronous class. She’ll also talk about managing groups, creating expectations, and crafting meaningful group assignments. She’ll wrap it up by discussing strategies for working in and around the difficulties of Blackboard.

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Dawn Campbell, Senior Instructor & Undergraduate Director, Women’s and Gender Studies

WGST 112:  Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

Dawn has been teaching WGST 112 as a 3-week intensive course in the Winter Term, which begins immediately after Christmas each year.  In redeveloping her course for this brief time period, Dawn has developed several best practice approaches to this format and will discuss some of the challenges and things she’s learned to improve the course, communication, content, and much more!

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Pat Gehrke, Professor, Speech Communication, English Language and Literature

SPCH 150:  Public Speaking and Anxiety Reduction

This asynchronous online course provides tools and training for students who want to better manage their anxieties about public speaking. Using a combination of intentional course design and personalized communication techniques, SPCH 150 has demonstrated effectiveness not only in helping students manage anxiety, but also in making them feel seen and personally engaged by the instructor. This presentation will review the results from the Fall 2022 pilot, overview the course design, and discuss the communication techniques used. Ample time will be left for discussion or questions. The McCausland Innovation Fund Online Program & Course Development initiative provided support for the development of this course.

Naomi Falk, Professor, School of Visual Art and Design

ARTS 225 & 325: Intro to 3D Studies I and II, ARTS 235: Fiber Arts

As part of CAS’s 2022-2023 Theme Semester on Play, Naomi has incorporated artificial intelligence software into her art studio classes.  Her students are learning to develop art using the latest technologies - students collaborate using AI image generators to brainstorm ideas for sculptures. Students work with the software packages of DALL-E, Magic Sketchpad, or Midjourney to develop their projects.  Naomi will discuss how she and her students have embraced the latest AI software to create art!

Watch Naomi's presentation