Author: Editor

Summer Planning StrategiesFor so many graduate students, this summer has already proven itself to be unlike any other they’ve encountered so far; and with ongoing global crisis, graduate students should feel no guilt for prioritizing their personal well-being over their productivity. That being said, summer has always been a time of free fall for graduate students -- assistantships end, funding becomes unstable, precarity increases and the work structures that we rely on to keep us productive throughout the semester suddenly disappear. All the while we are expected to prepare for fall teaching, continue our own research, catch up on tasks that we shuffled off during the academic year and make real progress on a slew of tasks. Whether this summer has been particularly disruptive for you or ...

Honoring Teachers’ Commitment to Continual Improvement through CollaborationTeacher Appreciation Week is one of my favorite times of the school year! Honoring the educators who spend countless hours creating lesson plans, building authentic relationships, and welcoming students into the learning space – whether it be in-person, online, or both – has been such a joy. I think back to my time growing up and fondly remember those who influenced me with their encouraging words, supportive nature, and praise of my efforts. My teachers, Ms. Pendergast, Mrs. Dixon, and Mr. Anderson were just three of many educators that left a lasting impression by showing me how much effort matters. I am grateful to them and to have this incredible opportunity to honor the efforts made by our nation’s teachers. ...

The Team Needed to Launch a Low-Cost Online Degree ProgramMy latest obsession is low-cost online degree programs. My fascination with the idea of bending the master’s cost curve is partly professional and partly personal. On a professional level, my work is all about online learning. Most of my online education career has been about quality. Guiding questions for my online work have been: How can we create immersive, intimate, and transformative learning experiences for online students? What does active and student-centered learning look like when translated from physical to the online classroom? How might we apply the integrated team-based model of course design and learner support found in high-quality online programs to residential courses, particularly introductory and foundational cou...