In this episode of MAC Talks, host Claire Wilkison teams up with special guests Claudette Jackson (Director of Accommodations & Title IX) and Katie Vise (Accommodations Coordinator) to dive into the real, raw, and sometimes hilarious truths about digital accessibility in higher education.

They share powerful "aha" moments—from navigating accommodations for students with disabilities to personal reflections on burnout and self-advocacy. The crew unpacks the new DOJ ruling on accessibility, what it really means for faculty and students, and how institutions can support inclusive design without losing their creative spark.

You'll hear:

• Personal stories that flip the script on how we see disability and accommodation

• Eye-opening insights on why font size and color contrast aren't just design details—they’re access points

• Straight talk on what the DOJ accessibility ruling actually changes (spoiler: it’s more mindset than monster)

• Tools, tips, and PD opportunities MCC is rolling out to support faculty—no Comic Sans allowed

Whether you're an accessibility pro or just starting the journey, this episode brings a blend of wit, wisdom, and warm-hearted advocacy that reminds us: when we design for access, everyone wins.

Looking to freshen up your classroom? Join us as Jessica Hobbs shares how podcasting has transformed her teaching approach. In this conversation, Jessica explains how replacing traditional essays with audio projects has engaged her students in ways she never expected.

Learn how podcasts have helped her students:

• Connect classroom assignments to real-world applications
• Express themselves authentically while working effectively with peers
• Develop digital communication skills valued in today's workforce
• Approach literature and research with renewed interest

Jessica's students are creating everything from historical narratives to community-focused content. If you're wondering how to modernize your teaching methods, this discussion offers practical insights into the educational potential of podcasting.

Designed for educators who want to enhance their teaching toolkit without compromising learning outcomes. See how audio projects might work in your classroom.

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Sullwold, a tech-savvy educator from MCC’s Computer Information Systems department, to talk all things Hyflex teaching, cybersecurity, and AI in education. From web development to cybersecurity, Joshua’s classroom is a digital playground—except when Hyflex makes things a little chaotic.

We explore the challenges and strategies of Hyflex teaching, including the art of balancing in-person and online students without leaving anyone in the digital dust. Plus, we dive into AI’s role in education, from generating discussion prompts to predicting assignment difficulties—because who doesn’t want a little AI-powered magic in their workflow?

And if you’ve ever wondered about the future of AI (spoiler: it’s not taking over just yet), Joshua shares his thoughts on where the tech is heading and how educators can prepare.

Tune in for an insightful, engaging, and tech-forward conversation that might just change the way you think about teaching in the digital age!

Hosts:

John Ghazzagh - Coordinator, Instructional Design

TJ Waldie - Instructional Application Specialist

Welcome to 2025!

Hosts:

This episode of MAC Talks is a resource for our Accessibility Law Professional Development course. You don't have to take it to listen though!

This episode has been generated entirely by Google's NotebookLM AI software. https://notebooklm.google.com/

To learn more about Accessibility Law or Google's NotebookLM reach out to us at [email protected]

Tim talks about how he went from MMA studio owner to AI aficionado, creating game-changing tools like Pocket AI and eFit software. We also get Tim's thoughts on the wild world of AI in education, where it is and where we are heading.

John Ghazzagh - LinkedIN

In this special episode of MAC Talks, we have 3 special guests: Czech exchange students that are taking classes and working at MCC!

These amazing students share their experiences here in the US and at McLennan Community College.

In this podcast episode, Kathleen Hicks, Director of Online Learning for English at Arizona State University, shares her experiences integrating generative AI into teaching and course development. She discusses the challenges and benefits of using tools like Chat GPT to create targeted content for students, and emphasizes the importance of teaching students about AI ethics and academic integrity. Kathleen also highlights the potential of AI to enhance interdisciplinary learning and the need for educators to prepare themselves and their students for its widespread use in the future. The conversation concludes with Kathleen presenting AI-generated business proposals that improved student writing and communication skills, and encouraging faculty to experiment with AI tools to address specific learning challenges in their courses.

John Ghazzagh, McLennan Community College

In this episode, Joanna shares her passion for Open Educational Resources (OER) and how they can transform higher education. Discover how OER empowers educators to freely share, reuse and remix teaching materials to benefit students. Joanna shares her insights on the cost-saving and creative potential of OER, the importance of proper attribution, and how building an OER community can help teachers find support. Tune in to learn how you can leverage OER to enhance your courses without reinventing the wheel! 

John Ghazzagh - LinkedIN

Jessica Zbeda - LinkedIN

Mary Sides - LinkedIN

Join us for an insightful conversation with Michaela McCown, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, and Kristen Cook, Research Librarian, as we delve into the world of embedded librarianship on MAC Talks. As online education continues to grow, librarians are stepping out from behind the stacks and into virtual classrooms. Discover how this collaborative approach between librarians and faculty is transforming research support and enriching the online learning landscape.

John Ghazzagh - Instructional Designer

Michaela McCown - Associate Professor

Kristen Cook - Research Librarian