Nutrition professor Dr. Michael Holik describes creating a virtual reality kitchen experience for his students using ThingLink.

Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection

Batista, J. A. F. A., Souza, M. M. P., Barros, T. D., Gupta, N., & Reis, M. J. C. S. (2022). Using the ThingLink computer tool to create a meaningful environmental learning scenario. EAI Endorsed Transactions on Smart Cities, 6(17), 1-8. 

How ThingLink VR Learning Experiences Bridge Theory and Practice for Nutrition and Dietetics Students by Kyla Ball

Show Notes

ThingLink

Vision AI

Responding to frustrations with traditional grading systems, communication studies professor Dr. Roger Gatchet tells the story of his switch to ungrading and specifications grading formats.

Cohosts: Jes Drass & Amber Alvord

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Clark, D., & Talbert, R. (2023). Grading for growth: A guide to alternative grading practices that promote authentic learning and student engagement in higher education. Routledge.

Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to do Instead). Susan D. Blum (Ed). West Virginia University Press, 2020.

Show Notes:

Alternative Grading Faculty Learning Community

First year writing instructor Dr. Margaret Ervin discusses how she works to build and maintain trust with students.

Cohosts: Amber Alvord & Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Hagenauer, G., Muehlbacher, F., & Ivanova, M. (2023). “It’s where learning and teaching begins‒is this relationship”—insights on the teacher-student relationship at university from the teachers’ perspective. Higher Education, 85(4), 819-835. 

Show Notes:

Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF)

WCU TLC AI in Action Webinar Series and Dr. Ervin's webinar.

Podcaster and associate professor of digital and global media Dr. Jeremy McCool, interviews the ODLI on Air cohosts to celebrate 75 episodes.

Cohosts: Amber Alvord, Jes Drass, and Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Show Notes:

Raps of Resistance: How Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition

Rap & Reason Podcast

Earl Hopkins

Rigor with Compassion: Leading an Ed.D. Program with Dr. Schugar & Dr. Hodes

Podcasting in Higher Education with Dr. Jeremy C. McCool

Guidelines for Working Where Your Child Studies with Dr. Kristen Crossney and Natalie Crossney

Neurodivergent scholar and librarian Dr. Jennifer Slagus discusses the importance of hearing and incorporating diverse perspectives into research, academics, and other university spaces.

Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., Botha, M., Hens, K., O’Donoghue, S., Pearson, A., & Stenning, A. (2023). Cutting our own keys: New possibilities of neurodivergent storying in research. Autism, 27(5), 1235-1244.

Slagus, J. (2025). Neurodivergent Narratives: Restorying Neurodiversity in Twenty-First Century Middle Grade Literature.

Show Notes:

Bishop, R. S. (1990). Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, 6 (3). Perspectives: Choosing and using books for the classroom, 6(3), ix-xi.

A Novel Mind website

Universal Design for Learning Framework

Barbie and children’s pop culture expert Dr. Emily Aguiló-Pérez discusses how she uses toys and personal experiences as topics for engaging students in learning about research and writing.

Cohosts: Jes Drass & Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Aguiló-Pérez, E. R., & Hains, R. C. (2025). Barbie in the Media: The Transmedia Presence of Mattel’s Celebrity Doll. 

Hains, R. C., & Aguiló-Pérez, E. R. (Eds.). (2025). # Barbie and Social Media: Digital Discourses and Mattel's Celebrity Doll. Springer Nature. 

Wisniewski, E. (2025). Voices of High School Writers: Exploring Perceptions and Experiences in Secondary Writing Education. https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_doctoral/296/  

Hains, R. C., & Mazzarella, S. R. (2019). Cultural Studies of LEGO. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. 

Show Notes:

Barbie

Lego

Dr. Jaeyong Choi, Dr. Eryn Travis and Dr. Linh Ngo discuss how AI can strengthen research and feedback for both faculty and students — without replacing the critical thinking that drives meaningful scholarship.

Hosts: Jimmy John and Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Biochemist Dr. Tom Kwiatkowski shares how he incorporates Nanome Virtual Reality and AlphaFold AI into his instructional practice.

Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Berkmen, M. B., Balla, M., Cavanaugh, M. T., Smith, I. N., Flores‐Artica, M. E., Thornhill, A. M., ... & Peterson, C. N. (2025). An idea to explore: Use of the virtual reality app Nanome for teaching three‐dimensional biomolecular structures. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 53(3), 321-329. 

https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/bmb.21892?casa_token=yYxYU6oT3ecAAAAA:r_vYHLIiHoamRML5y0-1F2EKsK1yyV374kTayIxWD9e7TKnnaUvY8vtdbjoI69eJ_SRu6meAgHAlDzrb 

Calma-Roddin, N., Park, K., & Keighron, J. (2023). Exploring the Structure of Proteins and Other Biomolecules with a VR Museum: Lessons in Classroom Integration. Journal of Chemical Education, 100(7), 2574-2582. 

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c01015 

Show Notes:

Ready Player One

CHE 160. The Chemistry of Beer

Go For Launch: Mercury VR program

Nanome

AlphaFold

Students who have potential to succeed at West Chester University, but don't quite meet all admission requirements can enter the Academic Success Program. ASP faculty Dr. Paris McPherson, staff member Jake Mann, and ASP students Tymir Jones and Cass Cooper provide their perspectives on this important program.

Cohosts: Jes Drass and Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Show Notes:

Academic Success Program website

Counselors and creators of the case conceptualization framework Dr. Lynn Zubernis and Dr. Matt Snyder describe how they utilized CELT grant funding and a collaboration with theater students to create ten video cases demonstrating their method in action.

Host: Dr. Tom Pantazes

Closed Captions

Research Connection:

Zubernis, L., & Snyder, M. (2015). Case conceptualization and effective interventions: Assessing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Sage Publications.

First, M. B. (2024). DSM-5-TR® Handbook of Differential diagnosis. American Psychiatric Pub.

Show Notes:

Supernatural TV series

CELT Grants

Zubernis, L. S., & Snyder, M. (Eds.). (2023). Supes Ain't Always Heroes: Inside the Complex Characters and Twisted Psychology of The Boys. BenBella Books.