On this episode we sit down with Neil MacKinnon, PhD, Augusta University provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. MacKinnon places a strong emphasis on building connections with faculty, staff, and students. He discusses the profound impact such relationships have on the college experience for students. 

On the topic of mentorship, he shares personal anecdotes of how mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping his own academic journey. MacKinnon believes a good mentor can help faculty take their career to a new level and aims to facilitate meaningful mentorship opportunities for faculty members at Augusta University. 

Fall semester brings the launch of Augusta University Online, which has exceeded enrollment projections. Additionally, there are new and unique degree programs, such as Biomedical Systems Engineering and a new undergraduate degree in neuroscience. MacKinnon discusses how these initiatives are part of Augusta University's ongoing efforts to attract students seeking new programs that meet workplace needs. 

Additional topics of discussion include the significance of balancing teaching duties alongside research and service commitments for faculty members. MacKinnon also offers insights into the initiatives aimed at tackling the challenge of student retention and enhancing graduation rates. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page.

Uncover the elements of high-impact practices and immerse yourself in the captivating world of 'Reacting to the Past' in this special episode of Speaking of Higher Ed...Summer Shorts. 

Looking to keep students engaged and motivated in higher education? Quentin Davis, PhD and Hannah Bennett, PhD from Augusta University share insights on high-impact practices that go beyond traditional teaching methods. Discover how interactive learning experiences can make a real-world impact on students and faculty alike.  

We also step into history with 'Reacting to the Past,' an innovative teaching method that uses immersive role-playing games to teach complex issues. Join Andrew Goss, PhD, and Ruth McClelland-Nugent, PhD, as they discuss the benefits, challenges, and implementation of 'Reacting to the Past' in higher education. Get ready to revolutionize your teaching approach and inspire lifelong learners! 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

On this special episode of Speaking of Higher Ed...Summer Shorts we revisit innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Rhia Moreno, PhD shares how she employs multimodal pedagogy to cultivate a dynamic learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles. Discover the transformative power of creative reflection in both online and face-to-face courses. 

Arthur Takahashi sheds light on the use of multimedia learning principles in course design. Drawing from Mayer’s research, he shares strategies to create immersive learning experiences using high embodiment and other key principles. From PowerPoint presentations to instructional videos, discover principles for crafting impactful and lasting learning moments. 

We also chat about AI text generators, like ChatGPT, and their implications in higher education. Candis Bond, PhD and James Garner, PhD from the Center for Writing Excellence at Augusta University, engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the ethics, possibilities, and limits of these AI tools. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

In this episode we explore an innovative teaching method that has been gaining popularity in recent years: 'Reacting to the Past', also known as ‘Reacting’. This pedagogy uses immersive role-playing games to teach complex historical and contemporary issues in a highly engaging and effective way. 

Our guests, Andrew Goss, PhD, and Ruth McClelland-Nugent, PhD, both experienced history educators, share their insights into the world of 'Reacting to the Past'. They discuss their experiences using this teaching method in their own courses, the benefits it provides, and the resources available to faculty interested in incorporating it into their curriculum. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

Are you looking to improve student engagement and motivation? Dr. Quentin Davis and Dr. Hannah Bennett from Augusta University discuss high-impact practices that go beyond test memorization and create lifelong learners. By incorporating elements such as appropriately high expectations and frequent feedback, these practices can help you keep your students engaged and motivated throughout their academic journey. Learn practical strategies and tips for incorporating high-impact practices into your teaching, including fully online courses. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find us online at augusta.edu/innovation/sohe, on Facebook at facebook.com/AUGCII or send us an email with your questions or suggestions at [email protected]. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

AI has created a conundrum for higher education. AI text generators, computer programs capable of efficiently producing quality written content, have raised questions about the possibilities, ethics and limits of the use of programs such as ChatGPT in higher education. While artificial intelligence (AI) has been a part of our lives for a while — hello Siri, chatbots, and real-time autocorrect and predictive texts — increasingly sophisticated AI text generators have educators worried about how students might use or misuse these programs to write papers.

In this episode, Dr. Candis Bond, director of the Center for Writing Excellence at Augusta University, and Dr. James Garner, associate director of the Center for Writing Excellence, chat about why we teach writing in college and how these text generators might be used in the classroom. They note that one of the main advantages of AI text generators is their ability to produce large amounts of content quickly and effectively to summarize information. Additionally, GPT-3 can be used to edit and structure text. However, there are limitations, including the fact that the model can generate biased or incorrect information and struggles to draw conclusions or insights the same way humans can. Additionally, the AI model may attribute authorship incorrectly, leading to perpetuating authorship gaps by gender or race. Dr. Bond and Dr. Garner note that while AI text generators can be helpful for generating ideas and pushing oneself as a critical thinker, they should not be used as a substitute for the valuable skills and habits of mind developed through the act of writing. Ultimately, the purpose of writing is not just to produce polished final products, but to teach people valuable skills that will be with them for life.

Wondering what AI text generators are capable of? You’ve just experienced it. The second paragraph of this episode description was largely written by ChatGPT.

The Speaking of Higher Ed podcast is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find us online at augusta.edu/innovation/sohe, on Facebook at facebook.com/AUGCII or send us an email with your questions or suggestions at [email protected]. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

How are the words and pictures you use in your course content helping to improve learning for your students? Arthur Takahashi, adjunct faculty member and instructional designer at Augusta University, discusses how he uses multimedia learning principles in his course design and delivery to do just that. Mayer and Moreno’s (1999) study of the cognitive principles of multimedia learning continues to inform the creation of learning materials. Before discussing how he uses Mayer’s principles, Arthur touches on the three goals of multimedia instructional design which each of the principles will help support. Arthur shares how he uses Mayer’s principle of high embodiment and others in order to provide students with an experience that helps improve learning and retention. From creating a PowerPoint to making instructional videos, these principles can help you craft an impactful and lasting learning experience for your students.

You can read more about Moreno and Mayer’s (1999) research on cognitive principles of multimedia learning or pick up Mayer’s latest edition of his book, Multimedia Learning, from Cambridge University Press.

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find us online at augusta.edu/innovation/sohe, on Facebook at facebook.com/AUGCII or send us an email with your questions or suggestions at [email protected].

Dr. Rhia Moreno from the College of Education and Human Development discusses how she applies multimodal pedagogy to create a more varied learning environment that supports different learning styles and skillsets. Her approach includes incorporating AU approved tech such as Flip, Padlet and VoiceThread as well as encouraging creative reflection in face-to-face and online courses. In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed, Dr. Moreno highlights what multimodal pedagogy looks like and shares strategies on how to incorporate inventive approaches across disciplines.

Dr. Moreno will lead a webinar about diversifying your online instruction on February 22. For more information on this webinar email: [email protected].

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find us online at augusta.edu/innovation, on Facebook at facebook.com/AUGCII or send us an email with your questions or suggestions at [email protected].

Speaking of Higher Ed is a new podcast from Augusta University that exists to create a resource that will inspire and assist faculty in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. We hope to provide higher ed faculty with a platform for sharing research related to the scholarship of teaching and learning, spark new instructional ideas and promote interdisciplinary instructional methods. 

New episodes release on the third Wednesday of each month during spring and fall semesters.

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find us online at augusta.edu/innovation, on Facebook at facebook.com/AUGCII or send us an email with your questions or suggestions at [email protected].