Faculty Resources
Interactive Syllabi
Teaching with technology is a hot-button phrase, especially in the context of social distancing and COVID. I have found that of the best ways to integrate technology into the classroom is using it as a gateway for the course. Using technology to create interactive syllabi for my classes helps set up an interactive climate. Interactive syllabi are more dynamic (which means more likely to engage students). An interactive syllabus also offers opportunities to link to key course resources (like the Academic Achievement Center and the bookstore). I discuss interactive syllabi in this short blog post, which also links to the online software I use, and has templates you are welcome to download and modify.
Video-Based Assignments
Education is not a process that takes place in a vacuum, nor at the top of an ivory tower. Connecting and communicating in today’s world means that students need to engage media technology. Based on this belief, I feel it is important to integrate technology and media into the classroom. The interactive dynamics offered by technology are also a way in which we can energize our classrooms. The two videos below are examples of teaching with technology. Both of these are media-based student projects, in which students developed experience using media technology to produce communication texts that applied course concepts.
Selfie PSA
This satirical PSA was developed and produced as a class project in one of my visual culture classes.
Mini-Documentary
This short movie was developed and produced as a class project in an intro-level Communication Studies class, to be shown at a campus event commemorating the United Nation’s International Day of Peace.
Speaking Intensive Pedagogy
If you are teaching (or thinking about teaching) a speaking intensive class, or about developing a speaking intensive assignment for a class, the videos below offer “on demand” faculty development in this area. These short “how to” videos below walk through key concepts and some helpful tips to consider when developing speaking assignments and/or speaking-intensive classes.
Why Teach Speaking-Intensive Classes?
Although most university classes are constructed on a writing intensive framework, there are important learning outcomes and opportunities that speaking intensive classes offer students and instructors.
Scaffolding Speaking Skills & Assignments
This video explores best practices for scaffolding speaking skills and assignments. In order for students to do well in an oral communication class, they must have support to overcome fears of public speaking, develop organizational skills, and master course content.