What is Hip-Hop pedagogy? How can the use of Hip-Hop culture in curriculum engage students and create relevant connections to course content? Kelly R. Allen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies in the College of Education and Human Development Department of Research, Counseling, and Curriculum at Augusta University and advocate for the implementation of Hip-Hop based education. During Allen’s early years as a high school social studies teacher, she discovered the power of using Hip-Hop culture in her teaching. Seeing that it was “more than a hook”, but instead something to be ..read more

Should I discuss AI with my students? How can I benefit from using AI?   In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed, David Joyner, PhD, joins us to explore these questions and how AI is transforming education, for students and educators. ChatGPT generated significant discussion when it launched in November 2022. Now, with more than a year of growing in understanding about generative AI, we are discovering what changes are necessary in the classroom.  Joyner provides valuable insights from his research and classroom experiences, addressing educators seeking basic knowledge about Ch ..read more

Are you a faculty member looking to collaborate with community organizations? By working together, universities and community organizations can create mutually beneficial relationships that enrich the educational experience, address community needs, and contribute to positive societal outcomes.  Achieving the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is one of the aspirational imperatives included in the Augusta University strategic plan. Pursuing this elective classification involves extensive work documenting how the university is partnering with the Augusta community.  On this ..read more

Every semester presents a mix of challenges and opportunities for both students and faculty. In this episode, Jenn Rose and JoAnn Edmond share five practical tips to help kickstart the semester on a strong note.  We discuss the importance of crafting a learner-centered syllabus and getting a jumpstart on integrating tools within the Learning Management System (LMS). Our conversation also touches on strategies for giving timely and meaningful feedback, with a focus on utilizing LMS tools for scheduled course communications.  Jenn and JoAnn highlight the usefulness of tools such as rep ..read more

How might a blend of Montessori and traditional grade school education influence a college professor? Dan Kaminstein, MD, MSED, serves as the Assistant Dean for Ultrasound Education and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. Kaminstein's exposure to both Montessori and traditional education shapes his teaching approach, leading him to reflect on how students learn. Higher education presents challenges for both students and faculty. Kaminstein employs an active learning approach in teaching, believing that students and faculty mutually benefit, creating a dynamic env ..read more

Are you exploring the possibility of incorporating low or no-cost educational materials into your course? Whether you're just curious about these resources or ready to integrate them into your teaching, this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed helps you get started.   In this month's episode, we're joined by Jeff Gallant, the program director of Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG). ALG is on a mission to support student success and promote equitable access to education by advocating for the use of affordable and open educational resources.  Jeff delves into the world of Open Educatio ..read more

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 opportuni ..read more

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 tea ..read more

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 princip ..read more

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 t ..read more