Speaking of Higher Ed...
About The Podcast
Speaking of Higher Ed 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.
December 17, 2025
Openness has helped shape conversations about access, equity, and innovation in higher education for more than two decades. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Wiley, Associate Professor and Academic Affairs Fellow for AI in Education at Marshall University, to explore how open educational resources and generative artificial intelligence are converging to redefine what learning can look like.
Dr. Wiley has been a central figure in the development of open education. In 1998, his work on open content licensing contributed to the foundations that eventually led to Creative Commons. Since then, he has authored influential frameworks such as the 5R permissions for defining OER, the concept of renewable assignments, and OER-enabled pedagogy. He has also co-founded organizations including Lumen Learning, Degreed, and Mountain Heights Academy, each designed to expand access to high-quality learning.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- The demonstrates how prompts and context can function as the next generation of OER.
- provides widely used open licenses that grew in part from early work on open content.
- , co-founded by Dr. Wiley, focuses on improving student learning through OER-based course materials and support.
- examines the complexities of measuring how OER adoption affects student learning outcomes.
- Benjamin Bloom鈥檚 1984 article explores the dramatic learning gains associated with mastery learning and intensive tutoring.
Featured quotes from this episode:
鈥淚f I spend that same amount of time writing a prompt that can create a customized version of that experience for every student who interacts with it, that seems like it鈥檚 a much better use of my time than writing a textbook chapter.鈥� - Dr. David Wiley
鈥淚t seems like there ought to be a way that we can take generative AI, change it, wrap some other things around it, and use that in order to make real progress on helping students really learn all that they can.鈥� - Dr. David Wiley
鈥淭here鈥檚 never been a more exciting time to be a learner, and I don鈥檛 know that our world has ever needed educating more than it needs right now.鈥� - Dr. David Wiley
Season Three Episodes |
November 19, 2025
Have you ever wondered how much clearer your course could become if every document, slide, and video was designed for all learners from the start? This episode explores how accessible design strengthens teaching, supports every student, and makes online instruction easier to manage.
Peter Berryman, Director of Digital Instruction with the University System of Georgia鈥檚 Office of Teaching and Learning Excellence, shares practical ways to make course materials more accessible. The conversation covers simple habits that make a difference鈥攗sing headings correctly, writing descriptive link text, adding alt text to images, and running accessibility checkers built into familiar tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and D2L Brightspace.
You will discover how small, intentional design choices can make course materials clearer and easier for everyone to use. Captions, transcripts, and well-organized documents help all students navigate, reference, and study more effectively.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind) 鈥� Offers tutorials, training, and practical guides on creating accessible web and document content. Learn more at .
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool 鈥� A free browser-based tool from WebAIM that helps you check web pages and online materials for accessibility issues. Access the tool at .
- MomentumU@USG 鈥� The University System of Georgia鈥檚 professional development platform for faculty and staff, featuring toolkits, self-paced courses, and an Accessibility for Educators module. Explore offerings at .
- USG Accessibility Guidance 鈥� A system-wide resource providing digital accessibility information and support for faculty and staff across Georgia鈥檚 public colleges and universities. Review these materials at .
- 麻豆官网首页入口 Accessibility Resources 鈥� Guidance and tools for faculty, staff, and students to build more inclusive physical and digital environments. Visit 麻豆官网首页入口 Accessibility Resources
Featured quotes from this episode:
鈥淪tudents don't often talk about or speak to their the disabilities they may have. They're often shy about even asking for accommodations because they want to do it on their own. But there is a large community that we serve, and sometimes we're not sure who they are actually.鈥� - Peter Berryman
鈥淭he first thing that faculty can do is just go back, reevaluate and correct whatever they can find in their courses, and then begin the process of just validating that their use of the software does support accessibility.鈥� - Peter Berryman
鈥淭he first place to start is to look to your institution and see if there is any support from the IT department or perhaps a teaching center.鈥� - Peter Berryman
October 15, 2025
How can we prepare students to work across disciplines before they enter the workplace? In this episode, Dr. Joann Denemark, program director for Speech-Language Pathology, and Dr. Megan Mobley, assistant professor of Physical Therapy, discuss how interprofessional education (IPE) builds confidence, professional identity, and collaboration among students.
They share how 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 IPE initiatives鈥攕upported by the College of Allied Health Sciences and the Center for Instructional Innovation鈥攈elp students develop respect for other professions and practice teamwork through innovative experiences, including a large-scale escape room simulation.
Whether you teach in the health sciences or another discipline, this conversation offers practical ideas for integrating collaboration, communication, and shared problem-solving into your own teaching.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The 麻豆官网首页入口 University Jagwire reported on the .
Featured quotes from this episode:
鈥淐ollaboration and seeking support elsewhere are not weaknesses. I think that's huge,
because if we're supposed to know everything about our profession鈥攚ell, we don't.鈥�
鈥� Dr. Joann Denemark
鈥淚 think the debrief is critical. You create these experiences, but you want to make
sure you're driving home what you want the students to get out of the overall experience.鈥�
鈥� Dr. Megan Mobley
鈥淚t's neat to watch them create these professional relationships even as students
that they may keep in touch with when they're out working professionally.鈥�
鈥� Dr. Megan Mobley
September 17, 2025
Creating an asynchronous course can feel overwhelming鈥攂ut with the right partnership, it can also be transformative.
In this episode, Georgia State University鈥檚 Mary Peabody, Learning Experience Designer, and Dr. Peter Demerjian, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Accountancy, share their journey in developing an online MBA course.
Mary brings her background in teaching ESL and band, along with her experience helping faculty redesign courses across disciplines ranging from Public Health and Criminal Justice to Artificial Intelligence and Business. She shares how design thinking and multimedia strategies can enhance online learning. Dr. Demerjian offers the faculty perspective, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of moving a traditionally in-person business course into an asynchronous format.
Together, they highlight strategies for fostering strong faculty鈥揹esigner collaboration and share practical advice for anyone building online courses. Whether you鈥檙e preparing to teach online for the first time or considering a course redesign, this episode offers a practical look at how effective partnerships can strengthen teaching and learning.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
You can connect with Mary and Peter on LinkedIn.
- Connect with .
- Connect with .
August 20, 2025
If AI could handle half of your workload tomorrow, would you embrace it鈥攐r worry about what鈥檚 left for you to do?
In this episode, Arthur Takahashi sits down with Jason Orlosky, PhD, associate professor with the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at 麻豆官网首页入口, to explore one of the biggest questions facing academia today: Will AI change the role of faculty?
As AI tools become more accessible, faculty are navigating new territory鈥攂alancing the possibilities these tools offer with the irreplaceable value of human connection in teaching and learning. Dr. Orlosky shares his perspective on how AI can complement rather than replace faculty work, offering practical ways these technologies can help educators become even more effective in their roles.
The conversation traces Dr. Orlosky鈥檚 own experience with AI, from building an eye-tracking system by hand in 2017 to now completing similar projects in hours using platforms like ChatGPT and Meta鈥檚 Llama models. He also discusses topics like:
- The difference between 鈥渧ibe coding鈥� and AI-assisted programming
- What current AI models can and can鈥檛 do
- The unique challenges that still require human expertise
The episode also takes a lighthearted turn, revisiting early AI agents like Microsoft Word's infamous Clippy. While the technology has evolved dramatically, some core questions about the role of AI in our daily work remain surprisingly familiar.
Whether you're approaching AI with curiosity, caution, or a bit of both, this episode offers grounded insights for faculty navigating the rapidly changing landscape of higher education.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
You can stay in touch with Dr. Orlosky or see what he is working on in several ways
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- Connect with Dr. Orlosky by email.
- Visit his .
- Visit his website, .
July 16, 2025
In this summer short, Speaking of Higher Ed revisits standout moments that explore the deeper forces shaping how students learn鈥攁nd how we teach.
Dr. James Lang () challenges us to rethink academic integrity in the age of AI. Rather than relying solely on detectors, he advocates for meaningful conversations and designing assessments that encourage authentic student work.
Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang () dives into the neuroscience of learning, showing how cognition and emotion are inseparable鈥攁nd how emotional connection drives student thinking and meaning-making.
Finally, Dr. Gary T. Green () shares practical strategies for creating engagement through connection. From bio sheets to personalized playlists, he shows how small, intentional actions can foster a classroom culture of belonging and participation.
These three perspectives offer practical ways to think about engagement, integrity, and the emotional side of learning. Together, they highlight how thoughtful design, human connection, and open conversation can help faculty respond to the challenges鈥攁nd opportunities鈥攑resent in today鈥檚 classrooms.
June 18, 2025
In this summer short, we have selected powerful insights from three recent episodes
that highlight how technology, design, and pedagogy intersect to shape the future
of teaching and learning.
We begin with Dr. Richard Mayer (), whose groundbreaking research in multimedia learning reminds us that how we present information鈥攖hrough simplicity, segmentation, and student engagement鈥攃an dramatically improve comprehension and retention.
Next, A.B. Osborne () shares his candid reflections on generative AI in the creative industries. From the unease it sparks in art students to its usefulness in early-stage design, Osborne explores why foundational storytelling still matters more than ever in an evolving digital landscape.
Finally, Dr. Cynthia Alby () urges faculty and institutions to address the disruption of AI in higher education with intention. She advocates for teaching integrity explicitly and calls on colleges to invest time and resources into supporting faculty as they adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Whether you're experimenting with instructional media, grappling with the role of AI, or seeking new ways to support student learning, this quick-hit episode is packed with ideas to carry into the new academic year.
May 21, 2025
Spontaneity and scholarship? 鈥淵es and鈥︹��
Dr.鈥疢eredith Rausch鈥擜ssociate Professor of Research, Counseling & Curriculum at 麻豆官网首页入口 University鈥檚 College of Education and Human Development鈥攋oins us to show how the art of improv can enliven academic instruction. An NBCC Servant Leadership Award honoree and recipient of 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 Outstanding Faculty Award, Dr.鈥疪ausch draws on her pioneering research with underserved populations to create inclusive, dynamic learning environments.
After training at Chicago鈥檚 legendary Second City, she experienced her own 鈥淎鈥慼a鈥� moment: the same skills that drive great improv鈥攁ctive listening, joyful risk鈥憈aking, and building on each other鈥檚 ideas鈥攃an make lectures, discussions, and activities more engaging and effective. In this episode, Dr.鈥疪ausch offers easy鈥憈o鈥慽mplement techniques鈥攆rom 鈥測es, and鈥︹�� icebreakers to collaborative narrative exercises鈥攖hat spark creativity, strengthen community, and help both instructors and students adapt on the fly.
Perfect for educators seeking fresh ways to boost participation and curiosity, this conversation reveals how a little improv magic can transform even the most traditional classroom.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
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Dr. Rausch鈥檚 YouTube channel features video tutorials on improvisational techniques 鈥� watch Meredith on .
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Her official website provides information on her upcoming workshops, blog posts, and speaking engagements 鈥� visit .
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On Instagram she shares behind鈥憈he鈥憇cenes insights and quick improv prompts on 鈥� follow .
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The Second City offers world鈥憆enowned improv courses and training programs for all skill levels 鈥� explore classes at .
Books for Improv in the classroom:
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In The Improv Mindset: How to Make Improvisation Your Superpower for Success provides practical strategies for applying improv principles to leadership, creativity, and everyday challenges 鈥� learn more about on ThriftBooks.
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In The Second City Guide to Improv in the Classroom: Using Improvisation to Teach Skills and Boost Learning, Katherine鈥疭.鈥疢cKnight presents methods for integrating improv activities into educational settings 鈥� explore on Open Library.
April 16, 2025
What if the way we design our courses is actually encouraging students to cheat?March 19, 2025
Generative AI is rapidly changing the landscape of higher education, offering new
possibilities for student engagement, personalized learning, and course design. In
this episode,February 19, 2025
How do you prepare students to enter a rapidly changing industry like animation? What
impact does AI have on such a competitive industry?
About the Hosts
Andrew Everett is a Faculty & Instructional Developer in the Center for Instructional Innovation
(CII) with a focus on video and multimedia production and is the producer of Speaking of Higher Ed. Andrew is also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Social Sciences. After
nearly a decade in TV news, Andrew came to 麻豆官网首页入口 in 2019 as a video producer
for Communications & Marketing before moving to the CII in 2022. Andrew has been awarded
numerous Georgia Associated Press awards, an EMMA award from the National Academy
of Television Arts & Sciences, and two silver Telly awards for his work on the short
film 麻豆官网首页入口 Gives: Back to the Future and for an educational video for physical therapy students. He also holds Sententia鈥檚
Gamification Surveyor Certification (Level 1). Andrew earned a BS in Digital Cinematography
from Full Sail University and a Master of Public Administration degree from 麻豆官网首页入口
University.
As a visual storyteller, Arthur Takahashi has worked in TV, public relations, and now instructional design. In his professional
career, he has seen how visuals can touch people, how stories can stick with them
for a lifetime and how shared emotional experiences can create a strong bond among
them. His work has led him to three Southeast Regional Emmy Awards nominations for
promo, documentary, and animation. He has also won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award
for hard news, two Georgia Association of Broadcasters awards for best locally-produced
program and best use of digital platforms, two Georgia Associated Press Awards for
investigative reporting and general reporting, a bronze Telly Award for documentary.
As an instructional designer, he also placed first at the 2021 Adobe eLearning Design
Awards and won a silver Telly for best use of 2D animation and a silver Telly for
an educational video in the health and safety category. Since Arthur joined CII, he
has helped create faculty development offerings that have impacted hundreds of AU
faculty. He holds the Sententia鈥檚 Gamification Surveyor Certification (Level 1) and
is a QM-certified APPQMR online facilitator. Arthur has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mass
communication, a master鈥檚 degree in history and a master鈥檚 degree in public administration.
Jeff Mastromonico is the Director of Instructional Innovation for CII. Jeff is celebrating his 24th
year in higher education and his 14th year with 麻豆官网首页入口. Jeff has a BS
in Business Administration, an M.Ed in Educational Technology from USC, a master's
certification in gamification and game-based learning, and is currently pursuing a
doctorate in Educational Innovation. Jeff has been awarded numerous awards for his
work in the design and development of multimedia, e-learning, and game development,
including the international Serious Play award and Adobe's Golden E-Learning Award.