The Innovative Educator Series

A webinar series for faculty

About the webinar series

  • Revolutionize your teaching with cutting-edge strategies and technologies.
  • Join educators from around the globe in this dynamic webinar series designed to transform the way you teach, engage, and inspire. "The Innovative Educator Series" provides a platform for faculty to explore the latest trends in digital pedagogy, collaborate on actionable solutions, and elevate the learning experience for every student.
    With each session, you’ll gain practical tools to enhance inclusivity, harness the power of AI for personalized learning, and captivate students in online and hybrid environments.
 

Previous sessions:

 

The One Where AI Transforms Teaching

Discover practical strategies and innovative tools to revolutionize your teaching practices and drive meaningful engagement in the classroom.

The One Where Accessibility and Quality Take Center Stage

This pairing focuses on accessibility, resource optimization, and strategies for course quality—topics relevant to a broad audience of educators. This session features:

  • “Five Easy Steps to a More Accessible Online Classroom”: A practical guide to improving accessibility in online courses through navigation, media, visuals, and content formatting, ensuring inclusive and barrier-free learning environments presented by Heather Merchant (Wichita State University).
  • “Accessible from the Start: Integrating Disability Pedagogy in Course Design”: A digestible guide to best practices that proactively integrate accessibility into course design through policy, assessment, and course materials presented by Alexandria Carrico (University of South Carolina).

The One Where Classrooms Have No Walls

Explore best practices for online, hybrid, and HyFlex teaching, equipping educators with the tools and strategies to create dynamic and flexible learning experiences. This session features:

  • “Focusing on Soft Skills Development in Online Course Design": Presented by Amanda Blum, Professor of Business at Arkansas State University, this session explores effective strategies for building essential soft skills in college students through asynchronous online course design. Participants will learn about the challenges and opportunities of developing soft skills in an online environment. The session will cover a variety of instructional strategies along with practical assessment methods and best practices for fostering student engagement. Attendees will gain valuable insights into designing impactful online learning experiences that enhance students’ soft skills, preparing them for academic and professional success.
  • “Building Connected Learning Ecosystems: Fostering Meaningful Interactions in Digital Spaces": Presented by Dr. Andrew Feldstein, Assistant Provost at Fort Hays State University, this session explores how to develop robust teaching and learning ecosystems that bridge the engagement gap between online and face-to-face learning experiences. Drawing on research and implementation strategies from Fort Hays State University's Digital Master Plan, participants will discover how to create meaningful student interactions with content, instructors, and peers in virtual environments. The presentation will cover practical frameworks for course design that enhance student engagement, digital tools that facilitate connection, and strategies for developing faculty digital competencies. Attendees will gain insight into creating holistic learning experiences that support student success across all modalities, focusing on addressing the unique needs of online learners.

Key Takeaways

Inclusive Teaching with Technology
Discover how to create engaging, equitable learning experiences using the latest digital tools.
Harnessing AI for Personalized Learning
Explore actionable strategies for leveraging AI to tailor content and support individual student needs.
Engaging Students in Online and Hybrid Environments
Learn proven methods for fostering connection, collaboration, and active learning in virtual settings.