24th Annual TCC | Online Conference | April 16-18, 2019

Sustainable Learning, Accessible Technologies, & Diverse Contexts

45-Minute Interactive Session

Bring Your C.R.A.Y.O.N.S. to Class: Humor and Music in the Online Classroom

Session Description
There are many ways to infuse creativity and add some “color” into our online courses. In this session, participants will explore appropriate uses of music and humor in online instruction. Instructor creativity and imagination will be encouraged through dialogue, reflective activities, and the sharing of examples of resources.
Presenter(s)
Yolanda Harper
Yolanda Harper, Ashford University , San Diego, USA
Yolanda Harper, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the College of Health, Human Services and Sciences. Yolanda joined Ashford in 2013 and teaches classes in Applied Behavioral Sciences, Health & Human Services, Psychology, and Honors. Prior to coming to Ashford, she taught as a faculty member at public and private institutions. In addition, Yolanda has significant leadership experience in academic affairs and student affairs administration. Her academic interests include communication in the online course environment, inclusive excellence, testing and assessment, program evaluation, holistic health & wellness, and the psychology of music.
Session Type
45-Minute Interactive Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
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Integrating The Tenets of Conscious Capitalism Into the Virtual Classroom and the Boardroom

Session Description
In an increasingly interconnected world, business leaders need to examine expansion opportunities from both a business cultural match as well as a societal cultural match. Understanding the differences and similarities of business and government, as organizational entities with the added complexity of differing cultures is a valuable lesson for both students, (who are the basis for the talent pool needed by successful corporations), and business leaders who are trying to lead conscious capitalist companies.

If we can view the Conscious Capitalism model through the lens of government, which regulates business models in most countries, it will provide new levels of understanding which can help determine how and if the business leader wants to move forward with this relationship. Increased understanding of how the tenets of Conscious Capitalism can be applied more broadly when seeking out strategic partners or merger opportunities can aid in growth strategy success.

The core of this interactive presentation will be based on an assignment that has been developed for the Purdue University Global (PUG) MBA program capstone course but is applicable to all levels of business. PUG students are adult learners, many of whom do business internationally, may have positions of managerial responsibility and may be in the military oftentimes in leadership roles. This classroom project is meant to encourage out of the box thinking in working with different cultures and is useful both in the classroom as well as the boardroom. The course integrates the Conscious Capitalism model using a business simulation, entitled Conscious Capitalism, a collaborative effort between the Conscious Capitalism, Inc., and the makers of Marketplace simulations.

Presenter(s)
Ilene Ringler
Ilene Ringler, Purdue University Global, Chicago, USA
Dr. Ilene Ringler has over thirty years of business experience in both internal and external consulting roles supporting leading edge organizations such as Bose, Fidelity Investments, Oracle, and Envoy Airlines. As full-time MBA faculty at Purdue University Global, she works with leaders worldwide to help them achieve their growth goals.

Dr. Ilene and her strategic partners work with leaders to apply the power of leadership values for maximum organizational growth and effectiveness opportunities. Leader values are the bedrock of the business’ future. Differentiating the business through values clarification is one way to provide a foundation for targeted and focused growth. Ilene Ringler Associates values-based process for organization effectiveness will result in:

  • Vertical and horizontal alignment of vision, mission, strategic plan and culture,
  • Cost effective and efficient practices for talent recruitment, high potential identification, and employee retention strategies,
  • Focused performance management processes,
  • Organization specific training and development plans,
  • Targeted rewards and recognition programs, and,
  • Successful strategic partnership relationships.
Session Type
45-Minute Interactive Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
Click the button to the right to access the session archive.

Access/download any related materials/handouts
from this session by clicking the button on the right.

Social, Cognitive, & Teaching Presence: Impact on Faculty and AU’s Diverse Student Body

Session Description
Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2001) defined presence as “the ability of learners to project themselves socially and affectively into a community of inquiry” (p. 1). Presence entails three types: cognitive, social, and teaching presence. The College of Health, Human Services, and Science (CoHHSS) at Ashford University (USA) has launched seven self-paced online modules with the focus on increasing instructor presence (cognitive, social, and teaching presence) in online classrooms. CoHHSS-aligned instructors were able to further examine each of these three types of presence via these modules, supplemented with classroom-specific examples. After the conclusion of the final module, instructors were asked to provide feedback on these modules and their impact on instructors’ teaching, interactions with students, fellow faculty, staff, and private- and/or professional life.

This presentation provides the audience with an overview of the modules’ purpose and content, followed by a summary of the initiative’s impacts on faculty and their diverse student body. Results from the instructor survey after the final module will be shared with the audience. Final tips for increasing instructor presence in day-to-day university-wide interactions will be provided. This presentation is geared toward all audiences who would like to learn more about cognitive, social, and teaching presence and its incredible impacts in an online format.

Presenter(s)
Sandra Rebeor
Sandra Rebeor, Ashford University, San Diego, California, USA
Dr. Sandra Rebeor is an Assistant Professor and Lead Faculty member in the B.A. Health and Wellness program within the College of Health, Human Services, and Science at Ashford University and has been teaching online since 2011. She earned her BBA in Business Administration with a minor in Management at Campbell University, her Master of Science in Health Sciences – Emergency and Disaster Management at Trident University International, and Doctorate in Psychology – Health and Wellness at Ashford University. Dr. Rebeor is an ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructor and her professional experience ranges from working with the German government to academic and military environments. She also loves to volunteer at her children’s school and in the community as Track and Field Assistant Coach. Her research interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Exercise, and various other health and wellness topics.
Michelle Rosser-Majors
Michelle Rosser-Majors, Ashford University, San Diego, California, USA
Dr. Michelle L. Rosser-Majors is an Associate Professor in the College of Health, Human Services, and Science at Ashford University. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Rosser-Majors’ passion for learning is founded on encouraging her students to be self-regulated, determined, and committed. She has been in education for over 20 years and currently serves as the Program Chair for Ashford’s BA Psychology program and as a Faculty Senator. In addition Dr. Rosser-Majors is a researcher with the International Partnership for Preventing Plagiarism in Universities (PPPU).
Christine McMahon
Christine McMahon, Ashford University, San Diego, California, USA
Dr. Christine McMahon is an Assistant Professor and the Program Chair for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health and Wellness within the College of Health, Human Services, and Science at Ashford University. Dr. McMahon has been a full-time faculty member at Ashford University since 2012. Dr. McMahon received her Doctorate Degree in Health Education from Andrew Taylor Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, Missouri in 2010. She also has a Master’s of Science Degree in Exercise Science and Bachelors of Science Degree in Kinesiology and Sports Studies both earned from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

Prior to joining Ashford University, she spent 15 years working as the Coordinator of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, IL. In this position, she developed a new therapy program for cardiac and pulmonary patients offering daily exercise and education sessions on improving lifestyle factors and developing regular exercise habits. She began teaching in the online environment in 2010. She has been an adjunct instructor for many notable universities including The University of Phoenix, University of the Rockies, Strayer University, and Walden university.

Stephanie Anderson
Stephanie Anderson, Ashford University, San Diego, CA, USA
Dr. Stephanie Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Master of Arts in Psychology Program of the College of Health, Human Services, and Science at Ashford University. She holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and an MA and PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Kansas. She has taught at both the community college and university level. Her research interests lie in cultural psychology as well as teaching and learning. Stephanie enjoys spending time outdoors and attending and participating in local events.
Session Type
45-Minute Interactive Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
Click the button to the right to access the session archive.

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from this session by clicking the button on the right.

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility

Session Description
In this 45-minute hands-on activity, you will learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and why it is important to design learning for ALL students so we are minimizing barriers and maximizing learning. Using the UDL framework, we will explore one aspect of UDL – focusing on Accessibility of online materials. At the completion of the workshop, you will successfully complete a hands-on activity to modify an inaccessible document into an accessible one.
Presenter(s)
Leanne Riseley
Leanne Riseley, Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI, USA
As the Educational Media Center Coordinator at Leeward CC, I oversee services in Distance Learning, Learning w/ Technology, Video Production, Audio/Visual, and Copy Center.

As a higher education leader, I have focused on making learning as inclusive to all learners as possible. This drives my interest in Problem-Based Learning, Universal Design for Learning, 21st Century Learning Spaces, Open Educational Resources, Technology-Enhanced Learning, and Distance Education.

Session Type
45-Minute Interactive Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
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Blue Mars: Contemplative Learning in Space

Session Description
Join us as we explore the design of an online learning game on Mars. Blue Mars is a Virtual Harmony simulation for playing extensible 3D immersive learning games. The concept is based on the Mars Expedition, our $25,000 grand prize winner in the Federal Virtual World Challenge. The first game blends space exploration, security puzzles, and moral, ethical, and survival challenges to develop critical thinking skills, contemplative practices, and values-based leadership. It features open source software, data from NASA, tributes to science fiction, and an extensible design. Blue Mars integrates data analytics, a Web ontology for classifying game behavior, feedback, and an AI mindset.
Presenter(s)
Cynthia Calongne
Cynthia Calongne, Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Cynthia Calongne is a Professor of Doctoral Studies at Colorado Technical University. Prior to teaching, she served as a software engineer for Air Force Space Command. Since 1995, she researched usability in virtual environments and pioneered 52 university classes held in virtual worlds. In 2017, she received the Thinkerer Award for lifetime achievement from the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education, and her team won the $25,000 grand prize at Defense GameTech for their space simulation, the Mars Expedition Strategy Challenge. She collaborated with Will Wright’s team to design Bar Karma, a television series. Under her avatar, Lyr Lobo, she conducts research in virtual world simulation, education, and game design.
Session Type
45-Minute Interactive Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
Click the button to the right to access the session archive.

Access/download any related materials/handouts
from this session by clicking the button on the right.