Speaking of Higher Ed: Conversations on Teaching and Learning Augusta University

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 infused in all aspects of her courses. Hip-hop culture has since been an integral part of her research and teaching. 

Dr. Allen discusses the 5 aspects of Hip-Hop culture, describing how and why they allow students to engage, feel empowered and find relevance in course content. She discusses the past and current perceptions of Hip-Hop pedagogy in academia and how she sees it moving forward in the higher education space. 

Dr. Allen concludes with tips and advice for practitioners on how to incorporate Hip-Hop pedagogy into their teaching. 

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Allen and her work, you can connect with her X (formerly Twitter). 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

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 ChatGPT and those aiming to deepen their understanding of generative AI. Educators aren't the only ones adapting to technologies like ChatGPT; students are also adjusting. This technology holds the potential to facilitate faster learning and improvement in targeted areas. However, it may require adjustments to assessments to maintain the desired level of rigor in evaluating student mastery of the material. 

We also discuss Joyner’s new publication, A Teacher’s Guide to Conversational AI, and the professional certificate program he developed, available on the edX online learning platform. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode

About David Joyner: 

Joyner is the Executive Director of Online Education & Online Master of Science in Computer Science program in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. He has written more than 50 papers and authored three books on online learning and computer science education. 

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 episode, Tina Baggott, Associate Vice President for Volunteer Services & Community Engagement at Augusta University, discusses the pursuit for this classification. She discusses its importance for higher education, available resources for faculty, and more.  

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

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 replace strings in personalizing messages for students, even when using a generic message for everyone. They also suggest considering the incorporation of rubrics in the LMS to clarify grading criteria and streamline the grading process. Rubrics can be used for assignments in online or face-to-face courses. 

Joining us in this episode are JoAnn Edmond, Director of Instructional Innovation, and Jenn Rose, a Faculty and Instructional Developer, both from the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode. 

Seeking a short course on course design or an active learning toolkit? Explore MomentumU, a virtual professional development platform tailored for University System of Georgia (USG) faculty and staff. Directed by Peter Berryman, the Director of Digital Instruction at the Office of Teaching and Learning Excellence for USG, this platform hosts a growing array of short courses and other resources. 

Full-time USG faculty members have access to self-enroll in courses, while part-time faculty and staff can request access. The self-paced short courses on MomentumU are regularly updated with content utilizing evidence-based pedagogies aimed at increasing engagement and enhancing student success. Many courses offer badges and certificates upon completion, valuable additions to your promotion and tenure portfolio. Beyond short courses, MomentumU also provides teaching toolkits and other valuable resources. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

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 environment. 

Kaminstein shares insights on the growth mindset, encouraging students to perceive failure as a productive learning experience. This emphasis allows students to approach challenges as opportunities for growth and continuous improvement. 

The discussion extends to Kaminstein's challenge with grading systems. Do grades impede the development of a growth mindset? Do they genuinely reflect a student's progress? Kaminstein suggests that if our goal is to foster ongoing learning, grades may not be helpful. 

This episode explores practical strategies for fostering active learning, integrating a growth mindset, and reimagining assessment without traditional grades. Kaminstein provides valuable perspectives on enhancing student engagement, promoting productive failure, and aligning teaching methods with long-term learning goals. 

Speaking of Higher Ed is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University. Find more episodes and resources on our show page. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.