Speaking of Higher Ed: Conversations on Teaching and Learning

Augusta University

Speaking of Higher Ed exists to create a resource that will inspire and assist faculty in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. We 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. This podcast is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University.

  1. AUG 20

    32. Dr. Jason Orlosky – Teaching, Learning, and Thinking with AI

    Will AI change the role of faculty in higher education? In this episode, Dr. Jason Orlosky, associate professor with the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Augusta University, joins Arthur Takahashi to reflect on how AI is reshaping academic work—and why human connection remains central to teaching and learning. From navigating new tools to rethinking what only people can do, he offers a clear, encouraging take: AI won’t replace faculty, but it may just help us do our jobs better.  The conversation also explores Dr. Orlosky’s journey from coding an eye-tracking system by hand in 2017 to now completing similar tasks in hours using tools like ChatGPT and Meta’s Llama series. They will also discuss the difference between “vibe coding” and AI-assisted programming, the limitations of current models, and the unique challenges AI still can’t solve.  Oh—and remember Microsoft Word's Clippy? They revisit early AI agents like Microsoft’s paperclip assistant to explore what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what the future might hold. If you’re wondering how to approach AI in your own academic work—with curiosity, caution, or both—this episode offers practical insights from someone who’s actively navigating the frontier.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    52 min

  2. JUL 16

    31. Summer Shorts: Emotion, Integrity, and Engagement in Higher Ed

    In this summer short, Speaking of Higher Ed brings together powerful insights from past guests on what drives authentic learning in today’s classrooms. Dr. James Lang (episode 28) shares a thoughtful approach to handling suspected AI use—not through punishment, but through dialogue and design. Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang (episode 23) explains how emotion isn’t separate from learning—it fuels it. And Dr. Gary T. Green (episode 21) shows how small, human gestures can create powerful connections that motivate students to learn.  Whether you're rethinking assessment strategies or looking for ways to foster student connection, this episode is a quick but meaningful listen to help guide your teaching. Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    13 min

  3. JUN 18

    30. Summer Shorts: AI, Multimedia, and Innovation in Higher Ed

    In this summer short, we revisit standout insights from three episodes that explore how innovation, multimedia, and generative AI are reshaping higher education. Dr. Richard Mayer (episode 22) explains how simple, well-designed multimedia lessons enhance learning. A.B. Osborne (episode 26) reflects on creativity, storytelling, and the emotional complexity of AI in the arts. And Dr. Cynthia Alby (episode 27) urges institutions to support faculty in teaching for integrity amid massive technological change. Whether you're rethinking course design or navigating AI's role in education, this episode offers timely takeaways in a compact format.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    12 min

  4. MAY 21

    29. Spontaneity and Scholarship with Dr. Meredith Rausch

    Can spontaneity and scholarship go together? “Yes and…”  In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed, we welcome Dr. Meredith Rausch—Associate Professor of Research, Counseling & Curriculum at Augusta University’s College of Education and Human Development. An NBCC Servant Leadership Award recipient and Augusta University Outstanding Faculty Award winner, Dr. Rausch’s award‑winning research on underserved populations informs her inclusive approach to teaching.  We trace her journey from the classroom to Chicago’s famed Second City, where immersive improv training sparked her “A‑ha” moment: recognizing that the same principles that make improv so engaging—active listening, embracing failure, and building on others’ ideas—can transform scholarly instruction.  Dr. Rausch then shares improv‑inspired strategies for the classroom—from quick “yes, and…” warm‑ups to collaborative storytelling exercises—that foster creativity, build community, and help both faculty and students adapt in real time.  Join us to discover how weaving improv into your pedagogy can spark curiosity, deepen engagement, and make learning more dynamic.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    33 min

  5. APR 16

    28. Teaching, Cheating, and Writing for the Public: A Conversation with James Lang

    In this episode of Speaking of Higher Ed, we welcome acclaimed author and teaching expert Dr. James Lang to explore one of the most pressing topics in higher education today: academic integrity in the age of generative AI. Drawing from his influential book Cheating Lessons, Lang shares practical, research-based strategies for designing learning environments that reduce cheating and enhance student motivation.  At the heart of the discussion is the argument that academic dishonesty often arises not from “bad” students, but from the pressures and pitfalls of ineffective course design. Lang outlines key environmental factors—such as extrinsic motivation, high-stakes assessments, and low self-efficacy—that contribute to cheating, and offers concrete ways faculty can design courses that support learning while discouraging misconduct. He also reflects on how generative AI has intensified these challenges, and how faculty can respond with next-generation assessments that promote metacognition and student voice.  Later in the conversation, Lang turns to his newest book, Write Like You Teach, which encourages faculty to bring the clarity and accessibility of their classroom teaching into their writing. He shares advice on how academics can communicate their work to broader audiences and engage the public in meaningful ways.  Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned professor, this episode blends theory and actionable insights for both your teaching and your writing life.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    1h 4m

  6. MAR 19

    27. AI in Higher Education with Dr. Cynthia Alby

    Generative AI is rapidly changing the landscape of higher education, offering new possibilities for student engagement, personalized learning, and course design. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Alby, professor of teacher education at Georgia College and lead instructor in the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, shares how faculty across the country are integrating AI into their teaching.  She discusses practical applications, from AI-assisted feedback to generative textbooks, as well as the challenges faculty face when incorporating AI into their courses. Dr. Alby also explores the ethical considerations of AI use, student concerns about fairness and job prospects, and strategies for fostering academic integrity in an AI-driven world.  Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or just starting to explore its potential, this conversation offers valuable insights and concrete strategies for leveraging AI to enhance teaching and learning.  📌 Topics covered in this episode:  ✔️ AI-powered course design and lesson planning  ✔️ Strategies for using AI to support student learning  ✔️ Faculty concerns and institutional challenges  ✔️ Ethics, academic integrity, and the future of AI in education  Note: This episode description was written by ChatGPT using the podcast transcript as a guide.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    35 min

  7. FEB 19

    26. Animating the Future: Education, Creativity, and AI w/ A.B. Osborne

    How do you prepare students to enter a rapidly changing industry like animation? What impact does AI have on such a competitive industry? On this episode, we’re exploring animation education with our guest, A.B. Osborne. We discuss the development of Augusta University’s animation program, how students balance creativity with technical skills, and the impact of AI on the animation industry—and what it means for animation students.  Professor Osborne is an associate professor Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in the Department of Art and Design and the director of Augusta University’s Animation Program which he helped launch in 2019.  Get free access to more of our content, visit ourshow page for full episodes and additional resources.

    27 min

  8. JAN 15

    25. Undergraduate research with Drs. Michael Rifenburg and Kristine Johnson

    What is the lifelong influence of undergraduate research experiences?  For this month’s topic of undergraduate research, Drs. Michael Rifenburg and Kristine Johnson discuss their book A Long View of Undergraduate Research: Alumni Perspectives on Inquiry, Belonging, and Vocation. They discuss insights into undergraduate research learned by interviewing alumni about the effect that participating in UR played in their lives after graduation. The authors discuss the balance between intellectual growth and career readiness that UR can provide as well as the importance of the faculty role for students. Finally, they provide practical advice for faculty just starting or expanding undergraduate research.   Dr. Michael Rifenburg is an associate professor of English at the University of North Georgia, serves as co-director of First-Year Composition and is a Senior Faculty Fellow for Scholarly Writing within UNG’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership.   Dr. Kristine Johnson is an Associate Professor at Calvin University in Michigan. She currently serves as the University Rhetoric Director, directing first-year writing, Rhetoric Across the Curriculum, and the Rhetoric Center.  Get free access to more of our content, visit our show page for full episodes and additional resources.

    38 min
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Speaking of Higher Ed exists to create a resource that will inspire and assist faculty in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. We 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. This podcast is produced by the Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University.

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