-
SPS Faculty Spotlight: Innovative Storytelling with Daniel Encinas
Daniel Encinas recently developed the undergraduate course POLI SCI 250: Comparative Politics, which features a map depicting a strange yet familiar landscape: the fictional continent of “Compol”, with nations like “Wildcatia” and “Evanstonia”. Yet while this fanciful representation of Northwestern University’s campuses may seem unusual, it challenges students with a real-world question: can they predict…
-
Faculty Perspectives on AI-Enhanced Assessments: Insights, Strategies, and Best Practices
In our recent webinar series, AI and Assessment, Part 2, my colleague Lynn Healy and I hosted four faculty members over two days to share their experiences of integrating AI into assessments: These four faculty members are: Sheri Jacobsen – CLIN RES 400: Essentials of Initiating Clinical Research Randy Hlavac – IDS 433: Content Strategy…
-
Making Learning Memorable: The Impact of Visual Design in Distance Education
The distance learning team includes several talented instructional technologists whose creative use of visuals enriches learning in our online courses. We asked some of the newest members of the team, freelance instructional technologists Jodi Herman and Victor Pedro, to share insights on how visual design can impact student experience.…
-
AI-Generated Disinformation, Scams, and Our Vulnerable Populations
With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation comes with it an increase of disinformation. Some of our most vulnerable groups are at risk: the elderly, the youth, and intellectually disabled. AI is a tool used to further the advancement of knowledge and development; however, it can also be used to disinform with ill-intent.…
-
Igniting Creativity: Generative AI Sparks Multimedia Development
In our recent webinar presentation, Sr. Instructional Technologist Aaron Bannasch and I demonstrated how generative AI tools can be used to ignite creativity and streamline the development of multimedia content for asynchronous courses. The session focused on practical applications of AI for brainstorming, scriptwriting, and generating visual ideas.…
-
Professional Partnerships: Highlighting Co-Teachers
Many SPS faculty collaborate as co-teachers. This allows us to offer unique courses to our adult student population due to their combined expertise. Read on to hear about some of our faculty’s experiences as co-teachers. Alex Kerr and Shawna Mehta, Market Research “One of the things I love about co-teaching with Shawna is that it…
-
ICYMI: AI and Assessment Webinar, Part 1
Fellow Learning Designer Angela Liang Xiong and I recently had the opportunity to facilitate a webinar on creating AI-resistant prompts for assessments. I learned a lot while planning the webinar and want to share some highlights and key takeaways. First, let’s clarify what we mean by “AI-resistant prompts.” These are not AI-proof but are designed…
-
Christine Scherer continues her journey in driving education through accessibility at the University of Michigan
After over a decade of dedicated and impactful work at Northwestern University, Senior Instructional Learning & Accessibility Specialist is bringing her knowledge and skills in accessibility improvements to the University of Michigan, where she’ll continue to give all learners access to invaluable education pathways. …
-
Using AI to Make My Life Easier, or Dr. Strangelove and how I learned to be okay with AI
Disclaimer: This post discusses use cases of generative AI and is not a Distance Learning policy or endorsement of generative AI nor specific products or services. Providing An Easier Internet Search Experience My role as a Senior Interaction Designer within the Distance Learning Department allows me to wear my creative hat while I partner up…
-
December Staff Spotlight: Shai Mason
This month, we’re spotlighting the Distance Learning team’s administrative assistant, Shai Mason. Read on to find out more about Shai! How long have you worked here? How did you come to higher education? I have worked at Northwestern University for one month and I was attracted to higher education for the diversity and learning environment.…