TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast

Instructional designers are central to the success of online/blended education. But IDs play a variety of roles, some in possible conflict. In this episode, hosts Tom and Kelvin are joined by guest Dr. Katie Linder as they discuss these roles and consider how to resolve the tension between scholarship and practice. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e19/

College degree attainment will not grow significantly without removing barriers to qualified students who aren’t enrolling. In this episode, Kelvin and Tom consider how online education can expand access to college. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e18/

Most of us like knowing that “someone” is doing research that validates our work. In this episode, Tom and Kelvin are joined by guest Dr. Charles Graham, prolific researcher of technology-mediated teaching and learning, as they discuss the importance of ongoing research by professional scholars and scholarly professionals in online ed. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e17/

How do we see to it that the design and teaching of online courses are of the highest quality possible? In this episode join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh as they dig deeper into the practicalities of ensuring high quality online courses. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e16/

Everyone has an opinion about the role of social media in education. In this episode hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson are joined by guest Dr. Tanya Joosten, author of Social Media for Educators: Strategies and Best Practices, as they consider the place of social media in online education. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e15/

Perceptions of quality (high and low) are a perennial problem in online education. What is quality? Who decides? What if others disagree? Should majority rule? What about expert knowledge? Join Tom and Kelvin in wrestling with these questions and more in this on-location episode. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e14/

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been in the news for a few years now (at least the xMOOC variety). It is probably well past time that the xMOOC receives a “toddler check-up!” Join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh as they discuss what impacts (positive and negative) the xMOOC has had on online education. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s02e13/

The Learning Management System (LMS) is often indistinguishable from online education in the minds of the uninitiated. In this episode, join hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson as they examine where the LMS has been, where it is, and where it is going. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e12/

Join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh as they discuss making higher ed more affordable for students with their guest Dr. Karen Vignare. (Second episode in an occasional mini-series on “the iron triangle” of cost, access, and quality.) For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e11/

Cost, quality, and access are touted again and again as constraints to be overcome in higher education. Join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh for this episode’s introduction of “the iron triangle” as an opportunity for online educators to innovate. First episode in an occasional mini-series. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e10/

While online education has proven to be a positive venue for women as learners, how welcoming is this field to women as leaders? Join hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson as they discuss this important issue with their guest Dr. Liz Ciabocchi. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e09/

Join hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson for this episode’s consideration of the importance of free and open resources in the advancement of online teaching and learning. Tom and Kelvin discuss the power of institutions and professional organizations sharing their resources for the greater good. For show notes and interaction opportunities please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e08/

Leaders have to read the signs of the times and influence others to be ready for the future or to even invent it! Join Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh for this episode's discussion of possible developments in online education over the next five years and the role of leaders in getting there. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2015 OLC International Conference. The topic was selected by crowdsourcing via social media prior to the conference. For show notes, interaction opportunities, and bonus audio tracks, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e07/

TOPcast Episode 7: The “Delicate Dance” of Leaders: Shaping the Future of Online Learning was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2015 OLC International Conference. Listen to the bonus audio track to hear about the genesis of TOPcast from Tom, Kelvin, and OLC Chief Knowledge Officer, Karen Pedersen. A brief Q&A session that was recorded following the Live! episode begins at 05:20. Check out more bonus content here: http://wp.me/p6RZtL-21B

In this episode, join hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson as they discuss online competency-based education (CBE) in its various forms. Tom and Kelvin consider whether CBE is evolutionary, revolutionary, or both as higher education institutions innovate in the ways they serve their students. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://online.ucf.edu/topcast-s01e06/