TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast

As a companion piece to episode 113 on “onlineness,” in this episode hosts Tom and Kelvin discuss the related concept of “blendedness” - the deliberate design of a unified in-person + online experience in ways that benefit students directly. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s08e115/

NPR education correspondent Anya Kamenetz joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to pause for a holistic check-in evaluation of the on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online higher education. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s08e114/

In this Season 8 opener, Tom and Kelvin share sample student profiles illustrating the varied needs of students enrolling in online courses, and they call for a strategy of integrated data to better inform such profiles. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s08e113/

Guests Russ Poulin and Cheryl Dowd join hosts Kelvin and Tom to bring some breaking news on governmental regulation that could change the way online higher education works in the US. Listen carefully and share with institutional colleagues to avoid unpleasant surprises. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e112/

In this episode Tom and Kelvin unpack what it means for online courses to be “online” and why it matters to students if instructional designers or instructors make decisions that negatively impact this “onlineness.” For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e111/

Guest Kerlene King joins hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss what it takes for the learning management system (LMS) to be used strategically at institutions of higher education. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e110/

Reports continue of individuals leaving the field of online higher education as part of the Great Resignation (or Reshuffling). In this episode, hosts Kelvin and Tom discuss how to make our online learning teams positive environments where people find purpose and pursue vision as we carry out this meaningful work. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e109/

Guest physics professor Dr. Zhongzhou Chen joins hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss a compelling vision for transforming the nature of STEM education via digital learning practices and technologies. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e108/

In this episode, hosts Tom and Kelvin delve into the online program rankings associated with US News’ “Best Colleges” Rankings and discuss both the problems and the value such rankings bring to higher education. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e107/

Guest Dr. Shawna Dark joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to discuss the importance of the emerging higher education role of the Chief Academic Technology Officer (CATO) and its relationship to online teaching and learning. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e106/

The Division of Digital Learning is seeking qualified individuals to fill a variety of positions. If you are excited about serving faculty and students using innovative education technology and practices to impact student access, success, cost and the quality of the learning experience, consider joining our division. Learn more about our openings here: https://digitallearning.ucf.edu/jobs/

Instructional designer Tim McKean pitches a topic that becomes an episode. Join hosts Tom and Kelvin in discussing Tim’s ideas about the balance between lightly or darkly “roasting” a course through instructional design. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e105/

In this episode, hosts Tom and Kelvin are joined by guest Kristen Eshleman to consider the benefits of scaling liberal arts education to serve and transform our regional communities. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e104/

At year’s end, hosts Kelvin and Tom are joined by an interactive group of past guests and regular listeners to identify some lessons learned from 2021 as we plan for the new year ahead. See how your perspectives relate to theirs.This is a great episode to share with a colleague and discuss together! For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e103/

In this episode, Kelvin and Tom discuss the many build vs. buy decisions that face those responsible for supporting online teaching and learning. From staffing to software development and much in between, options abound. For show notes and interaction opportunities, please visit: http://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s07e102/