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In June @UBishops hired 23 students as Online Learning & Technology Consultants (OLTC) to support faculty members prepare for Fall 2020. From all divisions & stages (1st to final yr), these undergrad students value relationship-rich learning experiences ( @pfeltenNC& Lambert 2020
65 applications were submitted for 23 positions: successful candidates demonstrated exceptional communication skills, creative problem solving & social and emotional intelligence, all skills necessary for building successful relationships w/ faculty in the time of COVID. 2/8
This program was designed by a faculty member, student leader, and educational technologist; these 3 co-constructed a Student-Faculty partnership program grounded in (SoTL) with design principles drawn from authentic learning, students as partners, and high-impact practices 3/8
The program is based on empathetic design, where the OLTCs develop critical empathy so they are aware of and can appreciate the discomfort and disorientation for both instructor and learner in a learning environment radically disrupted by a global pandemic. 4/8
For many students, this is the first time they are aware of the thinking and principles behind pedagogical design, assessment, alignment, community building, classroom management, and other facets of designing and delivering academic courses. 5/8
OLTCs undergo an intensive two-week orientation in advance of working with faculty members. @drheather_smith, 2020 Jarislowsky Visiting Scholar was a key collaborator in designing the orientation by modifying the framework of Instructional Design Workshops (ISWs) 6/8
OLTC orientation is a student-focussed, immersive “ISW inspired” series of scaffolded sessions. The number of instructional contact hours and group work makes this an intensive and transformative experience for OLTCs, but also for the program coordinators and faculty mentors. 7/8
For more information about student partnerships in re-thinking classrooms in the context of COVID and beyond, read a very rough program description of the OLTC project @UBishops : https://www.jessicariddell.com/about
