I work in the Academic Learning Transformation Lab (ALT Lab) at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Associate Director of Learning Innovation. In this role I am part of a team working with faculty to integrate technology in interesting and powerful ways. My goal is to create experiences where people learn with joy and by choice.
Recent Work of Note
Open Educational Resources
I've worked with VCU's library over several years to award and support the Affordable Course Content Awards. To date we've saved VCU students over $1,228,000. My work with faculty has included sites ranging from an expansive Digital Histology textbook to a multi-year, multi-platform OER project spanning our world language curriculum. We've created a number of custom plug-ins and themes in WordPress and Pressbooks to answer faculty needs.
COVID-19 Transition Support
With the sudden move to online as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, I played a key role in creating transition resources and providing faculty support. The Rapid Transition website was built in conjunction with a committee of faculty and administrators to respond to faculty needs. We built additional digital workflows to quickly answer questions, direct resources, and allow students to show their appreciation to faculty.
ANTH101
A course (online & face-to-face) at Kansas State University led by Dr. Michael Wesch and Ryan Klataske. This course focuses on involving students in experiential multi-modal work and presenting that work in ways that deepen engagement.
While this course continues to evolve, the ANTH101 Rebirth post gives a view of how the technology supports key pedagogical concepts.
Select Presentations
Small Tech for Higher Ed
A presentation with Jörg Pareigis from Karlstad University focused on how to create tiny targeted tools that solve problems, protect student privacy, and implement a pedagogy of care (Bali, 2015), focusing on the needs of the teacher and students using the technology. It's also a website.
It Could be Beautiful
It Could be Beautiful focuses on what I see as deep flaws in how educational technology is progressing while trying to point towards more interesting and hopeful options.
ALT Lab: A Teaching-Learning Center for the 21st Century
In the past, centers supporting excellence in teaching and learning tended to follow models of faculty development focusing on incremental change in widely accepted practices. VCU's Academic Learning Transformation Laboratory seeks to change that paradigm. You can read my portion of the presentation here.
Skills
Teaching
I've taught (and taken) face-to-face, blended, and online classes.
- Co-taught Photography is Magic with John Freyer (multiple iterations)
- Taught Data Visualization for Sociologists Spring 2017
- Co-developed and co-taught VCU's first Digital History (HIST 691-901) course with Dr. Ryan Smith - Spring 2016 and Spring 2020
- EDUC 538U: Instructional Technology Integration - taught multiple iterations at the University of Richmond
Programming/Web Design
I get things done in whatever language/platform I need to use but have significant experience in . . .
- HTML/CSS
- Javascript
- PHP
- APIs
- Google Scripts
- WordPress - administration and creation of custom plugins, themes
Media
Through the years I've also developed a good deal of experience in . . .
- Photography and Photo Editing
- Video and Video Editing
- Presentation Design
Impact
Awards/Recognition
- Campus Technology Innovator's Award - The Great VCU Bike Race Book - 2016
- Open Pedagogy: Connection, Community, and Transparency - Campus Technology - 2014
- Enabling Open Public Participatory Learning (#ds106) - Connected Learning Alliance
- Center For Digital Education - Top 50 Innovators - 2012
- VSTE Outstanding Leader Award - 2011
- Apple Distinguished Educator - 2007
Public Work
I try to give back to the communities that have helped me. That includes public documentation, Creative Commons licensing, and helping others.
- Blogging at bionicteaching.com since 2006 - 1573 posts
- Twitter,
Stack Overflow,
Flickr,
Pinboard, Code Pen, YouTube, - GitHub - RVA ALT Account
Public Service
- Board Member - Virginia Society for Technology in Education - 3 years of service
- Board of Trustees - Richmond Montessori School - 9 years of service
- Board Member - St Joseph's Villa Technology Advisory - 3 years of service
Previous Employment
Henrico County Public Schools
Prior to VCU, I was the Director of Instructional Technology for Henrico County Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia. My focus was determining the professional development, technologies, and curriculum needed to improve learning in a district with 50,000 students and 67 physical locations. I was involved in numerous grants and district initiatives. I also supervised a distributed team of around 45 individuals.
Big Picture
I have worked across the spectrum in education. This lends a unique perspective and deeper empathy for all involved. I've attended and taught at large R1 state schools and small private liberal arts universities. I have worked with medical school professors and kindergarten teachers. I have taken and taught online and face-to-face courses. In particular, my experience teaching in an alternative middle school setting began a focus on technology as a way to open possibilities and differentiate for students that has been a driving force ever since.
Education
Formal
Master of Arts - Instructional Technology
Certificate in Teaching
Asides
I completed 12 hours of a Master's in Liberal Arts degree from the University of Richmond that included painting, the modern Middle East, and poetry.