The Academic Commons
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Scott Memorial Library, Suite 531C
Philadelphia, PA 19107
The Learning Curve
Welcome to The Learning Curve, an audio series hosted by the Instructional Design team in the Academic Commons! Our mission is to illuminate higher education teaching & learning through the power of shared experiences and research-informed practices. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, we aim to empower educators to transform their teaching practices, enrich student learning experiences, and contribute to a culture of evidence-based pedagogy in higher education.
Latest Episode
Transformational Belonging with Dr. Kathryn Shaffer
Dr. Kathryn Shaffer explores transformational belonging through trauma-informed pedagogy, empathetic leadership, and design thinking. Discover practical strategies to foster psychological safety, creativity, and identity-shaping experiences that empower learners.
Episodes
Episodes and resource guides are linked below.
Episode 10: Transformational Belonging with Dr. Kathryn Shaffer
Episode 9: Teaching with AI with Dr. Travis Pollen
Episode 8: Community Building Design with Andrew Hart
Episode 7: Information Literacy with Becky Miller
Episode 6: Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practices with Dr. Brooke Salzman, Dr. Amber King, and Dr. Shoshana Sicks
Episode 5: Culturally Responsive Teaching with Kati Fosselius
Meet the Hosts
Get to know the voices you'll hear on The Learning Curve.
Demi is an Instructional Designer in the Academic Commons. Her specialties include Digital Media, UX Design, and Extended Reality (XR). Demi has been with Thomas Jefferson University for over 5 years. She started her career in the EdTech field; her interests lie heavily in education technology and design.
Leah is a Curriculum and Instructional Designer in the Academic Commons. She spent 8 years teaching in the public school system, mostly at the high school level, and by 2020, had finished her Master's in Instructional Design. She transitioned into her current role a year later and is happy to be working in higher ed. Her professional interests involve supporting instructors in their classroom practice and learning design, and the intersection of AI and education.
Jacob is a Curriculum and Instructional Designer in the Academic Commons. He has been in the world of education for 6 years as a classroom teacher and curriculum designer at the middle school level. His professional interests involve supporting faculty in learning design and practices to increase engagement and establish community within the classroom.