Faculty Choice Award Winners Sound Off: 2017 Innovative Course Design

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Recently, Insider has checked in with previous Faculty Choice Award winners to inspire you to nominate your own course (the deadline is October 5, 2018). Our next featured winner is Educational Psychology professor, Dr. Melody Whiddon-Willoughby.

Be sure to join us at FIU Online Con 2018 when we announce the 2018 winners.

Meet Dr. Melody Whiddon-Willoughby

Melody Whiddon-Willoughby, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Leadership & Professional Studies
Melody Whiddon-Willoughby, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Leadership & Professional Studies

Dr. Melody Whiddon-Willoughby is a professor in the Department of Leadership & Professional Studies. She won the 2017 Faculty Choice Award in Innovative Course Design with her IEDP 3004 Educational Psychology. Her instructional designer is Erika Huezo.

How Has The Faculty Choice Award Benefited You?

The award has inspired me to be more dedicated to the continuous improvement of my courses. But it’s the students who really benefit.

What Was Working With Your ID Like?

Erika was always available to answer questions I may have and provide information on new applications that enhance student engagement and learning. To this day, Erika plays a vital role in the creation and maintenance of my courses.  She is highly responsive to emails and is always happy to offer her advice on the utilization of new resources.

Which Are Your Favorite Course Features?

I am most proud of the incorporation of various forms of engagement—student-to-instructor, student-to-LMS and material, and student-to-student.  In this course, students participate in a collaborative group wiki assignment that requires them to apply what they’ve learned in the class to develop teaching activities.

Any Advice for Submitters to the FIU Online Faculty Choice Awards?

You can use the award as an opportunity to refine your course in accordance with the awards. Your students will benefit from it.

What’s The Future Look Like?

I will continue to stay abreast of new resources, technologies, and applications and continue to improve upon my courses.

Michael A. Martin is an instructional designer and writer for the Continuing and Professional Education team at FIU Online. He is also an adjunct lecturer in Writing and Rhetoric at FIU.

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