Roots
FIU Online hosted their FIU Online CON 2022 conference in April 2022 at the Miami Marriott Dadeland. The annual faculty conference was first held in 2002. The event aimed to provide FIU instructors with the opportunity to discover new instructional technology and innovative learning tools. Also, it showcased best practices for developing engaging and high-quality courses.
FIU Online CON 2022 Keynote
This year’s conference opened with a keynote presentation by Dr. John Medina. Medina brain scientist and developmental molecular biologist at the University of Washington. He led a thought-provoking conversation concerning the brain and how to process student faculty interactions in a post-COVID world. Attendees received a copy of his New York Times Best Seller, Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School.
Lia Prevolis, Assistant Vice President of FIU Online, provided attendees with a glimpse into the future of online learning. She described how FIU Online plans to stay ahead of the curve. Conference breakout sessions further expanded on this discussion. Those sessions covered a range of topics. Some included the latest in EdTech, Universal Design thinking, visual design, and best practices in online teaching & learning.
Faculty Choice Awards
The Faculty Choice Awards is an annual FIU Online tradition. The awards honors faculty who advance quality course design and enhance the student online learning experience. They recognized faculty in the areas of Excellence in Learner Engagement, Best Use of Technology, and all around Online Course of the Year. This year’s winners were:
- Excellence in Learner Engagement: Melody Whiddon Willoughby and instructional designers Kieron Williams and Cinthya Rojas.
- Best Use of Technology: Rodolfo Rego and instructional designer Aisha Hamid
- Online Course of the Year: Anjana Mishra and instructional designers Randall Beaver and Ena Urbina.
Growth
New to the event this year were two interactive elements. The first of these was the Live Art Wall, where attendees collaborated to create artwork to be displayed throughout the FIU Online offices. Additionally, another new element was Cultivation Stations. Together the stations served as an expo for participants to cultivate curiosity and creativity, alongside university EdTech partners.
Enrichment
University partners from FIU Libraries, Counseling & Psychological Services, the Disability Resource Center, and Wellness and Recreation were stationed in the conference Expo Center. They provided invaluable information for faculty to share with their online students, who are often unaware of the resources available to them in a digital space.
FIU Online looks forward to continuing the conversation at the next FIU Online CON slated to be held in Spring 2023. Hope you join us next year!
Read more about some of our previous Faculty Choice Award winners: Lukas Danner, Melody Whiddon-Willoughby, and Rachel Ritchie.