An instructor of American Sign Language and a senior instructional designer in the Distance Learning Institute have been recognized by their peers for creating a course that exemplifies best practices in design, innovation, and student engagement.
Kirsten Schwarz, instructor in the Teaching and Learning Department at the School of Education and Human Development, and Ron Rodriguez, senior instructional designer with the Distance Learning Institute, were recognized at an awards ceremony held recently in Nashville, TN.
The award honors faculty and course designers from schools, colleges, and universities around the world who develop engaging and innovative courses that represent the best in technology and learning.
"The efforts made by Kirsten Schwarz and Ron Rodriguez improve the quality of online learning for the students at your institution, said Joe Belenardo, president of Global Markets for Anthology, the technology company that presents the award. "I want to extend my congratulations to you and the University of Miami for setting high standards when it comes to online course design and delivery."
For nearly two decades, the Exemplary Course Program has honored instructors and course designers whose courses demonstrate best practices. Submitted courses are evaluated by other course developers, instructional designers, teachers, and professors.
Specifically, the award honors instructors and designers who use Blackboard Learn to create courses that promote positive student outcomes. Blackboard Learn is an application for online teaching, learning, community building, and knowledge sharing.
"Receiving this award, and being recognized by leaders in the field from all over the world, reminds me to keep pushing those boundaries and creating these amazing learning environments for our students, further impacting their learning experience at the University of Miami," Schwarz said.
The challenge of designing online classes, Schwarz explained, is creating an interactive environment, where students get to know each other and instructors are able to interact in a meaningful way with their students.
"When I designed this class, that was my main focus," she said. "I wanted to create that true feeling of a class family, that we have with in-person learning, so I worked with Ron to create those unique interactive experiences with simulations and video discussion posts."
Rodriguez, the course designer, said the collaboration between designers and instructors is critical to the success of the online student experience.
"This award speaks volumes about our team and the collaboration we established with Kirsten and the School of Education," he said. "It means a great deal to all of us that we are providing our students with the best possible experience when taking an online course through the Division of Continuing and International Education (DCIE)."
It further sets an example for other faculty who may not be aware of the many ways in which technology can enhance learning and student outcomes, said April Macadangdang, assistant director of DLI, which is part of DCIE.
"It is our hope that other faculty will take inspiration from Kirsten's creative use of technology and methodologies to teach students American Sign Language," she said.
The success of the American Sign Language course - like any online course - depends a great deal on having an instructor who is focused on the student experience no matter the modality, said Laura Kohn-Wood, dean of the School of Education and Human Development.
"Kirsten Schwarz is one of our most beloved and highly rated faculty members," Kohn-Wood said. "She is a perfect example of how to teach with excellence, regardless of the modality."
