A student panel, moderated by Anna McFadden, Director of the Coulter Faculty Center, was held on November 2nd at 7:30. Students ranging from undergraduate through “third career re-invention” life stages focused on particular eLearning concerns, suggesting how WCU might support their scholarly styles and aspirations. Particular challenges included:
- transitions to eLearning
- pedagogy of engagement
- orientation to contemporary research strategies, and
- communication skills for diverse global audiences.
Blake Hunt (blakehunt@hotmail.com) has recently graduated from WCU with a BA in English, with a professional career aspiration in writing. He currently works part-time in the CFC’s Faculty Sandbox, while taking courses beyond his bachelor’s degree. Blake has extensive experience as s student with fully and partially online courses. He comes from northern Virginia, plays music as a hobby, and is coming to enjoy the mountain lifestyle of western North Carolina.
Christie Fulcher (mtnhistory@gmail.com) is pursuing her master’s degree in History at WCU, specializing in Mountain Tourism. She has taken several online courses at WCU and at other institutions. Two of these courses were taken from the US while she was living in Chile. Without online access to these courses, they would have been barred to her. Christie describes herself as a “non-traditional returning student.”
Louann O’Dell (nc828quilter1223@gmail.com) has completed her BA and MS degrees in Health Care Management, has served as executive Director and CEO for hospitals and nursing homes for thirty years. She has launched a second career in nursing, and is now pursuing her Masters degree at Western with specialization in nursing education.
Emily Troutman (ejtroutman1@catamount.wcu.edu) is a WCU freshman studying athletic training with a minor in nutrition and dietetics. She is a member of the WCU equestrian team. Emily has experienced fully online, hybrid and face-to-face courses. She is particularly concerned about the appropriate use of online research tools and the authenticity of remote network-based labs.Anna McFadden (amcfadden@email.wcu.edu) directs the Myron L. Coulter Faculty Center at Western Carolina University where she also teaches online in the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations. Anna has pioneered several eTeaching techniques, notably the use of video and podcasts in her eCourses.