CTI Teaching & Innovations Podcast

The podcast features Dr. Chris Younkin discussing his research on affordable learning materials at Southern Utah University (SUU). Based on a Fall 2023 survey with 186 respondents, at least 9% of SUU courses (269 sections) use affordable learning materials, including 176 sections specifically using Open Educational Resources (OERs). Younkin emphasizes targeting high-enrollment general education courses for OER adoption to maximize student savings and highlights ongoing efforts to create a statewide hub through the Utah Education Network for sharing OER resources across institutions. While acknowledging the challenges of switching from traditional textbooks, including course redesign requirements, Younkin emphasizes the importance of faculty collaboration, copyright compliance, and starting small when transitioning to affordable materials. He outlines future plans to expand OER adoption at SUU through department outreach, faculty training, and establishing a working group, all while keeping student affordability at the forefront given rising costs of education and living expenses.

In this episode of Southern Utah University's teaching and learning podcast, host Matt McKenzie speaks with Chris Younkin, a scholarly communication librarian, about making college more affordable through learning materials. Younkin, drawing from his own experiences as a non-traditional student, discusses various initiatives including the T-bird textbooks collection (which provides free short-term textbook loans), open educational resources (OER), and inclusive access programs. He emphasizes that textbook costs are often an unexpected burden for students, ranking as the third highest college expense after tuition and housing. The discussion reveals both opportunities and challenges in making educational materials more accessible, with Younkin advocating for faculty to utilize available resources, including his expertise in navigating OER repositories, to help reduce costs for students while maintaining or improving educational quality.

Join us as we dive into the evolving relationship between faculty and students with disabilities at Southern Utah University. We explore how new accommodations, especially for mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, are being integrated into both in-person and online classrooms. Faculty members share their experiences, challenges, and successes in creating a more inclusive learning environment. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or student, this conversation sheds light on the practical ways we can better support all learners. Don’t miss this insightful episode!

In this excerpt from the Center for Teaching Innovation Podcast, Matt McKenzie introduces Dr. Richard Saunders, a professor at Southern Utah University with a background in academic publishing. Saunders shares his experience working in the academic and commercial publishing sectors and discusses how scholarly publishing has dramatically shifted in the last 15 years, particularly with the move to digital platforms. They touch on the changes in accessing scholarly materials, with digital access largely replacing print journals, and the rise of predatory publishers. Saunders emphasizes the importance of understanding one's field and selecting the right journal for publishing. He advises aspiring scholars to focus on where their work best fits and not worry about prestige initially, highlighting the value of peer review and clear, reader-focused writing.

In this episode of the Center for Teaching Innovation Podcast, Matt McKenzie interviews Aimee DiBrienza, the Assistant Director of Adult and Workforce Education at Southern Utah University's (SUU) Community and Workforce Development Program. They discuss the benefits of partnering with local businesses and industry leaders to enhance students' academic experiences. Aimee shares how SUU collaborates with companies like Best Friends Animal Society and various advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity organizations to create programs that align with industry needs. These partnerships help students acquire practical skills and sometimes lead to SUU degree programs, making education more accessible and impactful, especially for adult learners balancing careers and personal lives. The conversation highlights the importance of customizing curriculum based on industry demands and adult learners' schedules, with a focus on short-form courses that fit their busy lives.