ON Cultivating Student Engagement in Higher Ed

In this next segment, we pick up with Kenneth and Stephanie on accessibility as a daily habit rather than a one-time initiative, the four issues that trip instructors up most often, and how Design Plus helps tackle them. We also cover where to start when you're staring at a blank course, how thoughtful design actually supports how students learn, Cidi Labs' targeted use of AI to handle the tedious work without taking instructors out of the driver's seat, and a bigger-picture look at course de...

In this first part of the episode, guests, Kenneth Larsen and Stefanie Tate from Cidi Labs stressed the importance of striking a balance: while interactivity is powerful for re-engaging attention and building mental models… too much of any content can easily overwhelm learners. The key takeaway is that thoughtful course design — the combination of consistent structure with purposeful interactivity — is what drives real learner engagement and long-term retention. Kenneth Larsen Cid...

In this final part of this episode, Tim, Anna, and Jillian continue the discussion, focusing on redesigning or supporting assignments for engagement and integrity. They emphasize removing busywork without attacking faculty, valuing faculty expertise, and using student-centered strategies like self-relevant prompts and strong prep work (practice, low-stakes feedback, and clear purpose) to reduce misuse. They reaffirm higher education’s broader purpose beyond credentials. Guests for this ...

In Part 2 of this episode, our guest continue to discuss shifting student trust and agency, the decline of college as a guaranteed pathway, and the need for higher education to prove its value through pivots like microcredentials and “good enough” course design that builds community. They raise concerns about the perceived validity of online degrees and AI-assisted work, emphasizing portfolios and demonstrable skills. The group debates whether faculty using AI is “hypocritical,” and how the s...

In this episode, my guests explored AI’s impact and the question of whether students have learned or are merely performing learning, complicating assessment, motivation, and course design beyond the limits of detection tools. My Guests discussed redesigning curriculum around purpose, process, and metacognition; ensuring assignments answer “why this matters”; and giving students choice to connect work to personal goals. They emphasize leadership–faculty collaboration, building instructor prese...