TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast

Guests Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock (“Brocanksy”) and Dr. Alejandra (“Alex”) Pickett unpack decades of experience in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin on the topic of scaling high-quality, impactful online design/teaching through preparing and supporting faculty. This episode is the final episode in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on key, “structural support” topics essential in the future of strategic online/digital education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock Dr. Alex Pickett Episode 199 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Make Your Own “Mayan Mocha Powder” “What is Mocha? A Rich History and Modern Coffee Classic” Content Links Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock’s Online Profile Dr. Alex Pickett’s Online Profile Resources Suggested By Dr. Pacansky-Brock [Gallup Research] “How to Improve Teacher Retention and Burnout” [Book] The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World (Pugh, A., 2024) [US Surgeon General’s Report] “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” (Murthy, V., 2023) [Research Briefs/Resources] “Humanizing Online Teaching” (from Dr. Pacansky-Brock ad others) Resources Suggested by Dr. Pickett The SUNY Online OSCQR Rubric [From SUNY Online] “Teach Online Step by Step: Online Course Design” Inclusive Online Teaching Practice Project Peralta Online Equity Rubric Critical Digital Pedagogy (from Jesse Stommel & Sean Michael Morris) [From Tulane University] Feminist Online Pedagogy [One-Page Research Brief] “The Spiral Curriculum” (from Education Partnerships Inc. based upon the work of Dr. Jerome Bruner) Previous TOPcast Episodes #165 – “Why Still Prepare Faculty for Online Teaching? #IYKYK” #64 – “Principles for Humanizing Online Education… and Remote Teaching/Learning” (featuring guest Dr. Pacansky-Brock) #24 – “International Connections in Online Education” (featuring guest Dr. Pickett) Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka and Dr. Baiyun Chen join hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss the future of the field of higher education instructional design and their comprehensive(!) new book on the subject.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka Dr. Baiyun Chen Episode 198 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Storyville Coffee Company [From the Internet Archive] Bluebottle Coffee’s Instructions for “Inverted” Aeropress Brewing Content Links Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka’s Online Profile Dr. Baiyun Chen’s Online Profile [Book] The SAGE Handbook of Higher Education Instructional Design Previous TOPcast Episodes #150 – “A Global, Holistic, 360 Degree Perspective on Online Higher Education” (with guest Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka) #145 – “‘More of the Human Element:’ Dolly, Picard, Ray, Dede, and More” Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Guests Dr. Tanya Joosten and Dr. Patsy Moskal unpack decades of expertise in conducting research and fostering evidence-based practice in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin. This episode is the second in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on key, “structural support” topics essential in the future of strategic online/digital education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Tanya Joosten Dr. Patsy Moskal Episode 197 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Rishi Tea & Botanicals (Milwaukee, WI) “Truffle THiNS Lemon” (from Edward Marc Chocaltier) Content Links Dr. Tanya Joosten’s Online Profile Dr. Patsy Moskal’s Online Profile National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancement (“DETA Center”) DETA Research Toolkit 2.0  (“DETA Center”) Research Study: “Online Learning Readiness” (Joosten & Cusatis) Research Study: “A Cross-Institutional Study of Instructional Characteristics and Student Outcomes: Are Quality Indicators of Online Courses Able to Predict Student Success?” (Joosten & Cusatis) Historic Impact Evaluation Publications from UCF’s Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness (RITE) Research Study: “Student Ratings: Skin in the Game and the Three-Body Problem” (co-authored by Dr. Moskal) Research Study: “Dancing With a Bear: One University’s Experience With Evaluating Blended Learning” (Moskal) [From SUNY Oswego] “Tea for Teaching” Podcast  [From Oregon State University] “Research in Action” Podcast (2016-2020) Past TOPcast Episodes #15 – “It’s More About the Social than the Media” (with guest Dr. Tanya Joosten) #96 – “25 Years of “Conscientious, Methodical Research” (with guest Dr. Patsy Moskal) #103 – “Learning from 2021: Our Listeners Speak” (featuring an appearance by Dr. Patsy Moskal) #130 – “Data, DETA, Design, and More” (with guest Dr. Tanya Joosten)

Guest Dr. Cristi Ford returns to the show to discuss with hosts Kelvin and Tom revolutionary forces, wicked problems, and the importance of seeing the future of digital learning and student success as “co-created.” Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Cristi Ford Episode 196 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Tokyo Kissa from Blue Bottle Coffee Content Links Dr. Cristi Ford’s Online Profile D2L’s Teach & Learn Podcast (co-hosted by Dr. Ford) [Research Article] “The wicked problem of AI and assessment” (Corbin, Bearman, Boud, and Dawson, 2025) [From PureAI] “Accenture Cuts 11,000 Jobs While Betting Big on AI Skills” [Substack Article] “Inverted Bloom’s for the Age of AI” (Kassorla, 2025) [Historical Blog] “The Curious Case of the Flipped-Bloom’s Meme” (Collis, Sams, and Wright, 2012) TOPcast Episode #92: “Multidimensional, Tremendous Work:” Akilah Institute (with guest Dr. Cristi Ford) Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Hosts Kelvin and Tom synthesize themes from three 2025 industry reports and more in this episode to focus on the importance of aligning leadership ambitions of presidents/provosts and quality assurance operations of online education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Episode 195 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  “Malabar Hazelnut” from Rosso Caffe L’OR Barista System [On Philips Website] Content Links [LAST CALL] Your Questions/Comments Invited! Provide Input for the Final Episode of TOPcast Now. “CHLOE 10 | Meeting the Moment: Navigating Growth, Competition, and AI in Online Higher Education, 2025” [From UPCEA] “Benchmarking Online Enterprises:Insights into Structures, Strategies, and Financial Models in Higher Education” (2025) [In OnEdTech Newsletter] “Great Expectations, Fragile Foundations” (Dr. Glenda Morgan) [From CDLRA] “2025 Pan-Canadian Report on Digital Learning Trends” (Dr. Nicole Johnson) [In The Chronicle of Higher Education] “The Colleges That Prospered During the Pandemic” (Phil Hill; contains quote mentioned in the episode) Related Past TOPcast Episodes #194: “Becoming Ambassadors of ‘Acceptance’” (with guest Dr. Jennifer Mathes) #193: “Pillar Panel #1: Leadership Vision in Online Ed” (with guests Ray Schroeder and Dr. Melissa Vito) #190: “When Will Online Learning Stop Growing?” (with guest Dr. Glenda Morgan) #180: “Pan-Canadian Digital Learning Report – 2024” (with guest Dr. Nicole Johnson) #173: Campus-Based Student Demand for Online Options (and More!) from CHLOE 9 [plus links to all the other CHLOE-based TOPcast episodes] Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

OLC’s Dr. Jennifer Mathes joins hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss the roles we all can play in ensuring that higher ed online learning continues to be effective and strategic in meeting our society’s needs.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Jennifer Mathes Episode 194 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  [From Healthline] “9 Reasons Why Jasmine Tea Is Good for You” Content Links Dr. Jennifer Mathes’ Online Profile [Newsletter] “Digital Learning Leadership: Insights on AI, digital learning, and the future of learning leadership” (Authored by Dr. Mathes) [From OLC Website] “Professional Learning: Excellence in Online Professional Development” [Newsletter/Podcast] “The Lift: Insights and inspiration for academic innovation, digital learning, and leading” (Authored by Kelvin) [On Apple Podcasts] “Online Education Across the Atlantic” Podcast Related Past TOPcast Episodes #87: “Repairing Our Reputation Post-COVID” #89: “7 Slogans to Save Online Learning” #98: “I Don’t Ever Want to Do [Online] Again!” 181: “Help in Grasping ‘Good Online Course’” #182: “When is ‘Good Teaching’ Just ‘Good Teaching’?” 192: “Futures Thinking and Digital Higher Ed” (with guest Dr. Bryan Alexander) 193: “Pillar Panel #1: Leadership Vision in Online Ed” (with guests Schroeder & Vito) Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Guests Ray Schroeder and Dr. Melissa Vito unpack decades of practical wisdom on leadership vision in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin. This episode is the first in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on key, “structural support” topics essential in the future of strategic online/digital education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Ray Schroeder Dr. Melissa Vito Episode 193 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Coffees from “8th & Roast Coffee Company” (Nashville, TN) Green Mountain Half Caff Coffee Pods Content Links Ray Schroeder’s Online Profile Dr. Melissa Vito’s Online Profile Resource Recommendations From Our Guests [Magazine] Quanta (Recommended by Ray Schroeder) [Blog] “Ray’s Daily Update – Curated Reading List” [aka “Online, Continuing & Professional Education Update” from UPCEA] (Recommended by Ray Schroeder)  [Column] “Online: Trending Now” from Inside Higher Ed (Recommended by Ray Schroeder) [News Digest] “APLU Morning News Scan Sign-Up” (Recommended by Dr. Melissa Vito) [Book] Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (Recommended by Dr. Melissa Vito) Recommendations and Shameless Plugs From The Hosts [Book] The Chief Online Learning Officers’ Guidebook: A Framework for Strategy and Practice in Higher Education (Recommended by Tom) [Newsletter/Podcast] “The Lift: Insights and inspiration for academic innovation, digital learning, and leading” (Recommended by Kelvin)  [Web Resources] Books, articles and videos on effective storytelling from “Scientist-Turned-Filmmaker Randy Olson” (Recommended by Kelvin) [TED Talk] “What happens in the brain when we hear stories?” with Dr. Uri Hassan (Recommended by Kelvin) [Website] Research Publications on Storytelling and More from “HassanLab” (Recommended by Kelvin) Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Higher ed futurist Dr. Bryan Alexander guests alongside hosts Kelvin and Tom to reflect on the recent past and near-term possible futures of digital higher education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Bryan Alexander Episode 192 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Old Louisville Coffee Co-op (On Facebook) Content Links Dr. Bryan Alexander’s Online Profile [YouTube Playlist] Dr. Alexander’s “Future Trends Forum” archive of weekly conversations arXiv.org e-Print archive Directory of Open Access Preprint Repositories [On Wikipedia] “Diffusion of innovations” (article summarizing the work of Everett Rogers) [From the Institute For The Future (IFTF) Website] “Drivers and Signals: How Are They Different?” [Dr. Steven Crawford’s Guest Appearance] TOPcast #103 “Learning from 2021: Our Listeners Speak” Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Hosts Tom and Kelvin consider the role well-designed online learning can play in institutional efforts to increase student retention.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Episode 191 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  “Buckle Down” Coffee Blend from 8th & Roast Coffee Company, Nashville, TN “Est. 1927 by Marigold” at the Speed Art Museum Content Links Info and Question Contribution: “Last Call at the TOPcast Cafe” Plenary Panel (OLC Accelerate 2025)  [Book] The SAGE Handbook of Online Higher Education (Wa-Mbaleka, Thompson, and Casmiro, Eds., 2024) [Research Study] “A Cross-Institutional Study of Instructional Characteristics and Student Outcomes: Are Quality Indicators of Online Courses Able to Predict Student Success?” (Joosten, Cusatis, and Harness, 2019) [Article] “Retention in Online Courses: Exploring Issues and Solutions—A Literature Review” (Bawa, 2016) [Framework] TILT = Transparency in Learning and Teaching (Winkelmes, 2009-2025) [Book] Teaching Naked (Bowen, 2012 – not to be confused with TILT above)  [LinkedIn Post(s)] “Five years from now, the primary job of an instructional designer won’t be instructional design.” [Book] How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (Brooks, 2023) [Book] The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters (Parker, 2020) Past TOPcast Episodes Springboarding from the SAGE Handbook and Its Chapters #171: “The ‘North Star’ of Online Learners’ Needs” (Refs Ch. 5) #163: “The Online Syllabus: ‘A Welcome Mat for the Course’” (Refs Ch. 18) #161: “Taste the Rainbow of Online Ed’s Possible Futures” (Refs Ch. 50) #155: “High-Quality Online Discussions — Here’s How.” (Refs Ch. 27) #150: “A Global, Holistic, 360 Degree Perspective on Online Higher Education” (Introduces SAGE Handbook) Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!

Guest market analyst Dr. Glenda Morgan joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to share a concentrated distillation of wise insights on online enrollment growth, student success online, and much more.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Glenda Morgan Episode 190 Show Notes: Episode Synopsis via Twitter View complete list of episode highlights via Twitter Coffee Links  Single-Origin Colombia Chaparral, Tolima (“Red Condor”) from Black Gold Coffee Roasters (Venice, FL) Content Links Info and Question Contribution: “Last Call at the TOPcast Cafe” Plenary Panel (OLC Accelerate 2025) Dr. Glenda Morgan’s Online Profile [On Apple Podcasts] Online Education Across the Atlantic Podcast (co-hosted by Dr. Morgan) OnEdTech Newsletter from Phil Hill & Associates [From 99% Invisible Podcast] Episode #621 “Secret Mall Apartment” (including re-release of previous episode on the evolution/decline of US shopping malls – “Meet Me at the Fountain”) Previous TOPcast Episodes Referenced #174: “Get ‘All [Phil]’d Up’ On LMS/Online Enrollment Insights” (with guest Phil Hill) #140: “Maturing the Core Work of Online Education” (with guest Neil Mosley) #182: “When is “Good Teaching” Just ‘Good Teaching?’” (with guest Dr. Tom Tobin) #156: “Reframing the Data That Tell the Stories About Online Students” (with guest Dr. Carmin Chan) Just-for-Fun Pop Culture Links [On Wikipedia] Jurassic World Rebirth Extra Special Feature Video Version of This Episode!