Welcome to the Remote Teaching & Learning Lightning Talks Summer and Fall 2020 series video library. Co-hosted by Digital Learning & Innovation (DL&I) and The Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL), the Lightning Talks are a reflection and learning forum where Boston University faculty and invited guests identify areas of challenge and opportunity and share strategies for engaging educational experiences in the remote-learning environment. In this expanding video library, you will find complete versions of each topical event as well as individual video presentations.
The series grew out of the shift to remote teaching in Spring 2020 as a way to showcase instructors’ many creative and inspiring approaches and to build faculty community. CTL and DL&I are proud to support peer-to-peer learning through the Lightning Talks, as they bring together a committed coalition of faculty, staff, and students to share pedagogical experiences and ideas.
We invite you to join our community of learners, access 40+ presentations, and engage with the video content.
Deborah Breen, Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
Chris Dellarocas, Associate Provost for Digital Learning & Innovation
2020 Lightning Talk Community
View Alphabetical Presenter/Moderator List A-L
Binyomin Abrams, Master Lecturer, Director of General Chemistry
College of Arts & Sciences: Chemistry
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: Engagement and Interaction in Large Lecture Courses
Lightning Talk 2: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Topic: Remote Immersive Lab Experiences/RILEd-up
Dustin Allen, Lecturer
College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Topic: Using Flipgrid for Asychronous Discussion
Mira Angrist, מירה אנגריסט, Senior Lecturer
Coordinator of Hebrew Language Program
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of World Languages & Literatures (WLL)
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Topic: Gamed-Based Learning (GBL) and Gamification in eLearning
Paula Austin, Assistant Professor
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of History, African American Studies Program
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Topic: Minding (Disciplinary) Power
Megina Baker, Lecturer
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development: Early Childhood Education
Lightning Talk: Project-based Learning
Topic: Playful, Inquiry-based Learning
Tina Barbasch, Postdoctoral Associate Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences, Buston Lab Marine Evolutionary Ecology
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: Virtual Biology: Learn from Anywhere in STEM
Heather Barrett, Lecturer & Writing Center Coordinator
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Topic: Reimaging In-class Presentations While Teaching Remotely
Seth Blumenthal, Moderator
Senior Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
2020 Metcalf Award Winner
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
John Caradonna, Associate Professor
College of Arts & Sciences: Chemistry
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
Topic: Remote Laboratory Instruction
Laurie Craigen, Associate Professor
School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Topic: Building Connection and Community Through the LfA Experience
Sandi Deacon Carr, Master Lecturer
Faculty Director, BU Cross College Challenge
Faculty Director, Questrom Team Learning Services
Questrom School of Business: Management and Organizations
Lightning Talk: Project-based Learning
Topic: Managing Team Projects in the Remote Environment
Daniel Dona, Senior Lecturer
Chair, Student Life and Honors Committee
Violist, Arneis Quartet
College of Fine Arts, Music Department
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
Topic: Translating the Applied Music Lesson
Joshua Duttweiler, Lecturer
College of Fine Arts & College of Communications
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Topic: Using Slack to Foster Classroom Community
Caleb Farny, Master Lecturer
College of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
Topic: The Engineering Lab Experience
Hessan Farooqi
Senator, BU Student Government
Chair, Expect More Committee
Communications & Outreach Intern, BU Sustainability
College of Arts and Sciences: Economics, Class of 2022
Topic: Technology Beyond the Pandemic
Lightning Talk: Student Voices: Examining Successes & Identifying Areas of Opportunity
Pary Fassihi, Senior Lecturer
Consultant on Digital Learning Modules
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: Flipping the Class in a Remote Environment
Ellen E. Faszewski, Moderator
Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Clinical Professor
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Thomas Field, Assistant Professor
School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Topic: Building Connection and Community Through the LfA Experience
Elizabeth Foster
Member, BU Cross-Disability Club
School of Theology, Master of Divinity, Class of 2022
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: Implications of Remote Learning for Access
Sophie Godley, Clinical Assistant Professor
School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Topic: Engage, Challenge, Love
Jacey Greece, Clinical Associate Professor
School of Public Health: Community Health Sciences
Lighting Talk: Project-based Leaching
Topic: Practice-Based Teaching: The Necessary Ingredients for Successful Delivery…Anytime, Anywhere
Enrique Gutierrez Wing, Master Lecturer
College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Topic: Experiential Learning in Engineering
Joseph Harris, Assistant Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Sociology
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Topic: Resilient Assessments Across Learning Environments
Sarah Hokanson, Moderator
Assistant Provost
Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs
Lightning Talk: Project-based Learning
Kathryn House, Moderator
Former Instructional Coordinator for Distance Learning Initiatives
School of Theology
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Dana Janbek, Master Lecturer
College of Communication
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: Delivering on the Promise of LfA
Sean Jung, Assistant Professor
School of Hospitality Administrations
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Topic: Applying LfA with the Students’ Needs in Mind
Jessica Kent, Senior Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Topic: Trauma-informed Practices in COVID-19
Rafael Kriger
College of Arts & Sciences: Political Science and Economics, Class of 2023
Lightning Talk: Student Voices: Examining Successes & Identifying Areas of Opportunity
Topic: Sharing the Learning Environment
Kari Lavalli, Senior Lecturer & Chair
Division of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
College of General Studies
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience Part 2 (Note: The Dec. 4 presentation video will be available mid-December)
Title: Using Peer-to-Peer Assessments to Engage All LfA Categories of Students
Luz M. Lopez, Clinical Professor & Director of the Global Health Core
Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health
School of Social Work, BU College of Arts & Sciences
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
View Alphabetical Presenter/Moderator List M-Z
Matt Marx, Associate Professor
Questrom School of Business, Strategy & Innovation
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: Zooming Through Long-Block Classes
Samantha Myers, Moderator
Master Lecturer
College of Arts and Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Amber Navarre, Senior Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences, Department of World Languages and Literature
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
Topic: Google Jamboard: Promoting Interaction in Synchronous Classrooms
Hamid Nawab, Professor
College of Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Topic: The Inclusive Engineering Classroom
Greg Page, Senior Lecturer
Metropolitan College, Administrative Sciences Department
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Topic: Online Office Hours
Phillippa Pitts, Ph.D. Student & Teaching Fellow
College of Arts & Sciences: History of Arts & Architecture
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: Bringing Back the Whiteboard
Swati Rani, Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Topic: Inclusion and Intersectionality
Rick Reibstein, Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences: Earth & Environment
Lightning Talk: Project-based Learning
Topic: Project-based Environmental Research
Hanny Rivera, Postdoctoral Associate Lecturer
College of Arts and Sciences, Davies Marine Population Genomics Lab
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: Virtual Biology: Learn from Anywhere in STEM
Caterina Scaramelli, Research Assistant Professor
College of Arts & Sciences, Anthropology – Earth and Environment
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: Enlivening the Large Remote Lecture
Malavika Shetty, Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Lightning Talk: Hands-on Teaching
Topic: Teaching with Wikipedia
Benjamin Siegel, Moderator
Assistant Professor
Department of History
College of Arts & Sciences
Lightning Talk: Special Cases Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Shively T. J. Smith, Assistant Professor
School of Theology
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Topic: Strategies for Fostering Community through Remote Teaching
Rachel Spekman, Former
Former Director of Business Ventures
Innovate@BU
Lightning Talk: Student Voices
Gregory Stoller, Lecturer
Questrom School of Business, Strategy & Innovation
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: Trials and Tribulations of LfA So Far…
Lisa Sullivan, Associate Dean, Education
School of Public Health
Lightning Talk: Managing the LfA Experience
Topic: LfA CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement)
Thomas Underwood, Master Lecturer
College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program
College of General Studies
Lightning Talk: Fostering Classroom Community
Topic: Don’t Put Your Icebreakers Away
Chris Walsh, Associate Professor, Director, Writing Program
College of Arts & Sciences
Lightning Talk: Project-based Learning
Topic: The Blank Syllabus
Cheyenne Watts, Learning Assistant
College of Arts and Sciences: Neurobiology, Class of 2022
Lightning Talk: Student Voices: Examining Successes & Identifying Areas of Opportunity
Topic: Mental Health During Unprecedented Times
Crystal Williams, Special Guest/Closing Remarks
Associate Provost
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Jonathan Wisco, Associate Professor
School of Medicine: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Lightning Talk: Assessment & Assignments
Topic: Feedback and Summative Assessments
Lorre Wolf, Director
Disability & Access Services
Lightning Talk: Building the Inclusive Classroom
Topic: Acknowledging Disability in Diversity & Inclusion Efforts
James Wolff, Associate Professor
School of Public Health: Department of Global Health
Lightning Talk: Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lecture Classes
Topic: 12 Best Practices for Online Practice-based Courses
Talin Yaghoobian, Assistant to the Dean
Pardee School of Global Studies
Questrom School of Business, MBA, January 2021
Lightning Talk: Student Voices: Examining Successes & Identifying Areas of Opportunity
Topic: The Importance of Breaks
Managing the Learn from Anywhere Experience
Teaching and learning in LfA modalities bring new challenges for faculty and students, with many faculty needing to re-imagine their approaches to class activities and assignments. The faculty presenters discuss the strategies they use to adjust their teaching for hybrid/remote classes.
Topics Include:
Virtual Biology: Learn from Anywhere in STEM
Delivering on the Promise of LfA
Bringing Back the Whiteboard
Trials and Tribulations of LfA So Far…
LfA Continuous Quality Improvement
Fostering Classroom Community
Remote instruction requires more than slides and discussions—it requires interaction and connectivity with students. In this Lightning Talk, the faculty panel discuss icebreakers, office hours, Slack, and more, and offer strategies to strengthen classroom community.
Topics Include:
Using Slack to Foster Classroom Community
Engage, Challenge, Love
Online Office Hours
Strategies for Fostering Community through Remote Teaching
Don’t Put Your Icebreaker Away: Creating and Sustaining Community
Student Voices: Successes & Areas of Opportunity
Remote teaching is only half the story. Students in leadership roles, undergraduate and graduate students, share their remote learning experiences, discuss what they miss about the on-campus experience, the importance of accessibility, and elements of remote instruction they most appreciate.
Topics Include:
Technology Beyond the Pandemic
Implications of Remote Learning for Access
Sharing The Learning Environment
Remaining Cognizant of Mental Health During Unprecedented Times
The Importance of Breaks in the Remote Learning Environment
Building the Inclusive Classroom
Inclusive learning environments promote connectivity and growth while creating experiences and spaces for all learners to thrive. The BU faculty panel shares their diversity, equity and inclusion perspectives, and offer a variety of inclusive teaching strategies for the remote environment.
Topics Include:
Minding (Disciplinary) Power and Privilege in the Classroom
Trauma-Informed Practices in the Age of COVID-19
Advancing an Intercultural Inclusive Practice in the Classroom
Inclusive Engineering Classroom
Honesty, Safety, and Creativity: Fostering Inclusion and Intersectionality In A Course Focused on Race Relations
Disability & Access Services at BU
Special Cases: Long Block & Large Lectures
Long block and large lecture classes can pose challenges for maintaining student engagement. The faculty panel reflects on lessons learned from the Spring 2020 semester, discuss synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction, offer guidance to flip the class, and more.
Topics Include:
Engagement and Interaction in Large Lecture Courses
Flipping the Class in a Remote Environment
Zooming Through Long-Block Classes
Enlivening the Large Remote Lecture
12 Best Practices for Online Practice-based Courses
Assessment & Assignments in the Remote Environment
Assessment tasks, whether they be exams, projects, or other assignments, are of equal importance to faculty and students. The faculty panel shares a variety of approaches to assessment tasks, with some strategies for managing assessment in the remote environment.
Topics Include:
Using FlipGrid for Asynchronous Discussion
Reimagining In-Class Presentations While Teaching Remotely
Crafting Resilient Assignments and Assessments that Translate Across In Person and Online Learning Environments
Salvaging Experiential Learning in Remotely-Taught Engineering Design Courses
Summative Assessments As a Form of Feedback
Hands-on Teaching
A hands-on classroom experience is the academic foundation for many disciplines. The faculty panel shares their challenges and successes in the lab, studio, music, and art rooms, and highlight ways to bring the “hands-on” experience to the online classroom.
Topics Include:
Approaches to Remote Laboratory Instruction: A Long-term View
Look, Feel, Sound: Translating the Applied Music Lesson to the Remote Classroom
Moving the Engineering Lab Experience Out of the Lab
Promoting Interaction in Synchronous Classrooms with Google Jamboard
Teaching with Wikipedia
Project-based Learning
Many classes across all Boston University campuses incorporate elements of project-based, team, and experiential learning. The faculty panel shares their strategies for adapting active-learning approaches to the remote-teaching and remote-learning environment.
Topics Include:
Kitchen Science and Backyard Nature: Playful, Inquiry-Based Learning Goes Online
Managing Team Projects in the Remote Environment
Practice-Based Teaching: The Necessary Ingredients for Successful Delivery…Anytime, Anywhere
A Class in Which Students Perform Research Tasks for Environmental Organizations
The Blank Syllabus