LEAP Indiana invites you to join us for a conversation about the innovative ideas and practices our members are using across the state. We will schedule more in the future!

12:30pm-1:30pm EST on the Fourth Monday of the Month.

Interested in hosting one? You can propose one here:

Using Google Applications to Improve the Virtual Learning Experience

Presenters: Michelle L. Clemons, IUPUI  mlclemon@iupui.edu, and Treg Hopkins, Ivy Tech thopkins28@ivytech.edu
View the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yUtQJ5muAc&list=PLfIJxtYZftkCMg-pNTrgaUkrf__r6xt-v

Utilizing breakout rooms effectively in a virtual learning environment can be tricky. How do we know what students are doing in their groups? How do we make sure they come back to the main session with the information necessary to move forward in our class discussion? How do we keep them engaged when we cannot see what they are doing? In this session, we will talk about ways to utilize Google Applications to create a more engaging and effective breakout room experience for students.

Exploring How to Manage Perceived Trauma and Stressors with College Students

Presenter: Angela Coppola, IU Kokomo  coppolaa@iuk.edu

Students’ emotional and physiological responses to stress and trauma impact their ability to think, listen, and engage with and retain new knowledge. Drawing upon Mays Imad’s Trauma-Informed Pedagogy practices, a two-part activity at the beginning of the Fall 2020 term was developed to prompt students’ exploration of their stress and trauma experiences both related and unrelated to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation will share the activity and subsequent initiatives to help students manage emotions and facilitate hope in a time of uncertainty. A discussion will be facilitated to examine alternative applications in other educational settings.

Service-Learning Experience (SLE): Overview, Assessment, and Future Implementation

Presenter: Ghadah Alshuwaiyer, IU Kokomo  gialshuw@iuk.edu

I will introduce the Service-Learning Experience (SLE) activity and share the results of students' participation from 2016 to 2019. I will also share the current changes to the activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SLE was included in a course titled "introduction to community health" to help students understand health-related organizations' functions, explore future health career options, and contribute to the community through volunteering. Students spent eight hours of non-paid service at a site of their choice that promotes health and wellness. Upon completion, students created a portfolio that analyzed their SLE participation and shared experiences in a classroom presentation.

Designing a Virtual Exchange: How to Integrate Global and Intercultural Learning into Any Course

Presenter: Lamia Scherzinger, Senior Lecturer, Department of Kinesiology     lnuseibe@iupui.edu  

The past few semesters were ones full of unknowns and anxiety. While we often focus on the effect the change of in-person to online learning had on students, one area that was enormously affected was study abroad courses. This is where virtual exchange can help, which enables collaborations among students with peers in other countries through online technologies. During this presentation, tips for designing successful virtual exchanges no matter the course modality or subject area!

Facets of Care: Using Ziplet, Course Networking (CN) to Check in on Students' Academic Progress & Well-being

Presenters: Christina Romero-Ivanova, Assistant Professor of Education, Indiana University-Kokomo, civanova@iuk.edu

This presentation will engage audience members in the usability of Course Networking and Ziplet to engage and check in with students. Specifically, the aspects of well-being and academic progress will be the focus. The earning of digital badges will also be shown. Authentic communication examples from Christina’s spring 2021 classes will be showcased. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own technology device with them to be able create their own CN site connected to each of their courses. Rationale/Purpose/Background: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is becoming a prominent focus in K-12 and higher education, as is the differentiation of gauging learners’ progress. This presentation will address these important aspects.