The Speakers
Dr. Brian Beatty
Dr. Brian Beatty is Associate Professor of Instructional Technologies in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, flipped classroom implementation, and developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible learning environments. At SFSU, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.
Previously (2012 – 2020), Brian was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations at San Francisco State University (SFSU), overseeing the Academic Technology unit and coordinating the use of technology in the academic programs across the university. He worked closely with IT professionals and leaders in other units to coordinate overall information technology strategic management at SFSU. Prior to 2012, Brian was Associate Professor and Chair of the Instructional Technologies department in the Graduate College of Education at SFSU. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2002. Dr. Beatty also holds several CA single-subject teaching credentials, an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from SF State and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Beatty has more than 25 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, trainer, and instructional designer at schools, businesses, and the US Navy.
Dr. Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly, EdD, is a Lecturer Faculty at San Francisco State University and Higher Ed Consultant. He works with colleges and universities as a consultant to address distance education, educational technology, and organizational challenges. He teaches online courses as a Lecturer in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies, and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University, where he previously served for 13 years as the Online Teaching and Learning Manager. Kevin co-authored with Todd Zakrajsek the 2021 Stylus book, Advancing Online Teaching: Creating Equity-Based Digital Learning Environments. In 2021 he developed a free, open professional development course, Flexible Course Experience Institute, and is currently writing a book on designing flexible (multimodal) courses.
Dr. Cathy Littlefield
Dr. Cathy Littlefield serves Peirce College in the capacity of Professor and Faculty Chair of the Business Division and joined Peirce in 2012.
As faculty Chair of the Business Division, Dr. Littlefield oversees the Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Leadership programs.
As a business professional with over 30 years of experience in hospitality, human resources, business ownership and higher education, Dr. Littlefield combines practice with scholarship. She has been teaching graduate and undergraduate students at the university level since 2009, and while at Peirce, was hired as the first full-time faculty member of the graduate division.
She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Doctorate in Education and her research interests include innovative instructional delivery methods, organic collaboration, collaborative learning and work environments, advisory board development, team development, course design and technology integration within the scope of teaching and learning. Dr. Littlefield is a published author of scholarly work and has presented at numerous professional conferences.
Dr. Littlefield’s professional goals are always focused on student success and doing whatever it takes to impart knowledge, support, and commitment to those around her. As an adult-learner herself, she understands the challenges of balancing work, family, civic engagement, community responsibilities, and professional demands and helps others achieve that balance as well.
Mel Young
Mel Young is an Educational Developer in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Hub at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario. Mel has been involved with educational development since the start of her teaching career in 2005, designing programs and courses for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions both nationally and internationally.
In her role in the Hub, Mel developed and delivers the Teaching Excellence Program to new full-time faculty, using a flipped-classroom approach and flexible pedagogies. She works with faculty in all departments by providing confidential consultations on course planning, delivery, assessment, and engagement practices. Mel is interested in championing student-centred, authentic teaching and learning practices. As part of a collaborative project for the eCampusOntario VLS projects, Mel aided in the planning and development of the HyFlex Course Design and Teaching Strategies text and co-authored Modules 1 and 3. Outside of her work at Cambrian, Mel is actively involved in Educational Developer organizations across the nation, including her role at Chair, Elect for the Council of Ontario Educational Developers (COED).