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Ahead of the Game: Technology Investment
AHEAD OF THE GAME
INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY PREPARED AUGUSTANA FOR ONLINE INSTRUCTION BEFORE COVID-19
| BY JILL WILSON
With Augustana’s strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — the university affirmed its commitment to providing innovative and significant learning experiences for students. To achieve this, faculty members need access to technology that enhances learning and opportunities to engage their colleagues in meaningful conversations about best practices.
In the fall of 2019, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship (CTS) was established to take advantage of these opportunities — partnering with various components of the university and engaging experts
A screenshot from a video recorded in Explain Everything, which is a program that allows uploading and annotating files while recording voice and annotations. In this picture, Assoc. Professor Lindsay Erickson shows the basics of Graph Theory in a section of Math 320: Discrete Structures. across the field of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
Before the university even looked at adopting its Viking Flex Plan — which incorporates both face-to-face learning as well as an integrated virtual learning component in many classes this fall — the CTS was already moving forward with plans that would prove to be beneficial in dealing with the challenges that come with a global pandemic.
A new learning management system, known as Canvas, was about to be rolled out to the campus community, as well as a curriculum development program, the Curriculum Design Fellowship (CDF), that would provide a theory and practical foundations for faculty as they created or revised classes for the fall semester.
Director of CTS Jay Kahl, said, “One of the things we are sure of, is that the academy is fantastic at developing teachers who are experts in their specific discipline. In regards to providing them with training or support on how to teach that material, you need broad understanding about cognitive development, teaching, learning, and curriculum development.”
But in light of COVID-19, the CTS had to modify its original plan. Originally intended for a dozen people in an intimate seminar setting, the overwhelming response for the fellowship ballooned to 80-plus faculty members across all divisions and departments. The CDF also had to include discussions about the Viking Flex Plan so faculty could talk through what the HyFlex classes would look like. This included how the course could be structured to make for natural “pivot points.” Lastly, the CDF was moved to a workshop-style of student-centered design, enlisting the help of a renowned expert in the field, L. Dee Fink, guiding faculty members through the process of crafting significant learning experiences, planning with the end of the course in mind.
“We have been able to merge the important work of Dr. Fink with
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ALUM FEATURE
Living The Dream: ALUMNA’S OPPORTUNITIES EXTEND BEYOND MUSIC HALL
| BY JOEL GACKLE
Kari (Sonnichsen) Marshall ‘93 has always been surrounded by music. Both the daughter and granddaughter of music teachers, the question was never if she would play an instrument, but rather what instrument(s) would she choose. Being surrounded by musicians, she also knew from an early age she wanted a career in music that didn’t involve teaching or performing.
She wanted a career that “extended beyond the concert halls.”
Each student travels their own unique journey to
Augustana University; some learn about Augustana by chance or have an unexpected encounter. For Marshall, that wasn’t the case. Her Augustana story is woven into the fabric of her family. Her grandfather, parents, and four siblings all graduated from Augustana. In fact, Marshall celebrated her first birthday in Tuve Hall while her parents were working in Residence Life, which has had a profound impact on the woman she is today.
Marshall said, “Augustana was a place that gave me guiding principles, particularly the (core) values that exist today. It laid a foundation for me both personally and professionally.”
When she arrived at Augustana, she met individuals who supported her dreams to chart her own course in music.
“With an Augustana music major in the liberal arts, (Augustana mentors) were supportive of my making a path that would prepare me for a career in music.”
Marshall’s mom studied under Dr. Harry “Doc” Krueger, and years later, he took Marshall under his wing as she twice worked at the International Music Camp alongside him. Being a member of the Augustana band, she has vivid memories of tours, especially those that allowed her to perform at
Kennedy Center, and at her current place of employment,
Minnesota’s Orchestra Hall. Working as a student employee in the Career Center proved to be priceless as she was afforded the opportunity to discuss and investigate career options.
Finally, when Marshall decided to pursue the field of music administration, Dr. Doris Huseboe created an internship to help prepare her for her graduate work and career.
Since her graduation from Augustana, Marshall has spent her entire career in music. Since 2014, she has served as the director of artistic planning at Minnesota Orchestra, a role that gives her “Wow, I get to do this everyday!” moments.
A tour in May 2015 holds a special place in her heart. Most international tours take nearly 18 months of planning, but this particular tour came together in only three months.
The Minnesota Orchestra had the opportunity to be the first American orchestra to perform in Cuba in nearly two decades. When the charter plane arrived at its destination, and the flight crew was unable to disembark, she knew this tour would be unique. Reflecting on her career with the Minnesota Orchestra, she says “one of the really special things about the orchestra is that it plays its very best at every performance.” Following the Cuba tour, the orchestra also viewed its performances as “musical ambassadorship.” Whether playing in Cuba, or South Africa, or in rural Minnesota communities, the orchestra provides powerful moments that can move and impact communities.
- KARI (SONNICHSEN) MARSHALL ‘93
Marshall is excited for the launch of Augustana’s new School of Music. She sees the moment as one that might mirror the transformation that happened to the Minnesota Orchestra following its tour in Cuba.
“What the Cuban trip did for us was to cause a shift in our thinking on touring from a focus on performance to opportunities for exchange. A broadened school of music will allow students to consider music beyond the traditional career paths, to keep growing and exploring opportunities in the musical arts,” said Marshall.
Reflecting on her Augustana journey, she can’t help but be thankful. The foundation of the liberal arts and mentoring relationships at Augustana allowed her to “experience many opportunities that influenced her journey down the road.” Growing up, she wasn’t sure of the role music would play in her life, but as she looks to the future, she believes music will play a vital role in getting us through this challenging time in our history. Success in music is like any other career, the skills are important, but developing good relationships has the greatest impact. And according to her, the relationships she built at Augustana and in her career have allowed her to live a dream that extends “far beyond the concert halls.” n
