Reimagining Education: Creative Approaches to Students and Teaching (RECAST)

Welcome to RECAST: Reimagining Education: Creative Approaches to Students and Teaching Professional Development Conference

The Teaching Center and the Office of Online Learning are delighted to welcome you to the RECAST Professional Development Conference. This year’s theme, “Reimagining Education: Creative Approaches to Students and Teaching,” invites each of us to explore bold new ideas and share creative practices that engage today’s learners in meaningful and transformative ways.

Throughout the conference, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in dynamic presentations and insightful panel discussions. Whether you’re looking to deepen your pedagogical toolkit, connect with like-minded professionals, or spark new collaborations, RECAST offers a vibrant space for professional growth and imaginative exchange.

Together, we’ll reimagine what education can be—responsive and  full of possibility.

Welcome to RECAST. Let’s reshape the future, one idea at a time.

Conference Information:

Events have been coded in two ways: 1) to show connection to Nashville State’s Core Values – Nashville State LEADS and  2) to show which workshops qualify for CRTP credit.  

L – Learning 
E – Equity Driven 
A – Accountability 
D – Data-Informed 
S – Student-Centered 
CRTP – Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices 

Badging:

NSCC employees who engage in 8 professional learning sessions presented by the Teaching Center and Office of Online Learning during RECAST (pre-conference and conference sessions) will earn the RECAST badge. The RECAST badges will be awarded in late August.

Preconference Session – Monday August 18:

Monday, August 18
6 pm – 7:15 pm
NSCC 1010 Training (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
This is one of two options for the required NSCC 1010 Instructor Training. NSCC 1010 Instructors are required to attend a training, and all interested faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The focus will be getting the D2L shell updated and then explaining the schedule for the synchronous in-person and virtual sections. NSCC 1010 First Year Experience is our most highly enrolled high impact practice. In NSCC 1010, our new students make personal connections to careers, Nashville State degrees, and a learning mindset.
Presenter: Jessica Rabb, NSCC 1010 Course Lead
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

RECAST Day 1 – Tuesday, August 19

Tuesday, August 19
8:30 am – 8:55 am
Enhancing your Course using the Student Perspective (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
This presentation is on ways to enhance a course by considering the student perspective, especially in how they design their D2L course shells. Faculty often have a deeper understanding of course content and may be more familiar with the LMS than students, which can sometimes lead to challenges in navigating the course from the student perspective. The focus of this presentation will be on considering ways to build or redevelop a course while considering the student perspective, particularly in how they navigate and engage with course materials. Faculty will be encouraged to provide context for learning resources, helping students understand how to interact with them and the value they offer. The session will also highlight the importance of clear instructions for quizzes, the use of D2L rubrics for tracking progress, and the benefits of practice assessments. Additionally, faculty will be encouraged to create consistent layouts when designing a course to help promote easy navigation. 
Presenter: Hannah Hurdle, Office of Online Learning
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
9 – 9:25 am
Working with Online Learning to Build Interactive Learning Objects Using Articulate Storyline (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
Would you like to make your online course content more engaging and interactive but you’re not sure where to start? In this 25-minute session, discover how the Online Learning team can partner with you to design and create custom learning objects using Articulate Storyline. Possibilities include branching scenarios, interactive timelines, drag-and-drop activities, and more. We’ll walk through what’s possible and how we can support you. Examples will be provided.
Presenter: Maryellen Nash, Office of Online Learning
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
9:30 – 9:55 am
Avoiding Common User Errors in D2L (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
Navigating the features of a learning management system like D2L can be challenging for both students and instructors. In this presentation, we’ll address common questions and issues that instructors often encounter, such as gradebook management, copying course content, and Turnitin error messages. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for instructors to ask their own questions in real time. Join us to gain clarity and enhance your teaching experience with D2L.
Presenter: Hannah Hurdle, Office of Online Learning
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
10 am – 10:50 am
TurnitIn (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
The Turnitin Similarity Report and AI writing indicator are best used to inform educator judgment, but are not meant to be the sole measure of academic integrity. In this session, we will be focusing on how the Similarity Index and AI Indication reports are the same, how they differ, and how to clearly communicate with students about the writing process, guiding the discussion in a positive direction.
Presenter: Megan Sexton, Turnitin
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
11 am – 11:50 am
Working with the Yuja Video Platform in D2L
Experience-based Presentation
This session provides a comprehensive guide to using the YuJa Video Platform, covering everything from video uploading and creation to editing and sharing with others. Participants will learn how to navigate the platform, upload pre-recorded videos, create new video content, utilize the editing tools to enhance their videos, and share their work seamlessly with other users.
Presenter: Diana Hernandez, Client Success Manager at YuJa Inc
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
12 – 12:25 pm
Understanding the Grade Book in D2L (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
This 25-minute beginner-level presentation will provide instructors with a practical introduction to setting up and managing the D2L grade book. Participants will learn the essentials of setting up the grade book using the wizard feature, configuring grading categories, dropping  grades, linking grades, and tracking student performance.
Presenter: Maryellen Nash, Office of Online Learning
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Working with the Panorama Accessibility Tool in D2L (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
In this training, you will learn how to use YuJa Panorama to improve the accessibility of your documents, ensuring a more inclusive learning environment. The session will cover methods for remediating accessibility issues in your documents and introduce the different types of alternative formats available for you and your students.
Presenter: Diana Hernandez, Client Success Manager at YuJa Inc
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
2 pm – 2:50 pm
Working with the Verity Proctoring Platform in D2L (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
Presenter: Diana Hernandez, Client Success Manager at YuJa Inc
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Tuesday, August 19
3 pm – 3:25 pm
Hands-On Accessibility Fixes with Panorama (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
In this 25-minute hands-on session, use your D2L course content and identify three items with low accessibility ratings using the Panorama tool. With guided support from the Online Learning team, you’ll learn how to remediate common issues on the spot. This quick workshop helps you take meaningful steps toward our college-wide goal of achieving a 90% accessibility score in all online courses.
Presenter: Maryellen Nash, Office of Online Learning
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

RECAST Day 2 – Wednesday, August 20

Wednesday, August 20
8 am – 8:50 am
MUD: Dirt Roads Become Paved Roads, Paved Roads Become Highways (L, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
Students aren’t the same as they used to be. With the advent of digital tools and instant access to information, students’ cognitive processes and learning behaviors have changed drastically. This presentation will explore the application of infinite games and decision matrices in study abroad and in-person class settings to address the need to move beyond traditional grades.
By focusing on working memory, student motivation, and skill mastery under duress but without consequences, we can better equip students to engage with the learning process in meaningful ways. At the same time, we must confront the growing phenomenon of deskilling—the erosion of cognitive and procedural abilities that occurs when digital shortcuts replace sustained practice. Through creativity, novel experience, and the deliberate construction of memory pathways, we help students transform the dirt roads of unfamiliar tasks into paved roads of competence, and ultimately into highways of critical thinking. These routes—formed through friction, reflection, and forward motion—lay the groundwork for a future where skills are not only retained but refined.
Presenter: Robert Ladd, Associate Professor, English
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
9 am – 9:50 am
Introduction to TILT (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Research-based Presentation
If you have never attended a TILT workshop, join The Teaching Center for the Introduction to TILT workshop. Research indicates that transparent assignment design significantly enhances students’ success, with even greater gains for historically underserved students. This presentation will cover the key principles underlying the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework and provide evidence for its efficacy.
Presenters: Neely Ann Sheucraft, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Teaching Center Fellow, and Amy Bryant, Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
9 am – 9:50 am
Feedback: Reaction to Action (L, A, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
In this presentation, we will look at both formative and summative feedback, sharing the importance of timely feedback, what “timely” means, and strategies for providing effective feedback.  
Presenters: Audrey Cross, Assistant Professor of Learning Support and English, Teaching Center Fellow, and Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communications and English, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
10 am – 10:50 am
Balancing Act: Classroom Management vs. Formal Conduct Procedures (S)
Experience-based Presentation
This session is designed for faculty with any level of teaching experience. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the differences between classroom management and formal conduct issues. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for managing classroom behavior effectively, and faculty can feel more confident in their ability to handle both everyday classroom dynamics and more serious conduct issues.
Presenter: Julie Williams, AVP Student Affairs
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
11 am – 11:50 am
Empowering Faculty: Crafting Individual Strategies for Student Belonging (S, CRTP)
Workshop
In this interactive session, faculty members will explore the critical role they play in fostering a sense of belonging among students. Participants will be guided through the process of developing personalized action plans that address the unique needs of their classrooms and campus environments.

Through a combination of group discussions, practical exercises, and reflective activities, faculty will gain insights into effective strategies for creating inclusive and supportive spaces. By the end of the session, each participant will have crafted a tailored plan to enhance student belonging, ensuring every student feels valued and connected within the college community.

This session is open to all faculty of all levels. 
Presenter: Dr. Kelsey Johansen, Director of Student Life
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
12 pm – 12:50 pm
Faculty Success in Accelerated Terms (L, E, A, D, S)
Panel Discussion
This session is a panel discussion hosted by instructors of accelerated courses. The discussion will focus on Faculty Success:

• Tips and tricks to help instructors consider teaching in an accelerated format
• Advice and wisdom for grading, maintaining course integrity and content, testing, etc. 

Panelists will share how they are achieving success in accelerated terms.
Panel Host: Janessa Jacobs, Assistant Professor, STEM
Presenters: Eli Nettles, Professor Mathematics, STEM; Michelle Gillis, Instructor, Arts and Humanities; Van Bates, Director, Surgical Technology & Central Processing, Health Sciences; Karen Kendrick, Associate Professor, Administrative Professional Tech. Business and Professional Studies; and Leah Welker, Assistant Professor Biology, STEM
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: An Introduction (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Research-based Presentation
This presentation will introduce audience members to trauma-informed pedagogy, which incorporates trauma-informed principles of care. Through the lens of trauma-informed care, I focus on how trauma-informed pedagogy can inform teaching and instruction. To end the presentation, I offer audience members ways to incorporate trauma-informed pedagogy in curriculum and instruction.
Presenter: Dr. Shane McCoy (they/them)
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
2 pm – 2:25 pm 
Hidden Potential: Brainwriting Workshop (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
This workshop explores how structured brainwriting can enhance student engagement, creativity, and assignment participation. Educators will learn to apply this technique in discussions, project planning, and essay development to encourage diverse thinking and reduce conformity bias in idea generation.
Presenter: Kurstin Bush, Assistant Professor of Education, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
2:30 pm – 2:55 pm 
Phi Theta Kappa: What it is and what it offers to our students (S)
Experience-based Presentation
This presentation will be a brief informative overview of what Phi Theta Kappa is and how membership can be of value to our students.
Presenter: Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communications and English, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
3 pm – 3:25 pm 
Give the Library a cameo in your class this fall! (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
The Usual Suspects, NSCC Librarians Elizabeth and Peter, are back to talk about library instruction in case anything was Lost in Translation last time! Whether your students are library pros or the library is still Alien to them, library instruction can help them along their journey to becoming The Graduate. Do the Right Thing and request a library instruction session for your classes this Fall before the semester is Gone with the Wind.
Presenters: Elizabeth Heffington, Librarian, and  Peter Lyon, Librarian
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Wednesday, August 20
3:30 pm – 4:20 pm
Creating a Unit 0 (L, E, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
Need help onboarding students to your course shell? Tired of answering basic questions about how to find certain materials or tools in your course? Create an introductory unit or Unit 0 for your course.
Presenter: Kurstin Bush, Assistant Professor of Education, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

RECAST Day 3 – Thursday, August 21

Thursday, August 21
8 am – 8:50 am
Your Learning Mindset Matters (L, E, D, S, CRTP)
Research-based Presentation
You’ve likely heard that a student’s learning mindset GPS (Growth, Purpose, Sense of Belonging) increases their chances of academic success. But did you know that YOUR mindset GPS also increases their chances of academic success? I’ll show you the data and then show you how to navigate your classes with your own mindset GPS.
Presenter: Jessica Rabb, Professor of Biology, NSCC 1010 Course Lead, TBR HIP Ambassador for First Year Experience, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
9 am – 9:50 am
Promotion and Tenure Information Session (L, E, A, D, S)
Experience-based Presentation
This session will outline the process for promotion and tenure at NSCC. It is designed for both brand new faculty and returning faculty.  Even if you aren’t pursuing promotion or tenure this year (and especially if you are new and don’t even know anything about tenure and promotion), come to this session to learn how it works and ask questions to know what you can do now to be ready for the future.
Presenters: Dr. Sarah Roberts and Eli Nettles
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
10 am – 10:50 am 
Using AI Ethically (for students) Sandbox
Workshop
Bring your ideas and assignments for communicating to students HOW to use AI ethically in your course. Let’s brainstorm and create a policy or activity to teach students how we want them to use this tool, so we prepare them for appropriate use of this tool.
Presenter: Kurstin Bush, Assistant Professor of Education, Teaching Center Fellow
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
11 am – 11:50 am
Breaking Barriers: AI’s Role in Inclusive Higher Education (L, A, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
This presentation is for both full and part-time faculty.
Presenter: Evan Espey, Director of The Access Center
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
12 pm – 12:25 pm 
The Gifts of Imperfection Professional Learning Community Introduction  (L, A, D, S, CRTP)
Professional Learning Community
Join The Teaching Center as we learn from Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection.  In this introductory session, we will preview the PLC for the inspiring and transformative guide to wholehearted living.

In the PLC, we hope to cultivate courage, compassion and connection and learn to do the same for our students. The PLC will focus on helping us embrace our imperfections. Some of the guideposts from the book that we will discuss are authenticity, self-compassion, resilience, gratitude, the importance of play and rest, and pursuing meaningful work. This professional learning community will meet on September 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 9-9:50 am.
Presenters: Neely Ann Sheucraft, Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Teaching Center Fellow, and Amy Bryant, Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
12:30 pm – 12:55 pm
Navigating Failures, Insecurities, and Unanswered Questions in OER Creation (L, S)
Experience-based Presentation
Creating open educational resources (OER) can be a daunting task, particularly for educators who are new to the process. Many instructors who have developed their own course materials face uncertainty and challenges along the way. This presentation will candidly explore our journey through OER creation and adoption—from initial doubts to successful implementation.  

We will share our experiences, including the challenges, missteps, and the lessons learned along the way. Together, we will examine the failures we encountered, the minimal impact they had on the final product, and how we ultimately found confidence in our approach. Additionally, we will discuss the unanswered questions that emerged, and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges. The presentation will also include a brief overview of the positive effects that adopting OER has had on the course.  

By reflecting on our experiences, we aim to support and inspire educators who are interested in developing their own open resources.
Presenters: Audrey Cross and Katherine Sorenson
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
1 pm – 1:50 pm
Why we CARE for Our Students (L, E, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
Open to all faculty, beginner level. The goal for this session is to familiarize faculty with the CARE referral process. The session will discuss when a referral is needed, and include scenarios for practice. We will also briefly discuss how to support students who may need a referral but refuse at the time.
Presenters: Courtney Woodard, Student Resource Coordinator, and Brian Lee, Student Resource Manager
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025

Thursday, August 21
2 pm – 3:15 pm
NSCC 1010 Training (L, E, A, D, S, CRTP)
Experience-based Presentation
This is one of two options for the required NSCC 1010 Instructor Training. NSCC 1010 Instructors are required to attend a training, and all interested faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The focus will be getting the D2L shell updated and then explaining the schedule for the synchronous in-person and virtual sections. NSCC 1010 First Year Experience is our most highly enrolled high impact practice. In NSCC 1010, our new students make personal connections to careers, Nashville State degrees, and a learning mindset.
Presenter: Jessica Rabb, NSCC 1010 Course Lead
Register for this session
Zoom Passcode: Fall2025