Michele Walker

Polytechnic Institute

Michele Walker, Computer Graphics Technology lecturer, teaches from the Purdue Polytechnic Richmond, Ind. campus, where her work in aligning CGT courses curriculum with local efforts to create cornerstone projects was recognized with her nomination for the Excellence in Instruction Award for Lecturers. These projects seek to provide students with real-world experience in supporting local philanthropic and business efforts.

Walker makes use of technologies that allow students statewide to continue their studies in HyFlex learning environments. Students appreciate her skills and versatility. “She brings her expertise to every class, challenging us, but also teaching us what is in the workplace today,” one student wrote.

How has your teaching evolved over the last five years? 

Working in a Statewide location like Purdue Polytechnic Richmond has unique challenges that are different from teaching on the main campus. I teach a much wider variety of subjects and have to be more flexible in my approach to the students we serve as well as the industries in which they will work. I see this as a strength, and have been very interested in a more holistic approach to teaching.

In 2018, after doing research on integrated teaching I created what I call “cornerstone projects,” which involve several classes across multiple semesters working on one large project. This allows students to participate in hands-on projects and methods of working together that more closely reflect the way their industry works. For instance, drawing students sketch concept art that gets passed on to 3D modeling students, who create assets for game development students. Students get to experience an entire pipeline of workflow and contribute towards even more meaningful portfolio pieces than they could have created individually, while demonstrating their ability to do teamwork both synchronously and asynchronously.

I am constantly staying up to date on the latest trends that affect our industry so that students can enter the workforce able to use emerging technologies and software. 

What changes to your teaching during the pandemic did you take with you going forward?

When the Coronavirus caused colleges to close campuses and switch to remote teaching in spring of 2020, we had very little time to switch to remote teaching. Fortunately we had technologies that could be rapidly deployed to support our efforts to continue education remotely.

We utilized the popular chat and streaming platform Discord to organize classes into servers with channels for various topics and works in progress, and also to meet online via chat, screen-sharing and video conferencing. Along with the Brightspace LMS to organize lessons, assignments and evaluations, we were able to make a smooth transition to synchronous remote learning.

Now that we have these methods in place, we are able to provide a HyFlex learning environment that serves students in ways that meet their needs even better than before. I was asked by my department to begin offering classes to campuses other than my own. Now I teach to students face-to-face in my local classroom and to other campuses simultaneously, which expands our talent pool of students to participate in cornerstone projects.  This has also opened up classes to students who were previously unable to attend classes due to driving and attendance limitations which increases enrollment.  

What suggestions do you have to Purdue instructors who want to improve their teaching and/or their students’ learning?

Working with industry partners has allowed me to stay up-to-date on what potential employers seek in college graduate job skills and connect students with potential employers and real-world experiences. Using a popular communication platform like Discord allows me to meet students’ needs more flexibly because they are more comfortable with quick texts than with email, so communication improves. We can trouble-shoot project issues with screen-sharing much easier.

Being able to meet students where they are while still maintaining a professional relationship and academic rigor takes a balanced approach. Realizing that what may at first seem like inappropriate behavior may actually be masking anxiety or lack of confidence can open up more respectful streams of communication that can quickly resolve misunderstandings before they become problematic. 

What motivates you to do your best work in a student-centered learning environment?

Having autonomy to develop and adapt my classes in the way I think best serves our unique situations and subject matter empowers me to be passionate about continuous improvement. Being recognized by my college for the work I am doing helps me feel more connected, which is important for lecturers at a statewide campus. Seeing students succeed in ways they hadn’t expected is a joy. When former students contact me via LinkedIn to tell me they got their first industry job, I know I have made a positive contribution in their lives and industry. I feel I can really make a difference in the lives of my students and my community. 

The Excellence in Instruction Award for Lecturers recognizes academic staff with the rank of lecturer or senior lecturer. It is among several PWL-wide teaching honors awarded annually in the spring semester. Each college/school selects and advances its own nominee the previous fall as a model in outstanding undergraduate education and includes input from its students. For other nominee interviews, see the Insights webpage. Further details on the award and selection procedure and university awardees are available on the Office of the Provost website.