Course Authors and Contributors
Jammal (Jay) Dell – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer
Jay Dell is a Digital Media Specialist with the Teaching and Learning Services team. He graduated with honours from Seneca College and brings years of relevant experience to the team. With his advanced knowledge in video production, he can bring your vision to life and assist with every step from pre-production to post-production. Before joining DeGroote, Jay worked for Wilfrid Laurier University and brings advanced knowledge of digital media on online learning platforms as well as interactive instructional media objects and videos.
Irina Ghilic, Ph.D. (she/her) – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer
Dr. Irina Ghilic is a Learning Experience Designer on the Teaching and Learning Services team at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. With over twelve years of experience designing, developing, and promoting quality culture for teaching and learning in education, Irina has a diverse skill set in curriculum design, educational development, learning research, creative problem solving, strategic planning, and project management. Irina’s work practice intersects inclusive design, cognitive science, and the use of technology in education, and her doctoral dissertation focused on cognitive offloading, note-taking, and identifying the gaps between applied research and inclusive learning design. As a Learning Experience Designer, Irina explores a learner’s entire journey and creates human-centric solutions that go beyond the traditional boundaries of instructional design. Her ongoing work with educators and learners is driven by accessibility practices, research-based outcomes in teaching and learning, and digital learning development practices.
Amy Pachai, Ph.D. (she/her) – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer
Dr. Amy Pachai is an Educational Developer on the Teaching and Learning Services team at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. Upon joining DeGroote, she worked with instructors, staff, and students to create and execute an innovative new blended learning MBA program for working professionals, launched in Fall 2018. Now, she supports the faculty and staff across DeGroote on their courses and programs from design through to feedback and continuous improvement. Prior to this role, her doctoral research explored ways to reduce mind wandering and improve learning. Amy has facilitated workshops for diverse audiences on topics such as creating effective assessments, maximizing the impact of your LMS, design thinking, scientific writing skills, business communication, and study strategies for students. Through these experiences, she has experimented with many tools and techniques to foster engagement, improve comprehension, assess learning, and promote collaboration.
We also want to acknowledge our student partners, Akanksha Nehete and Manya Malik, for their invaluable perspectives and contributions to this resource.
Thank you to our user testers: Erin Aspenlieder, Shelley Rottenberg, and Stephanie Verkoeyen. Your feedback was crucial to this process!
