Course authors include members of the DeGroote’s Teaching and Learning Services Team (McMaster University). This team assists faculty with course design and the course development process, as well as the improvement of the quality of digital learning materials and online teaching.

To contact the team about this course, please reach out at dsbEdDev@mcmaster.ca.

About the Team

Amy Pachai, Ph.D. – 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. Since joining DeGroote, she has 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.

Carlie Soares – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer

Carlie Soares is a Digital Media Specialist with the Teaching and Learning Services team. She graduated with honors from Mohawk College with an advanced diploma in Broadcasting Television and Communications Technology and brings years of relevant experience to the team. With her advanced knowledge in video production, she can bring your vision to life and assist with every step from pre-production to post-production. Before joining DeGroote, Carlie worked with Campus Classroom Technologies and brings advanced knowledge of online learning platforms as well as the technology available in McMaster classrooms.

Irina Ghilic (she/her) – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer

Irina Ghilic is currently an Educational Developer on the Teaching and Learning Services team at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. She believes learning is a process, and as an Educational Developer and Learning Experience Designer, she explores a learner’s entire journey and creates human-centric solutions in a variety of settings, including course, program, and curriculum design. Her work with educators and learners is driven by accessibility practices, multimedia design, research-based standards in online learning, and digital learning development practices. As a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Psychology research, Irina’s hope is to work on bridging the gap between educational science, learning strategies, and educational practices. Driven by her experience as a learning experience designer, educator, researcher, workshop facilitator, and creative problem solver, her work practice is at the crossroads where inclusive design, cognitive science, and technology intersect.

Neil Kotch – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Developer

Neil is the Manager of Teaching and Learning Services at the DeGroote School of Business. Formerly an Instructional Media Developer on the Teaching and Learning Services team with over 22 years of experience designing blended learning solutions for the K-12, higher education and private sector. He is a graduate from Sheridan College with certificates in Adult Education, Multimedia, Video Production and UX. Neil joined McMaster in 2014 developing eLearning solutions and sharing his passion for transforming learning by supporting instructors across campus with the design and the implementation of activities that help students integrate learning in academics and the community.

Nidia Cerna – Subject Matter Expert, Content Writer, and Project Manager

Nidia contributes to the strategic direction of program development initiatives. She leads the design of educational materials and activities to elevate the pedagogical quality of courses with a focus on open educational resources and experiential learning. Nidia leverages relationships amongst various departments at McMaster University to create synergies and foster innovation in the use of technology to support student learning. Supporting instructors and staff, she continuously explores opportunities to create student-centered courses that can be engaging, inclusive, accessible, and place greater emphasis on applied learning. She is involved in various communities of practice at McMaster University such as Teaching and Learning, Blended and Online Learning, and the Open Educational Resources Committee. She holds an M.A. in Educational Technology from Concordia University (Canada) and a B.Sc. in Communication Sciences from the University of Lima (Peru).

Contributors

This course would not be possible without the contributions of a talented team of individuals.