How Higher Education is Creatively Responding to COVID-19 Outbreak: A Conversation with Dr. Katie Linder

What this episode covers

The last several weeks have been nothing short of historical. COVID-19 has radically altered the way each of us lives, works, and learns in what feels like the blink of an eye. And while this moment in time has been, and will continue to be, filled with incredible challenges, it has also birthed remarkable opportunity for higher education. On this week’s episode, Zach Busekrus sits down with Dr. Katie Linder, the Executive Director for Program Development at Kansas State University Global Campus, to discuss how higher ed is creatively responding to the new reality the coronavirus has ushered us all into. Dr. Linder is a prolific writer, collaborator, course developer, and podcaster (among many other “ers” and “ors”). A few weeks ago, she spearheaded the development of the Keep Teaching Community, which is a free resource for higher education professionals looking for community, information, and creative solutions in this novel era of distance learning. Dr. Linder shares thoughtful responses to the following questions (among several others!): - What schools or specific programs within schools are responding well to this crisis? - Will you explain what inspired you all to create the Keep Teaching Community and how educators can best leverage it for support during these times? - Can you describe a framework for how educators should think about delivering content, evaluating work, and offering support during this time? - What positive opportunities do you believe this “coronavirus crisis” creates for higher education (specifically, as it pertains to recruiting this fall’s class)?