Everything Nac

As technology continues to change the way students learn, professors are discovering new ways to establish a virtual classroom.

Dr. Scott Hutchens, Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Psychology chair and professor, recently created an online version of the general psychology course to help SFA’s dual credit initiative.

“I do not ask my faculty to do anything I would not do myself,” Hutchens said. “Thus, I decided to develop the online course during the summer of 2018 in order to lead by example.”

Teaching a course online had a learning curve, but Hutchens said he quickly adjusted to the format. And although his “first love” is teaching face-to-face, he said teaching online was rewarding in numerous ways.

“I have put my heart and soul into developing this course based on best practices and the direction of the Center for Teaching and Learning at SFA, and as a result, the course has a very personal touch,” Hutchens said.

Hutchens used a discussion-based method to instruct the class, and he said he was proud of how well students performed and engaged in thoughtful discussions. One particular discussion Hutchens mentioned involved Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation.

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford agreed to give her testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee the same week Hutchens’ class was studying gender. Ford’s testimony centered around an event that occurred when she and Kavanaugh were roughly the same age as the dual credit students, so Hutchens took the opportunity to have students incorporate what they were learning in the course to this event, such as frontal lobe development, the effects of alcohol on the frontal lobe, memory and sexism.

“The discussion was one of the best discussions I have ever heard in an online general psychology course. I was very impressed with the students’ level of maturity in discussing this sensitive topic,” Hutchens said. “The discussion encouraged students to think critically and apply several things they learned about biopsychology, memory and sexism in an integrated and novel manner.”

Hutchens’ online innovation recently was honored with a Bright Spot award by the university vice presidents, Faculty Senate, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

“This course has a highly organized design, and it runs very smoothly. After teaching it for the first time in fall 2018, I have spent even more hours fine-tuning it and making it more engaging, user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing with the use of new templates provided by the Center for Teaching and Learning,” he said.

Following Hutchens’ guide, the Department of Psychology will continue to integrate coursework online. The department is in the process of developing an online 2+2 program to offer to community college transfer students who may be unable to move to Nacogdoches due to family responsibilities and jobs in other locations, as well as an online graduate certificate in teaching college psychology.

For more information about the department, visit sfasu.edu/psychology.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present the comic operetta “The Pirates of Penzance” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 4 through 6, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. With memorable melodies, sharp dialogue, a twisting plot and clever lyrics, “The Pirates of Penzance” is one of the most beloved shows in the English-speaking world. Among the student performers are, from left, Houston graduate student E.J. Grayson as Sam; The Colony graduate student Jacob Rivas as the Pirate King; and Houston sophomore Isaiah Collazo and Spring freshman Rudy Barrera as pirates. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407.

Dr. Jason Reese, Stephen F. Austin State University assistant professor and sports business program coordinator, will serve as the interviewer for the second installment of the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series, which will feature professional skateboarder and successful business owner Tony Hawk as the guest speaker.

“Tony Hawk’s career goes beyond his professional athletic career. He has been an entrepreneur, philanthropist and innovator in the sports industry. It is an incredible opportunity for students to learn from his experiences,” Reese said.

With varied experience in the sporting industry, Reese continues to spearhead SFA’s sports business program. Prior to joining the SFA faculty in 2014, Reese spent time in marketing and sales for the Round Rock Express, a Triple A Affiliate of the Houston Astros, and in sport facility management. He continues to work closely with industry professionals, consulting for various sporting events, such as ultra-distance trail running and obstacle racing, as well as with businesses in Texas.

Reese earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and master’s and doctoral degrees in sport management from Texas A&M University. His research interests include pricing, sport event marketing, consumer behavior and business case writing. His main hobby is sports officiating, having officiated college and high school football, as well as high school baseball and basketball.

Reese said he is looking forward to interviewing the skateboarding legend and successful businessman.

“Tony Hawk changed the face of professional skateboarding and the whole action sports industry. He also was one of the first athletes to understand he was a brand, something to be leveraged,” Reese said. “His entrepreneurial mindset led to a video game series, amusement park rides and appearances on numerous television shows and movies.”

The lecture series will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center’s Grand Ballroom.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.