Who is Professor Hicks?

Professor Hicks, a top educator in the UC Merced Management and Business Economics Program, is redefining the future of education with his innovative hybrid teaching approach. His cutting-edge methods make learning more engaging, adaptable, and accessible to all students, regardless of circumstances.

By seamlessly integrating technology with dynamic instructional strategies, Professor Hicks stays ahead of the curve, ensuring that both students and educators benefit from a more intuitive and effective learning experience. His approach not only enhances student engagement but also simplifies tracking and support for faculty, setting a new standard in hybrid education.

In this feature, we explore Professor Hicks’ journey, the inspiration behind his teaching philosophy, and the transformative impact of his model on modern education. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at how his vision is shaping the future of learning.

Technological Enhancements and Streaming Innovations

Initially, I used a Microsoft Surface to run Zoom and OneNote, which quickly proved inadequate as the device overheated and sustained damage. Recognizing the need for more robust hardware, I upgraded to a powerful desktop computer in January 2021, enabling high-quality video and audio streaming.

Inspired by Twitch streamers, I adopted Online Broadcasting Software (OBS) to create a versatile and interactive teaching environment. I configured OBS with customized scenes to cater to various teaching scenarios:

  1. Direct Engagement: Where I address the class directly.
  2. Interactive Note-Taking: Utilizing OneNote with a greenscreen overlay of my video to maintain a visual presence.
  3. Multimedia Sharing: Displaying videos and other resources while overlayed on the screen

 Desktop setup for virtual sessions

Implementing a Hybrid (HyFlex) Teaching Model

As classes resumed in person, I continued to enhance my setup, using OBS to manage content delivery to both in-person and remote students via projectors and Zoom, respectively. This approach was supported by high-quality wireless microphones to seamlessly communicate across different mediums

Case Study: Enhancing Accessibility

The effectiveness of this setup was particularly evident in my work with a deaf student who used ASL interpreters. This student and her interpreters joined the class via Zoom, allowing for real-time communication and adaptation, such as developing new ASL signs for technical terms, thus enhancing her learning experience significantly

Advanced Assessment Techniques

I implemented rigorous assessment protocols to ensure fairness and maintain academic integrity:

  • Engagement: Remote students are required to keep their cameras on, and engagement is tracked through polling with Echo360.
  • Examinations: Utilizing a lockdown browser within our LMS for all students and requiring remote students to use a secondary device to monitor their workspace during exams.

For fully remote courses, I adapted assessments to allow open-book and open-note exams but prohibited collaboration. Questions are delivered sequentially, with no option to return to previous ones, and both questions and answers are randomized from a developed test bank

Record Keeping and Continuous Access

All lectures are recorded using our LMS’s integrated Zoom tool, allowing students to access both video recordings and OneNote materials at any time, enhancing their ability to review and solidify their understanding.

Conclusion

These comprehensive strategies represent my commitment to delivering an innovative, accessible, and equitable educational experience. By integrating professional streaming techniques and robust assessment methods, I have created a dynamic learning environment that is effective for both remote and in-person students. As education continues to evolve, I am committed to refining these approaches, exploring new technologies and methodologies to further enhance student engagement and success.