I am delighted to welcome Maggie Gilchrist back to the CITL. You might have worked with her when she was our Graduate Assistant Instructional Consultant in 2022-2023. In October 2023, Maggie joined our colleagues at the IU Indianapolis CTL working full-time as an Instructional Technology Consultant. I asked Maggie about her work there and what she is excited about for her time here at the CITL. Let’s see what she has to say.
Please tell us more about your academic background.
I earned my Master’s in English from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada and am a PhD Candidate in English at IU Bloomington, where I taught as an Associate Instructor from 2017-2023. My research focuses on death and mourning in Middle English romance. I analyze which deaths are portrayed as worthy of mourning, which remain unmourned/marginalized, and how medieval literature creates space for questioning this divide. I bring this lens to my work with faculty as I assess how we can ensure each student is valued in our classrooms (virtual or otherwise).
What did you enjoy most about your work as an Instructional Technology Consultant at IU Indianapolis?
My favorite aspect of my previous role was helping faculty puzzle out classroom concerns, from technical Canvas issues to engaging students in course readings.
As an ITC, I took the lead on workshops and programming related to generative AI (GenAI) and had the opportunity to collaborate with several departments as they adapted their curriculum with GenAI in mind. I ran workshops on crafting GenAI assignments and discussing GenAI with students, and I met with departments to help faculty tailor their curriculum and policies to incorporate and/or respond to the use of these tools.
I also had opportunities to collaborate with consultants within and beyond IU Indianapolis. My colleague from the CITL, Eric Brinkman, and I designed a set of GenAI Canvas modules for faculty that we will continue to develop. (By the way, you should check out Eric’s CITL blog posts, where they frequently discuss GenAI).
I hope to continue the close working relationship I built with the CTL staff. I am truly grateful for the support they gave me during my time there, especially my ITC team.
What do you look forward to in your new role at CITL?
I look forward to building relationships with faculty and departments on the IU Bloomington campus as they (re)design online classrooms that are engaging and welcoming, and that challenge students to do their best work knowing that they have the support needed to do so. Online courses, particularly asynchronous online courses, can be exceptionally isolating. I’m excited to facilitate workshops and consult with faculty on ways to build community from a distance and foster student success.
I am also excited to continue my work with Eric on the Generative AI Canvas modules. They and I plan to have two more modules (one on Course (Re)Design and one on Assignment Design) published soon. I encourage you to self-enroll in the GenAI course and connect with me as you consider how GenAI has/will impact your courses in the future. I am particularly interested in working with programs and departments as they develop and implement GenAI policies and best practices—from designing curriculum with AI in mind to crafting/revising policies on GenAI use. Speaking of syllabi, as you set expectations for students this semester, check out my colleague Sarah Pedzinski’s blog post on setting effective office hours and join her for the Effective Office Hours Coffee Talk on September 17.
How can people reach you if they would like to meet?
If you are interested in discussing your online course or program, you can contact me via email (magilch@iu.edu) or call the CITL (812) 855-9023). You can also connect with me during the Generative AI Sampler: A Tech Tasting Event hosted by UITS Learning Technologies on September 20, where I will host a breakout room on creating classroom activities with GenAI.
Thank you, Maggie, and welcome to our team. We look forward to collaborating with you to support our teaching and learning initiatives here at the Bloomington campus.
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