HomePublicationsOpen Access SeriesOnline, Open, and Equitable EducationSection 2 Chapter 10: "Thrust into the Fire": Supporting Faculty Development, While Building a Teaching and Learning Centre, Amidst a Global PandemicDownload Chapter Book MenuOnline, Open, and Equitable Education SectionsSection 1Section 2ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Book Resources Contributors Download BookOpen access PDFdoi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa7ISBN: 978-1-951414-12-2July 20243.7 MBMetrics: 1341 views | 338 downloadsISBN: 978-1-951414-13-9Print Edition Coming Soon Sarah Driessens, Kyle Charron, Denyse Lafrance Horning, and Patrick T. Maher“Thrust into the Fire” describes the development of a teaching and learning center at Nipissing University amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter outlines how the university’s Teaching Hub, which opened just before the pandemic, supported faculty transitioning to online teaching. Key themes include skill-building, mindset shifts, and leveraging relationships. The Hub began with minimal staff but expanded rapidly, integrating learning technologists and enhancing faculty capabilities. The narrative reflects on the collaborative efforts and strategic decisions that enabled the Hub to effectively support both faculty and students during this tumultuous period. The success of these initiatives was recognized with a Blackboard Catalyst Award, highlighting the global significance of the Hub’s achievements in a short time. Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa7.10. Discussion Questions How did the creation of the Teaching Hub at Nipissing University exemplify proactive and adaptive responses to the sudden need for online teaching? What were the key factors that contributed to the Teaching Hub’s ability to effectively support faculty during the transition to online learning? How did the Hub manage to expand and improve its services during the pandemic, despite initial limitations in staffing and resources? Discuss the impact of the “trialogue” approach used in the chapter. How did this narrative technique enhance the understanding of the different perspectives within the institution? What lessons can other institutions learn from the strategies employed by Nipissing University’s Teaching Hub in managing the crisis brought on by the pandemic? Reflect on the importance of building and sustaining community as discussed in the chapter. How did this focus influence the outcomes for the faculty and students at Nipissing University? Share:
