USAID Higher Education #FailFest for Online Learning: Collaborating, Learning and Adapting

Torrey Trust, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Learning Technology in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her scholarship and teaching focus on how technology shapes educator and student learning. Dr. Trust's research, teaching, and service in the field of educational technology has received noticeable recognition, including the 2016 ISTE Online Learning Network Award, 2017 Outstanding Research Paper Award for the Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 2019 AERA Technology as an Agent of Change for Teaching & Learning SIG Early Career Scholar Award, and 2020 AECT Annual Achievement Award. In 2018, Dr. Trust was selected as one of five recipients worldwide for the ISTE Making IT Happen Award, which "honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students." www.torreytrust.com

Dr. Trust will be giving a keynote address on risk, failure, and innovation in online learning.

Wezi Esther Mkwaila, Ph.D., has spent 17 years as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Horticulture at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), teaching courses such as Crop Improvement, Genetics and Biotechnology and Bioethics. Her current research encompasses investigation into crop mechanisms in coping with both biotic and abiotic stresses with a special emphasis on root and tuber crops. Dr. Mkwaila was also involved in interdisciplinary research on the intersection between agriculture, irrigation and health in an 800-hectare Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme in Dedza. She has served as Chair of the Rapid Response Team of the Malawi Biotechnology Forum since 2014 and Program Officer for Malawi under the African Union NEPAD African Biosafety Network of Expertise since 2013. Selected honors include the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellowship, the MSU-LUANAR Innovation Scholar Fellowship, and the ATI Fellowship. Dr. Mkwaila received her MSc in Biology from the University of Malawi in 2005 and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding Genetics and Biotechnology from Michigan State University in 2013. 

Dr. Mkwaila will be sharing her #FailFest story of abandoning complicated tech platforms and using new technology tools to adapt agricultural lab science courses for online delivery.

Ali Hamzeh is the Learning Enhancement and Assistance Program (LEAP) Director at the American University of Science and Technology (AUST). He has expertise in educational planning and management, curriculum design and implementation, teaching and learning strategies, and assessment methods. Over the past 25 years, Mr. Hamzeh has focused on developing and applying effective services and strategies for helping students with disabilities with their learning needs. He founded LEAP, a functional academics program designed for students with learning disabilities in 2007 and has since worked to ensure it is aligned with students’ needs and abilities so that it achieves optimal outcomes. Then in 2012, Mr. Hamzeh started another program that put into effect a learning support system, which provides academic accommodations for mainstream college students with Specific Learning Disabilities. He is an avid advocate of students with disabilities and their right to learn and work within an accommodating educational and professional environment.

Mr. Hamzah will be sharing his #FailFest story of facing the fear of online technology barriers for students with learning disabilities.

Soraya Gollop, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of the Education team, ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico. She is committed to making our society more equitable and inclusive by increasing access to high-quality education and opportunities. Dr. Gollop has taught at several universities in the United States and New Zealand and is passionate about designing and implementing education programs that positively impact student equity and achievement. She has a Ph.D. in philosophy, focused on behavior, motivation, and ethics.

Dr. Gollop will be sharing her #FailFest story of failure and resiliency in ECHO education programs for teachers in New Mexico and how responding to the pandemic changed how they plan and design programs for the better.

Wendy Warren is the Program Manager for University of Wyoming ECHO in Education, Early Intervention and Family Support, where she coordinates education networks that build the capacity to meet the needs of educators, service providers, and families in Wyoming. This work includes facilitating stakeholder discussions and planning and launching networks for specific education and disability-related topics for professional development needs. In addition, Ms. Warren also coordinates the ECHO Superhub activities for partners across the country interested in learning more about the ECHO model for their own organizations. She joined the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) team in 2012 as a project coordinator in the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) program, supporting assistive technology access and education. Ms. Warren graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and is currently working towards a Masters of Arts degree in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching as well as expertise in working to meet the unique assistive technology needs of students.

Cari Glantz is the Senior Project Coordinator for WIND's education and family initiatives, where she coordinates the University of Wyoming ECHO in Education and Families networks. Her work includes planning networks for education and family related topics, coordinating educator professional development credits, and creating marketing materials for these initiatives. In addition, Ms. Glantz also coordinates the ECHO Superhub activities for partners across the country interested in learning more about the ECHO model for their own organizations and facilitates the ECHO in Education collaborative group for organizations who are currently using the ECHO model in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Ms. Warren and Ms. Glantz will be sharing their #FailFest story about expanding learning communities to include educators, special service providers, and parents/caregivers to support students with disabilities without the option of face-to-face instruction.