All posts by Carla Herling

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

November’s digital faculty member of the month: Jill Allen

Each month, a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. November’s digital faculty member of the month is Jill Allen, assistant professor of psychology & neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences. Read an interview with Jill:

What course do you use this technology in? Psychology 030: Social Psychology

What type of technology do you use? In-Class real-time polls, built into the University Zoom platform.

In what context do you use this technology? The polls operate as a type of formative assessment; they are graded based on completion and contribute to an overall amount of “participation” in the online course. These polls punctuate the lecture, by giving students active participation in constructing their knowledge, and then sharing their rationale with the class, via their mics.

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? I need students in this course to be active consumers of the social psychological concepts, and as such, these questions serve as a check point to prepare them for exams.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change? I have been a polling enthusiast from my first introduction, thanks to colleagues Olga Lazareva in Psychology and Karly Good in ITS and dear friend and former colleague, Jaime Grandstaff in Accounting. My favorite polling software is PollEverywhere, and in the online context it is in Zoom. I enjoy the “real time” engagement – a step above and beyond the “looks of aha moments” on students’ faces (or conversely, sticking points of clarification/confusion), which are often missing in online classes, without all students having cameras turned on.

How long did it take for you to implement this technology? I began to use the polls in 2017, and became a “regular” on the helpline with the regional reps for Turning Point Technologies and our own Learning Management team on campus. After a few weeks, I would have considered myself a novice user and by the end of one semester, I felt confident in leveraging the technology. However, I have switched platforms several times, and each time, it is a new opportunity to learn/grow/compare/contrast with previous software. Importantly, and most interestingly, the goal never changes – but the medium and device does!

Since transitioning to remote teaching, how has your use of this technology changed, if at all? I was presented with an interesting dilemma regarding my go-to polling software, PollEverywhere. It has an online component, and it would have been possible to continue using it for Zoom synchronous lectures (students pay a modest yearly fee). On the other hand, teaching and learning online is a lot of change, so I opted to use the free/integrated features in Zoom. I like facilitating the discussions from within the same platform, and I think this creates more consistency and equity in experience for students who may be joining across many different types of devices.

Since transitioning to remote teaching, have you started using any new technology in your teaching? Interestingly, I had an experience last semester (pre-COVID) in which I noticed my students in this course were “in a rut.” Despite I love the polls and all they can offer; the class environment lacked the kind of energy and excitement as the start of the term provided. So, I walked into class, and presented a slide that said, “In a Rut? Let’s get unstuck…” in which I told students they would be working on a problem-based activity of cognitive dissonance on a shared Google doc (each group would have a different problem, but once complete they could review the class responses), that they would be numbered off so they worked with different folks than their usual table seating arrangements, and that the class collective responses would be the basis for a few new exam questions I would create. And you know what, IT WORKED! This type of collaborative activity is one I have adopted into Zoom breakouts, so that students can engage with peers in a structured way and I’m happy to have experimented with it in a F2F class setting.

Overall, what lessons do you think you have learned while transitioning to remote teaching? I think the biggest take-away from mid-March to now in a fully virtual setting for my classes, has been to create social connection. What I cannot control is how students engage with each other, but I can create a welcoming, warm, and humanizing environment in the way would have tried to create if we were in person. For instance, I use my camera for all synchronous lectures, try to share humorous anecdotes from my own life of teaching remotely and the oddities of COVID-life, and share reminders to seek balance and self-care, despite a pandemic that have been helpful for me and may be helpful for students, as well.

Did Drake ITS assist you in implementing any of these technologies? I would be remiss to not share gratitude for the tireless support of Karly Good in ITS. She has answered my early morning and late-night emails, phone calls, formal ticket requests, and connected me with colleagues on campus with similar teaching goals/pedagogies. This summer I took advantage of the Center for Teaching Excellence consultation opportunities, and gained excellent insight from Bill Klein, in Drake Online & Continuing Education, about making the “leap” between Blackboard Collaborate and Zoom. I also received generous support from the A&S Dean’s Office to fund a better remote-teaching setup, as well – all of which, helped me to bring the best “online” version of myself to the classroom that is possible.

Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.

Want to learn more about using Blackboard Collaborate, PollEverywhere or Zoom in your course? Explore these knowledge base guides/categories:

Blackboard Collaborate:
https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=45313&SIDs=5893

PollEverywhere: https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=63097&SIDs=2012

Zoom:
 https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/?CategoryID=18578&SIDs=7847

— Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS

HR Information Archive

Stretch your benefit dollars with a Drake FSA

Enrollment Instructions. Drake’s annual open enrollment period for the 2021 Plan Year ends Monday, Nov. 30, at 11:59 p.m. Per IRS regulations, employees wishing to participate in Drake’sFlexible Spending Account (FSA) Plans must make a new election each Plan Year. Annual enrollment elections should be made for expenses incurred during the 2021 Plan Year.

Tax Savings. Participating in a flexible spending account (FSA) helps you save money by allowing you to set aside pre-tax dollars through automatic payroll deduction. Your pre-tax dollars may be used to pay for eligible health, dental, vision and dependent care expenses. See an example of how an employee’s take-home pay increases with participation in an FSA Plan.

Contribution Limits. Allowable contribution amounts for the 2021 Plan Year remain unchanged.

Health Care FSA Plan:
— Minimum Amount: $120
— Maximum Amount: $2,750

Dependent Care FSA Plan:
— Minimum Amount: $300
— Maximum Amount: $5,000

Carry Over Feature. Participants in Drake’s Health Care FSA Plan may carry over up to $550 of unused contributions to the 2021 Plan Year. Current Plan Year FSA participants may check account balances by calling Advantage Administrators (800-383-1623) or visiting advantageadmin.com.

How Does the Carry Over Feature Work? During the 2020 Plan Year, Jane contributes $2,750 to her Health Care FSA. Throughout the plan year, she is reimbursed a total of $2,150 for eligible expenses. Jane chooses to carry $550 of unused contributions to the 2021 Plan Year, resulting in the forfeiture of the remaining $50. Jane elects to contribute the maximum contribution amount of $2,750 for the 2021 Plan Year, in addition to the $550 carry over amount. She now has a total of $3,300 available during the 2021 Plan Year.

Health Care FSA2020 Plan YearCarry Over Amount2021 Plan Year
Election Amount$2750 $2750
Reimbursed Amount$2150
Unused Contribution Amount$600$550$ 550
New Account Balance$0$0$3300

If you choose not to make a new Health Care FSA election during the annual open enrollment period, you may still carry over up to $550 of unused contributions to the 2021 Plan Year. Advantage Administrators will automatically carry remaining balances up to $550 to the new plan year. Estimated tax savings may be computed with Advantage Administrator’s benefit plan calculator.

Debit Cards. Health Care FSA participants must request to receive a debit (VISA) card on their enrollment form. Previously issued debit cards will be reactivated by Advantage Administrators per participant request on the enrollment form. Learn more about Drake’s FSA Plans.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources



Campus Announcements Archive

ITS support center and tech assistance hours

Even though the support center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall is closed for walk-in visitors through at least the start of the spring semester, ITS is still available to help with your tech needs.

You can always call 515-271-3001 or browse for guides or submit a request for assistance at our service portal at service.drake.edu/its.

When ITS staff are unavailable, whether during holiday breaks or in the evenings, we have after-hours support answering our main number 24/7 at 515-271-3001. They are not able to assist with every tech problem, but can always open requests on your behalf that will be responded to when ITS staff return.

To be sure you’re reaching an ITS technician if you call the support center, see the schedule below:

  • We will be closed Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25–27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • After Thanksgiving through the end of the semester, regular hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for Dec. 16–18 when the lower level of Carnegie Hall will be deep cleaned and all ITS staff will be working remotely.
  • Holiday break begins Dec. 21 and runs through Friday, Jan. 1.
  • Starting Jan. 4 through the end of J-Term, hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

— Carla Herling, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Generosity of spirit in supporting COVID-19 testing

Throughout this semester, Drake University conducted COVID-19 surveillance testing at no cost to our students.  Surveillance testing through a random sampling method is critically important to prevent outbreaks on campus. Each week, students were randomly chosen to participate.

This program was made possible largely through the efforts of Chris Nickell and Erik Maki. Both Chris and Erik worked with Elise Nikolic and several CPHS students to handle the testing efforts each week. It was through their generosity of spirit and tireless hours of support that kept this program going.

In addition, at the end of the semester, Drake University offered a free COVID-19 test to any student who requested one. More than 1,000 tests were conducted in a six-day period. Wow! By offering this testing at the end of the semester, we are supporting our commitment to the community.

Chris, Erik, and the many others whom supported this program—we are grateful for your time and expertise!

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

News & Achievements Archive

Drake Law team wins national environmental law and policy competition

The Drake Law School team of Bradley Adams and Katherine Leidahl won the inaugural Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Environmental Law & Policy Hack Competition. This national competition is designed to orient students toward the development of creative and impactful environmental policy.

The competition required the submission of a written policy brief, detailing suggestions for the use of vegetative landscapes to combat and mitigate climate change. The Drake Law team’s subject was Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a municipality that has in recent years experienced an extraordinary number of weather events linked to climate change with critical consequences. Adams and Leidahl researched multiple levels of legal background constraints and consulted with a variety of officials and other stakeholders. After a preliminary round of judging based on the briefs, the finals required an oral presentation and defense of the policy recommendations.

The team was awarded a cash prize to be used to help implement the policy concept.

— Theresa Howard, Law School

Campus Announcements Archive

Student Services Center updates

The Student Services Center in Olmsted will operate by appointment only from Nov. 21 through mid-January. Please email studentservices@drake.edu if you need assistance with any of our services.

All parking passes continue to be purchased online through the myDrake portal, and spring only passes will go on sale with a reduced single semester price starting Dec. 1.

Bulldog Bucks can also be added online through the myDrake portal, or by visiting our new off campus merchant website. We encourage you to check out the first wave of local merchants that have signed on to be a part of the Bulldog Bucks program. Any student or employee can add funds to this account (at any time in any amount), and funds can be spent like a gift card either on campus, or at these participating neighborhood businesses.

Card access for employees should not change over break. If you need assistance, or are having trouble with your card access, feel free to email studentservices@drake.edu, so we can research the issue. Most student access will be shut off over break.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

For Students Archive

Pathways for Civic and Social Change mini J-Term program

Drake students are invited to participate in the Pathways for Civic and Social Change mini J-Term program. Through this program, you will:

  • Identify numerous strategies needed to create civic and social change
  • Explore strategies that you are most interested in pursuing during your time in college and beyond
  • Gain resources, tools and advice on how to go about implementing the strategies in Des Moines or back home

Incentives:
Students who complete all requirements of the program will receive a certificate and a Drake Serves T-shirt featuring Griff (while supplies last; sizes and quantities are limited).

Requirements:

  • Attend a 45-minute virtual group Pathways Introductory Workshop (several options of times will be provided)
  • Take the Pathways for Civic and Social Change assessment on your own (approximately 10-15 minutes)
  • Sign up for and attend a 1-1 advising meeting with a trained Community Engagement Peer (approximately 30 minutes)

Registration:
Express interest in the mini J-Term program by Dec. 10 at http://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQJshOzeyw3RUBn. After you register, watch your Drake email for more information on how to attend one of the workshops and schedule a 1-1 advising appointment in January.

Learn more about Pathways: https://www.drake.edu/community/learningservice/studentopportunities/pathways/

Contact:
Amanda Martin, assistant director of Community Engaged Learning, at
amanda.martin@drake.edu.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

For Students Archive

Resident Assistant applications open

If you’re interested in applying to be an RA for the 2021–2022 academic year, read the job description and submit an application by Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

The Drake community encourages development and growth of the whole person: academic, social, physical, emotional, and cultural. The residence halls are a vital part of this learning environment. Resident Assistants (RA’s) have the greatest amount of contact with the students and are crucial and invaluable members of the Drake team. RA’s must be leaders, role models, and resources for their residents; however, just as important, they must be team players that work with and support other staff in their own hall as well as other halls on campus.

— Randy McMullin, Office of Residence Life

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council True Blue nominations

Do you know a staff member or department that is “Called to be True Blue?” An individual or team that goes above and beyond expectations to serve students, colleagues, and the Drake community?

A staff member who is called to be True Blue is someone who:

  1. Epitomizes the values of leadership, teamwork, and integrity, and exhibits their commitment to the Drake community
  2. Has shown others what it takes to get a task or project done, and accomplishes that by working well with others
  3. Is able to be honest and fair in the situations they face
  4. Does all of these things for the betterment of Drake and its values and goals.

If this sounds like someone you know, make your nomination today!

— Amelia Klatt, Alumni Relations/All Staff Council