How do we design authentic assessments that ask students to create, reflect, and apply what they have learned?

In Season 2, Episode 1 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore faculty responses to the question: “In an age where course materials are freely available online, test banks circulate widely, and generative AI tools reshape how students access knowledge—how do we design assignments that genuinely foster learning?”

Listen as Rachel Fikslin, Ph.D., Lecturer in Psychology, talks about how she designs assessments to keep students motivated and to encourage them to bring their whole selves into their work. We will also hear from Meghan Caulfield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, who will highlight the importance of authenticity to create student engagement while completing assignments. Finally, Sara Fieldston, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of History, will discuss the documentary film project and New York City blog she asks her students to develop, teaching her students real-world skills in a new way.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Innovate and Educate, coming the fourth Thursday in October!

Key topics + time stamps 
Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-02:30] 

Rachel Fikslin, Ph.D., Lecturer in Psychology [02:31-09:21

Meghan Caulfield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology [09:25-14:31] 

Sara Fieldston, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of History, [14:36-21:02]

Episode Wrap-up [21:03-22:04] 
 
Resources 
Rachel Fikslin, Ph.D.: Contact Information

• Gender Autobiography project

Meghan Caulfield, Ph.D.:  Contact Information

• Personal Branding Video project description

Sara Fieldston, Ph.D.: Contact Information

• History of New York City blog

Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website 
Email address: tltc@shu.edu