After moving to fully virtual learning last spring, Dustin York, EdD, was inspired to take his courses to the next level. His online and hybrid courses for the fall semester are taught from his in-home studio and create a dynamic learning environment.

BY TIM FOX

Associate professor of communication Dustin York, EdD, has many talents. Sitting still is not one of them. When York found himself stuck at home teaching classes through Zoom during the pandemic, he knew something had to give. “It was tough,” he said. “I missed the engagement with my students.”

York rode out the semester, but when summer came, he and Maryville media production specialist Travis Lufsey went to work. They built a studio in York’s home — a moving camera, a stationary camera, two computers, a 42-inch television monitor and lighting — and started revolutionizing the online teaching format.

“One computer runs the software, called Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS,” York explained. “It’s available for free over the internet. The other computer is connected to the television. It lets me see my students’ facial expressions.”

In York’s synchronous virtual class, students who log in early see a pre-made video of him describing that day’s subject matter. He stands and moves about throughout the presentation. “It’s like a trailer for a movie,” he said.

Once class starts, York spends five minutes in front of the moving camera discussing current events. When he takes his seat behind the stationary camera, the magic starts.

“I use Zoom’s chat feature to re-create the feel of a real classroom,” he said. “I’ll ask a question, and if students agree, they type ‘1.’ If they disagree, they type ‘2.’ And if they agree or disagree strongly, they can type a lot of ‘1’s’ or ‘2’s.’ It’s an easy way for students to engage, and they get competitive with it. The number system has been a true ‘win.’”

York found inspiration for his Zoom-on-steroids approach in professionally produced news programs and social media platforms, especially the gaming platform Twitch.

“Twitch takes gaming and turns it into a broadcast. I’ve taken Twitch and turned it into education,” York said.

York suspects some may be skeptical of his approach at first, but he knows the fast-paced broadcast format keeps his students’ attention, which helps them learn — and they feel less isolated behind their computers because of the social media-inspired engagement.

“Seeing how these techniques can be used in my class inspires them to explore web-based video production techniques while they learn my course’s content,” he said. “Zoom is not going away,” York concluded. “My class is not a Band-Aid. It’s an amplifier of education.”

For more information, and to view one of York’s virtual classes, visit his YouTube channel.