New podcast leverages IU experts to answer COVID-19 questions
A new podcast launched last week by The Media School and IU Studios features experts from across the university answering questions about COVID-19. The first episodes cover topics including how to handle anxiety and depression in isolation, how to handle your household finances during a recession, and how to find gratitude during the pandemic.
Episodes can be found on the On Topic with IU website or on SoundCloud. Follow On Topic on Twitter and Facebook to learn about upcoming and recent episodes.
Have a question you’d like On Topic to answer? Fill out the “Ask a question” form on the podcast’s website. To suggest an IU expert who can answer COVID-19 questions, send an email to Marah Yankey at mqharbis@iu.edu or Andrea Zeek at anzeek@iu.edu.
Continuing the Conversation webinar series returns Friday
Spring semester’s final webinar from colleagues on how to make online courses successful will take place at noon Friday, April 17.
This Continuing the Conversation webinar is from Lynn Jettpace, a senior lecturer and associate director of the University Writing Center at IUPUI, who will present on “Student-Student Interaction.”
Jettpace will discuss how she used VoiceThread in an assignment to help online students understand the critical element of performance in the study of dramatic texts. She’ll explain how to set up small-group work that meets course goals and is meaningful for students, the pros and cons of using VoiceThread, and student responses to the assignment.
Learn more and register at the IU Online faculty website. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions for accessing the webinar.
If you have any questions or would like to propose a future webinar, contact Gina Londino-Smolar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, at glondino@iupui.edu.
ICYMI: Trustees commend faculty, staff, students
The IU Board of Trustees passed a special resolution Friday commending IU’s faculty, staff and students for their resolve during the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the university to shift its classes online and have everyone working, teaching and learning remotely.
“IU faculty and staff have worked quickly and tirelessly, with great flexibility and positive spirit, to safeguard our campuses and to ensure that students’ academic progress continues unabated,” the resolution reads.
“IU’s more than 100,000 students across the state have demonstrated enormous patience and understanding as their professors and IU staff have worked to make the transition to virtual instruction,” it continues.
Have a question? Human Resources can help
Staff and faculty who have questions about IU’s policies and procedures during the evolving coronavirus situation can find the answers and other helpful resources and information on Human Resources’ COVID-19 webpage.
The page includes information for essential employees and about telecommuting, compensation, recruitment and hiring, among other topics.
Mindfulness, meditation sessions offer respite
Healthy IU is offering 30-minute Mid-Day Mindfulness sessions via Zoom at 12:15 p.m. Thursdays through May 7. They are intended to provide a moment of stillness in the midst of one’s weekday.
Participants are encouraged to have their camera on during the session to promote a sense of community during this time of isolation. All participants except the host will be muted upon entering the session.
Linda Brown, a clinical psychologist at the Bloomington Center for Mindfulness, leads the sessions.
Another opportunity for respite is a 30-minute meditation via Zoom that Nancy Lethem leads at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays.
Each session begins with a short reading, followed by 15 minutes of silent meditation. Brief and basic guidance is given at the beginning. All are welcome.
Lethem is an instructor in practices for mindful living, a presence-based life-transition coach and a facilitator for topical group inquiries. The retired development director for IU’s Kinsey Institute offers her services through Healthy IU.
