Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

App State’s shift to online platforms creates new opportunities

View larger image

Appalachian State University's Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Frye, associate professor of reading and language arts in the Reich College of Education, center, facilitates a session of the Anderson Reading Clinic via Zoom. Photo by Marie Freeman

“I believe we’ll emerge from this (COVID-19) situation awakened to new possibilities and equipped with new abilities that will strengthen our university.”

Dr. Greg McCandless, assistant professor of music theory in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music

By Megan Bruffy
Posted April 13, 2020 at 4 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — In late March, Appalachian State University moved to virtual modes of learning due to concerns posed by COVID-19. Faculty and staff across campus have been simultaneously re-creating related, on-campus academic experiences — everything from thesis defenses to a reading clinic — through online platforms.

The university converted 2,600 courses from face-to-face instruction to online learning, and the university’s Center for Academic Excellence has provided assistance for faculty through this transition — reaching nearly 600 faculty in one week with more than 50 workshops, support and training sessions.

View larger image

Peaches Hash, a doctoral candidate in the educational leadership program of Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education and a faculty member in the university’s Department of English, defends, via Zoom, her dissertation, “ARTiculation: Expressive Arts-based Curriculum in the Composition Classroom.” Photo submitted

Many faculty members report being excited about the opportunities presented by online learning.

“I believe we’ll emerge from this (COVID-19) situation awakened to new possibilities and equipped with new abilities that will strengthen our university.”

Dr. Greg McCandless, assistant professor of music theory in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music

Dr. Greg McCandless, assistant professor of music theory in the university’s Hayes School of Music, said there are online benefits that cannot be re-created in person. For instance, in an online setting, students can submit questions throughout an entire class period, allowing McCandless to “pick and choose which to answer and when, creating a more open environment with more student participation and a net gain in critical thinking,” he said.

Additionally, he said the option to record live classes is beneficial for students because they can listen to any portion of the class again in order to revisit specific topics.

“Both students and instructors will become more tech savvy, and I believe we’ll emerge from this situation awakened to new possibilities and equipped with new abilities that will strengthen our university,” McCandless added.

View larger image

Pictured via screenshot, Neyralit Garcia Panchi, a student at the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, a K–5 public laboratory school located in Walkertown, North Carolina, participates in a virtual Anderson Reading Clinic session in April. Garcia Panchi was encouraged to share a poem she had written, and then clinic facilitators discussed various elements of her poem. Image by Marie Freeman

Here are more examples of how the university’s departments and colleges are using technology and virtual platforms to create a new experience for Appalachian students:

  • Online thesis defense. Graduate students, such as Reich College of Education (RCOE) doctoral candidate Peaches Hash, are defending their thesis or dissertation via the Zoom video communications platform. Hash recently defended her dissertation, “ARTiculation: Expressive Arts-based Curriculum in the Composition Classroom,” in front of a committee through a video call. Additionally, all undergraduate thesis defenses in the Honors College will be held online.
  • Anderson Reading Clinic. The clinic, which is housed in the RCOE, has organized a Virtual Pen Pal Project. Through daily email communication, children — including those enrolled as K–5 students at the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork in Walkertown, North Carolina — are invited to engage in authentic reading and writing in order to communicate with their virtual pen pals, who are Appalachian undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in reading education courses. The clinic is also providing daily, interactive literacy casts — live video meetings — for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. Through these literacy casts, children explore and create books, poetry and comics. In connection with these literacy casts, the clinic has created digital libraries and online bulletin boards through the Padlet app where children can publish and read the books, poems and comics they create. All of these resources can be found on the Anderson Reading Clinic blog.
  • Graphic design capstone project. Graduating graphic design seniors in the Department of Art, who were originally preparing for their capstone exhibition at the end of the semester, are now collaboratively designing a “book as exhibition” as a way to disseminate their research-based design projects in a new format. They plan to host a virtual launch when the book is completed.
View larger image

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is hosting the 2020 annual Climate Stories Showcase via the @ASUclimatestories Instagram account (homepage pictured). The showcase will feature student insights on climate change through a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, theatrical performance, videography, photography, design, narrative nonfiction and poetry. Photo by Megan Bruffy

  • Climate Stories Showcase. The university’s College of Fine and Applied Arts hosts an annual in-person Climate Stories Showcase that features student insights on climate change through a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, theatrical performance, videography, photography, design, narrative nonfiction and poetry. This year’s showcase will take place via the @ASUclimatestories Instagram account beginning April 15.
  • Technology. Many students need access to special software and physical equipment to complete their studies. The Hayes School of Music has shipped keyboards to music students. Information Technology Services (ITS) is using uDesk, a virtual desktop environment, to allow students who need access to special software to log in to machines on campus that have it installed. Tung Ong ’90 ’99, the Walker College of Business' dedicated computing consultant, said, “Our ITS staff is working hard to ensure our students can connect to our labs virtually.”
  • y(our) Story. In lieu of an in-person event, the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services hosted a virtual premiere — via YouTube and Facebook — of “y(OUR) Story,” a mental health show featuring stories submitted and performed by the campus community. y(OUR) Story 2020 premiere archive
  • Recorded content. Several professors in the College of Arts and Sciences are using video to simulate classroom experiences. Dr. Sarah Carmichael, geochemist and professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences (GES), filmed petrology samples, as they would have been seen by students under the microscope. Senior lecturer Brian Zimmer and visiting assistant professor Dr. Hannah Riegel, both of the GES department, filmed field mapping work their students would have experienced throughout the semester.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Center for Academic Excellence
Center for Academic Excellence

The Center for Academic Excellence is Appalachian State University's lead teaching and learning resource for faculty, staff and students. It was formed in 2016 by combining the staff and resources from Learning Technology Services and Faculty and Academic Development into a single, comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and learning and supporting faculty and student success. Among its services, the center provides support for teaching innovation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, learning technologies and professional development for faculty and staff.

Learn more
2020 Climate Stories Showcase: Digital Exhibition on Instagram
Apr
15
↓
→
May
15
2020 Climate Stories Showcase: Digital Exhibition on Instagram

Climate Stories Collaborative

Begins April 15
Instagram @ASUclimatestories

The Climate Stories Collaborative invites members of our campus and community to follow our third annual showcase of student climate stories works on Instagram. This showcase was initially planned as an in-person exhibition/event, but the rapidly developing global pandemic eliminated that possibility.

Learn more
Mountaineers moving mountains
Mountaineers moving mountains

Appalachian State University’s faculty and staff are transitioning events and experiences to online platforms and developing new ways for Mountaineers to connect.

Learn more

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“I believe we’ll emerge from this (COVID-19) situation awakened to new possibilities and equipped with new abilities that will strengthen our university.”

Dr. Greg McCandless, assistant professor of music theory in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music

Center for Academic Excellence
Center for Academic Excellence

The Center for Academic Excellence is Appalachian State University's lead teaching and learning resource for faculty, staff and students. It was formed in 2016 by combining the staff and resources from Learning Technology Services and Faculty and Academic Development into a single, comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and learning and supporting faculty and student success. Among its services, the center provides support for teaching innovation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, learning technologies and professional development for faculty and staff.

Learn more
2020 Climate Stories Showcase: Digital Exhibition on Instagram
Apr
15
↓
→
May
15
2020 Climate Stories Showcase: Digital Exhibition on Instagram

Climate Stories Collaborative

Begins April 15
Instagram @ASUclimatestories

The Climate Stories Collaborative invites members of our campus and community to follow our third annual showcase of student climate stories works on Instagram. This showcase was initially planned as an in-person exhibition/event, but the rapidly developing global pandemic eliminated that possibility.

Learn more
Mountaineers moving mountains
Mountaineers moving mountains

Appalachian State University’s faculty and staff are transitioning events and experiences to online platforms and developing new ways for Mountaineers to connect.

Learn more

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Faculty and Staff
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
  • 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
    12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat