MAC Talks - Instructional Design Podcast

In this episode of MAC Talks, host Claire Wilkison teams up with special guests Claudette Jackson (Director of Accommodations & Title IX) and Katie Vise (Accommodations Coordinator) to dive into the real, raw, and sometimes hilarious truths about digital accessibility in higher education.

They share powerful "aha" moments—from navigating accommodations for students with disabilities to personal reflections on burnout and self-advocacy. The crew unpacks the new DOJ ruling on accessibility, what it really means for faculty and students, and how institutions can support inclusive design without losing their creative spark.

You'll hear:

• Personal stories that flip the script on how we see disability and accommodation

• Eye-opening insights on why font size and color contrast aren't just design details—they’re access points

• Straight talk on what the DOJ accessibility ruling actually changes (spoiler: it’s more mindset than monster)

• Tools, tips, and PD opportunities MCC is rolling out to support faculty—no Comic Sans allowed

Whether you're an accessibility pro or just starting the journey, this episode brings a blend of wit, wisdom, and warm-hearted advocacy that reminds us: when we design for access, everyone wins.

Looking to freshen up your classroom? Join us as Jessica Hobbs shares how podcasting has transformed her teaching approach. In this conversation, Jessica explains how replacing traditional essays with audio projects has engaged her students in ways she never expected.

Learn how podcasts have helped her students:

• Connect classroom assignments to real-world applications
• Express themselves authentically while working effectively with peers
• Develop digital communication skills valued in today's workforce
• Approach literature and research with renewed interest

Jessica's students are creating everything from historical narratives to community-focused content. If you're wondering how to modernize your teaching methods, this discussion offers practical insights into the educational potential of podcasting.

Designed for educators who want to enhance their teaching toolkit without compromising learning outcomes. See how audio projects might work in your classroom.

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Sullwold, a tech-savvy educator from MCC’s Computer Information Systems department, to talk all things Hyflex teaching, cybersecurity, and AI in education. From web development to cybersecurity, Joshua’s classroom is a digital playground—except when Hyflex makes things a little chaotic.

We explore the challenges and strategies of Hyflex teaching, including the art of balancing in-person and online students without leaving anyone in the digital dust. Plus, we dive into AI’s role in education, from generating discussion prompts to predicting assignment difficulties—because who doesn’t want a little AI-powered magic in their workflow?

And if you’ve ever wondered about the future of AI (spoiler: it’s not taking over just yet), Joshua shares his thoughts on where the tech is heading and how educators can prepare.

Tune in for an insightful, engaging, and tech-forward conversation that might just change the way you think about teaching in the digital age!

Hosts:

John Ghazzagh - Coordinator, Instructional Design

TJ Waldie - Instructional Application Specialist

Welcome to 2025! The Instructional Design and Innovation team return with what they think are the top Instructional Design and Technology trends in Higher Education for 2025 are and what they think that means for McLennan Community College. Episode Breakdown 1-14 minutes : Icebreaker, getting to know Krystal our newest Instructional Designer. 15-46 Minutes: John, Claire, TJ and Krystal talk about trends in Instructional Design like A.I., Gamification, Collaborative Learning and more.

Hosts:

• John Ghazzagh, Coordinator Instructional Design
• Claire Wilkison, Instructional Designer
• Krystal Garcia, Instructional Designer
• TJ Waldie, Instructional Application Specialist

This episode of MAC Talks is a resource for our Accessibility Law Professional Development course. You don't have to take it to listen though!

This episode has been generated entirely by Google's NotebookLM AI software. https://notebooklm.google.com/

To learn more about Accessibility Law or Google's NotebookLM reach out to us at online@mclennan.edu

In this special episode of MAC Talks, we have 3 special guests: Czech exchange students that are taking classes and working at MCC!

These amazing students share their experiences here in the US and at McLennan Community College.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Michaela McCown, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, and Kristen Cook, Research Librarian, as we delve into the world of embedded librarianship on MAC Talks. As online education continues to grow, librarians are stepping out from behind the stacks and into virtual classrooms. Discover how this collaborative approach between librarians and faculty is transforming research support and enriching the online learning landscape.
In this Episode:

John Ghazzagh - Instructional Designer

Michaela McCown - Associate Professor

Kristen Cook - Research Librarian

Christopher Morris talks about being a new instructor in Higher Ed, adding comedy to the classroom (and to the podcast!), the challenges of teaching Hyflex and continuously growing.

If you're interested in us covering a topic  about course design, or if you'd like to guest star...or both, shoot us  an email: online@mclennan.edu

Christopher Morris - Associate Professor

Claire Wilkison, Instructional Designer

John Ghazzagh, Instructional Designer

TJ Waldie, Instructional Technologist

Instructional Designers - Connect with us on our Discord Network!

MCC Instructional Design and Innovation Website Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mcc_idi/

In this episode of Mac Talks, Instructional Designers Katherine, John, Claire and Instructional Technologist TJ talk about A.I. in higher education and what to look for this school year.

We also discuss Katherine's last day at MCC. If you're interested in us covering a topic  about course design, or if you'd like to guest star...or both, shoot us  an email: online@mclennan.edu Katherine Franker, Instructional Designer

John Ghazzagh, Instructional Designer

Claire Wilkison, Instructional Designer

TJ Waldie, Instructional Technologist

Instructional Designers - Connect with us on our Discord Network!

MCC Instructional Design and Innovation Website Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mcc_idi/

What is OER?  What about the quality of OER content? How do I get started? In this episode of MAC Talks, we speak to members of our OER working group Nick Webb and Mary Sides.  They share their insights and experiences on how they have successfully implemented OER in their curriculum, resulting in increased access to quality educational materials and cost savings for students. Join us as we delve into the world of open educational resources and learn about the positive impact they are having on higher education. 

OER Working Group at McLennan Community College 

Kristen Cook 

Jessica Zbeida

 Yolanda Gonzalez

 Mary Sides 

Nick Webb

 John Ghazzagh

 Host John Ghazzagh 

Guests :Nick Webb and Mary Sides

 Music by MCC student, Brandon Ecord 

Links: 

OER Texas for material and more information : https://oertx.highered.texas.gov/

 OER Texas MCC Faculty and Staff Group: https://oertx.highered.texas.gov/groups/mcc-faculty-staff-oer-group/1303/ 

OpenStax OER repository: https://openstax.org/ Creative Commons : https://creativecommons.org/