2U : “Back to School” Inspiration from Top Educators in Degree Programs, Boot Camps, and Short Courses

This August, many educators from across our portfolio of degree programs, boot camps, and short courses will use the traditional 'back to school' month to reflect on how they can best adapt their online classroom experience to meet the evolving needs of their students. Read on to learn what drives top teaching professionals and their advice for engaging learners.

John Desrosiers, coding boot camp instructor at University of California at San Diego:

'Instructor excellence means putting students at the top of my priority list. It means carefully observing students to see what approaches receive the most engagement. It means pushing students to take risks and extend themselves to find new limits.' Learn more.

Dr. Karin Yeatts, associate professor and Applied Epidemiology concentration faculty lead at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

'We don't want to just be preparing students to address the problems we already have. We also want to get them thinking about what the next problem might be.' Learn more.

Alvin Tillery, associate professor and founding director of Northwestern University's Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy:

'Our nation's current reckoning over the racial inequalities that have defined us for the past 400 years will require campus leaders to put their values out front and take risks that will actually promote change. In short, it will take courageous leadership.' Learn more.

Dennis Lowe, professor at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology:

'If students feel like what's going on in their course connects with where they are emotionally and what they're experiencing on a day-to-day basis, it makes it more meaningful and more relevant.' Learn more.

Dartanion Williams, data analytics boot camp instructor at George Washington University:

'It is important to show appreciation for the sacrifices that the students make to be successful in the boot camp program. Most students have to come up with ways to juggle work, friends, family, fitness, hobbies, and other aspects of life to remain committed to the program.' Learn more.

Aoife Brophy, academic director and departmental research lecturer for the Climate Emergency Programme at Oxford University's Saïd Business School:

'I'm convinced that we can provide a better future for everyone on this planet if we learn to respect nature. I'm most passionate about the climate emergency because it opens doors for new ways of working together-working across countries and cultures, business, and government.' Learn more.