engaging-exploration-virtual
What is Virtual Engaging Exploration (VEE)?
VEE is a 4-day bootcamp for faculty who are new to active learning that is focused on teaching online courses. It is held once each summer.
- You'll dive in with a look at the benefits of student-centered learning in an online environment, review several active learning techniques, demonstrate how to incorporate them into your online classes, and learn to assess your teaching effectiveness.
- The capstone is a 20-minute teaching tidbit presentation which you prepare and present, and ends with a group discussion and feedback session.
Virtual Engaging Exploration is a deep dive into active learning that will keep you engaged from start to finish and leave you with a toolkit you can immediately apply to elevate your teaching of online classes.
Why Take Virtual Engaging Exploration?
Virtual Engaging Exploration is a transformation of EE that focuses on techniques and strategies designed for online classes. We have identified online teaching as an area where TLC can offer support in conjunction with the programming provided by SHSU Online. Our TLC team developed the curriculum for the Engaging Exploration workshop series, and focuses on:
- Outlining the importance & benefits of inclusive teaching
- Highlighting education research on active learning
- Introducing several active learning techniques
- Offering guidelines on integrating these techniques in online courses
- Modeling effective assessment
- Supporting discussions about effective teaching practices for synchronous and asynchronous online classes
- Discovering available Blackboard tools and SHSU resources
- Supporting collaboration in an online environment
For an immersive experience, this bootcamp is presented online, and is very hands-on, with student-centered learning techniques in action throughout the workshop. The curriculum is delivered through activities such as
- reflective writing
- planning
- reading
- a discussion of teaching methods and philosophy, and
- interactive presentations.
How Will I Benefit from Taking VEE?
By the end of the 4-day Virtual Engaging Exploration workshop, you will observe, evaluate and collect a portfolio of innovative teaching approaches, instructional materials, and practical strategies for enhancing student learning you can immediately apply to your teaching environments. It's also an opportunity to share ideas and techniques with colleagues and network during the bootcamp.
The workshop is supported by a Lead Facilitator (Caleb Hubbard, CHSS), Associate Director of Development, TLC (Adannaa Alexander, Public Health) and the Director of Course Design & Development, SHSU Online (Patrick Smith, SHSU Online).
A $500 stipend will be awarded to eligible participants upon successful completion of the workshop. Refer to Sam Houston State University's stipend policy for eligibility requirements.
co-facilitator applications
Co-Facilitator applications are open beginning November 1 until November 30, 2026.
Interested in Attending?
Applications for summer 2027 will open in December, 2026.
Contact the TLC
Visit Us
The Teaching & Learning Center, 1901 Avenue I, The College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS) Building, Suite C002, Huntsville, TX 77340
Mailing: The Teaching & Learning Center, Box 2390, Huntsville, TX 77341-2390