Bellevue Professor Who Pioneered Online Learning Now Improves Gen Ed Coursework
Online learning wasn’t an option when Dr. Tony Jasnowski began teaching writing in 1993. Now, as he nears retirement, Jasnowski is an expert in both online teaching and learning design.
Jasnowski recently completed a comprehensive redesign of the General Education online writing courses in collaboration with Gloria Lessmann, chair of the English area, and other Bellevue University writing professors.
“We evaluated the three courses as a whole experience rather than standalone courses," Jasnowski explained. “That led us to focusing on the process of writing rather than expecting students to write perfectly in the first course.”
In the new General Education writing sequence each course builds on the last. Students learn the writing process along with important tools and skills. Jasnowski said this powerful combination gives students the confidence to be effective communicators in work situations and everyday life.
“Most importantly, students reach the point where they write something they are proud of and is meaningful to them,” he added.
Jasnowski describes the writing process as habits of “the mind of a writer.” These habits include:
• Be open — Stop and think; consider all points of view; challenge yourself to think from all sides versus jumping in right away.
• Be obsessive — Don’t settle; push for the harder answer; never be satisfied.
• Be empathetic — Put yourself in the reader’s shoes; ask: ‘Why would they read this? Why would they care?
• Be patient — Slow down so you have time to explore; don’t rush just to get it done.
These habits are easy to understand but take practice to apply. And, there are always challenges along the way.
“Writing courses are part of General Education requirements for students who are just starting undergraduate studies,” Jasnowski said. “Teaching General Education can be particularly challenging. Students are required to learn subjects that may not be in their particular area of study. Yet effective writing is a crucial capability for success in all undergraduate courses and the working world.”
Another challenge is that Bellevue University students are very busy people, often working over 50 hours a week between jobs and home life. Jasnowski never wants to waste their learning time. Plus, students come to Bellevue University from a variety of educational backgrounds. “Our learning activities must align with all skill levels,” Jasnowski said.
The General Education writing sequence innovations required faculty to rethink how they teach. “Interestingly, all of us who teach writing had to ‘unlearn’ a few things,” Jasnowski laughed. “We were used to trying to prevent students from making mistakes. Now, it’s not about getting everything right but instead, giving feedback and looking for improvements.”
Jasnowski’s experience made him well-suited to serve on the Bellevue University Academic Assessment Committee for several years. This committee demonstrates a University-wide commitment to evaluating the effectiveness of all degree programs. “We help faculty in all of our colleges set meaningful goals and methodologies to improve, and evaluate, student learning outcomes,” Jasnowski explained. “The committee serves as a peer-to-peer effort for continuous improvement.”
Jasnowski recently retired from Bellevue University after teaching writing for more than 30 years. He said the reason he’s thrived throughout his career is because of the students, faculty, staff, and the university’s culture of innovation,
Jasnowski cites American novelist Mary Flannery O’Connor as one inspiration for his philosophy on writing. She is quoted as saying, “But there is a certain grain of stupidity that the writer of fiction cannot do without, and that is the quality of having to stare, of not getting the point at once.”
“Teaching people not to hurry and to explore outside of their comfort zone is ultimately how a writer’s very best work is done. Watching students struggle with that and then achieve success is a big reason why I have loved teaching,” he said.