Sher Downing

Sher Downing is Executive Director for Online Academic Services in the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She has over twenty-five years experience in post-secondary education, serving at senior administrative levels at several post-secondary institutions including private, community college and university campuses. She has spent the last sixteen years launching online schools and programs, overseeing the design and development of academic, administrative and student services in a virtual environment. She has also served as senior online faculty and curriculum development specialist for several colleges and universities and as a private consultant for specialized degree programs.

Dr. Downing’s research focus is the transition of faculty from the traditional classroom to online and hybrid instruction. She has served as a national presenter and author and been active in numerous eLearning groups including USDLA, WAOE, and eGuild. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree, both with specializations in Instructional Design for Online Learning, from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. She recently completed a post-doctoral Master of Legal Studies degree at ASU, focusing on eLearning issues of intellectual property and is a 2010 Fellow, Arizona Program for Policy, Ethics & Education Leadership, APPEEL, professional development program. At ASU, she is a member of CLFSA, the Alumni Association, , Law Alumni Association, Women & Philanthropy and an Obama Scholar Mentor.

 Jodi Menees

Jodi Menees has taught online for private and proprietary schools for over six years. She earned her doctorate online, giving her experience as both an online student and faculty member. Dr. Menees was one of the faculty members chosen to test and implement a synchronous online teaching platform and methodology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Blackboard is the system she has the most experience with in her own teaching; she has used most of the available functions in her own classes and can demonstrate those for WPC faculty.Dr. Menees’ research focus has been on discussion-based learning in the online classroom, writing effective discussion board questions, composing test questions that assess learning in the higher level cognitive domains, outcome based assessments, learner centered online course design and backwards course design.