Open SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2020: Alfred State – Jill Amati

Jill Amati is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Alfred State College.  She teaches a variety of anthropology and sociology courses in the classroom and online.

Higher education has changed extensively in the last few decades, and students are looking for affordable ways to get professional training that allows them to have their days free to work inside and outside the home.  As a result, online learning has become more prevalent at colleges and universities across the country. The classroom is not the only place where professional and academic education occurs, and I, like many faculty, am exploring innovative ways to teach and engage in new pedagogical theory.   At the same time I share many of my colleagues’ commitment to the traditional role of universities and strive to keep academic rigor and integrity in my classes. I am engaged in online learning and work hard to find a balance between the two. Embracing the challenges and opportunities of online education has helped me to adapt to the changes in my students while staying connected to the foundation of my profession and discipline.