Ashley Jordan, Ph.D.

Welcome

My name is Ashley C. Jordan. I am originally from Austin, TX (the live music capital of the world!) I received my undergraduate degree from Texas State University where I majored in Psychology. I have a master's degree in Developmental Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, where I took full advantage of having a beach just 10 minutes from my home! I then moved to Tucson, AZ where I received my Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies in 2012. I have identical twin (12-year-old) girls who keep me on my toes and have put much of my "book learning" to the test with real world applications!

Research Interests

My primary research interests revolve around the scholarship of teaching and learning in online contexts in Higher Education. Specifically, I am interested in how pedagogical practices and technologies can be used and incorporated in an online environment in order to enhance student engagement with the instructor, with peers, and with course material. My ultimate goal is to increase student success: meaning better learning (evidenced through higher grades), and better retention (evidenced through graduation rates and time to degree).

Teaching

As an Associate Professor of Practice and Director of Online Education, my teaching philosophy centers on fostering a learning environment that is humanizing, barrier-free, and grounded in real-world applicability. I aim to create an engaging and inclusive educational experience through evidence-based methods that support students academically and personally, especially in an online format where students can often feel disconnected.

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Humanizing education is at the core of my approach. In large online courses, I use personalized video feedback and proactive outreach based on engagement analytics to build connections with students, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Sharing personal stories relevant to course content has also proven powerful. These efforts have led to meaningful interactions with students, many of whom feel more connected to the material and supported in their learning.

Removing barriers to education is another key tenet. Recognizing that many students face financial challenges, I have restructured courses to use free resources and open-access materials, creating entirely textbook-free classes when possible. I also apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, offering materials in multiple formats like videos, podcasts, and text, allowing students to engage with content in ways that suit their individual learning styles.

Finally, I emphasize real-world application to prepare students for life beyond academia. Through assignments that build skills like critical thinking and technology proficiency, students develop competencies that extend beyond the classroom. My Professional Development course, designed specifically to meet experiential learning criteria, equips students with career-readiness skills they can leverage immediately after graduation.

In all, my teaching philosophy reflects a commitment to student-centered learning, using innovative strategies to nurture student success within and beyond my courses.

Updated 10/28/2024