'Pop-up Courses' Provide Short-Term Learning Experiences at Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College, a private Catholic institution in Vermont, is updating its curriculum with a new "pop-up" course format. The courses are meant to "create a space for educated discussion between students and their instructors" about timely issues or interests that aren't being accommodated in the traditional curriculum, according to a news announcement.

The pop-up courses are offered for 0-1 credits and are pass/fail, providing a short-term learning experience without the pressure of grades. The college is currently offering two pop-ups:

  • A course on issues of diversity, inclusion and leadership on college campuses, offered by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion; and
  • Thriving in a Digital World, a course on using technology and being safe online, taught by staffers in the IT department.

"Higher education hasn't been too creative or responsive to students' needs and interests, and we need to be," said Karen Talentino, vice president of academic affairs, in a statement. She added that students are allowed to propose their own ideas for courses, which helps ensure the topics are relevant and innovative.

Talentino noted that a number of other institutions are implementing the pop-up approach, including Bennington College (VT) and Stanford University (CA).

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • digital bookshelf displayed on a computer screen

    OverDrive, Ex Libris Integration Streamlines Discovery of Digital Content

    OverDrive, a provider of digital resources for schools and libraries, has announced an integration with library management provider Ex Libris that will allow academic institutions to discover the former's e-books and audiobooks within the Alma and Primo library services platforms.

  • Two shadowy figures sit at computers with glowing screens, surrounded by floating digital codes in a dark, high-tech environment

    Reports Note Increasing Threat of Nation-State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks

    A bevy of new cybersecurity reports point to the continuing problem of nation-state-sponsored threat actors. The primary culprits have long been Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, which all show up in recently published reports from Microsoft, IBM, Tenable, and Fortinet.

  • minimalist bookcase filled with textbooks featuring vibrant, solid-colored spines with no text, and a prominent number "25" displayed on one of the shelves

    OpenStax Celebrates 25th Anniversary

    OpenStax is celebrating its 25th anniversary as 2024 comes to a close. The open educational resources initiative from Rice University has served almost 37 million students in 153 countries and saved students nearly $3 billion in course material costs since its launch in 1999.

  • Two figures, one male and one female, stand beside a transparent digital interface displaying AI symbols like neural networks, code, and a shield, against a clean blue gradient background.

    Report Makes Business Case for Responsible AI

    A new report commissioned by Microsoft and published last month by research firm IDC notes that 91% of organizations use AI tech and expect more than a 24% improvement in customer experience, business resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency due to AI in 2024.