At CEI, Ilene works with instructors and departments to (re)design courses for a broad range of learners in a variety of learning spaces. Her consulting interests include universal design for learning; inclusive design; creating authentic discussions, assignments and assessments; selecting and producing learning-centered course materials; and developing “homework” practices that support active learning.
As a consultant and teacher, Ilene also draws on 30 years of research, design, and teaching experience in writing and literature courses; and American, Women’s, and Queer Studies courses at high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Now regularly teaching three Preparing Future Faculty Program courses - Teaching in Higher Education, Teaching for Learning (online), and a Multicultural Inclusive Learning & Teaching Seminar (online) – Ilene draws on interdisciplinary academic work in Political Science (BS), English (MA), and Women’s Studies (MA) at Mankato State, and in American Studies (PhD) at UIowa.
The 2018 book Networked Learning: Reflections and Challenges includes a co-authored chapter on the online multicultural seminar. Also, Ilene co-edited the Center’s Innovative Teaching and Learning book, featuring chapters by 14 instructors from multiple University of Minnesota campuses.
Ilene serves as liaison to:
- College of Education and Human Development (UMTC)
- College of Veterinary Medicine (UMTC)