Creative Teaching: Community, Connection, and Experiential Learning in Zoom and Asynchronous Classes

Professor Chelsea Ray

French/Humanities

University of Maine at Augusta

FDC Talk May 2026

Outline of talk

1. My teaching background in distance learning: French, English composition, Humanities and literature courses
2. Connecting with the whole student and his/her/their lived experiences (both in and out of the classroom)
3. Easy strategies to implement
4. Assessment strategies (bonus: guards against AI)
5. In person special events
1. Crepe making
2. Annual immersion weekend on Augusta campus
3. Quebec travel course (every other Summer Session I)
6. Building community in the distance classroom (two distant French students share their experiences)
7. Questions: in the chat or in person

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Time management & stress reduction

Mental Health Resources under “Student Resources” module

WASHINGTON POST article ��

Booking page makes it easy to schedule and reschedule

How to create an audio note

• https://video.maine.edu/media/FDC+talk+how+to+make+audio+note--FINAL/1_41gkh6wy

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Making crepes in the classroom

Teaching how to make crepes and learning the words in French

Annual French immersion weekend

Storytelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo

UMA/UMF joint course to �Quebec City

Québec’s Museum of Civilization �

Students could choose the tour in French or English.

French language distance students discuss experiences

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• Connie Holden, UMA Professor of Developmental Math and Science
• Took FRE 101, 102, 103, 203, 204, 305, and 306 as a distance synchronous student; participated in immersion weekend Fall 2024, 2025
• Kiersten Boisvert, major: Library Science and Information Technology & French minor
• Took FRE 203, 204, 305 as a distance synchronous student
• Participated in the Quebec travel course, May 2025

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A woman asking a question in French