Redesigning Learning: Faculty Innovations in Online Epidemiology

The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Office of Instructional Design (OID) hosted a showcase celebrating the recipients of the Teaching Innovation Awards. This annual award provides selected faculty with the opportunity to collaborate closely with OID instructional designers throughout the academic year to enhance their courses. The event served as a platform for the recipients to present what they learned and implemented through this partnership by highlighting innovative teaching strategies, course redesigns, and the positive impact on student learning and engagement. 
 
Four School of Public Health courses were recognized this year, including two courses in the Department of Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health: Epidemiology I and Epidemiology II. Both courses are taught by Assistant Professors Heather Essigmann, PhD, Elena Feofanova, PhD, and Audrey Choh, PhD.  

At the Faculty Experience Sharing Session, the Epidemiology faculty team presented their teaching strategies and outcomes to colleagues and leadership, introducing a series of interactive, inclusive teaching methods that improved student engagement, accessibility, and outcomes in their asynchronous courses. Their presentation highlighted the key techniques that contributed to student success and the evolution of online epidemiology instruction. 

 
The team focused on addressing the unique challenges of online learning by building course elements that promote active participation and critical thinking. One of their standout innovations was the use of H5P technology, which allowed them to embed interactive questions directly into lecture videos hosted on Canvas. Students could engage with the content in real time, answer embedded questions, and receive immediate feedback. These videos were also ADA-compliant, featuring closed captions and accessible formatting for screen readers and color contrast standards. 
 
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with over 80% reporting that the interactive videos enhanced their learning and understanding of course goals. One student shared, “The interactive videos made the course content much more engaging and easier to connect with. I was able to actively participate instead of just passively watching.” 
 
Another key innovation was the Epi Connections discussion series in Epidemiology I. This structured, semester-long activity guided students through designing epidemiologic studies and analyzing health outcomes based on real-world scenarios. Students engaged with one another by choosing topics of interest, debating study designs, and exploring methods such as cohort and case-control approaches. “I liked the Epi Connections because it made me uncomfortable,” one student reflected. “But once I finished them, I felt I learned more than from the lectures or homework.” 
 
To further strengthen practical application, the faculty introduced hands-on learning components in both courses. Epidemiology I included STATA statistical software labs with step-by-step video walkthroughs, while Epidemiology II offered a fully online field study. These components allowed students to fulfill data collection and analysis competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health. 
 
Accessibility was a priority throughout the course redesign process. All materials met Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and followed principles of universal design to support a wide range of learners. 
 
The event not only celebrated the achievements of the award recipients but also can be used for expanding the school’s hybrid and remote learning offerings by demonstrating how thoughtful course design and collaboration can create consistent learning experiences that encourage active learning, promote educational efficiency, and enhance overall student success.  

The Faculty Experience Sharing Session also featured two Teaching Innovation Award presentations for courses from the Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences department and the Biostatistics department.