From Lecture Hall to Learning Community
Building Inclusive Engagement in Higher Education
How Ashlee Tietje, an undergraduate biology lecturer at Butler University, used Curipod to transform a 50-student lecture into an interactive, inclusive learning experience — where every student has a voice.
From Lecture Hall to Learning Community
Ashlee Tietje, an undergraduate biology lecturer at Butler University, knew that teaching a lecture-heavy course of nearly 50 students came with challenges. “My biggest thing is trying to keep students engaged during a lecture,” she explained. “I have a lot of content to get through during a short period of time.”
Her teaching philosophy has always balanced structure with heart. “If I could be any teacher, I'd be an amalgamation of Ms. Frizzle and Miss Honey,” she said. But even with nearly two decades of experience, she wanted to keep finding new ways to make sure every student in her classroom participated, felt included, and had their voice heard.
The turning point came after a campus panel on inclusive teaching, where students shared ideas about building classrooms where everyone is seen and heard. They suggested interactive polling — a small spark that set Ashlee on a path to discover Curipod. What she found went far beyond polls. It gave her the tools to transform her lecture hall into a true learning community.
Ashlee Tietje
Butler Higher Ed
Active Learning at Scale
For Ashlee, Curipod quickly became more than just a polling tool. It transformed the rhythm of her lectures, giving students a voice from the very start. Each class began with a lighthearted question of the day — sometimes a poll, sometimes a drawing challenge — and students eagerly voted on their favorites.
Interactive polling — students vote on lighthearted questions
Drawing challenges in biology — students sketch and learn together
“At the beginning of class, we have a question of the day… a poll… or a drawing question… then we voted on the best pictures.
— Ashlee Tietje, Undergraduate Biology Lecturer
Feedback at Scale in a 50-Student Lecture
AI-Powered Feedback for Every Student
“With a class of about 40 some students, I can't directly respond to every single student. AI feedback can give them an idea of where they are and what they need to work on.”
— Ashlee TietjeEvery Student Has a Place
“Curipod… helped make sure my lessons are engaging and making sure everyone is involved and participating in class and feel like they have a place.”
— Ashlee TietjeCommunity Building
“Everybody in the class got to see everybody's compliments. That family dynamic is what we're going for.”
— Ashlee TietjeJoy in Complex Lessons
From labeling DNA structures to debating polypeptide models, students weren't just memorizing — they were learning together, out loud.
— Course evaluation resultsA Transformation Confirmed by Students
Ashlee reports that Curipod has “really changed how I teach this past year.” Students who once passively listened in a lecture now actively contribute through polls, drawings, and interactive tasks.
“It engages students on the intellectual side and the content side, in developing inclusion, and building that family.
— Ashlee Tietje, Undergraduate Biology Lecturer
Student course evaluations confirmed the difference. Many noted that Curipod supported their learning and even “boosted their mood.” Ashlee's evaluations reflected consistently high scores, particularly in student engagement and feeling respected.
Butler University undergraduate biology lecture
Why It Matters
For Ashlee Tietje, Curipod didn't just add interactivity to her lectures. It fundamentally changed how students engage with each other and with the material. In a 50-student lecture hall, every student now has a voice, a place, and a reason to participate. That's the power of inclusive engagement at scale.
Ashlee Tietje
Lecture hall
It's really changed how I teach this past year.
— Ashlee Tietje, Undergraduate Biology Lecturer