Ohlone College. We are Ohlone College.

eCampus Celebrating Teaching and Supporting our Students

Introduction

For the last year or so, eCampus has been surveying students about their learning experiences at Ohlone College, more specifically, their impressions of using Canvas. This year, we'd like to learn from you! We want to celebrate teaching and the awesome things happening in your classrooms!

About Monica Cappiello

Assistant Professor Monica Cappiello has over 12 years of educational experience, including titles such as Dean of Academic Affairs, Full-Time Faculty, and Department Director of Media, Animation, and Games. Industry companies she has worked for include PBS, Red Giant Studios, Mendez Foundation, Pixellex Studio, and Little Labs. Several of her works have been awarded at film festivals.
Monica has earned a B.A. Studio Arts and Digital Media, as well as a minor in Astronomy at the University of Virginia. She also has an M.F.A. in Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design.

In her off time, she has a digital persona called Academic Phoenix, where she creates digital tutorials ranging from modeling, texturing, lighting, and AR. She currently has over 88k subscribers on YouTube. Furthermore, Monica previously volunteered for SIGGRAPH, taking up multiple roles including VR Theater Director, Immersive Pavilion subcommittee, and Education Liaison.

Information from the Ohlone College Website

Question 1

What's working in your classroom right now?

"Right now, the technology is making a huge difference for my students. The Cintiq tablets give them hands-on creative control, the green screen room opens up exciting possibilities for virtual production, and the fast computers ensure they can run industry-standard software without delays. Having a dedicated lab assistant has also been a big help—students get more immediate support, which keeps them moving forward instead of getting stuck. Altogether, these resources are creating a more professional, engaging, and supportive learning environment."

Question 2

Do you have a strategy or activity that consistently engages your students that you can share?

"One strategy that consistently works is creating prerecorded, captioned tutorial videos. They not only support accessibility but also give students the flexibility to keep up if they are ill or need to review a concept multiple times. Students tell me they appreciate being able to pause, rewind, and learn at their own pace. In class, this also frees up time for more hands-on activities, peer collaboration, and one-on-one support. Combining recorded resources with live interaction helps keep everyone engaged and on track."

Question 3

What’s a "golden nugget" you’d pass on to another instructor? This could be a tip, a tool, an attitude, a way of connecting with students, etc.

"Bring genuine excitement to your subject. When students see your passion and curiosity, they can’t help but be drawn in. Enthusiasm is contagious—if you’re engaged and energized by the material, your students will feel it too, and it creates a classroom atmosphere where learning feels inspiring instead of intimidating."

Question 4

Is there a particular moment or story that stands out as a teaching success? Maybe a student breakthrough or a class session that just clicked.

"One that stands out was when I thought a student had plagiarized because her work suddenly leapt from simple shapes to a fully realized character. When I asked her about it, she brought out pages of documentation—tutorials she had followed, references she studied, and detailed notes of her process. That’s when I realized she hadn’t cheated at all. It had clicked. The software was no longer a barrier, and she was finally free to focus on making art."

Question 5

What keeps you motivated and inspired as a community college instructor?

"What keeps me motivated is watching students grow into their confidence and creativity. Many arrive unsure of their skills or even questioning whether they belong in the field. Then, over time, they start producing work they’re proud of, supporting each other, and seeing real opportunities open up for them. Those breakthroughs—big or small—remind me why I teach. Knowing that I can play a part in helping students find their path and achieve goals that once felt out of reach is what inspires me every day."

Question 6

Anything else you’d like to share with your fellow instructors — a resource, a reminder, a bit of encouragement?

"Remember that what feels routine to us can feel life-changing to our students. Even small gestures—like extra patience, sharing a resource, or showing enthusiasm—can make a lasting impact."

Ohlone College. We are Ohlone College.

Thank you!

Want to share your story? Contact eCampus.

Email: eCampus@ohlone.edu