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Teaching I – Rethinking the Optional Attendance Policy“We must reconsider optional attendance policies not least for the sake of students’ physical and mental health,” Eric Skipper writes in this Inside Higher Ed piece. Faculty members report continued attendance issues even though we are back to in-person classes. Some feel the optional attendance policies we created during the pandemic’s peak have created a “free pass” mentality toward attending class. |
CfLT Newsletter
The posts below are from the CfLT newsletter which includes curated, research-based digital resources to support ongoing faculty development and pedagogical engagement. As of August 2025, CfLT Director Karen Spierling oversees the content. Posts from July 2020-May 2025 were compiled by previous Director Lew Ludwig.
Tidbit- How to Make the Most of an Academic Conference
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Tidbit – How to Make the Most of an Academic ConferenceIt is exciting to see colleagues return to their academic meetings. While we are not at pre-pandemic levels, the number of “sorry, away at a conference” email responses I get has increased significantly. Have an upcoming conference? This easy-to-skim Chronicle article, How to Make the Most of an Academic Conference, gives some great advice on how to make your meetings productive. |
Tech- Canvas Assignment tips and tricks
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Teaching II- Can our actions compound the imposter syndrome
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Teaching II – Can our actions compound the imposter syndrome?You may be familiar with the term “imposter syndrome” – one believes they are not as competent as others perceive them to be – but what about impostorization? Coined by Dr. Angelica Gutierrez, impostorization refers to the policies, practices, and seemingly innocuous interactions in the college environment that can make students question their intelligence, competence, and sense of belonging. |
Teaching- Recovering student engagement at mid-course time
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Teaching – Recovering student engagement at mid-course timeAlthough the end is in sight, do some of your students seem overwhelmed, lack motivation, or feel disconnected from the class? Have you tried midterm course evaluations but still feel this lack of engagement? This short Faculty Focus article provides some low-stakes active learning strategies that may help you and your students successfully cross the end-of-semester finish line together. |
Tidbit- Four Classroom Lessons From Haunted Houses
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Tidbit – Four Classroom Lessons From Haunted HousesDo you like haunted houses? Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh shares four lessons we can take from “recreational fear” – the fun of being scared – to promote learning in our classrooms. |
Teaching II- When Revising, Read Out Loud
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Teaching – Presentations and groups
We’ve reached that point in the semester – student presentations. For many students, this can be daunting. Help build student confidence with some low-stakes presentations, as explained in this short Faculty Focus article. Want more resources on presentations? Check out this Guide to Effective Presentations from the Learning Scientist.
Are you using groups this semester? How are they going?
Tidbit – To cold call or not?
Do you cold call students in your classroom? I’ve seen colleagues use this technique to significant effect. I’ve seen others try it with lesser impact. I must admit I did not have the courage for this practice. After reading the article The Question of ‘Cold Calling,’ I may try it. But the piece made me realize that it will take forethought and trust to make this delicate tool effective.
Tech – Canvas Grading Tips
This week’s Canvas-related tip focuses on grading. After scouring the internet for helpful tips from those who have used Canvas a lot longer than those of us at Denison, ETS found a great video to share. Watch the video Top 5 Canvas Grading Tips for more on using rubrics, setting default grades, and more!
Do you have a Canvas tip you would like to share with colleagues?