My least favorite moment of the semester? When I get that email saying my course evaluations are available. Yes, even after all these years, it still gives me a twinge in my stomach. Want to discuss recent course feedback? Please contact me (ludwigl@denison.edu) to set up a time and place.
On a related note, would you like some feedback on your course?
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- teaching in a mask
I never thought in this role I would be sharing advice on how to wear a mask, but here we are. Here are some pro tips from Consumer Reports on dealing with our new normal. This Inside Higher Ed piece provides suggestions for teaching F2F with a mask and creating a caring classroom.
Tech – Denison’s virtual whiteboard
A number of us have found the effectiveness of using a Google Doc to organize our Zoom Breakout Rooms sessions for students (Dr. Hoda Yousef’s tip). But what if you want students to write or draw by hand? The screen shot above was created by my students using the Google Jamboard App from our Denison Google Suite.
Teaching- how to read course evaluations
You’ve collected early term course feedback from your students. Now what? This half-page from Washington University gives practical advice on responding to midterm evaluations. Here is the go to article from the Chronicle on how to read a student evaluation of your teaching.
Tidbit – Lower that research paper stress
Too early to think about research papers? Not really, these tips on scaffolding the research paper throughout the semester lowers stress for both you and your students. It also slows the traffic for the Academic Integrity Committee!
Tech – Zoomapalooza – useful Zoom tips
1) Keyboard short cut keys – stop wandering around menus looking for start record. Here is a cheat sheet for Mac or PC.
2) Got an extra monitor? Keep an eye on your students in gallery mode while presenting that Power Point slide. How-to-video or post from Zoom.
3) Got an iPad or other tablet?
Teaching – take the pulse of your classes
Many of us use midterm course evaluations. As suggested in the faculty meeting, now would be a good time to get feedback from your classes to see how this unique semester is going. Here are three different feedback forms:
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- Use this copy of a Google form created by Dr. Annabel Edwards, Chemistry. This video explains how to edit this form.
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Tech – improving those breakout sessions
Now that you getting the hang of those breakout rooms in Zoom, consider this article from Faculty Focus to improve your breakout game.
Teaching – introducing the Center’s new blog
Thanks to the good work of Neica Raker (CfLT) and Jason Bowles (U Comm) the Center has a blog page. Meet your new colleagues in the meet our new faculty section or peruse the hybrid and remote teaching strategies from Denison faculty. For the next phase, we plan to archive the TTTs and make them searchable – more soon!
Tidbit – un writing prompts from NYT
Looking for some new writing prompts for your intro writing courses? Consider these 177 Questions to Inspire Writing, Discussion, Debate and Reflection or these These 18 Images to Inspire Your Own Short Story from the New York Times. Don’t forget, you have free access to the NYT through Denison. Sorry, the daily crossword costs extra.