Tidbit- How to Make the Most of an Academic Conference

Tidbit – How to Make the Most of an Academic Conference

It 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.

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Tech- Canvas Assignment tips and tricks

Tech – Canvas Assignment tips and tricks

This week’s Canvas tip is all about assignments. Below are short videos demoing some options you have in Canvas assignments.

If you have not had a chance to do it yet, go check out the Canvas Instructor Guides.

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Teaching II- Can our actions compound the imposter syndrome

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.

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Teaching- Recovering student engagement at mid-course time

Teaching – Recovering student engagement at mid-course time

Although 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.

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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? 

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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.

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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?

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Teaching – Your teaching doesn’t have to be perfect.

In the recent book, The New Colleges Classroom, the authors provide a host of activities to get students engaged: think, pair, share, and entrance and exit tickets, etc. But what happens when these fall short; the students aren’t engaged, and the class doesn’t gel? This short Chronicle article provides some advice on making that reset.

One way to get that critical “reset feedback” is midterm evaluations (the last TTT’s focus).

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