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| Both of my parents were teachers. My father, who passed away when I was five, taught high school math, while my mother taught for 12 years in the Cincinnati school system before stepping away to raise me. Although I never saw either of them in the classroom, my mother often shared insights and lessons from her teaching experiences, shaping my perspective on education. |
Teaching, Tech, and Tidbits Digest
The posts below are from a bi-weekly digest that encapsulates a range of evidence-based best practices and cutting-edge insights on innovative teaching strategies, effective use of technology, student engagement techniques, and effective assessment, to name a few. The content, diligently curated or crafted by the director Dr. Lew Ludwig, is grounded in robust research and drawn from a wide array of innovative articles, books, and online resources. The goal is to support timely, ongoing faculty development with the most current and impactful knowledge in the field.
Tech: Ever tried an AI sandwich?
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| During a recent AI presentation, someone asked me, “How do you use AI the most?” Without hesitation, I answered, “For writing.” Even though this was a math-focused audience, the response felt natural. My role as director of the CfLT and my growing work in AI education have shifted my focus- I’m no longer crafting mathematical arguments but writing for a broader, more general audience. |
Teaching: Syllabi and AI
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| As you finalize your syllabi, you might take a look (or another look, for those of you who have already seen this) at the resources provided by Tricia Bertram Gallant (Director of Academic Integrity at UC San Diego) during her webinar on gen-AI and academic integrity. There are resources for designing an AI-policy statement, securing assessments, rethinking learning goals, and redesigning assignments. |
Tidbit: Advice for a New Instructor (and the rest of us)
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| I really like this piece from the Chronicle: Advice for a New Instructor. Whether you can count your semesters at Denison on one hand or need all your hands, feet, and some appendages, this piece offers practical strategies from seasoned educators to help you support your students, foster meaningful learning, and navigate the complexities of modern classrooms. |
Tech: Affordable Content, Tech Toolkit, and Say My Name
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| ETS is excited to share some valuable resources designed to support your teaching and enhance student success:
1. Affordable Content Course: You should have already received an invitation in Canvas to join the Affordable Content Course. Please take a moment to accept the invitation if you have not already. This course provides strategies and tools to transition to open resources and affordable content for your courses, empowering you to create an inclusive and cost-effective learning experience for your students. |
Teaching: Getting Ready for the New Semester
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| Whether this is your first time or tenth time you’ve taught a course, it is always good to run through a few checklists of things to consider:
1. Your syllabus: This comprehensive article by Kevin Gannon titled “How to Create a Syllabus” offers practical advice, innovative strategies, and thoughtful insights into making a syllabus be a tool for fostering a positive learning environment and clear communication with students. |
Teaching: Library Scavenger Hunt
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| Rebecca Kennedy (Ancient Greek & Roman Studies/Environmental Studies/Women & Gender Studies) caught Megan Threlkeld (History/Women & Gender Studies) in the act of some great teaching. Megan writes:
I use a Library Scavenger Hunt with my advising circles and my W101 but you could adapt it for any class. I have refined it a lot over the years, and this version works well for me. |
Teaching: Course Evaluations
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| Getting ready for that dreaded email
My least favorite email of the semester will soon be in my inbox- “Your course evaluations are now available on myDenison” (or something like that). Yes, I’ve been teaching for over thirty years, yet this email still causes a twinge in my stomach and a slight increase in my pulse. |
Tidbit: Cultivating Growth Through Discomfort- Balancing Compassion and Challenge in Polarized Times
In the wake of a contentious election, our classrooms might reflect the polarized dynamics of our society. Should we retreat to avoid offending or creating tension? Instead our friend Mays Imad suggests adopting a pedagogy of discomfort, as she describes in her piece “Teaching and Learning through Discomfort.” This approach offers a framework for addressing classroom tensions by encouraging vulnerability, critical reflection, and engagement with opposing viewpoints.
Tech: Download Your Courses, especially the gradebook, and Why Use Canvas Chat First?
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| Spring semester is around the corner, and we have two important recommendations to help your Canvas life run smoothly:
First, we strongly recommend that you download your courses so that you have your own copy. We especially recommend that you download your entire gradebook as a .csv file (see image below). Having a folder with past gradebooks can be helpful in writing recommendation letters, especially in the case of Alumni. |