As I write, the Delta variant is still spreading and health protocols are in flux. But there are several things we have learned from the pandemic with regard to teaching. Prior to the pandemic, I was little aware of the trauma our students and colleagues experience. This has made me rethink how I approach and interact with both.
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 – Getting Ready for Fall Semester
As you polish your syllabus and prepare for class, Educational Technology Services (ETS) is here to help you get ready for the fall semester. In addition to a new and improved website, ETS will be hosting sessions in August. In preparation for these sessions, Denison EdTechs interviewed faculty members and are featuring interview clips in our ETS Word of the Week video series.
Teaching – Refining Your Syllabus
With a few weeks before the start of classes, time to put those finishing touches on your syllabi. Want to get some productive feedback on your syllabus before you hand it to students? Join us Monday, August 23 from 2-4 us for Teaching as Intentional Process & Critical Practice: A Syllabus Workshop facilitated by Dr. Michael Reder of Connecticut College.
Tidbit – What do I do while stirring the pot for dinner?
Dr. Julie Mujic, visiting assistant professor in the global commerce program and coordinator for faculty partnerships with the Knowlton Center, has a recent opinion piece for Inside Higher Ed, How academic parents and others can make the best use of brief in-between moments. Julie gives five practical tips on taking advantage of those brief in-between times to stay intellectually active.
Tech – We’ve got an EdTech for that!
In her video this week, Jane Saffitz refers to a creative digital project she did with her class that involved them using a tool called Storyboarder. You may be wondering how Jane was able to support a project like that for her class. Well, she emailed someone at ETS and asked if they could help.
Teaching – What I learned about the Expert Blindspot
One common challenge of expert instructors is understanding the learning needs of novice students, known as the expert blindspot. Between semesters, a group of Denison faculty participated in the Rubik’s Cube Challenge: An Expert Blindspot Learning Adventure with colleagues from Furman University.
Not only did Dr. Jane Saffitz, Anthropology and Sociology, learn how to solve the cube, but the experience provided insight into her students’ learning.
Tidbit – Navigating Difficult Moments in Teaching Diversity and Social Justice
Looking to add to your summer reading list? The American Psychological Association has created a new text: Navigating Difficult Moments in Teaching Diversity and Social Justice. The book comprises 18 stand-alone chapters which help “educators tackle common and challenging dilemmas that arise in today’s classroom—such as diversity, privilege, and intersectionality.” Please let us know if interested in exploring in a group.
Tech – Tidying your tech for semester’s end
It’s that time of year! With the end of the semester quickly approaching, here are some Tips for Wrapping Up Your Semester from ETS. This video was made last spring, but it is a good one to bookmark and watch at the end of each semester. Keep in mind that Notebowl feature updates occur during the semester breaks, so always backup your grade books. The next Notebowl update will take place in late June 2021.
Teaching – What Inclusive Instructors Do
Need a change of pace from articles? Go on a walk and listen to this podcast Season 2, Episode 5: What Inclusive Instructors Do with Tracie Marcella Addy, Derek Dube, Khadijah A. Mitchell, and Mallory SoRelle. Colleagues at Lafayette College share their findings about inclusive teaching from researching their upcoming book: What inclusive instructors do.
Tech – Remote Exam Tip
With finals just around the corner, some faculty might be conducting these exams remotely again this semester. If you are one of them, read over the ETS blog post from the fall semester titled “Tech Recommendations for Remote Exams.” It provides three clear options for how to conduct exams in a remote setting. If you are using Notebowl for your exams, it is a good idea to watch this video that covers how to best setup tests and quizzes in Notebowl.