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| Lew Ludwig caught Susan Villarreal in the act of good teaching, he writes: Last Monday, as I scrambled to finish my notes for the first week of class, I was kicking myself. I’ve taught this course many times before, but it had been three semesters since the last round. I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, much less the details of what worked- or didn’t- three semesters ago. |
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.
Teaching: To Use AI or Not to Use AI? A Student’s Burden
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Tech: Help your students track projects and assignments
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| Google Sheets has a new feature that automatically creates a timeline from a spreadsheet that lists tasks. The timeline looks much like a Gantt chart you might find in project management software like Monday.com, Asana, or Microsoft Planner.
Have a look at this sample timeline for a student group research project proposal. To use the feature, at minimum your google sheet needs a task column and a dates column. |
Teaching: Student and Instructor Guides for Group Work
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| Group work is a vital component of college education. It is often challenging to execute effectively, and many students are predisposed to dislike it. Fortunately, our friend Tracie Addy, along with Wendy Hill, have developed valuable resources for both students and instructors to better navigate this essential pedagogical tool.
The student guide is crafted for groups to utilize collaboratively at the beginning of a long-term class project. |
Teaching: Stealing Ideas, Opening Doors
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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. |
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. |