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.
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It was a good run, but I am happy to announce that my students finally broke their attendance streak I mentioned in my last post. On Monday, after the break, I had 100% attendance for the first time in eight weeks, meeting four days a week. I share this news with a mix of light-heartedness and a dose of concern.
While most of us have used Google slides, you may not have used the many features available in presentation mode yet. Of these, live captioning is a key feature that may help your audience keep up with your presentation regardless of audibility. Once turned on, your device microphone will capture your words, putting them onto the slide as captions while you speak (see image below; although captions do not have punctuation, they enable the reader to see what you are saying).
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How can a simple acknowledgment of a student’s curiosity foster a greater sense of belonging and self-efficacy? ‘That’s a Great Question!’: The Value of Positive Faculty Feedback highlights the significant impact of faculty responses to student inquiries, especially in STEM fields. Authored by Lora E. Park, this research emphasizes the positive outcomes for students—particularly women—when faculty engage with student questions in a supportive manner.
In this week’s ‘Down the AI Rabbit Hole,’ I share insights from Dr. Dominic Ashby’s recent Denison session, “Writing with AI: Building a Constructive Culture.” Plus, I tackle a curious enigma in generative AI: Why do 60% of faculty steer clear of using it?
Listen to Down the AI Rabbit Hole Part 1: Tips on Writing with AI
Listen to Down the AI Rabbit Hole Part 2: Fostering a Playful Mindset
This week’s tips:
During his recent presentation, “Writing with AI: Building a Constructive Culture,” Dr.
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| For more than a year, the issue of attendance has come up in various conversations in the Center. Students take self-described mental health days or they just don’t show up. Last year, I was on sabbatical from teaching. This year, my fall class was fine, just one chronic attendance issue who was on numerous radar screens. |
Spring Break is in the past, and registration is upon us. How to manage the many student meetings? Google appointment schedule provides an excellent solution.
Appointment schedule will allow you to:
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| Congratulations! We’ve passed the halfway mark—specifically, we’re at the 8/14 point, counting full weeks of instruction. How do we ensure our students maintain their momentum and finish the semester strong? A helpful page from Georgia State University offers ten insightful tips for students. Among these is the Pomodoro technique. A time management strategy developed in the late 1980s, this approach breaks work into focused intervals, separated by short breaks, enhancing productivity and focus. |
In this week’s edition of ‘Down the AI Rabbit Hole,’ I share an insightful piece from John Orlando that tackles the pressing issues of plagiarism and AI-induced biases. I also discuss the importance of moving beyond merely trying to catch up with AI to strategically planning for the upcoming technological advancements.
This week’s tip:
This week’s teaching professor features a thought-provoking piece by John Orlando titled “Getting Past AI Fears: Student Success Demands It,” which encourages us to reconsider our stance on plagiarism and bias in the context of AI.
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In the digital age, where misinformation abounds, empowering our students with robust information literacy skills has never been more critical. Dr. Krista Black’s recent article, “Teaching Information Literacy in an Age of Misinformation,” offers a compelling look into the challenges and strategies for integrating these essential skills into our curriculum. From evaluating source credibility to understanding perspectives and leveraging primary data, Dr.
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With midterm grades on the horizon and the promise of spring break just around the corner, this is a perfect opportunity to embrace some self-care and introspection. This short, thoughtful piece from the Chronicle offers valuable advice on safeguarding your personal time and space, while also encouraging a mindful approach to your mental well-being. Wishing you a break that is both restful and rejuvenating.
