Improving Teaching and Learning /
“Students from different walks of life converge in a classroom for learning. They have different capabilities and personalities, adding to the diversity that comes with learning institutions. As such, if you want to be an effective teacher, you need to formulate and implement creative and innovative strategies that are practical and meet the needs of […]
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Improving Teaching and Learning /
“Why aren’t there departments of higher-education pedagogy? Why aren’t there for-credit classes being offered in higher-education teaching and learning?,” said Jesse Stommel, senior lecturer in digital studies at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of “An Urgency of Teachers: The Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy” (Hybrid Pedagogy, 2018), in a recent interview in The Chronicle […]
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Improving Teaching and Learning /
Professors, instructional designers, and professional developers who support teaching are all susceptible to “neuromyths,” or false beliefs about learning that stem from misunderstandings about the brain, according to a recent report released by the Online Learning Consortium cited in a Chronicle of Higher Education newsletter. One of the most widely accepted neuromyths is that students learn best […]
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There are many good reasons to use project-based learning in class, but some instructors might shy away from using this approach with first-year students. However, instructors can successfully implement project-based learning in courses for first-year students by focusing on a few key areas, writes Beth McMurtrie in a recent newsletter article from The Chronicle of Higher […]
Read More Improving Teaching and Learning / STEM Education
Teaching a large STEM course can be daunting, partly due to the number of students. It can be difficult for instructors to foster a sense of belonging among a big group, but one way to do so is by creating name tents, writes Cynthia Brame, Ph.D., associate director at Vanderbilt University’s Center for Teaching and senior […]
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“Choosing the right tech tools for your teaching means making strategic choices, weighing costs against payoffs, and staying laser-focused on your course goals — and that is what this guide aims to help you do,” writes Michelle D. Miller, Ph.D., professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University and director and co-creator of its First Year […]
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Students who are the first in their families to go to college have drive and determination, but they often lack study skills to succeed in rigorous courses. Instructors can help first-generation students by teaching study skills in class and encouraging struggling students to reach out for additional assistance, according to Gail Horowitz, Ph.D., a faculty […]
Read More Improving Teaching and Learning
There are six themes that can help instructors in higher education improve their teaching, writes Mary Clement, EdD, in a recent Faculty Focus article. The themes include: “Study the knowledge base of teaching and learning,” or exploring books, articles in pedagogical periodicals, newsletters, conferences, online resources, and your school’s center for teaching and learning to learn […]
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Improving Teaching and Learning /
There’s an ongoing debate in academia as to whether or not student evals effectively inform on teaching. However, no matter where you stand in the debate, there are steps you can take to analyze evals and get the most out of student feedback, writes Todd D. Zakrajsek, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine […]
Read More Digital Pedagogies / Improving Teaching and Learning /
Many faculty and staff incorporate handheld technology into lectures, or apps on smartphones and tablets that are meant to draw students into discussion and help them actively engage with the material. However, some teachers overlook key steps in implementing technology in the classroom. A recent Faculty Focus article gives tips for incorporating handheld technology during lectures. The […]
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