November is one of the hardest months in academia because we’re a few weeks away from finishing, but we still have a lot to get done. Students often experience heightened stress and may feel the season blues. Small teaching choices can help them feel supported and stay engaged (and can… Continue reading…
New ideas can sometimes feel like a shadowy figure on a dark road: intriguing, but a little intimidating. These teaching tips from Shewmaker can help students feel safe enough to face the unknown and keep learning. When we make room for questions, missteps, and student choice, the unknown becomes less… Continue reading…
A “human intelligence only” activity gives students a short stretch to think, discuss, or write without using devices or AI. It helps them practice working through ideas on their own while still leaving room for technology in other parts of the course. Bomsta writes about a few simple practices that… Continue reading…
Active learning invites students to move beyond simply receiving information and instead engage with what they are learning. Through discussion, writing, problem solving, reflection, and application, students have opportunities to process course content and make meaningful connections. However, there is good news: active learning does not require redesigning your entire course. Small,… Continue reading…
Providing feedback is one of the most important parts of teaching, but also one of the most difficult parts of what we do. Splitting the difference between completely critical feedback and “great job, keep it up!” is a skill that even experienced practitioners struggle with. WISE feedback is an evidence-based framework that can help… Continue reading…
We hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend! In the spirit of celebrating our work, let’s consider how we can help students recognize that the meaningful work they do in class also prepares them for their futures. The tips below draw on NACE’s “The Value of Faculty Connecting Classroom Lessons… Continue reading…
Connecting Students to Beauty and Wonder What and how we teach can seem like a routine, especially at this point in the semester. For students, too, endlessly scrolling through unlimited entertainment can lead to an increased sense of routine and boredom in other arenas. This may seem rather ironic, but… Continue reading…
Fostering Expert Learners through UDL The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, developed by CAST, encourages instructors to create flexible learning environments that meet the needs of all students. UDL aims to help students become expert learners: individuals who are purposeful, motivated, resourceful, and strategic. Below are three ways to promote expert learning in… Continue reading…
Generative AI Use Tips Many faculty and students are using Generative AI (GAI) in both academic work and their personal lives. UNCG has a posted GAI policy that provides a variety of options for addressing GAI in your course and offers suggested syllabus language to make your approach transparent to students. UNCG’s policy… Continue reading…
Preparing Students for Midterms Midterms are just around the corner! Many students (especially first-years) just cram or reread notes to prepare for tests and other high-stakes assessments. Research by Stephen Chew shows that explicitly teaching effective study strategies can significantly boost student learning and confidence. Demonstrating how to effectively study in your… Continue reading…
