I am lucky to have my mentor (who still mentors me, despite our shared retirement status) reading this blog. His name is Gene Melander, and he addresses higher education with keen insights and heartfelt passion. Here’s what he wrote in response to the July 2 blog on critical thinking.
“The notion of developing critical thinking [...]

While wandering through a new book sent for review I found this great way of characterizing how people (the specific reference is students) respond to ideas expressed in seminar discussions.
Free-For-All—There’s a prize to be had in this discussion—maybe it’s the instructor’s smile, nod of approval or confirming commentary, or maybe it’s one’s own sense of [...]

Getting students to read their textbooks is like pulling hen’s teeth! Even syllabus language just short of death threats, firmly stated admonitions regularly delivered in class, and the unannounced quiz slapped on desks when nobody answers questions about the reading don’t necessarily change behaviors or attitudes. Rather, students remain committed to seeing to get by [...]

A recent meeting on facilitating change in the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines reminded me just how much our disciplinary homes frame our views of the pedagogical world. About 45 faculty, some educational researchers and a few administrators were convened to consider instructional change, why so little of has occurred in these disciplines(in all [...]

At a recent conference of faculty who teach public administration, Janet Mills shared a great way of getting positive (as in constructive) feedback from students. She calls her system “Plusses and Wishes” and it works like this. Each class has a Feedback Coordinator (one of several different roles assumed by students) who distributes blank Plusses [...]

Recently I learned that my colleague and friend Don Wulff has passed away. It wasn’t a big surprise. Don’s heart had been failing for years. The last time I walked across campus with him he couldn’t walk and talk simultaneously. Still my heart sank and tears came.
Don advocated tirelessly for teaching and learning on a [...]

I don’t know any college teacher who doesn’t aspire to teach students to think critically. I don’t know any college teacher who doesn’t think that most students have significant skill deficiencies when it comes to critical thinking. And I don’t know many college teachers who aren’t regularly frustrated and disappointed by the results of their [...]

More people are writing comments on the blog! Yes! Thanks! And some of the comments are really excellent. They include references to other sources and links! I more optimistic about this being the kind of exchange from which we can all learn and grow.
Did you see the student rant about group work? It was posted [...]