Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but what if it’s also the best first step to faculty teaching excellence? When it comes to pedagogy, we often focus on tips and techniques. Perhaps we have a handful of prescribed practices that we recommend or
Higher education has long recognized the value of Socratic dialogue in learning. Law schools traditionally adopt it in their teaching, with instructors more often asking questions of students in class than lecturing. But true Socratic dialogue is done one-on-one. Students in a law school lecture
After 35 years in higher education, I continue to embrace the summer as a prime opportunity to strengthen my professional identity by creating a professional growth plan. Taking at least one week after the semester concludes, I have learned, is essential. This time allows me
Last month I wrote about how students fool themselves into thinking they have learned concepts when they really haven’t. This month I focus on how faculty can fool themselves into thinking that they are teaching effectively when their students aren’t really learning.
If you’ve ever hesitated to offer feedback to a colleague for fear of creating tension or hurting a relationship, you’re not alone. Even in academic settings, where critique is part of the culture, giving candid feedback, especially to fellow professionals, can feel risky. Yet our
When I first began teaching online, I thought creating engaging and relevant content was the biggest challenge. And while that’s certainly important, I’ve realized that organizing and communicating expectations to students is at least as critical. One simple strategy that has profoundly changed how I
Let’s add a few squares to this popular bingo card to represent the hybrid faculty meeting experience: In-person attendees roll their eyes when a Zoomer’s audio cuts out; administrator clearly favors colocated colleagues; virtual participant apologizes for interrupting the “real” meeting. And the free square?
Think for a moment about your faculty colleagues who have generously shared their time and talents to help you thrive in academia. Much of your current success may be due to faculty mentors.
During World War II, the US Department of Defense wanted to make planes that were strong enough to resist bullets but light enough to move quickly. They realized that putting armor on an entire plane would make it too heavy. Instead, they tried to figure
Every fall term since the start of the pandemic, I’ve expected that students will come to class with more energy than the semester before. Yes, Zoom classes and the fear of contagion changed our experiences of higher education, but as the distance from the initial
Magna Publications © 2024 All rights reserved