Video is arguably the most powerful, attention-grabbing way to communicate online. But developing video has traditionally required sophisticated equipment and expertise that is beyond the reach of most faculty—to say nothing of how time-consuming or frustrating the process can be.
If you’ve taught for any length of time, you’ve probably heard this or gotten similar messages multiple times from students. The bottom line is that it’s easy for students to fool themselves into thinking they’ve learned effectively when they really haven’t. This is especially true
When discussing educational technology with instructors, it is useful to begin by asking how they define ed tech. In most cases, they reference the hardware and software they use or plan to use in the classroom. But what about the physical space itself? Classrooms shape
As teachers, we often focus on the product of our work to the exclusion of the process of creating that product. That is, we talk about the objects our field studies—whether artworks, philosophical treatises, or physics theories—but not the thinking that went into producing those
I hear you already: “I barely survived this academic year. The last thing I want to think about is the next one!”
Storytelling is a powerful tool that can transform the learning experience. By weaving a cohesive narrative throughout a course, educators can captivate students’ interest, deepen understanding, and create a more memorable and engaging learning journey. Storytelling can serve as a versatile means to deliver content,
The ending of a course is worthy of greater attention than it typically receives. Endless time and energy are expended on crafting beautiful syllabi complete with assignment descriptions, an outline of topics and readings, and due dates. We have thoroughly ritualized the start of a
Deadlines are a blessing and a curse. We need them to get things done, but they often loom and approach faster than we anticipated or desire. When we miss them, we feel guilty. Sometimes we devise elaborate methods to ensure the timely completion of tasks.
In the Oxford English Dictionary, the most fitting definition of the word light-hearted (sic)for my purposes is this one: “Characterized by cheerfulness or easiness; amusing, entertaining.” I have been teaching for nearly 34 years—more than 70 semesters, including summer classes—and for as long as I
A variety of factors can undermine performance on a test beyond lack of knowledge, such as anxiety and misinterpretations of the questions. But there are four simple things that instructors can do with their tests to minimize these confounding variables.
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