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
During my first few years of teaching, I made the classic mistake of adopting a “covering content” mentality. I planned my classes in terms of the topics I needed to cover and how I would motor through them. This is a sending-side perspective that views
In higher education, student success is a widely used yet insufficiently defined concept. While some students equate success with academic performance, others view it through lenses of personal development, career preparation, or perseverance in overcoming obstacles. These varied definitions are shaped by diverse personal, environmental,
While much of online learning occurs through discussion board conversations, it can be challenging for students to offer different perspectives or new responses to classmates’ posts when they are all answering the same question. Similarly, instructors may struggle to develop engaging questions.
“Why does my edition of Hamlet read ‘O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,’” my student Jake asked me, “but yours has ‘O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt’?”
After all, nearly every large language model (LLM) is good at summarizing readings, synthesizing large amounts of data and information across sources and culling it down to key points, and “remembering” foundational knowledge. So why memorize facts? Why practice applying concepts? Why learn to write?
In 1906, Francis Galton was visiting a livestock fair when he stumbled upon an interesting contest. Local villagers were asked to guess the weight of an ox, with the closest guess winning a prize. Of the over 800 guesses, nobody got the exact weight of
Students taking online classes represent a key part of the college-attending population. Demand for online classes and online degrees has surged in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic (Knox 2025). But fully online students are less likely to successfully complete classes and to graduate
As AI use continues to grow in the field of education, we are only beginning to discover potential uses to support faculty work. Most of the focus has been on tools for creating learning materials, such as lessons and assessments. But AI tools can assist
You’ve prepared a fabulous, interactive class. You’ve designed engaging activities, developed meaningful discussion questions, and cultivated an inviting atmosphere for dialogue. You ask a wonderful open-ended question, anticipating a flurry of discussion and critical thinking—only to be met with silence. Your students stare back at
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