Teaching with Analogies: Socks Before Shoes—Order Matters
I have taught mathematics for 38 years and am puzzled by why the analogies I was taught throughout my youth have been lost. I believe that students often miss the…
Bitmojis, Gifs, and Snaps in the Classroom? Oh My!
Trying new things and staying connected to students is of utmost importance for Deidre Price, PhD, director of Instructional Technology and Online Education at Northwest Florida State College, which Price…
Unlocking the Quiet Moment: Cell Phones, a Surprising Tool
In-class activities can be a great way to foster student engagement in the classroom. Depending on the activity, the results can vary greatly. Sometimes they can fall flat, but every…
Graphic Novels, Innovative Teaching, and Student Engagement in the Classroom
As an instructor who has taught courses in the social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields, I’ve often considered the ways in which course readings can be more engaging for the…
Six Keys to Safer 21st Century Schools
The deadly shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 ushered in an era of other school massacres, including an elementary school in Newtown Connecticut, a high school in Parkland Florida,…
Making Radio: Using Audio for Student Assignments
Elvis (the other one … Costello) was right, “Radio, it’s a sound salvation. Radio, it’s cleaning up the nation.” Radio didn’t die, it was just sleeping. Podcasting and ubiquitous audio…
Less Stress, More Success: The End of Semester Student Presentation
As faculty design their syllabi for the upcoming semester, they consider how to have students demonstrate the vast knowledge they acquire throughout the semester. Enter the end of the semester…
What to Do When a Student is Failing: A Guide for Mentors
One joy of a faculty member in academia is the opportunity to train the next generation of scholars who will continue our work to innovate and create, extend human knowledge,…
Creating a Roadmap for Success by Beginning at the End
Forward thinking might be exactly what teachers strive for in the classroom, but it may require some backwards design. Beth Harrison, PhD, director of the Office of Learning Resources at…
Two Tips to Increase Students’ Use of Office Hours
I once heard a colleague explain that their office hours were intentionally scheduled from 8 am to 10 am because students are still asleep. The professor laughed, but I cringed.…