A Classroom in Concert: How to Design a Truly Rockin’ Learning Experience
My family was buying tickets to see one of their favorite bands. They debated whether to get one for me, knowing I’m not much of a live concert person. I surprised all…
Retention Is Emotional, Not Just Academic: Practical Strategies That Keep Online Students Engaged
According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2025), the percent of students enrolled in distance education courses in postsecondary institutions in the fall of 2024 was 53.8%. Importantly and unfortunately, the withdrawal rate…
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5 Ways to Verify Student Learning in the Age of AI
Whatever your institution’s policy on student AI use, whether strict prohibition, permitted use with disclosure, or something still being worked out, you face the same underlying challenge: when a submission…
Conquer the First-Day Teaching Anxiety: Tips for a Strong First Impression
The first day of college teaching could be the most stressful moment ever in the teaching history of novice faculty members. Generally, the first day of teaching is intimidating for both faculty…
From Doodles to Discussion Boards: How “AI Image Combine” Can Turn Your Child’s Art into a Pedagogical Powerhouse
I teach a 300-level multimedia-design course, but last semester my most powerful teaching hack came from a 6-year-old. My daughter had scrawled two crayon figures—one with spiky blue hair, one…
Student’s Perception of UX Design on an LMS Course: Designing Online Courses Students Can Actually Navigate
As online learning becomes more prevalent in higher education and professional development, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design have become essential to the effectiveness of digital learning environments…
Self-Reflecting to Teach with More Cultural Responsiveness
Many college teachers want to respond to students’ identities and cultures with respect, accurate perceptions, and sensitivity. We may face challenges within ourselves that arise from being shaped by societal forces. A self-reflective, repeating process of “…awareness, analysis, action, and accountability” (The Adaway Group; Love 2010) helped me. I hope that sharing my…
The Syllabus and the Scar Tissue: What Leadership Preparation Programs Leave Out and Why It Matters
As an educational leadership professor, I hear inspiring messages from colleagues all the time, and I understand the impulse to lead with the highlight reel. Wins matter, from measurable improvement…
What Nobody Warns You About Teaching College for the First Time
I never expected to begin teaching college biology when I did. At the time, I was teaching secondary science and trying to build a marine science course for my high…
Why AI Is Changing What It Means to Be Intelligent
Across higher education, artificial intelligence has rapidly changed how students complete academic work. Essays, summaries, explanations, and structured problem-solving can now be generated instantly. The first concern has understandably been…