Life vs. Education: The Empath Edition
After some 21 years teaching online in the University system, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no absolute one thing that has more emphasis for student success than…
The Collaborative AI Classroom: Teaching Students to Work With, Not Against, AI Tools
In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from a distant technological concept to an everyday tool accessible to our students. In recent years, AI has proven…
Reaching (Not Just Teaching) Today’s Students: A Communication Cheatsheet
Communication is hard. Even in the best of circumstances, every interaction carries not just the message we intend to send but also our own assumptions, our students’ assumptions, and the…
Building a Thriving Classroom Community – “Bond & Beyond”
Across college campus classrooms, students of all ages have a deep need to feel welcomed, included, and engaged in their learning communities. In order to best prepare our college students…
Harnessing Intercultural Expertise in an International Classroom
The increasing internationalization of higher education does not automatically lead to global knowledge and skill exchange in the classroom. Hierarchical barriers in pedagogy and classroom geography impede peer-to-peer learning. This…
Being the Nurse in the Family: Balancing Caregiving and Self-Care Amidst Grief and Stress
Editor’s Note: While this article comes from a nurse’s perspective, the heart of it—caring deeply for others while trying to care for yourself—will resonate with educators in every setting. The…
General Education for Working Learners in the Age of AI
Reams have been written about the challenges with general education at US colleges and universities. Students often view general education requirements (gen eds) as “hurdles” to overcome on their way…
Practical Strategies for Interdisciplinary Teaching in Today’s University
Working in the College of Interdisciplinary Studies has shown me firsthand that our students face a world full of messy, tangled problems. Climate shifts, health crises, social divides, and tech…
The Art of Collaboration: Designing Assignments That Work
Inclusivity and feelings of psychological safety in the classroom should not be reserved solely for K-12 learning environments. Students in higher education also deserve nurturing spaces that focus on utilizing…
Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking in Higher Education: Fostering a Transformative Learning Experience for Students
In a digitally-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the latest technology that either will save or doom the planet depending on who you speak with. Remember when telephones (the…