Notes on Teaching and Learning

Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. – Indian Proverb Stories are used in so many ways to teach and persuade, whether that be through fairy tales, fables, books, movies, etc. While our culture is such […]

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Procrastination is one of the most common issues affecting students today. A recent study reports that ~95% [1] of students claim they suffer from at least some form of procrastination. As educators, we occupy an important role in our student’s lives and we have the opportunity to help students get a handle on academic procrastination. There […]

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Pick an activity or skill, like learning to garden, baking, cooking, or learning to program. While one could read books, explore online forums for tips or even take courses, these skills and others like them are more fully grasped when they are engaged in actively. Learning in the classroom can be treated in the same […]

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The following entry from the 2012-2013 Teaching Issues Writing Consortium: Teaching Tips was contributed by Ken Sagendorf, Ph.D Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), Regis University. ————————————————————————————————————– Inclusive learning environments are promoted by finding out about your students and responding to what you learn.  It is this responsiveness to your students that […]

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As you finalize your first day of class agenda, remember that making “critical connections” (Kreizinger, 2006) is one way to begin creating a positive classroom climate.  This approach focuses on making connections rather than giving directions.  The goals of the first class session are to connect students to the instructor, connect the instructor to the […]

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90% of college students report moderate to high levels of anxiety around public speaking.  As teachers and researchers, we frequently find ourselves in public speaking situations.  Here are a few tips to help with public speaking anxiety: Plan and practice your movement for during your talk Don’t begin until you’re ready Practice concepts, not words Exercise […]

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Trying to find classroom demonstrations that engage your students while reinforcing learning goals?

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  The following entry from the 2012-2013 Teaching Issues Writing Consortium: Teaching Tips was contributed by Kathy Watson, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Faculty Development at Eckerd College.  Dr. Watson chose to highlight important excerpts pertainting to effective feedback methods from Ambrose, S. A., et al. (2010).  How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. […]

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Have you ever wondered whether your students actually read your comments, feedback, and corrections on their work? Ensure they take your feedback seriously by having students do a follow-up assignment paraphrasing your comments. This follow-up assignment has several good consequences: (1) students read all your feedback carefully, (2) you find out how are interpreting your comments and can correct any misunderstandings, and (3) because they are processing your feedback, they are more likely to use it to produce better work in the future.

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The following tip from the 2012-2013 Teaching Issues Writing Consortium: Teaching Tips was contributed by Anabella Martinez, Professor of the Education Department Director of the Centro for Teaching Excellence (CEDU) Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia). Many professors may ask themselves if their students read the course syllabus, and what do they get out of such […]

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