Tea for Teaching

Faculty members often design and revise courses with limited direct feedback from students. In this episode, Laurel Willingham-McLain and Jacques Safari Mwayaona join us to discuss a program in which faculty work with trained student consultants to improve the student learning experience.  Laurel is a consulting faculty developer at the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at Syracuse University. Jacques is a Faculty Development Fellow, also at Syracuse University. Laurel and Jacques both work with the Students Consulting on Teaching program at Syracuse University. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

In November 2024, we moderated a panel at the OLC Accelerate Conference that used the universal design for learning (or UDL) framework to consider the impact generative AI has on equity and access. This episode is the live recording of this session. The panelists were: Liz Norell, Sherri Restauri, and Thomas J. Tobin.  Liz is a political scientist and Associate Director of Instructional Support at the University of Mississippi Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She is also the author of The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching, which has recently been released as part of the Oklahoma University series on teaching and learning. Sherri is a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Coastal Carolina University, having recently left administration in her role overseeing digital learning and access. She has been working in the field of digital and online learning for 24 years and now runs an educational consulting business to provide support to educational companies and institutions alike throughout the world. Sherri's research and work focuses on neurodiversity and mental health in higher education, and she has published, as well as presented, extensively on these topics over the years. Tom is a founding member of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the author of the forthcoming book, UDL at Scale: Adopting Universal Design for Learning across Higher Education, as well as Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education and several other works related to teaching and learning. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Educators at all levels have raised concerns about growing student disengagement. In this episode, Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson join us to discuss their new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better, which examines the causes of, and possible solutions, to this problem. Rebecca is the Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, where she leads global studies on how to better support children’s learning, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. Jenny is an award-winning journalist who spent over a decade at The New York Times before pioneering coverage on the science of learning at Quartz. She now writes a column on education in Time.  A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Peer observation and peer feedback can be useful resources for faculty professional development. In this episode, Anna Logan, Ann Marie Farrell, and Martina Crehan join us to discuss a cross-institutional, cross-disciplinary peer observation process. Anna is an Associate Professor in the School of Inclusive and Special Education and the former Dean of Teaching and Learning at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University. Ann Marie is an Assistant Professor, also in the School of Inclusive and Special Education at Dublin City University. Martina is Head of Teaching Enhancement Unit at Dublin City University. She has over 20 years experience in professional development and as a curriculum innovator. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Join Manuela Manetta, an innovative mathematics professor, and Lori Teague, a dynamic choreographer, as they explore the fusion of dance and math education. They discuss how integrating movement into math instruction enhances student engagement and comprehension, breaking down traditional barriers. Their initiative, Mathematics Through Movement, encourages creativity and collaboration, transforming the way students interact with mathematical concepts. Through courses like 'Dancing Dynamical Systems,' students learn to view math as a lively, creative process—bridging math with human connection.

Chris Hromalik, an Assistant Professor at SUNY Oswego and expert in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), shares insights on boosting student motivation by promoting autonomy. He discusses the shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered teaching and highlights practical strategies for fostering inclusivity. Emphasizing goal-setting and self-regulation in education, Chris suggests using diverse assignment formats to enhance engagement. He also addresses the integration of AI tools, advocating for manageable changes to encourage ethical use in classrooms.

There has been a consistent downward trend in the amount of time college students spend reading and completing assignments outside of class. In this episode, Betsy Barre joins us to discuss some strategies that might be used to increase student motivation to engage with assigned coursework. Betsy is an Assistant Provost and the Executive Director of the Center for Advancement of Teaching at Wake Forest University. In 2017 she won, with Justin Esarey, the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education’s Innovation Award for their Course Workload Estimator. Among her many other roles, Betsy is also a Professor in the Department for the Study of Religions. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Faculty often have a teaching persona that they bring to the classroom. In this episode, Liz Norell joins us to discuss the benefits of sharing your authentic self with your students. Liz is a political scientist and the Associate Director of Instructional Support at the University of Mississippi Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She is also the author of The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

Anna Logan, an award-winning Associate Professor, and Ann Marie Farrell, an esteemed Assistant Professor at Dublin City University, share insights on fostering community in large classrooms. They discuss the unique challenges of engaging students in expansive settings and highlight innovative approaches like co-teaching and Universal Design for Learning. Listeners learn about the importance of empathy, collaboration, and accessibility to enhance learning experiences. Their annual symposium has been pivotal in transforming pedagogical practices in higher education.

In this insightful discussion, Dan Levy, an economist and senior lecturer at Harvard University, and teaching fellow Angela Perez Albertos explore the transformative role of ChatGPT in education. They dive into how AI can personalize learning experiences and support disadvantaged students. The pair also highlight the potential of AI tools in providing faculty feedback and improving active learning. Additionally, they discuss the practical applications of ChatGPT in both educational and professional settings, addressing its impact on job markets and productivity.