Teaching in Higher Ed

Discover the fun behind the card game Go Somewhere, designed for playful discussions about serious topics. Bonni Stachowiak emphasizes using metaphors to explore the impact of AI on education and personal identity. The game encourages creativity and collaboration through a Pictionary-style round, allowing teams to express their interpretations of AI. Reflect on values and actionable steps in the final round, ensuring that learning and growth continue beyond the game. Tune in for valuable insights and resources on navigating AI in educational spaces.

In this conversation, Christy Albright, a researcher in learning sciences with a theological background, and Clarissa Sorensen-Unruh, a chemistry faculty member focused on pedagogy, delve into the complexities of grief in educational contexts. They explore anticipatory grief and its implications for faculty and students. The discussion touches on how grief can shape resilience and psychological capital, offering strategies for educators to support themselves and their students. Personal anecdotes reveal how grief remains a lifelong companion, emphasizing the importance of compassion in learning environments.

Roberta Hawkins is a geography professor researching digital media and environmental politics, while Leslie Kern is an academic and author specializing in feminist geography. They discuss how academia often exploits passionate faculty, urging a shift in how we perceive academic work. The duo advocates for collaboration, non-hierarchical practices, and the importance of making invisible labor visible. They propose practical strategies like service audits and time-blocking to combat workload demands and create a more equitable academic environment.

Dave Stachowiak, a seasoned podcaster and educator, joins Bonni to celebrate the legacy of Ken Bain. They share poignant memories of Bain's profound impact on teaching and faculty development. From heartfelt testimonials by colleagues to personal stories about Bain's books, they discuss how his work shaped educators globally. Their lighthearted anecdotes reflect on Bain's quirks, including a humorous podcast moment. The conversation underscores the importance of revisiting Bain's insights and carrying forward his vision in higher education.

Carter Moulton, an educational developer and media researcher at the Colorado School of Mines, introduces his Analog Inspiration card deck designed for human-centered AI in teaching. He shares how the deck encourages faculty to engage in meaningful discussions about values and ethics in AI. Carter emphasizes the importance of fostering classroom relationships, supporting peer learning, and creating a sense of belonging. The conversation also highlights the need for intentionality with AI use and the idea of nurturing community while maintaining educational rigor.

Barbara Oakley, an engineering professor and author of "Learning How to Learn," dives into compelling discussions on free speech, metaphors in teaching, and course design. She shares insights about the historical context of free speech and its paradox in educational settings. Oakley highlights the importance of vivid metaphors for enhancing learning and provides tips on iterative course development. Additionally, she introduces tools like Sway.ai that foster engagement among differing opinions, making critical dialogue more accessible.

Join Simon Cullen, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon, and Danny Oppenheimer, a Professor of Psychology, as they explore innovative attendance policies in higher education. They delve into research showing that while attendance boosts success, forced attendance can sour student experience. Cullen and Oppenheimer advocate for giving students choice, revealing that autonomy enhances engagement. They discuss the importance of treating students as adults and suggest ways to scaffold choices that align with their preferences, ultimately transforming classroom dynamics.

Mike Caulfield, a researcher known for the SIFT verification method, dives into the innovative use of AI as a co-reasoning partner. He shares insights about balancing AI's strengths, like source discovery, with its limitations in tracing provenance. Mike emphasizes teaching students to approach AI interactions iteratively, transforming critical thinking into practical doing. He reflects on the importance of maintaining the journey of discovery and advocates for ethical AI usage in communities. Plus, he introduces his Deep Background tool to enhance information literacy.

Dom Conroy, an associate professor at the Open University specializing in educational podcasting, and Warren Kidd, a senior lecturer focused on technology-enhanced learning, discuss the transformative potential of podcasts in higher education. They explore the nuances of what constitutes a podcast, emphasize the importance of authenticity in voice, and share insights on creating intimacy through audio. Dom and Warren highlight how podcasts encourage reflective teaching and foster relational learning, advocating for their broader use in educational settings.

Emily Pitts Donahoe, an expert in alternative grading and progressive teaching, discusses the transformative 'Grading for Growth' framework. She identifies four essential pillars: marks indicating progress, reattempts without penalties, clear standards, and actionable feedback. With insights from Bonni's daughter, they explore how traditional grades fail to communicate true student progress, emphasizing the need for a grading system that prioritizes learning over mere performance. Emily's reflections urge educators to rethink their approaches for better student engagement.