Teaching in Higher Ed

In this engaging discussion, Jennifer Baumgartner, a Professor of early childhood education and an Inquiry Education Fellow at the Fred Rogers Institute, shares her insights on Mr. Rogers' teachings. She highlights the importance of love, slow living, and addressing difficult topics with children as foundational elements in education. Baumgartner emphasizes that anything mentionable is manageable, urging educators to create environments of trust and curiosity. The conversation reveals how Mr. Rogers' legacy can profoundly shape both childhood learning and higher education.

Karen Costa, a faculty development facilitator and author, dives into the intersection of education and nature. She discusses the therapeutic benefits of gardening and how engaging with green spaces can enhance mental well-being. Costa advocates for a teaching approach that emphasizes learning from nature and the importance of rest for resilience, suggesting that we can draw inspiration from nature’s cycles. She also touches on the role of diversity as a foundational strength in both ecosystems and educational environments.

Jessamyn Neuhaus, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at Syracuse University and author of Geeky Pedagogy, dives into the messiness of learning in the college classroom. She discusses the natural occurrence of mistakes and the pitfalls of perfectionism in academia. Neuhaus emphasizes that teaching is never perfectible and highlights the importance of embracing errors as opportunities for growth. She also explores the intersections of identity and systemic inequities, promoting a humanistic approach to education that values adaptability and authenticity.

Emily M. Bender, a linguistics professor and influential figure in AI, teams up with Alex Hanna, director of research at DAIR, to dissect the misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence. They discuss the urgent need for clarity in AI terminology and the societal impact of technology hype. The duo challenges the dichotomy between optimistic and pessimistic views on AI and highlights how educators must navigate its impact on teaching and student engagement. Their insights encourage a community-focused approach to understanding and regulating AI developments.

Rolin Moe, an education administrator focused on digital innovation, discusses the importance of rebuilding trust in education. He shares personal anecdotes that reflect on flexible teaching approaches and the joy of helping students discover new passions. In a thought-provoking segment, Moe explores the role of AI in transforming higher education and emphasizes the need for emotional connections in learning. He also highlights how board games like Wingspan can enhance education by fostering creativity and social interaction.

Alex Edmans shares about his book, May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases and What We Can Do About It on episode 574 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode We think a lie is basically the opposite of truth. So something is a lie if you can disprove it factually. -Alex Edmans What I focus on in my book is a more subtle form of a lie where something could be 100% accurate, but the inferences that we draw from them might be misleading. -Alex Edmans It’s not that they’re bad people, it’s that they’re people, they’re humans. And if we’re a person, we have biases. -Alex Edmans What I’m trying to highlight is the importance of being discerning. We want to have healthy skepticism, but we want to have the same healthy skepticism to something that we do like as something that we don’t. -Alex Edmans Resources May Contain Lies: How stories, statistics and studies exploit our biases — and what we can do about it, by Alex Edmans Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell Cookie Monster Practices Self-Regulation | Life Kit Parenting | NPR Addiction Rare in Patients Treated with Narcotics Taking A Mosaic Approach to AI in the Writing Classroom, presented by Chris Ostro All Else Equal Podcast A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara

Tolu Noah, Instructional Learning Spaces Coordinator at California State University, Long Beach and author of "Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality," shares her expertise on crafting enriching learning experiences. She emphasizes the importance of clear goals and adaptability in planning. Insights on effective timing and managing participant dynamics are discussed, along with digital tools like Padlet and Session Lab that enhance engagement. Tolu also reflects on the emotional journey of embracing cultural heritage through language learning.

Leon Furze, an international consultant and PhD student, explores the implications of generative AI in education. He discusses the necessity for educators to embrace AI rather than resist it, highlighting the balance between moral stances and teaching responsibilities. Furze connects ancient mythology with modern AI discussions, emphasizing the importance of critical AI literacy. He advocates for subject matter expertise in teaching, ensuring that passionate educators weave AI into their curricula effectively. Ethical considerations and the role of wearable technology in education also feature prominently in this thought-provoking conversation.

Jackie Shay, an assistant teaching professor in ecology and marine biology at UC Santa Barbara, passionately discusses overcoming imposter syndrome through joyful curiosity. She emphasizes the need for inclusive education that values diverse intelligences and encourages personal growth. Jackie shares how emotional intelligence and a beginner's mindset can help navigate feelings of inadequacy. She highlights the importance of fostering connections in learning and the joy found in new experiences, particularly through activities like basketball.

Laura Gibbs, a former faculty member at the University of Oklahoma, shares her expertise in interactive storytelling and its application across disciplines. She discusses the impact of 100-word stories on student engagement and creativity. Gibbs reveals the power of structured narratives in teaching, emphasizing choice and consequence in storytelling. She also reflects on the integration of AI tools in education, encouraging authentic expression. With insights into using platforms like Twine, Gibbs inspires listeners to embrace storytelling as a vital component of academic work.