
Teaching in Higher Ed
Thank you for checking out the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. This is the space where we explore the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. We also share ways to increase our personal productivity, so we can have more peace in our lives and be even more present for our students.
Latest episodes

Aug 12, 2021 • 43min
Small Teaching Reprised
James Lang shares about the second edition of Small Teaching on episode 374 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Small changes can absolutely lead to revolutionary changes.
-James Lang
Students have to be introduced and conditioned to accept different types of teaching approaches.
-James Lang
I love having my students try to teach things they have learned to another audience.
-James Lang
My most fundamental principal about teaching is vary what you’re doing.
-James Lang
Resources
Should We Stop Grading Class Participation?
Small Changes in Teaching: The Last 5 Minutes of Class
On Not Drawing Conclusions About Online Teaching Now — or Next Fall
Small Changes in Teaching: Making Connections
What I Am Learning About My Students During an Impossible Semester
Turn Your Classroom Irritation Into Compassion
Pedagogies of Care: Open Resources

Aug 5, 2021 • 50min
The Role of Faculty in Student Mental Health
Sarah Lipson and Laura Horne share about The Role of Faculty in Student Mental Health on episode 373 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
One of the most important determinants of student learning is motivation.
-Sarah Lipson
Resources Mentioned
Student Mental Health and Faculty: Q&A With Dr. Sarah Kelchen Lipson of the Health Minds Study:
Report: The Role of Faculty in Student Mental Health
ACUE Report: Creating a Culture of Caring: Practical Approaches for College and University Faculty to Support Student Wellbeing and Mental Health
Teaching in Higher Ed Episode 317 with Laura Horne: Mental Health on the College Campus

Jul 29, 2021 • 37min
Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education
Alex Shevrin Venet, an educator and author from Vermont, discusses her insights on equity-centered trauma-informed education. She highlights the subjective nature of trauma, noting that what stresses one person may traumatize another. Venet emphasizes that trauma-informed education is an evolving practice, not just a checklist. The conversation covers the lasting impact educators have on students, the importance of fostering safe environments, and proactive approaches to support student well-being, especially in light of collective trauma from events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jul 22, 2021 • 33min
Peer Mentoring
Simon Dalley shares about peer mentoring on episode 371 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
A peer mentor is a more qualified and experienced student that provides guidance and support to another student.
-Simon Dalley
Mentors are influential in terms of being a remodel. They are the embodiment of a successful student.
-Simon Dalley
Teaching is to learn twice.
-Simon Dalley
Resources
Video of peer mentors talking about the programme
Motivational interviewing overview
The Hidden Curriculum
Video: Unwritten Rules for College Success
Kristen Neff – Self Compassion

Jul 15, 2021 • 45min
Toward More Equitable Assessment
Erin Whitteck and Douglas Fritz share efforts toward more equitable assessment on episode 370 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
First impressions with students are extremely important.
-Erin Whitteck
High stakes assessments create such a risk averse environment where there is no room to fail.
-Douglas Fritz
Resources
Bonni explains the significance of her favorite number (208) and how it is associated with her teaching during Episode 208
Boxes (digital and/or analog) of encouragement
Relationship-Rich Education, by Peter Felton and Leo Lambert
Peter Felton and Leo Lambert talk about Relationship-Rich Education on Episode 331 of Teaching in Higher Ed
Robert Talbert describes his 3-dimensional view of assessment in his post: Building Calculus Assessments (not just related to calculus, by the way)
Retrieval Practice
Erin likes how Rissa Sorensen-Unruh talks about the word ‘rigor’ in being used to support high-stakes exams

Jul 8, 2021 • 38min
Advice to a New Professor
Dave and Bonni Stachowiak give advice to a new professor on episode 369 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Students aren’t our adversaries.
-Kevin Gannon
Resources Mentioned
Episode 6: Eight Seconds That will Transform Your Teaching with Dave Stachowiak
Episode 94: Retrieval Practice with Pooja Agarwal
Retrieval Practice website
Episode 184: The Science of Retrieval Practice with Pooja Agarwal
Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It, by James M. Lang
The Distracted Classroom series, by James M. Lang for The Chronicle of Higher Education
Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, 2nd Edition, by James M. Lang
The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom, 3rd Edition, by Stephen D. Brookfield
The Productive Online and Offline Professor, by Bonni Stachowiak

Jul 1, 2021 • 43min
Defining Our Future
Kelvin Bentley talks about defining our future on episode 368 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
The pandemic has forced us to re-examine how we teach, what we are teaching, and what we can be doing differently.
-Kelvin Bentley
Our learners need us to be more mindful of our work.
-Kelvin Bentley
We need to do a better job at re-examining our learning experiences.
-Kelvin Bentley
We need to leverage better data to make more informed decisions that will help us improve our pedagogy.
-Kelvin Bentley
Resources
@BlackTimeLord
Dr. Who
Actualizing the Online Community College, by Kelvin Bentley for EDUCAUSE
Kelvin joins Bryan Alexander on the Future Trends Forum
Paul LeBlanc of Southern New Hampshire University
Capella University’s FlexPath Learning Format
WGU (Western Governors University)
WGU Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Marni Baker Stein

Jun 24, 2021 • 45min
Fuel Efficient Mentoring
Resa Lewiss & Adaira Landry share about fuel efficient mentoring on episode 367 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
There has to be a sense of trust and physiological safety in the mentor/mentee relationship.
-Resa Lewiss
Boundaries are the most important part of a relationship.
-Adaira Landry
The whole point of this is to build a sustainable model so that you mentor more.
-Adaira Landry
It is the responsibility of the mentor to recognize if it is not the right fit.
-Resa Lewiss
Resources Mentioned
What Efficient Mentorship Looks Like
What a Compassionate Email Culture Looks Like
Here’s Something Good: The Doctor Will See You Now…Remotely on Apple Podcasts

Jun 17, 2021 • 45min
How to Create a Digital Teaching Toolkit
Jeremy Caplan on episode 366 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Sometimes the tool isn’t the most important thing.
-Jeremy Caplan
The really important thing is that we are engaging people.
-Jeremy Caplan
Sometimes an investment in trying a new tool can open up some advantages.
-Jeremy Caplan
Resources Mentioned
Jeremy Caplan’s Wonder Tools newsletter
Pitch | Collaborative presentation software for modern teams
Presentation Maker | From Basic to Beautiful in Minutes with Beautiful.ai
Projector — Create to captivate
Slido – Audience Interaction Made Easy
Recommended Zoom Settings – YouTube
Photos – Google Photos
Send to Dropbox | Email + Dropbox
Conversations in the cloud
SpeakPipe – receive voice messages from your audience directly on your website.
Flipgrid | Empower Every Voice
Google Jamboard
Padlet: You are beautiful
An Online Visual Collaboration Platform for Teamwork | Miro
MURAL.CO
FigJam is an online whiteboard for teams to explore ideas together
The Digital Gallery Walk: Collaboration on their feet – Ditch That Textbook
Amuse-bouche

Jun 10, 2021 • 44min
Equity-Enhancing Data Tools
Viji Sathy and Kelly Hogan share two equity-enhancing data tools on episode 365 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
When I saw the data, my jaw dropped. I was so disappointed. The data was showing me that there were big disparities based on race and ethnicity.
-Kelly Hogan
What can I do to level the playing field for students?
-Kelly Hogan
We wanted to give people the opportunity to hold a mirror up to their teaching in a way that was pretty inaccessible to a lot of instructors.
-Viji Sathy
We all collect a lot of data in our teaching that we don’t always see as data.
–Viji Sathy
Resources Mentioned
Class Features Tool in ConnectCarolina | The Office Of Undergraduate Curricula
Asking questions that probe for deeper understanding | Instructional Moves
New analytics dashboard lets faculty see class demographics | The Well : The Well
MCAD | The Center for Faculty Excellence
Teaching: Giving Students Better Information Before They Sign Up for Class
NameCoach
NameDrop
ESCALA Educational Services
How to pronounce Viji’s name from her website
Why We’re “Speaking Up” About Inclusive Teaching Strategies, by Viji Sathy and Kelly Hogan