Teaching in Higher Ed

Teresa Thompson, a tenured accounting professor at West Valley College known for her innovative teaching, shares her unique approach to education. She emphasizes the power of intentional communication, like thoughtful welcome emails, to ease students' anxiety. Teresa creatively incorporates pop culture into her syllabi, with themes like Barbie and Pokémon, making learning relatable and fun. She also highlights the importance of empathy and connection in fostering a supportive classroom environment, ensuring students feel seen and engaged.

Alyssa B shares her insights from the Teaching in Higher Ed Story Caravan, celebrating its unexpected successes and collaborative spirit. Jennie B introduces delicious Kirkland Caramel S’mores Clusters while discussing community engagement in education. Marshall Goldsmith explores leadership habits that often hold people back, alongside Dr. Sarah-Jane’s reflections on effective teaching methods. The conversation flows through personal anecdotes, essential book recommendations, and the importance of connection in the teaching profession.

Dan Levy, an AI education expert, and Angela Pérez, a tech-savvy teaching innovator, dive into the transformative power of ChatGPT in enhancing teaching methods. They discuss how AI can alleviate the overwhelm many educators feel, with tools like ChatGPT generating creative topic ideas. Levy emphasizes that the role of teachers is shifting towards designing feedback rather than just delivering it, while Pérez highlights how AI fosters personalized learning experiences. Their insights make a compelling case for embracing technology in education.

John Warner, an educator passionate about pedagogical principles, discusses the importance of prioritizing teaching methods over AI's allure. He emphasizes the reflective nature of writing and the necessity for authentic engagement in academic work. Warner critiques the use of historical figure chatbots, arguing they dilute educational quality and misrepresent history. He also introduces 'Franken Stories,' a creative writing game that fosters collaboration and joy in the writing process, while advocating for a balanced approach to technology in education.

Andrew Cross and Alyshahn Kara-Virani share about creating interactive experiences and shaping the future of teaching on episode 535 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode A lot of play science comes down to being a safe space to learn from each other, to see how people respond to what you put out there in the world without it being this critical life or death situation. -Andrew Cross People disproportionately remember experiences based on both the peaks and the valleys, and then also the ending experience. -Andrew Cross Encourage students to freely explore the content on their own. Sometimes that’s content, sometimes it’s a physical space. Turn them loose to go off and find something that they find interesting, a little bit of free choice learning. -Andrew Cross Status quo is our enemy too often. -Andrew Cross Resources Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown The Play Conference by US Play Coalition The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip & Dan Heath Peak–end rule Episode 530 : Lessons from the Road: Share Your Teaching Stories with Dave Stachowiak Episode 527 : Beyond Dichotomous Thinking: Strategies to Enhance Teaching and Learning with Alexis Peirce Caudell The Museum Experience Revisited by John H Falk, Lynn D Dierking Activity-Based Teaching in the Art Museum: Movement, Embodiment, Emotion by Getty Museum The 5 “E”s

Josh Eyler, an educator passionate about meaningful learning, discusses how to cultivate hope and intrinsic motivation in students. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity by connecting lessons to students' interests. Eyler also explores significant grading reform, influenced by social media, advocating for equitable practices like labor-based grading. He shares personal reflections on his experiences with caregiving and how they impact his educational philosophy, highlighting the need for systemic change that balances rigor with empathy.

Josh Eyler, an educator and father, tackles the real-world implications of academic grading. He discusses how grades often lead to fear rather than genuine learning, questioning their role as accurate measures of understanding. Eyler emphasizes the emotional toll grades take on students and families, advocating for environments that nurture intrinsic motivation. He argues for the necessity of revamping grading systems, suggesting that fostering a love for learning should outweigh the pressure of numerical scores.

Mylien Duong, a specialist in facilitating contentious conversations in educational settings, shares powerful strategies for tackling difficult topics in the classroom. She emphasizes the importance of preparing students for civic engagement and establishing a safe environment for discussions. Mylien discusses the significance of humility, effective questioning, and the impact of personal beliefs on perceptions of truth. She also introduces the concept of cyclic sighing as a tool to enhance classroom dialogue, leaving listeners inspired to transform contentious debates into constructive learning experiences.

Christopher Gilman, an advocate for hands-on learning, and Adelmar Ramirez, a professor focused on innovative teaching, dive into the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF). They discuss how IIIF democratizes access to special collections, enriching student experiences. The conversation explores innovative uses of digital poetry and annotations for collaborative learning. They highlight the transformative role of AI and interactive tools in education, advocating for strong student engagement through creative and equitable teaching methods.

Dive into heartfelt teaching stories that resonate like a nostalgic road trip. The hosts reflect on a decade of sharing experiences, highlighting the power of collaboration and community. They discuss a unique storytelling caravan designed to foster connections among educators. Expect insights on overcoming challenges, the beauty of vulnerability, and the joy of discovery in teaching. Plus, look forward to engaging giveaways and a profound focus on the importance of sharing our imperfect journeys.