University communities across the country continually are striving to find ways to best maximize student engagement. At the center of this issue is a question about which pedagogical practices are most effective at achieving student learning outcomes and maximizing retention. The Association of American Colleges and University (AAC&U) has identified ten practices that have shown to have significant positive effect on students’ learning outcomes. Each one of the ten…
In the modern age of smart phones, smart devices, smart appliances, and smart cars, we are more connected to technology, news, people, and information than ever before. Students obtain information and interact differently today than in the past as learning environments and technology have evolved. Institutions and faculty are evolving in their teaching and learning methods whether learning takes place in a brick and mortar classroom or an online…
This year’s Faculty Fellows are from all of the colleges and are focusing on Experiential Learning. Their goals have been to complete the application process for designating an Experiential Learning Class and share what they learn with their colleagues. They will also be discussing their year together at the Instructional Excellence Conference May 9 and 10, 2017. In this cohort, one of the resources we have used is the National Society for…
As we enter into the midterm grading period, it’s a good time to evaluate your use of the UTC Learn Grade Center. Why is now a good time? Because students want to be able to keep track of their grades throughout the semester. Using the grade center helps them stay informed and engaged in the class. Whether you are you an avid user or just getting started, the Walker…
Traditionally, faculty receive feedback from students only at the end of the semester, when it is already too late to address their comments or concerns. What if you could get a feel for their experience while there is still time to do something about it? That’s the beauty of the Midterm Survey! By adding a short survey to your course midway through the semester, you can find out from…
Just as online learning is different for students, online teaching is different for instructors. This spring, I will be offering a series of sessions on the topic of preparing to teach online. The first session is – Is Online Teaching for You? In this session, we will talk about how online teaching is different from teaching in a physical classroom. What is the role and responsibilities of the instructor?…
Welcome back! We hope that everyone was able to get some much needed rest during the holiday break. In this blog entry I wanted to provide you with the timing of several key events in UTC Learn that recur every semester. I will present each event, and then provide the applicable date for the Spring 2017 semester in parentheses, Summer 2017 semester in brackets, and Fall 2017 semester in…
March is upon us and Spring Break is right around the corner! While this is a welcome break for many, it can also bring about certain challenges for instructors. Although the expectation is that students will be present in class the days leading up to Spring Break, this is often not the case. Some students will choose to start their break a few days early, and in anticipation of…
Imagine this: You’re standing at the podium, giving the biology lecture you spent hours preparing, and out of nowhere you hear the random sounds of the latest viral YouTube video being mistakenly played through a phone. You immediately know that one of your students was browsing social media instead of learning the material. Recreational phone use during class time has become an epidemic. Many instructors have a difficult time…
One of the biggest areas of concern for students is their grades. Many students incur a significant amount of stress agonizing over their scores on exams or assignments. Although students must work hard to obtain good grades, there are a few things you can do as an instructor to alleviate a bit of the stress. Providing clear instructions for assignments and providing accurate, specific, and timely feedback are critical…
