Elevate Your Teaching Blog
Let Them Be Human: How Teaching with Compassion Starts with Your Syllabus
One of the simplest and most powerful ways to support student success is to include a flexibility clause in your syllabus, a short statement that recognizes students as whole human beings navigating complex lives. College students today juggle multiple responsibilities, including work, caregiving, health challenges, and mental health struggles. A flexibility clause doesn’t lower expectations or compromise academic integrity. Instead, it communicates compassion and trust, creating space for communication when life inevitably gets in the way.
Embracing Chat Apps in Higher Education
In the whirlwind of modern life, the advent of email has been both a boon and a bane. It’s a ubiquitous tool, indispensable for professional communication, yet it can also feel like a relentless taskmaster, constantly vying for our time and attention. However, while email remains a staple in many spheres, its reign is not unchallenged—particularly in the realm of student communication.
The Impact of Authenticity in Higher Education: Letting Students See the Real You
In today's changing landscape of higher education, the relationship between educators and students plays a pivotal role in the learning process. A growing body of research suggests that instructor authenticity—the genuine expression of one’s true self in the teaching environment—can significantly enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.
Building Bridges: Strategies for Connecting with College Students in the Classroom
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, fostering meaningful connections with students has become a cornerstone of effective teaching. As educators, the challenge is not only to deliver content but also to engage and inspire a generation of learners who are diverse, tech-savvy, and facing unique pressures both inside and outside the classroom.
Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes through Faculty Development
In the dynamic landscape of higher education, the quest for excellence in student learning outcomes remains a constant priority. Amidst evolving educational technologies, diverse student populations, and the growing demand for a broad set of skills from graduates, the role of faculty professional development (PD) has never been more critical.