A Danish proverb says, "He who is afraid to ask is ashamed of learning." But that doesn't mean it's easy to ask!
Help your students ask questions in class.
How to help students find their voice in class
Students know that they learn better when they speak up in class--whether that is asking clarifying questions, sharing an idea, practicing an explanation, or inviting their peers to expand on their ideas. Still, it can be hard. Students may worry about their spoken English skills, especially for non-native speakersdislike or be surprised at their voice... Continue Reading →
Increasing student completion of assignments
This semester, you can help students complete their assignments with a few easy steps. These choices also tend to reduce student stress and cheating, which in turn reduces teacher stress.
Toggling between in-person and online this semester?
Consistency will help students manage their time and help make sure that nothing (or fewer things) fall through the crack since it limits the changes in a semester full of them.
Start Strong this Semester with Six Easy Tips
Remember that students are often less adept at learning from home than you are at teaching from home.
Handling hot conversations in college classes
The US's approach to free speech prioritizes individual expression by the speaker over the safety of the listener. In contrast, in the nations we like to compare ourselves to, free speech is often organized around the harm that speech does to others. This is a major difference, but for those of us who teach in... Continue Reading →
Remind your students: Time in online classes is a strong predictor of grade
I just ran an analysis of my most recently-taught online course and found (again) reminders that how much time students spend in their online classes corresponds to their grade in the course. Now, this comes with several caveats: "How much time spent" isn't a measure of paying attention. A student could login on, turn on... Continue Reading →
Lighten your load: Weight grades.
Six weeks ago, my local public school resumed classes. The district decides on a week-by-week basis if students will be fully online, in person 2 days a week and online 3, or fully in person. This also varies by elementary, middle, and high school, so you elementary schools will be hybrid next week while the... Continue Reading →
Last days to read “How the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Change Our Future Teaching” online for free at Religion & American Culture
Free access to this FORUM piece--brief think pieces on current issues--ends tomorrow. Check out contributions by Brandon Bayne, Valerie Cooper, Gastón Espinosa, and me, all scholars of religion writing about the impact of the pandemic on higher education broadly. You can download now and read another day if you don't have time today. In my... Continue Reading →
Lighten Your Teaching Load.
October and March are hard months for educators--too far from the start of the year to be excited by the newness and too far from winter or summer break to find the motivation to finish strong. For many of us, this October came fast. Some of us began school earlier than usual, trying to get... Continue Reading →
Rebecca Barrett-Fox 