Category Archives: Teaching
Screencasting: What and Why?
Screencasting is a technique that allows you to record everything that happens on your computer screen then turn that recording into a video. Not very exciting, right? But think about all the things you do on your computer. More importantly, … Continue reading
Online Course Teaching Tip
Thank you to Katherine Merrill, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics & Statistics, for contributing this post. As an avid learner, I have always been amazed at students who think that the instructor is solely responsible for their learning. And this is … Continue reading
Are effective group work assignments possible?
How often have you heard things like: “Oh no, not another group assignment!” from students? Or from faculty, “Why don’t group projects go the way I intend?” We know that valuable transferable job skills are learned during group work and … Continue reading
Facilitating Classroom Discussions
This summer, I revisited the excellent book Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms by Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill. I’d like to share some key ideas from their text (and encourage you to … Continue reading
Managing Distracting Technology in the Classroom
Do you frequently attend meetings where technology is banned? I don’t. In fact, technology plays an important role in most of the meetings of which I am a part. On laptops, each participant can view the agenda and related documents. … Continue reading
Engaging Students on the First Day of Class
When I was an undergraduate, the first day of class was frequently predictable: syllabus, expectations, teacher’s introduction, a brief lesson, and early release. I tended to be more focused on who else was in the class (Do I know and … Continue reading
iClicker Reminders for New Semester
Here are a few reminders as you get your course up and running to use iclickers: Only install iClicker software from our website CTL. It has special settings for UVM and Blackboard. Link to iClicker page on CTL website Check … Continue reading
Faculty-to-Faculty Consulting Program
The CTL welcomes our new faculty associates, Nicole Phelps, (History) and Dianna Murray-Close, (Psychological Science). In their roles as faculty associates, Drs. Phelps and Murray-Close will be available to consult individually with faculty about teaching challenges including those related to teaching … Continue reading
The Sound and Fury (When Classroom Discussions are Difficult)
Sometimes class discussions are difficult because students are hesitant to participate or because one student tends to dominate. And sometimes—as we’ve heard from faculty in these turbulent times—they’re difficult because emotions are running high and some students may be angry … Continue reading
Knowing Thyself Gets a Hand from Exam Wrappers
Most of us can identify with the chagrin students feel when they earn a grade that they’re not happy about. But, as with most of life’s stings, the disappointment comes with a learning opportunity. An exam wrapper (or assignment or project wrapper) … Continue reading