by Nicole States, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Back in February, in Bedelia Richards’ “Teaching RaceTalk as a Skill” workshop, we had a great discussion on creating counter narratives to stereotypes from our fields. This discussion led me to reflect on the persistent image I see of scientists as primarily white, cisgender men. So how can… Continue reading Creating counter-narratives in STEM classrooms through scientist spotlights
Author: Reinert Center
The Myth of Learning Styles: Pedagogical Considerations Supporting a More Inclusive Learning Environment
by Christopher Grabau, Program Director, Reinert Center The concept of "learning styles" has persisted for decades, shaping teaching practices and curriculum design. However, a large body of research confirms that the notion of distinct learning styles, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, lacks empirical support and may even be detrimental to effective teaching and learning… Continue reading The Myth of Learning Styles: Pedagogical Considerations Supporting a More Inclusive Learning Environment
Implicit Processes and the Challenge of Deficit Thinking
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center With midterms recently passing, now is an ideal time to reflect on how we react to student performance in our classrooms. As an instructor, it can be especially disheartening when students do poorly on tests or assignments. How we react to these situations can serve as a reflection… Continue reading Implicit Processes and the Challenge of Deficit Thinking
M is for…Mindfulness
by Beth Petitjean, Ph.D., Digital Learning Specialist, Reinert Center It’s March. Besides the word itself, what other words starting with “M” spring to mind? “March Madness,” perhaps, as we cheer on our Billikens and other favorite college basketball teams. Perhaps “melancholy,” as we hope for mild weather during the last vestiges of winter. This week… Continue reading M is for…Mindfulness
Designing for Student Wellbeing in Online, Distance Courses
by Eric Royer, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Data from the 2022-2023 Healthy Minds Study[1] indicate that mental health challenges remain a vexing problem for students, with more than two-thirds of student respondents reporting that they felt isolated sometimes or often, 41 percent reporting symptoms of mild to moderate depression, and 34 percent reporting feelings of… Continue reading Designing for Student Wellbeing in Online, Distance Courses
Something’s Brewing: Repurposing Content into Culturally Responsive Activities
By Beth Petitjean, Ph.D., Digital Learning Specialist, Reinert Center At the Winter Institute earlier this month, the morning workshop focused on creating culturally responsive introductory activities. The intent was to show participants how they could take content and repurpose it into an activity to promote engagement, to introduce ways of thinking within the course discipline,… Continue reading Something’s Brewing: Repurposing Content into Culturally Responsive Activities
Kind Reflections to Help Create and Support Inclusive Learning Environments
by Christopher Grabau, Program Director, Reinert Center Discussions about ways to display care and compassion in teaching have come into focus over the last few years. Whether it be called Care Pedagogy, Compassionate Pedagogy, or Kindness pedagogy, there is a growing number of colleagues within the academy hoping to better articulate ways students can feel… Continue reading Kind Reflections to Help Create and Support Inclusive Learning Environments
2023 James H. Korn Award Winner
The Reinert Center is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the James H. Korn Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, Dr. Dannielle Joy Davis from the School of Education. The research conducted by Dr. Davis included research examining the experiences of marginalized groups in educational settings and the role of policy and practice in… Continue reading 2023 James H. Korn Award Winner
Reflecting on Recent CRT Community of Practice
by Mitchell Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Recently, a group of faculty from various departments here at SLU sat down to discuss culturally responsive teaching and academic dishonesty. It was a pleasure to join this community of practice, which will meet several times throughout the year as an extension of our Culturally Responsive Teaching Institute.… Continue reading Reflecting on Recent CRT Community of Practice
Resources for Well-Being
In light of on-going world-wide and local circumstances, remember that the Reinert Center team has many ways to support you as you and your students encounter tragic events. In addition to individual, confidential teaching consultations, we also have several resources on our website that focus on student and instructor well-being. Here are a few you… Continue reading Resources for Well-Being
The Notebook 