From the Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed Series, University of Oklahoma Press, 2026. by Beth Petitjean, Ph.D., Digital Learning Specialist, Reinert Center Yes, it’s July. And, yes, it’s hot and sizzling in St. Louis. Appropriate time then for a summer book review and this time we’re perusing a recent volume from the Teaching,… Continue reading Book Review of Flower Darby, The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous Classes
Category: Engaging All Learners
Looking Forward on Distance Teaching
by Eric Royer, Program Director, Reinert Center My colleague Beth Petitjean’s previous Notebook post, “Wrapping It Up: Reflections on the Year in Distance Learning,” synthesized all of the things the Reinert Center has done to support distance teaching efforts at SLU this past academic year. As I find myself thinking about what we’ve accomplished, I… Continue reading Looking Forward on Distance Teaching
Looking Back on Accessibility
by Eric Royer, Program Director, Reinert Center In this blog, I’d like to take the opportunity to look back on the programming and resources the Reinert Center has developed (or collaborated on) this past academic year to support accessibility. Recent changes to Title II of the ADA have moved accessibility, often placed on the pedagogical… Continue reading Looking Back on Accessibility
Resources Revisited: Culturally Responsive Teaching
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center The Reinert Center’s Resources Revisited series highlights existing resources available to the SLU teaching community that may be especially timely or useful at certain points in the academic year. This month, we are revisiting resources on culturally responsive teaching. Culturally responsive teaching is the application of the cultural… Continue reading Resources Revisited: Culturally Responsive Teaching
Resources Revisited: Active Learning
by Robert Cole, Program Director, Reinert Center The Reinert Center’s Resources Revisited series highlights existing resources available to the SLU teaching community that may be especially timely or useful at certain points in the academic year. This month in Resources Revisited we’d like to focus on active learning activities. As we approach midterms, it may… Continue reading Resources Revisited: Active Learning
Intention Clarification and the Benefits of Non-Content Communication
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Summer is here! Somehow, it is already June and, for those teaching on 9-month contracts, it is time for that annual summer tradition of kicking back, relaxing, and engaging in deep reflection on teaching. This might include revisiting the Reinert Center’s online resources as you brainstorm ways to… Continue reading Intention Clarification and the Benefits of Non-Content Communication
Brain Freeze Moments: Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Group Discussions
by Nicole States, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center I am neurodivergent, I have an auditory processing disorder and a weak working memory. This means that communicating in group discussions is difficult for me. I wasn’t diagnosed until my late 20s, but reflecting on my life and academics since then has helped me see where I clearly… Continue reading Brain Freeze Moments: Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Group Discussions
What I’ve Been Reading
by Robert Cole, Program Director, Reinert Center Now that spring break has passed, it may be time to begin thinking about what to read later in the semester, after finals. I’ve been reading three books over the last few weeks that I’d be happy to recommend. The first book I’d like to share with you… Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading
Hope and Connection: Themes from the Ignatian Pedagogy Institute
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center The Reinter Center recently hosted the 2025 Ignatian Pedagogy Institute. The theme of the institute was how our courses can fulfill the Universal Apostolic Preference: “to accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.” The quickly changing political landscape, and the recent disruptions to grant funding… Continue reading Hope and Connection: Themes from the Ignatian Pedagogy Institute
Book Review- A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education
by Nicole States, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Mental Health and well-being among students have been put in the spotlight since the COVID-19 lockdown. However, mental health concerns in higher education did not begin during the pandemic. Katie Rose Guest Pryal emphasizes this point in her book, A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with… Continue reading Book Review- A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education
The Notebook 