by Victoria Carter, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center As we settle into mid-semester, we should reflect, “Do my students feel like they belong in my class?” This is something that we should be thinking about often. But, with all the moving pieces that come with teaching, it can slip our minds. There are many aspects of… Continue reading Creating an Inclusive Classroom
Category: Tips on Teaching
Midterms as a Point for Student Introspection
by Eric Royer, Instructional Developer Midterms are more than just an opportunity to assess student learning; they provide an invaluable point for student introspection. Through in-class polls, reflective assignments, or surveys, students have an opportunity to provide feedback, both affirming and critiquing their course learning experiences as well as our teaching strategies and approaches in… Continue reading Midterms as a Point for Student Introspection
Teaching with Canvas
by Eric Royer, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Fall 2021 marks our transition to Canvas as SLU’s new Learning Management System (LMS). Working in a new LMS will likely require more of your time and patience. You’ll need to learn or grow comfortable with new tools. You’ll need to rethink the design of your course, how… Continue reading Teaching with Canvas
Bursting the Busywork Bubble
by Robert Cole, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Well, it’s that time of year. As we move closer to graduation we are administering and grading exams, final projects and presentations. We will also soon receive notification that our course evaluations are available. Course evaluations often provide an opportunity to take stock and identify if changes need… Continue reading Bursting the Busywork Bubble
Wise feedback to reduce stereotype threat and to support your classroom community
by Christopher Grabau, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Offering constructive feedback on student performance can offer important opportunities for social and intellectual development. However, research has found that students do not always understand how teachers critique their work and may misconstrue comments as overly negative. This misunderstanding can reinforce negative stereotypes and undermine teacher/student trust. Wise… Continue reading Wise feedback to reduce stereotype threat and to support your classroom community
Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom
by Eric Royer, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning My disciplinary research and teaching area of expertise is in human rights and post-conflict transitions. Students in my classes are often exposed to genocides and mass killings, humanitarian crises, and child trafficking rings linked to conflict minerals. These topics, as well as the… Continue reading Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Classroom
Striking a Balance in Scholarship and Teaching
by Robert Cole, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Upon entering academia, we are very aware that scholarship and research are emphasized on the path to success. Kehrer and Svenson (2012) state that “At its core, a university is a community of scholars, scholarship should permeate every… college and school”. However, now more than ever, universities are… Continue reading Striking a Balance in Scholarship and Teaching
Don’t Forget: Breakout Rooms Require Community, Too
by Eric Royer, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning In our push to accommodate the needs of students participating in online, hybrid, and remote learning formats, Zoom breakout rooms are consistently promoted as a viable tool to engage and connect students with content, each other, and course activities. The format has even… Continue reading Don’t Forget: Breakout Rooms Require Community, Too
Planning for Uncertainty: Tips to help establish a sense of consistency, care, and community
by Christopher Grabau, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center As we look ahead to the next semester, there may be an air of confusion as to how best to plan for the next term. While we cannot predict the future impact of the pandemic on our community, there are several ways instructors can offset uncertainty associated with… Continue reading Planning for Uncertainty: Tips to help establish a sense of consistency, care, and community
A Tip, An Article, and a Tool
by Sandy Gambill, Sr. Instructional Developer, Reinert Center As we’re in the downstretch of a fall semester like no other, we want to offer you a few resources that you might find useful as you plan for spring.The Tip: Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed from teaching in a situation where you have students in… Continue reading A Tip, An Article, and a Tool
The Notebook 