by Gina Merys, Acting Director, Reinert Center The middle of the term is often a time when we take a collective deep breath; we (faculty, students, and staff) have been racing through our days with never enough time, always looking toward the next item to achieve, to complete, to check off our list. At mid-term,… Continue reading An Invitation for Mid-Term Reflection
In-class Discussions
by Konnor Brennan, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center In-class discussions are one of the most frequently used pedagogical activities. While they are very popular in classrooms, most instructors know that implementing an effective and productive discussion takes time and planning. Designing and implementing an effective discussion activity can sometimes be challenging. One of the key components… Continue reading In-class Discussions
Student Attendance Accommodations
by James Fortney, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center An attendance accommodation is an understanding that a student’s medical diagnosis may impact their ability to attend class. It is also a way to support students whose absences may require flexibility as they complete course requirements. As such, an attendance accommodation is an opportunity to work with students… Continue reading Student Attendance Accommodations
Who is Learning Online?
by Sandy Gambill, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center When I signed up to write this blog post, I thought it would be a simple matter of finding some statistics and framing them in the context of the Reinert Center’s annual theme-- justice. After several false starts, I can tell you it was not that simple. There… Continue reading Who is Learning Online?
Universal Instructional Design (UID)
by James Fortney, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Universal instructional design (UID) is a pedagogical framework used to help design courses that are accessible for all students, including students with disabilities. We have described this approach to course design in previous blogs [LINK] and considered ways to apply it to different teaching contexts and situations (e.g.,… Continue reading Universal Instructional Design (UID)
Teaching and Justice
by Gina Merys, Acting Director, Reinert Center The university must carry out this general commitment [to transform and enlighten the society in which it lives] with the means uniquely at its disposal: we as an intellectual community must analyze causes; use imagination and creativity together to discover remedies; communicate to our constituencies a consciousness that… Continue reading Teaching and Justice
Icebreakers in the Classroom
by Gina Merys, Acting Director, Reinert Center Icebreakers, often defined as techniques to introduce people to each other, are frequently used during the first week of classes to help instructors and students get to know one another. While this can be useful, when designed with the skills and knowledge of a specific course in mind,… Continue reading Icebreakers in the Classroom
