by Debie Lohe, Director, Reinert Center As we welcome new faculty and students to campus, the Reinert Center is gearing up for its focus this year on Thinking Critically, Thinking Creatively. This theme will inform some of our regular programs, including workshops in our Certificate Program, our annual Winter Institute, and our Teaching with Technology… Continue reading Thinking Critically, Thinking Creatively: Considerations of a Theme
The Reinert Center Welcomes New Staff
The Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning enthusiastically announces the newest members of our staff. Instructional Developer: James Fortney James has been teaching undergraduate courses on communication, identity, and difference for nearly a decade. Prior to joining the Center, he was faculty in the Department of Communication Studies at Western Washington University. He also… Continue reading The Reinert Center Welcomes New Staff
Embracing Challenging Students
by Mitch Lorenz, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center Following thoughtful class design, lecture preparation, online class portal updating, and first day of class clothing selection comes the time when we, as teachers, must step into the classroom and actually interact with students. Regardless of the degree of preparation, unexpected problems may arise as students begin to… Continue reading Embracing Challenging Students
New Resource Guide: Making Student Work Public Online
The Reinert Center has a series of brief resource guides designed to provide quick information on topics related to teaching. Our latest resource guide, Making Student Work Public Online, addresses some of the major considerations needed when using online platforms for student assignments. As more assignments go online, it is important for faculty to know some of the ethical and… Continue reading New Resource Guide: Making Student Work Public Online
Effective Classroom Demonstrations
by Kelly McEnerney, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center As pedagogical tools for engaging students, demonstrations serve a useful role in the classroom, particularly when used to introduce concepts that are difficult to convey in words. To extend this point, imagine a classic example of a child learning to tie shoes. Take a few seconds to formulate… Continue reading Effective Classroom Demonstrations
Designing and Facilitating Group Work
by James Fortney, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center I recently taught an undergraduate course on small group processes, with an emphasis on the role of communication in the development of the ‘work’ done by group members. It was an exciting opportunity for me to consider interdisciplinary perspectives on small groups (i.e., the content of selected readings… Continue reading Designing and Facilitating Group Work
Creating Significant Learning Experiences: Takeaways from the Annual National Workshop
by Sandy Gambill, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Now in it’s 2nd edition, L. Dee Fink’s Creating Significant Learning Experiences has impacted many instructors’ decisions around course design. I recently had the opportunity to attend the annual workshop offered by Fink and Associates on applying the course design model they have developed. Here are two elements… Continue reading Creating Significant Learning Experiences: Takeaways from the Annual National Workshop
Reinert Center Pilots New Program on Culturally Responsive Teaching
by Debie Lohe, Director, Reinert Center Next week, the Reinert Center will launch a pilot for a new program focused on helping SLU faculty and graduate student instructors design and teach courses in ways that are culturally responsive. While the particular emphasis for the pilot is on engaging international students more inclusively, the concepts of… Continue reading Reinert Center Pilots New Program on Culturally Responsive Teaching
Book Review: Teaching Intensive and Accelerated Courses: Instruction That Motivates Learning
by Sandy Gambill, Reinert Center, Instructional Developer Teaching Intensive and Accelerated Courses: Instruction That Motivates Learning by Raymond J. Wlodkowski and Margery B. Ginsberg July is traditionally a time for the beach and BBQs. It’s also traditionally the time both teachers and students question their decisions to be in the classroom instead of the swimming… Continue reading Book Review: Teaching Intensive and Accelerated Courses: Instruction That Motivates Learning
Summer Reading List
by Jerod Quinn, Instructional Developer I have the good fortune to be in a place where there is an abundance of great reading and research available for my profession, instructional development. My co-workers point me towards exciting new ideas in the field along with keeping a list of the foundational writings. And with all that… Continue reading Summer Reading List
The Notebook 