Cognitive wrappers are small self-reflective assignments given before and after homework, class activities, labs, lectures, or assessments to help students focus on the preparation they did. It asks students to reflect on questions such as “how often did you review your notes before class?” or “what tasks did you do to prepare for this exam?” As a …
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Student disengagement: problem or invitation?
An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education notes that students aren’t able to work independently as much these days, especially for significant and complex work such as research projects. Glad to see they got the memo. The article’s initial approach is to frame this as a “problem” that needs to be “fixed,” which …
Growth Mindset for Teachers
I chanced upon an article from my colleague Jessica Riddell the other day that I thought worth sharing. The title caught my eye: “There is no such thing as a naturally gifted teacher.” Jessica calls out the pedagogical hypocrisy in academia that would commit us to a growth mindset for our students (as learners) while …
Teaching Center Spring Events
Now that the Spring semester is in full swing, I wanted to post our calendar and opportunities for faculty this semester! Also note deadlines for travel grant applications below. Lunch Discussions Reading and Working Groups Workshops and Retreats First-Year Faculty Seminars Tuesday, January 24 ChatGPT and Other AI: Impacts for Teaching and Student …
Encouragement
Leaves are falling, there’s a snap in the air, students seem more exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed, and faculty are strained and spread thin. It must be midterms. The hopes of the beginning of the semester always seem to dissolve into the time constraints of academic life this time of year. My best intentions—to embrace active …
Maintenance Required
As faculty, we can often find ourselves with plenty to do – grade, conference with students, serve the university and our community, design our next set of courses. You name the task, and you’re likely to find it on our to-do list. Then as humans, we have relationships to tend to, hobbies to enjoy, plans …
Thank You, Belmont Faculty
“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say.” – Alice Walker November ushers in a time of intentional gratitude and signals that we pause and reflect over all that we can be grateful for right now. In my reflection, I always give thanks for those who taught me the importance of a genuine …
Incorporating Inclusive Elements for Our Courses, Classrooms, and Labs
As teachers, we need to be intentional about our course design and activities because they impact how we engage students and recognize their diverse identities and experiences. While it can be challenging to identify ways to show a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, checking in with colleagues and discussing their approaches is helpful. The …
Teaching Tips from the Pandemic
As the pandemic continues, its lasting impact on our pedagogy is evident in how our shift included unexpected silver linings. Our first Teaching Center luncheon explored what colleagues learned about their pedagogy and how they decided to stick with those techniques/activities that may have started as temporary. Here are a few highlights from the luncheon: …
Recording of the Tenure and Promotion at Belmont Online Workshop Now Available
In partnership with the Belmont University Tenure, Promotion and Leaves Committee, the Teaching Center recently hosted the workshop, “Tenure & Promotion at Belmont: Best Practices in Creating an Effective Faculty Portfolio.” During this workshop, members of the Tenure, Promotion and Leaves Committee walked attendees through the process of preparing the tenure and promotion portfolio. Faculty …