Learning styles are a myth – the research is conclusive. What can we take away from this myth, though? What, if anything, can be salvaged from learning styles theory and its relation to empirically-backed learning theories? I have a confession to make. Until recently, I believed in learning styles. I may not have been a […]
Read about how ungrading in a graduate class changed the author’s experience and helped them center their own reasons for taking the course. The Teaching Innovation Team offered a summer book club for faculty in which we read Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). In its literal sense, ungrading is […]
When recording videos for your class, polish matters less than you think. Learn why and how to let go of the idea of a “perfect” video and embrace some jankiness in your teaching. If you’re tentative about making videos for your students, this post is for you. When I started making videos for my classes, […]
We know that teaching is a highly personal experience for faculty at Ball State, and that gaining feedback isn’t as easy as simply opening up your door for someone to peek inside. At Ball State we’ve put together structures and supports to facilitate a faculty-forward peer review program. Classroom observations are common practice in the […]
Consider how to craft a syllabus disability statement that students will read and will encourage them to seek help with their learning. When you include a disability statement on your syllabus, do your students… Of course, we’d like to think that it’s always C. Unfortunately, many students at best ignore disability statements and at worst […]
Is there a place for Bitmoji in Higher Education? How might it serve as a means for humanizing the students and educators behind computer screens, creating a pathway for meaningful learning and collaboration? It was the peak of the pandemic and educators across the country were in a perpetual state of figuring it out. In […]
It’s easy to unintentionally make assumptions about the background knowledge students bring with them to class. How can we check the assumptions we make, and how can we assist students who do have background knowledge gaps? In August 2022, I facilitated a workshop on implicit bias and course design. My overall goal was to engage […]
Learn how to use a new Canvas design feature to create quick buttons or icons for common course items, such as Syllabus and Grades. Want to quickly and easily make buttons to help your students navigate your course? With the new Icon Maker in Canvas, you can have buttons like these up and running in […]
In a time of rapid change, these tactics can help higher education faculty “center the needs of the students” and “ensure equitable and inclusive experiences.” For the past few months, I have been thinking about the future of higher education. Recently, I have learned from books like the Great Upheaval and at conferences like OLC […]
Learn more about who Ball State students are, the challenges they face in their academic and personal lives, and how this can impact your teaching. Every Fall and Spring, Ball State deploys a survey to students (online and in-person) through institution-wide Canvas announcements. This survey, which consists of about 40 questions, is designed to evaluate […]
