Higher Education and Teaching Commons^™

Three Key Principles For Improving Discussion-Based Learning In College Classrooms, Christopher E. Garrett

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Discussion-Based Learning (DBL) can be an effective pedagogical tool for student engagement and developing higher-order thinking skills. However, DBL can be a challenging endeavor for college teachers for various reasons. The purposes of this article are to identify those challenges, present three key principles, and share several practical ideas that will help improve discussions in college classrooms.

Open Access Textbooks In A Professional Communication Classroom: A Pilot Study, Sherena Huntsman, Avery C. Edenfield, Erin L. Davis

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

In this paper, we share our findings from a curricular innovation project: a small pilot study replacing a conventional professional communication textbook with an open access book. Results showed that students received the change favorably and a final grade comparison showed no variation between similar courses that used conventional books and those that used open access books. While far from definitive, this study demonstrates the promise of open access books and open educational resources (OER), and that further study is needed in this area.

Student Success: A Literature Review Of Faculty To Student Mentoring, David D. Law, Kim Hales, Don Busenbark

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

This review summarizes the literature on university faculty to student mentoring programs. There has been a proliferation of mentoring programs because of the perceived benefit to student persistence and retention. While mentoring programs have become common, the research on these programs has not kept pace. Shortcomings identified thirty years ago such as lack of theoretical guidance, lack of operational definition of mentoring, and poor design continue to plague mentoring research. Recommendations to address these shortcomings and improve internal and external validity are examined. As universities continue to have increasingly constrained resources, and pressure to demonstrate strategies to help students be ...

Successful Strategies For Content Creation And Design Of Online Classes, Antje R. H. Graul

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Given the increasing demand for an education that is compatible with a students’ professional or private life, there is a growing need for higher-educational bodies to launch high-quality online classes that allow students to pursue their education while fitting it around their individual commitments. Thus, more than ever, guidance is needed on how to design an online class successfully. Drawing on the design of an asynchronous Digital Marketing online class, this article discusses strategic decisions regarding content creation, personalization, assignments, and assessment ideas that may hold the potential to increase students’ engagement in an online class. The insights provided may ...

Teaching Excellence: The Core Of The Land-Grant Mission, Stephen M. Gavazzi

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The tripartite mission of the land-grant university – teaching, research, and community engagement – has evolved over the course of the past 150 years. The intensified concentration on empirical activities in the last half century, however, is thought to have created a mission-related imbalance that often has relegated teaching and community engagement activities to second-tier status within the academy. In tandem, there have been several unforced errors on the part of universities that have diminished the public’s belief in the return on investment associated with a college degree. The argument is made for an increased emphasis on teaching and learning activities ...

The Impact And Importance Of Understanding The Role Of Land-Grant Universities In Higher Education, Robert Peterson

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Book Review:

Gavazzi, S. M., & Gee, E. G. (2018). Land-grant universities for the future: higher education for the public good. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

• 171 Pages
• Available in hardback and Kindle
• Price $21.99 (hc), $19.22 (Kindle)
• Keywords: Land-Grant, teaching, public, service, community

Reviewer:

Robert Peterson, Director of Student Services

Utah State University Uintah Basin

bob.peterson@usu.edu

Spring 2020--About This Issue, Kim Hales

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The Spring 2020 issue of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence presents articles relative to the mission of the land grant institution, including a review of Gavazzi, Gee, and McGrath's (2018) book, "Land Grant Universities for the Future," followed by an article by Gavazzi arguing for greater emphasis on teaching in land-grant institutions. Additional contributions include articles on creating content for online courses, a literature review on faculty-undergraduate mentoring, a pilot study on open-access textbooks, and principles for discussion-based learning.

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 4, Issue 1

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full Spring 2020 issue (Volume 4, Issue 1) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence.

Lasisi Ajayi Tssa 2018-19 Last Call, Lasisi Ajayi

Teaching Skills Study Awards (TSSA) Reports

The purpose of the TRC Teaching Study Skills Award is to enhance faculty teaching by supporting them to attend a conference devoted to university teaching or to a high-impact, evidence or a newly developing teaching practice.

The Drive To Advise: A Study Of Law Students At A Pro Bono Brief Advice Project, Linda F. Smith

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract forthcoming.

Educator And Preceptor Roles In Athletic Training Student Development, Gary Cohen, E. Nelson, H. M. Wathen, C. E. Welch Bacon, Julie M. Cavallario

College of Health Sciences Posters

Context: Healthcare professions use a unique learning pattern in which they are educated both didactically and clinically. Previous research has focused on preceptor selection and training, but there has been limited emphasis on perceived roles of didactic and clinical educators. Identifying potential discrepancies in perceived roles may help improve athletic training student education through a shared understanding of role delineation.

Objective: To understand the perceived roles of academic faculty and clinical preceptors regarding athletic training student development.

Design: Consensual qualitative research.

Setting: Webex Focus Group Interviews.

Patient or other Participants: 8 faculty, 7 preceptors, and 7 dual role educator/preceptor ...

Experiences Of Implementing Developmental Education Redesign In Mississippi Community Colleges: An Administrators’ And Faculty’S Perspective, James Rush

Dissertations

Each year, after graduating from high school or after a number of years in the workforce, millions of students in America make the choice to further their education. Students who enter higher education are faced with the decision of choosing from a diverse pool of institutions that provide an array of services to meet the needs of a changing society. Many students entering institutions of higher learning are in need of some developmental instruction or course in order to complete their degree and/or training. Because of the integral part that developmental education plays in higher education, the cost versus ...

Sample Activities Of Certification Course, Effective Teaching Practices: Cohort C, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020, Carmen Beck

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

This publication provides a summary of the experience and application of the Certification Course, Effective Teaching Practices: Cohort C, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020, offered by California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). The course, developed by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) was offered by the Teaching Resource Center (TRC) at CSUSB. It consisted of 25 modules and it was mostly delivered in an online setting. The purpose of the course was to enhance teaching practices and to prepare for the conversion from the Quarter System into the Semester System at CSUSB for the 20-21 academic year. Also, the ...

Teaching Cybersecurity To Students With Visual Impairments And Blindness, Jesse R. Hairston, Tania Williams, Derrick W. Smith Ed.D., Coms, William T. Sabados Ph.D., Steven Forney

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This work showcases specific adaptations used to make cybersecurity accessible to high school students with visual impairments and blindness (VIB). The rapidly growing field of cybersecurity demands a diverse workforce; however, barriers exist which can deter students with disabilities from studying cybersecurity, let alone pursuing a career in the field. To help overcome this challenge, we launched the first GenCyber camp specifically developed and instructed for high school students with VIB in summer 2019. We created a unique learning environment by combining interactive instructional aids, accessible development environments, and innovative instructional strategies. With intent to show cybersecurity as a viable ...

Enhancing Student Engagement In Wayne State University School Of Medicine (Wsusom) Curriculum Design, Development, Evaluation, And Implementation, Connor Buechler, Heidi T. Kromrei, Leo M. Hall

Medical Student Research Symposium

Purpose: There are a variety of ways in which the 1200 medical students at Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) can formally participate in curricular efforts. To date, a formal inventory and evaluation of these programs has not been reported.

Methods: We compiled a list of students involved in courses, committees, and formal activities related to the medical school curriculum. We then developed and delivered a survey to measure student perceptions utilizing the following constructs: 1) Guidance/Support for Student Role, 2) Project Successes and Challenges, 3) Curricular Project Measurement and Monitoring, 4) Curriculum Management Committee Engagement and Accessibility ...

Pornography: Adolescent Brain Development & Addiction, William K. Canady

National Youth-At-Risk Conference Savannah

This presentation will explain the historical development of pornography. It will highlight three segments: 1- Porn’s impact on brain development of reward pathways, ultimately increasing the appetite for more porn. 2- Porn can be a false substitute for real intimacy, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction with a real person and increased verbal and physical aggression. 3- Porn promotes sex trafficking, promotes multiple sex partners and reduced STD prevention.

University American Sign Language (Asl) Second Language Learners: Receptive And Expressive Asl Performance, Jennifer Beal Dr.

Journal of Interpretation

American Sign Language (ASL) is used by estimates of up to 500,000 people (deaf and hearing) in the United States (Mitchell et al., 2006); however, the majority of users are typically hearing university students, frequently within university interpreting or deaf education preparation programs, who learn ASL as a second language (L2). It is unclear how these learners develop their skills as they progress through university training programs. The present study documents university learners’ receptive and expressive ASL skills, factors related to performance, and self-evaluation and strategy use at the end of their ASL IV course. Both assessments are readily ...

See3d: 3d Printing For People Who Are Blind, Caroline Frances Karbowski

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Abstract

Objects such as snowflakes, castles, and butterflies have become more than just words when explored as a 3D print. The founder’s passion for braille led to the creation of the program See3D, which organizes the printing and distribution of 3D printed models for people who are blind. 3D prints such as DNA, cells, animals, constellations, telescopes, historic landmarks, logos, and maps were created to fulfill requests by people who are blind for tactile learning tools. Recipients shared their feedback on how to improve the models, and the printing and distribution service. See3D seeks to spread awareness about accessibility ...

Use Of Scientific Argumentation By Deaf/Hard-Of-Hearing Students In Environmental Science Topics, Annemarie Ross, Randy Yerrick, Todd Pagano

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Deaf/hard-of-hearing (Deaf and hard-of-hearing) postsecondary students may have some misconceptions surrounding scientific concepts that might be partially ascribed to a lack of access to culturally-responsive forms of pedagogy. The Deaf and hard-of-hearing community is diverse in communication modes, including those who use American Sign Language as their primary language, and therefore, some students from this population may display characteristics similar to English Language Learners. Through classroom discourse analyses and interviews, we found a general lack of persuasion characteristics used by most students in an environmental science unit, and that the lack of higher-level scientific argumentation skills seemed to be ...

Space Camp Experience For Attendees Of The 2019 Island Conference In Huntsville, Alabama, Rachel Bigham

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

About the space camp experience