Creating Open Educational Resources With Artificial Intelligence,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Creating Open Educational Resources With Artificial Intelligence, Serena Scalzi
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
The adoption of artificial intelligence is becoming widespread in higher education. AI-driven technology has the ability to support academic and administrative faculty in designing and delivering course content. As a Part-Time Instructor in the College of Education, I used AI to enhance my teaching practice by creating course resources for my class, CIT 647 Creating Online Learning Environments. These open educational resources, developed through a reflective teaching practice facilitated by the UNLV Teaching and Learning Commons, promote equitable, inclusive education.
Monthly Cohort Meetings As A Pathway To Career-Related Success And Readiness,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Monthly Cohort Meetings As A Pathway To Career-Related Success And Readiness, Jenna Heath, Isabella Shenouda
College of Liberal Arts Faculty Research
The UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program utilizes a monthly cohort-based meeting structure to foster professional and personal development among its approximately 100 scholars. Led by Graduate Mentors, these sessions provide a consistent, structured space for community building, networking, and critical reflection. By incorporating diverse, curated programming (ranging from professional development and guest speakers to stress-management workshops and peer-led activities), the practice cultivates essential competencies. These include emotional intelligence, accountability, and interpersonal communication, ultimately enhancing scholars' holistic career readiness and well-being.
The Collaborative Capstone Model As A Showcase Of Holistic Career Growth,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Collaborative Capstone Model As A Showcase Of Holistic Career Growth, Jenna Heath, Isabella Shenouda
College of Liberal Arts Faculty Research
The UNLV Engelstad Scholars Program capstone project requires graduating students to present their cumulative experience at the "End of Semester Celebration". Intended to build communication skills, emotional intelligence, and professional competencies, the assignment helps scholars reflect on their nonprofit sector learning and share their personal experiences with diverse audiences. This poster proposes shifting the capstone from an individual, three-minute presentation to a six-to-eight-minute collaborative group project focused on the program's core pillars: scholarship, leadership, and service. This transition aims to foster UNLV Career Competencies such as interpersonal communication, accountability, and flexibility by requiring students to navigate group dynamics and integrate …
Making Learning Engaging With Formative Assessment,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Making Learning Engaging With Formative Assessment, Michelle A. Arroyo
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
Benefits of formative assessment: increases student engagement, provides immediate feedback for teachers and students, helps differentiate instruction, encourages self-reflection and self-regulated learning, and improves overall student achievement.
From Pages To Practice: Course Design For Integrative And Connected Learning,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
From Pages To Practice: Course Design For Integrative And Connected Learning, Prutha Deshpande
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
The poster provides resources for the design of courses to incorporate considerable reading, paired with purposeful activities and reflection questions that deepen understanding of key points of learning, support knowledge transfer, and encourage dialogue and connection.
Getting Students To Stop Having Ai Do Their Homeworkfor Them,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Getting Students To Stop Having Ai Do Their Homeworkfor Them, Todd Jones
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
There are three simple rules, that, if followed, should cut down on the amount that students use AI to do their homework for them.
“Finding From The Field”—An Approach To Encourageexperiential And Epistemological Reflection,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
“Finding From The Field”—An Approach To Encourageexperiential And Epistemological Reflection, Julian Kilker
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
The “Findings from the Field” teaching practice asks students to document and analyze experiences, locations, or artifacts encountered outside the classroom. While traditional field trips emphasize experiential learning by, ideally, linking course concepts to real-world experiences, this “Findings from the Field” approach extends this model through epistemological reflection guided by annotating observations. Students are prompted to consider not only what they observe, but how they know what they know, encouraging metacognition about observation, experience, and empirical research.
From Generation To Judgment: A Structured Approach To Teaching Responsible Ai Use,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
From Generation To Judgment: A Structured Approach To Teaching Responsible Ai Use, Necole Leland, Lisa Nicholas, Jennifer Vanderlaan
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
A structured approach to teaching responsible use of generative AI in nursing education is critical. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into professional practice, students must move beyond simple AI content generation to critically evaluate and refining AI outputs. Using the RISEN prompting framework to guide learners in designing effective prompts while also emphasizing analysis of accuracy, relevance, bias, and ethical considerations in the output. Through classroom modeling and applied activities, students engage actively with AI as a tool for inquiry rather than passive consumption. This approach offers a practical and adaptable model for integrating ethical and effective AI use across …
Bridging The Divide Between Theory & Practice: A Framework For Fostering Relevant Learning Environments,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bridging The Divide Between Theory & Practice: A Framework For Fostering Relevant Learning Environments, Elsa Lopez-Martinez
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
This poster presents a framework for bridging the gap between theory and practice in teacher education by designing relevant learning experiences that better prepare preservice teachers. Grounded in seminal teacher education literature, the approach explicitly connects coursework to professional applications while preserving the integrity of theoretical foundations. The framework emphasizes ongoing communication of purpose and alignment across courses. Additional strategies include integrating career-focused activities, facilitating reflective exercises, inviting practitioner perspectives, and providing applied assignments. Evidence from student feedback highlights increased engagement, confidence, and perceived relevance.
Creating Podcasts As Research Assignments With The Help If Unlv Libraries,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Creating Podcasts As Research Assignments With The Help If Unlv Libraries, David Ramos Candelas, Amber Sewell
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
Communicating research and ideas via podcasts stretch students’ thinking beyond a traditional classroom assignment, encourgaging: Creative critical thinking Increased sense of ownership and pride over work Research, attribution, and synthesis skills in a publicly accessible, fun, and familiar format
Facilitating Freirean Pedagogy And Asset-Based Learning In An Asynchronous Environment In A Doctoral Public Health Course,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Facilitating Freirean Pedagogy And Asset-Based Learning In An Asynchronous Environment In A Doctoral Public Health Course, Manoj Sharma, Liliana Davlos, Sharmistha Roy
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
The Department of Social and Behavioral Health offers an asynchronous course, Advanced Applications of Social and Behavioral Theories (HED 762), to doctoral students in public health. In this course, commonly used behavior and social change theories are taught. One such theory is the Freirean theory of adult education, which emphasizes dialogue, critical conscientization, praxis, transformation, and critical consciousness. The instructor of this course uses a variety of methods to imbibe this pedagogy that comprise (a) the use of the fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change to motivate students, (b) Freirean dialogue in the Canvas discussion forum with students …
Arts Integration: Teaching Through The Senses Just Makes Sense!,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Arts Integration: Teaching Through The Senses Just Makes Sense!, Isabella Shenouda, Noah Karnafel, Hongming Xu
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
Arts Integration is a high-impact teaching practice for both higher education and K-12 settings. Because students bring diverse backgrounds, learning preferences, and ways of making meaning, the arts offer flexible, multi-sensory pathways to content comprehension that traditional lecture-based and text-based instruction often cannot. Drawing on classroom evidence from an Honors First-Year Seminar at UNLV in which students identified an arts-based workshop as their favorite lesson, we argue that creative, hands-on activities deepen knowledge retention and foster genuine intellectual engagement. Arts Integration is inherently an asset-based and inclusive practice, as it encourages students to connect through various sensory learning experiences, whether …
The Prep‑Check Routine: How Students Prepare With Ai,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Prep‑Check Routine: How Students Prepare With Ai, Homa Soroudi-Terzian
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
This poster presents a simple, repeatable Attempt & Audit routine that supports students in using AI as a learning partner rather than a shortcut. The Prep_Check structure guides students to attempt a problem on their own, ask AI for help on only one part, compare their work with the AI’s reasoning, and reflect on differences. This routine promotes metacognition, reduces anxiety, and helps students build confidence and independence in gateway math courses.
Playing To Learn: Game-Based Maternal-Newborn Review Using "Forbidden Words" (Taboo-Style),
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Playing To Learn: Game-Based Maternal-Newborn Review Using "Forbidden Words" (Taboo-Style), Nikki Rose Ty-Albright
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
TEACHING PRACTICE & NEED IT ADDRESSES Prelicensure nursing students often struggle to translate medical terminology into patient-friendly language (Rodrigues & Moreira, 2022) Gen Z learners frequently disengage from traditional post-conference lecture formats (Thi, 2025) "Forbidden Words" (Taboo-style) game used during post-clinical conference to bridge this gap in an engaging way Students explain maternal-newborn concepts in jargon-free language while avoiding forbidden words on a card
Streaming Success: Using Summer Fellowships And Asynchronous Lecture Videos To Scale Relationship-Rich Learning In Large Enrollment Courses,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Streaming Success: Using Summer Fellowships And Asynchronous Lecture Videos To Scale Relationship-Rich Learning In Large Enrollment Courses, Van "Docdoc" Whaley
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
Supported by SIHS Summer Teaching Fellowships, this initiative developed 110+ asynchronous lecture videos embedded in Canvas to enhance accessibility, engagement, and alignment across large-enrollment A&P courses. Results include 92,000 minutes of views for the 2025 vides, 330,000 minutes viewed of the 2024 videoss, and over 4.8 million minutes of total student engagement and documented impact on student outcomes and program scalability.
Sparking Engagement: Using "Lightning Debates" To Transform Dry Policy Into Dynamic Learning,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Sparking Engagement: Using "Lightning Debates" To Transform Dry Policy Into Dynamic Learning, Minnie Wood, Ericka Yelle, Necole Leland
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
To address a gap in health policy application among nursing undergraduates, we piloted Lightning Debates, a high-energy teaching strategy that replaces passive lecture with active learning. Students are assigned Pro or Con stances on contentious local policies, using role-play and improvisation to present evidence-based arguments in five-minute sprints. This asset-based approach leverages student creativity to deconstruct complex fiscal and clinical issues. Results demonstrate significant impact: 87.5% of students reported an improved ability to analyze policy, and the percentage of graduates feeling prepared to apply policy knowledge rose from 57% to 77%. This session provides scalable implementation tips for fostering critical …
Using Exit Tickets To Drive Reflective And Responsive Instruction,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Using Exit Tickets To Drive Reflective And Responsive Instruction, Melissa Yarczower
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
Exit tickets are an effective formative assessment tool for promoting student reflection and guiding responsive instruction. Exit tickets were used at the end of each class session to help students identify key takeaways, assess their understanding, and connect new learning to prior knowledge and professional practice. Exit ticket responses allowed for timely instructional adjustments, including reteaching key concepts, clarifying misunderstandings, and scaffolding complex content. Summarizing themes at the start of each class strengthened continuity between sessions and established a predictable reflective routine. Implementation of this strategy increased student engagement, participation, and metacognitive awareness because students were able to clearly articulate …
Preparing Dental Students To Lead Teledentistry Programs Addressing Oral Health Inequities: An Evidence-Informed Teaching Practice Grounded In Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) & Social Cognitive Theory (Sct),
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Preparing Dental Students To Lead Teledentistry Programs Addressing Oral Health Inequities: An Evidence-Informed Teaching Practice Grounded In Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) & Social Cognitive Theory (Sct), Asma Awan, Christina Demopoulos, Manoj Sharma
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
The rapid expansion of telehealth and teledentistry demands dental professionals proficient in remote care delivery, digital communication, and community-based service models. This practice prepares students to lead and implement teledentistry programs addressing oral health inequities among underserved and rural populations in Nevada and beyond
The Importance Of Relational Teaching In Introductory Statistics,
2026
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Importance Of Relational Teaching In Introductory Statistics, Nathan Matthew Slife
UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo
This poster presents relational teaching strategies for introductory statistics courses.
Approaching Learning Satisfaction: Factors Influencing Educational Video Learning,
2026
Sanda University
Approaching Learning Satisfaction: Factors Influencing Educational Video Learning, Fei Wang, Douglas Havard, Tara Barnhart
Education Faculty Articles and Research
The rapid expansion of digital education has accelerated the use of online instructional videos, yet variability in video design and production quality continues to shape learners’ engagement and satisfaction. This study developed and tested a structural equation model to examine predictors of undergraduates’ satisfaction with educational videos. Using survey data from 964 students, learning satisfaction was positively predicted by image clarity (β = 0.381, p < 0.001), learning motivation (β = 0.18, p = 0.006), and interactive behavior (β = 0.182, p = 0.011). In contrast, video attachment tools showed a small negative direct association with satisfaction (β = −0.116, p = 0.042). Teacher performance and video …
