Education Commons^™

Foster Inclusion By Focusing On Student Names, Brandy Bagar-Fraley

The International Institute for Innovative Instruction Blog

“To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students,” writes bell hooks, “is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin” (hooks, 1994, p. 13). An inclusive and equitable classroom is a manifestation of that respect and care. Instructors who deliberately cultivate an environment in which all students feel acknowledged and valued can reduce barriers to success and give all students the opportunity to flourish (Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, 2016; Walton & Cohen, 2007). And there are many small, but significant, alterations …

Start With Equity To Achieve Equality In The Classroom, Meghan Raehll

The International Institute for Innovative Instruction Blog

“…the direction in which education starts a man, will determine his future life.” – Plato, The Republic, Book IV.

As educators, we anchor our teaching principles in the values of equality and fairness to ensure the success of our students. Yet, layered atop the grounding ideals of equal opportunity for all students is the rugged reality in which, we too, as educators have emerged from our own specific contexts and carry with us deeply embedded beliefs that may transcend intentional thought. These specific contexts may, further, lead to unconscious stereotypes known as “implicit bias,” and can be detrimental to the …

Learning Analytics And Gateway Courses: Keys To Student Success, Constance Wanstreet, Meghan B. Raehll, Yuerong Sweetland

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Franklin University is midway through a five-year federal grant to increase undergraduate retention and graduation by implementing a learning analytics tool and revising gateway courses, among other activities. Initial analysis of grade trends in gateway courses for more than 8,000 undergraduates during a five-year period showed an increase in withdrawal and failure rates by an average of 4 percent and resulted in context and focus for a smaller study. Student outcomes were then assessed in 11 gateway courses over three terms, and results suggest that course redesign alone is insufficient to result in major gains in student success. Instructors were …

Develop A Communicating And Reporting Plan For Useful Evaluation, Jessie Kong

The International Institute for Innovative Instruction Blog

Stakeholders are key for useful evaluation! Develop a communicating and reporting plan to actively interact with your stakeholders throughout the evaluation process.

Instructional Design Leadership And Management Competencies: Job Description Analysis, Joel Gardner, Lewis Chongwony, Amie Tope

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Researchers in the field of instructional design and educational technology journals usually focus on the practice of instructional design; however, the management and leadership of instructional design has typically received little emphasis. Recent studies have investigated the competencies associated with effective leadership and management of instructional design from the perspective of those they lead, and from the perspective of leaders in higher education. There is, however, little systematic research into what competencies employers require of leaders and managers of instructional designers in higher education. This research would provide the field with further guidance on training and preparing instructional design leaders …