Emotions can negatively impact students, but can also unlock their brains and support greater learning. Several strategies to activate positive emotions are shared in the Fall 2018 Flex Day session "Brain-Based Teaching Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement" by ESL faculty Laura Jacob and Rita Van Dyke-Kao.

To watch an interesting video presentation by Zoltan Dornyei (referenced in this episode) about engaging language learners, click HERE

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE.

Run time: 19min 45sec

For more info visit the webpage:

http://msac-fa.org/

To find the full transcript click HERE.

Run time: 06min 09sec

This workshop developed for Mt. SAC's New Faculty Seminar was the winner of the 4CSD Innovative Activity Award for Excellence in a Professional Development Activity or Event. It features an honest discussion with four Mt. SAC students about their experiences during the first few weeks of school and the factors that influenced their decision to drop a class. Research about building engagement trust, and community during the first class session is also shared.

To find the full transcript & the power point for this event, click HERE.

Run time: 38min 47sec

Start the academic year with some tools to help manage the stress in your life. One of Mt. SAC's most popular – and funny - presenters provides research, does a revealing live demonstration, and shares some great personal anecdotes. Recorded live at CPD Day.

To find the full transcript & more photos of this event, click HERE.

Run time: 47min 58sec

As she retires from Mt. SAC, Dr. Irene Malmgren shares some of her formative experiences as a teacher and perspectives on lifelong learning for all educators. Books referenced in this episode: Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach (various eds) The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer The Heart of Higher Education by Parker Palmer Redesigning America's Community Colleges by Thomas Bailey The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE. Run time: 21min 21sec

On a very hot summer day, we talk with students who use public transportation to commute to campus to learn about their different reasons for using mass transit and how, if at all, it impacts their educational experience.

Info on how students can get their free bus pass

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE.

Run time: 09min 43sec

A moving and revealing conversation with a few of the 500 students pursuing their college education with the support of the Mt. SAC DREAM Program.

For the DREAM Program website click HERE

-A letter from Mt. SAC's President on Dream DACA Students

-Ten Ways to Support Undocumented Students

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE.

Run time: 18min 20sec

Our co-hosts make an enlightening visit to the ACCESS Technology Center, or ATC, a state-of-the art center for assistive technologies, professional experts, and a variety of great student resources. For a useful guide to help faculty refer a struggling student to ACCESS services, click HERE

ATC Website

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE.

Run time: 14min 07sec

Liesel and Christina make an inspiring visit to the VRC - a student support center located at the heart of the Mt. SAC campus.

To access the center's website click here.

To find the full transcript for this episode, click here.

Run time: 14min 58sec

For students who are the first in their family to attend college, the process can be confusing and discouraging. Learn about the ACES program at Mt. SAC that – among their many services – helps fill practical, emotional, and motivational gaps "first gen" students may face as they try to beat the odds and earn that college degree.

More info about ACES HERE

To find the full transcript for this episode, click here.

Run time: 12min 07sec