Does scaffolding help students master material by adding structure? Or is it too much hand holding and too little inquiry based learning?

Specifications Based Grading redefines the relationship between grades and learning outcomes. Claire was inspired by Linda Nilson, who has written the seminal book on the topic with the subtitle, “Restoring Rigor, Motivating Students and Saving Faculty Time.”

Joel, an Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry at Creighton University, tells us how he incorporates environmental and social justice topics into his core science classes. Rather than avoiding such potentially touchy topics, he utilizes his passion and students’ interests in them to more deeply connect students with the subject matter.

The Professor Podcast is taking a summer break.

It can be tempting to walk around busily, casually telling anyone who will listen how much is on our plate, perhaps while scribbling things down on official looking clipboards. Claire knows that the urge to appear busy is detrimental to her well being, and resists it. She was worried that enjoying validation for her hard work might lead her to try and appear busy. Ruth is sure that she wants to be calm and present with students and colleagues but feels anxious that she is not going to appear to be working hard enough. Both want to resist the temptation to pick up a clipboard!

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast

Ruth and Claire review some of the administrative tasks that are part of their job. Ruth shares her ongoing struggles with photocopying. Claire, in particular, notes the time taken filling out forms. Both Claire and Ruth feel that setting aside sufficient time for administrative tasks is crucial for stress management and effectiveness!

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast

Claire’s students were excited to have a bonding adventure with their classmates before graduation. Ruth believes in the power of shared enterprise in building community, and so likes to have activities such as knitting for people to do together. Claire is wondering about creating a communal bonding experience, especially for graduating seniors. Ruth is working on building community for her online students.

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast

Claire is happy to employ fads that support her fundamental teaching values. For example, active learning supports her belief that engagement with the material is crucial. However, flipping a classroom does not work with her teaching goals. Ruth has identified what feels fundamental to her teaching: organization and emotional safety. She loves fads but feels strongly that any new approach should not cause student anxiety.

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast

Claire has found it very helpful to have another faculty member’s assignments and course materials to start with and then make her own, even if she ends up overhauling the course entirely. Similarly, Ruth finds having a template for a class is helpful whether you adopt it or not. Claire reminds us (and herself!) that it is normal to find using new materials difficult, whether you’ve designed them or not. Ruth struggles when she doesn’t commit to one approach.

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast

Claire makes it clear where each topic in class and homework can be found in the textbook. She finds it really helps students when they read the book and wonders about assignments to encourage that. Ruth has developed reading assignments to encourage students to engage with the book. She wonders how effective her reading assignments really are.

Ruth mentioned Just in Time Teaching: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_teaching

https://rctaudio.com/profpodcast