UC Merced CETL

“All learning has an emotional base,” wrote Plato over two-thousand years ago (Winter, 2011). Bandura has provided clear pathways towards improving self-efficacy, the four major ones being mastery experiences, verbal persuasion, vicarious experiences, and emotional and physiological states. Find out here:

The Emotional Variable in Student Learning | Faculty Focus A strong level of self-efficacy can redirect a student’s perception, persistence, and improved process to overcome obstacles.

https://www.scholarlyteacher.com/post/inclusivity-begins-with-overcoming-bias This week, the Scholarly Teacher post contributed by Spencer Benson tackles some basics about inclusion. He presents the role biases play in student success in higher education and, in turn, the likelihood of underrepresented minority students entertaining or pursuing the notion of becoming future faculty. Set aside time to read the post and learn what you can do to create more inclusive learning spaces.

Inclusivity Begins with Overcoming Bias Both being an inclusive university and adopting inclusive teaching go beyond being fair and equitable. Inclusivity requires purposely and actively fostering a community where all voices can be heard, shared, respected, and honored.

Eight Quick tips to spark students’ learning in the remote environment.

Student Engagement in the Online Classroom: Eight Quick Tips to Spark Students’ Learning | Faculty Focus A few quick tips/steps to guide, inspire, and spark your creativity about how to engage students in your online courses.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-to-teach-a-good-first-day-of-class First Day of Class!

How to Teach a Good First Day of Class The first day of class is crucial both for your students and for you. This guide will help you make opening day as effective as possible.

Make every student feel they belong. Expect every student to succeed. Make your processes transparent. Think of your students as partners.

From Inclusion to Equity: Pedagogies that Close Achievement Gaps | Faculty Focus The following article identifies four pedagogical strategies for creating and delivering the equity-minded, inclusive course you’re seeking.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-the-pandemic-is-pushing-professors-to-improve-their-pedagogy

How the Pandemic Is Pushing Professors to Improve Their Pedagogy Some adjustments were ad hoc and far from ideal, but others are the sorts of things teaching experts have long advised.

Using Collaborative Documents During Breakout Groups

Improving Breakout Room Discussions in Online Teaching by Using Collaborative Documents | Faculty Focus Tips involving the use of collaborative documents as companion documents with the breakout discussions in online classes.

https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2020/07/29/six-characteristics-promote-student-learning-opinion?“What day-to-day, actionable nuggets are buried in that mountain of evidence to help administrators and faculty

Six characteristics that promote student learning (opinion) Patrick T. Terenzini describes six characteristics that, based on decades of research, have been found to cultivate and promote student learning.

Framing discussions as such further marginalizes diverse students by labeling them as promoting identity politics when, in fact, all course content reflects identity politics, argues Derisa Grant.

Why classroom conversations about diversity and identity shouldn't be framed as difficult (opinion)

"Culturally responsive instruction doesn't mean you're only mentioning issues of race and implicit bias...It means that you’re also focused on building brainpower by helping students leverage and grow their existing funds of knowledge.”

How to Develop Culturally Responsive Teaching for Distance Learning | KQED Culturally responsive teaching is a powerful way to help students become independent learners, and it can be especially valuable during distance learning.

Announcements provide an opportunity to foreground a success mindset, ensuring that students recognize the educational journey they are on and take ownership over it.

Using Announcements to Give Narrative Shape to your Online Course | Faculty Focus Learn how to optimize your announcement feature in your online classes to encourage student engagement and build your online presence.

Instructors might consider playing to the internet's strength.

Why You Shouldn’t Try to Replicate Your Classroom Teaching Online Instead of trying to capture the in-person experience, instructors might consider playing to the internet’s strengths.