Café scientifique
Week 2: Research shows that science scores in the US are low and a personal relationship to nature is lacking. When improperly used, technology can replace experiences in nature, and a litigious society keeps our young people from having frequent experiences in the...
What Do Students Really Want?
A question of the ages. We can typically answer this question (facetiously) with: “to cancel class”, or “they just want to know what is on the exam.” But in all seriousness, this question has been asked of many students of late. It actually surprises me that students...
My students can’t write! Part 1: Crafting Effective Writing Assignments
Collecting writing assignments can be as scary for instructors as it is for the students handing them in. Often we feel like it is random chance as to whether students complete their writing successfully, but there are many things we can do to support better writing....
Moodle Tip: Extending Time
Do you have a student that needs extended time for testing or needs an extension on a due date for an assignment? No problem! There are two ways you can grant extended time for testing: 1) User overrides set per quiz, or 2) Applying a no time limit role across the...
Podcast Junkie – Is This Working?
I admit it, I am a podcast junkie. In particular I am obsessed with “This American Life” which comes out every Monday morning. For me, it makes Monday my favorite day of the week! Last Monday’s episode was particularly gripping for me as it was about all the...
Encouraging Every Student to Talk
I have a very quiet ENG 99 class this semester. Even still at week three or four, they were very reluctant to speak up in front of the whole class or even in small groups. So I decided to try something that I had learned at a Reading Apprenticeship workshop several of...
Quick Guide for Gmail Invitations
There are several ways of accepting and changing the status and details of a Google Appointment. The simplest way is to select the RSVP drop down menu displayed to the right of any event notification in your inbox. Three standard response options are available....
Teaching as Learning
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten. ~Author: B F Skinner “Education in 1984” New Scientist 21 May 64 I think of this quote when I am frantic. I get busy, I fall into survival mode, and I find myself in a frenzy. However, when what...
Technology in the Classroom
This semester the mathematics department has a new math course, MTH 120. It is not an algebra course, however, it does require some algebraic thinking (kind of like real life). As I was planning for this course I decided to make it a technology rich course with lots...
How Much is That Worth?
This is a phrase that makes chills go down my spine. Typically it means to an instructor that if you don't assign points to an assignment, then the student will not see value in it. Many pieces of research have shown that if you are motivated externally (i.e. money or...