Let's Talk Teaching

Whether as a means to promote transformative student learning or a way to empower our own professional development, "reflection" is a word often heard on this podcast. For a very special episode of Let's Talk Teaching, former CTLT director Dr. Claire Lamonica returns. She and Jim discuss her thoughts about teaching since her retirement. They explore how fiction can serve as a gateway to reflection (bonus: Claire gives some summer reading suggestions). They also discuss Jim's upcoming return to full-time teaching and how the years-long journey of this podcast will impact how his students will learn.

Are you a scholarly teacher? Chances are you may be... at least a little. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Friberg joins Jim to help define the differences between good teaching and scholarly teaching. They explore the link between evidence-based practice, as found in health care and clinical disciplines, and evidence-based education. Not only can a scholarly approach to teaching provide solutions to specific your teaching challenges-- but they are solutions we, as teachers, can be confident in. Jen and Jim talk practical examples of how to get started and where to find additional resources.

University instructors say both student behavioral and mental health concerns have increased sharply in the last few semesters. This can be challenging for faculty and academic staff, who often find themselves as the primary point of contact for students who act out or are otherwise in need. Importantly, faculty don’t have to go it alone. In this episode, we explore how the Division of Student Affairs can help instructors in getting students the help they need—whether it’s in the form of care, counseling, or discipline. Dr. Donald Reed and Janice Blair showcase the different programs available and explain the important steps the Dean of Students Office takes to ensure each case is handled effectively and equitably. They discuss how faculty referrals work and what instructors should expect in terms of speed and outcomes. They and host Jim Gee also discuss approaches to deescalate disruptive behavior in teaching situations.

We've all heard the phrase "best practices" in regards to teaching... but how, exactly, do we define what "best" means? In this episode, Dr. Jen Friberg, the Center's director of scholarly teaching, joins Jim Gee to unpack that phrase and unearth its potential pitfalls. Instead, they explore concepts behind Evidence-Based Pedagogy, one dimension of the Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence. Jen highlights recent projects by faculty at Illinois State which shed light on teaching, student learning, and the student experience. And they discuss how small applications of evidence can make significant changes in our teaching and students' learning without demanding a huge amount of our already precious time.

Mid-semester means midterm grade reporting-- a task that some instructors view with mixed emotions, at best. But timely feedback to students is critical for their learning. And the grade submission process can help academic support staff intercede when students show signs of struggling. Amy Roser of University College joins Jim to discuss how the reimagined "Early Alert" grades are designed to standardize the experience for instructors while optimizing feedback for students. They explore just why changes were made, what academic support staff do with the information, and how Illinois State is including more students in the process. Plus, they have advice for instructors who feel that they haven't given enough grades to warrant a report, yet.

Instructors officially adopted Canvas at Illinois State this fall. It replaces ReggieNet, which served students and teachers for more than a decade. As we wrap up the first semester of instruction with Canvas, Jim Gee sits down with Allison Hauser, Alyssa Herman, and Nichol Brown—three colleagues who helped to shepherd faculty members through the process. They discuss the major differences between the platforms, the hidden gems that make teaching easier, and advice for taking your Canvas course sites to the next level in the new year.

The pace of AI development and innovation shows no signs of slowing, and the only thing for sure is that the academy will never be the same. We follow up on our conversation from earlier this year with Dr. Jennifer Friberg and David Giovagnoli on the current state of generative AI in higher education. Joining them is Dr. Roy Magnuson, professor of music and a current Provost Fellow tackling this important issue. The three of them, along with host Jim Gee, discuss how these types of artificial intelligences have transformed in just a few months, how it all works on the most basic of levels, and how AI is impacting the way we teach and the way our students learn. They also explore opportunities for rethinking how we design and deliver our courses, and they end with some advice for instructors as they prepare their next semester’s worth of courses.

Dr. Jennifer Friberg joins Jim Gee to explore how instructors new to Illinois State University can get started developing their teaching and other skills, while still balancing all of their new obligations. They talk about the challenges of course design for someone new on the job, how new instructors can find their place (and their voice) in their department, and the many services for both new and early career faculty available through the Center for Integrated Professional Development.

As summer break winds down, we pause and take a glance behind to get a sense of the road ahead. Dr. Jennifer Friberg, the Center's director of scholarly teaching and the Cross Endowed Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, joins Jim to talk about teaching in the coming academic year. They explore the idea that we may always be "pandemic adjacent," in terms of the COVID-19 years' impact on student learning and how it has informed how we conduct classes. We discuss how issues with student engagement, attendance, and emergent AI tools is causing us to rethink our teaching strategies.

New teaching tool or machine menace? ChatGPT and other A.I.-generated content services have been in the hot topic of discussion in academia in the start of 2023. Our director of scholarly teaching, Dr. Jennifer Friberg, and our coordinator for scholarly teaching, David Giovagnoli, weigh in. We explore strategies for instructors looking to spot A.I.-generated materials in students' work. We also unpack how it works, its strengths and (at least for now) weaknesses, and how teachers can get ahead of the game by making use of these services in their teaching, now.

Like any successful public university, Illinois State relies on a corps of graduate teaching assistants as a part of its overall mission of teaching and learning. In this episode, Jim is joined again by David Giovagnoli, the Center's Coordinator for Scholarly Teaching and Learning, to explore the many professional development opportunities available for both graduate students with teaching assignments and for those who aspire to teach in the academy. The also talk about the particular challenges that face both master's and doctoral-level GAs, and some strategies to help them connect with and support the undergraduates in their charge.

We often talk about respecting our diverse student population and creating a welcoming, inclusive learning environment. But sometimes, as instructors, our own fear of looking stupid or out-of-touch can cause us to stumble upon the path. In this episode, Jim is joined by David Giovagnoli, the Center's new Coordinator for Scholarly Teaching and Learning, to talk about two opportunities for faculty and staff to become versed in LGBTQ+ terminology and perspectives. In fact, they start with a frank discussion about how the very term "LBGTQ+" and its many variations can pose a challenge. They also talk about the best ways to invite students to share their pronouns without making them feel like they have to come out unwillingly. They then explore the new Safe Zone workshop developed by David, based in part on the national program but customized for university faculty and staff. And for those who wish a deeper dive into the topic, they preview the newly developed Queer Allyship learning community, which launches this fall.

We plunge into a new academic year, taking a deep dive through classroom climate and culture, one of the dimensions which makes up the Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence. A positive classroom culture isn't only about fostering respect in students for their peers' ideas-- it's about creating a balance of expectations and interactions which allows the instructor to apply their pedagogy in rewarding ways for both their students and themselves. Jen and Jim explore these ideas in the context of both long-term, thoughtful approaches to our development as teachers (e.g., "How do I develop a truly useful, impactful teaching philosophy?") and through a more pragmatic lens which acknowledges the tyranny of the calendar (e.g., "Holy crap! The semester starts on Monday!").

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology is transforming, and with its new mission comes a new name… and new opportunities for instructors at Illinois State University. CTLT is now the Center for Integrated Professional Development, a hub which combines transformative teaching practices, scholarship, and career advancement under one metaphorical roof. These are changes a long-time in the planning. Dr. Aondover Tarhule, Illinois State’s vice president of academic affairs and provost, joins Jim and Yojanna to discuss the goals of the reimagined unit and his vision for the future of online education at Illinois State. They explore how many of the improvements planned for the Center are based on an in-depth study of both faculty and student needs. They unpack what the term “integrated” means when taking holistic approach to professional development for faculty, staff, and graduate students.

Dr. Jennifer Friberg and Dr. Dana Karraker join Jim to preview CTLT's Summer Institute 2022. They talk about design workshops, including some new opportunities centered on the scholarship of teaching and learning. They also discuss this year's Teaching Scholars-in-Residence and share ideas on how to approach professional development after a two summers' worth of pandemic.

A large group of faculty, staff, and students are picking Illinois State's next learning management system. In this episode, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino and Dr. Rosie Hauck join Jim to talk about the process of replacing ReggieNet.

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology is on a journey of change. It's been a long road, and there's still more road ahead, but soon, a lot of behind-the-scenes planning will come to the forefront for the entire Illinois State University campus. Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino is the Assistant Vice President for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Learning. She gives a preview of what a new CTLT will look like and how these changes will affect faculty, staff, and students.

Share your passion for teaching while learning the ins and outs of faculty professional development. Dr. Jen Friberg joins us to discuss CTLT's 2022 Teaching Scholar-in-Residence program. This unique opportunity will bring up to three Illinois State faculty members on board to deliver in-depth programming as a part of our Summer Institute. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in scholarship about the teaching and learning topic of their choice.

Tenured and tenure-track faculty at Illinois State can take advantage of an exciting opportunity from the Office of the Provost and the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. NCFDD's Faculty Success Program is an intensive, twelve-week online experience which helps faculty find new direction in their careers and strike a balance between their work-life, home-life, and overall wellbeing. We dive in-depth with what the program can provide with two colleagues who experienced it firsthand, Dr. Susan Hildebrandt and Dr. Jeongae Kang, both of the Department of Special Education. Plus, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino joins us to explain how faculty can apply for a special scholarship to pay for this workshop experience.

It's survey season... but if there's one survey you do take this spring, be sure to check out COACHE. Illinois State has partnered with the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education, based in the Harvard Graduate School of Education, to implement a comprehensive assessment of faculty work-lives. In this brief episode, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino joins us to discuss how the survey works and what Illinois State plans to do with this important data. Faculty members should keep an eye on their campus email for an announcement and an invitation to participate in the survey starting in February of 2022.

Connections can make all the difference when it comes to student success. Evidence shows that authentic learning, and authentic assessment of learning, can be achieved more successfully when there's a rapport between teacher and learner, between learners, and between learners and what they need to learn. But how do you pull that off? In January, hundreds of instructors, support staff, and graduate students will come together (both physically and virtually) to search for answers. In this episode, CTLT director Dr. Jennifer Friberg and faculty developer Dr. Dana Karraker join Jim to discuss the upcoming 2022 University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium. The theme-- Listen, Encourage, Inspire, Challenge: Building a Relationship-Rich Campus. Learn about the unique perspectives represented by this year's two keynote presenters and how this year's event will blend the best of both online and face-to-face modalities. The Symposium is free for all ISU faculty, staff, and graduate students. Register for the event by December 17, 2021, at prodev.illinoisstate.edu/Symposium.

What does it take to create a truly powerful online learning experience for our students? A year of remote instruction thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic has left many more of us in a position to better appreciate that question. For this episode, Jim is joined by two colleagues from CTLT: Linda Summers is the coordinator for Blended and Online Learning, and Dr. Steve Travers is the coordinator for Student Success Initiatives. Together, they examine how a quality online course differs in both design and delivery from the more "just in time" experiences necessitated during the pandemic. Linda and Steve showcase two CTLT professional development programs, DART Online and TOP. They also discuss other, less involved learning opportunities for instructors who want to teach blended or online content.

We return to face-to-face classroom instruction at Illinois State for the fall of 2021, but with a twist. Students and instructors will have to wear face coverings. How do we make masks work? Jim is joined by CTLT's director, Dr. Jennifer Friberg, who is also a speech pathologist by training. They discuss how a little piece of cloth can cause some big challenges when it comes to communicating clearly in class. Jen provides some tips for adjusting our environments and our approaches to speaking to maximize understanding. They also explore ways to take students "emotional temperature" now that their faces are being obscured.

Students don't have to feel like they're "teaching themselves" when taking an online, asynchronous course. Dr. Hulda Black, an associate professor in the College of Business, joins us to highlight ways to make communication work through course design, establishing habits, and timely feedback. She and Jim Gee discuss in importance of creating a "rhythm" through scheduled communications, including announcements through ReggieNet and weekly videos to explain learning goals and give general feedback on student work to the class. They also discuss how to approach office hours using meeting tools like Zoom.

We talk a lot about civic engagement as a core value at Illinois State University. But what does it look like when practiced in our courses? We explore that question in this episode, a preview of the 2021 University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium, Civic Engagement in Extraordinary Times. Dr. Katy Strzepek and Harriet Steinbach from the Center for Civic Engagement join Dr. Dana Karraker and Jim Gee from CTLT for an in-depth look at the ties between public higher education and engendering a life-long sense of civic learning in students. The group highlights ways, both big and small, to incorporate civic engagement in classes. They also examine the lessons learned from a semester of teaching and activism during a tumultuous election season, the national spotlight on social justice, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, they preview the three "rock stars of civic engagement" who will keynote the January 6, 2021 Symposium.

As an extraordinary semester wraps up, we check in with three undergraduate students from Illinois State about their experiences learning in the age of COVID-19. They highlight what's worked in their classes this semester, what instructors have done to help them to succeed, and how the new tools we've all had to embrace - things like Zoom, recorded lectures, and other apps - have actually offered some expanded opportunities. They also explore some surprising ways they connect with other students. Plus, they weigh in on synchronous versus asynchronous learning and how those insights have impacted their choices of classes for the spring semester.

Tackling tough social issues is often a minefield in which few instructors wish to tread… and for good reason. From political polarization to the isolation of the global pandemic, a multitude of forces are shaping, and sometimes stifling, our ability to have deep, important conversations in our classes. But it can be done and done successfully. We talk with Dr. Joseph Zompetti from the School of Communication, who shares ideas about how to structure classroom conversations, face-to-face or virtually, to navigate through divisive discourses. Joe and Jim examine some basic ground rules which can help students engage with controversial ideas and provide a sense of camaraderie with the mutual goal of sharing different perspectives. They explore the idea of classrooms as simulation spaces, where it’s okay to examine the real world without succumbing to the weight of real-world ideology. Joe also shares how he transformed his course on political rhetoric through two divisive presidential elections and what teaching practices he’s embraced during the shift to fully online instruction.

We speak with Dan Taube, Illinois State University's Chief Information Security Officer, about how to keep ourselves and our students safe as we teach and learn online. As college instructors, we don't usually think about our teaching in terms of the exchange or storage of data. But it's an important consideration not just in terms of our personal online habits, but also in terms of ensuring students' privacy. Dan highlight's the best ways to prevent bad actors from getting a hold of the information they so desperately want. We discuss how to to be mindful when interacting with email and websites, and we also explore the process the University when faculty or departments seek to incorporate new online tools into the curriculum. You'll also hear about the good cybersecurity habits instructors can model for their students.

To say the Fall 2020 semester has been a challenge is to undersell it. But still, students say they're having positive learning experiences despite the global pandemic and all it means for higher education. In this episode, we talk with three returning Illinois State undergraduates, who bring a unique perspective about how things have changed since last fall. They share what their professors are doing to help them. They highlight the communication practices, flexibility, and organization that helps them to succeed. Plus, they emphasize the importance of empathy and genuine concern in the student-teacher relationship.

Communication is key to coping with the extraordinary challenges to learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. That's the number one conclusion we came to in this special edition of our podcast. We sat down with three faculty members to discuss their approaches to teaching this fall, with a special emphasis on supporting students' attendance and helping them to keep learning, even when the novel coronavirus has other plans. We discuss how to set expectations with students, how to encourage them to ask for help, and how to make ourselves available, whether we're teaching synchronously, asynchronously, or somewhere in between. Special thanks to our panel: Dr. Gina Hunter, Dr. Abby Stone, and Tina McGuire shared their unique perspectives from a variety of teaching situations.

It takes more than just an ace team of enrollment managers to meet students' needs on a campus like ours. Faculty play a role in students' choices to come to, or return to, Illinois State. Dr. Jana Albrecht, Associate Vice-President for Enrollment Management, talks about how instructors impact these important decisions. She and Jim also discuss ISU's plans to pilot a "Test Optional" application process for new student applicants starting in the fall.

Dr. Julie-Ann McFann returns to our podcast, this time to discuss a special summer-long professional development opportunity for Illinois State graduate students. Learn how Instructional Design for Future Faculty helps to prepare the next generation of university level instructors by exploring course design, teaching portfolios, and more.

It's week one of completely online teaching at Illinois State University in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Claire and Jim reflect on this extraordinary shift in teaching and learning. They discuss how the new reality has forced us all to be "life-long learners" and how to carry on that example to our students. Plus, they briefly rundown the extensive support available to faculty and students at Illinois State.

Conferences can be an important part of one's growth as a college teacher... or even as a professional developer. Conferences can also be expensive. How do you get the most developmental bang for your buck? In this episode, Claire and Jim brainstorm ways to optimize the conference experience (in Jim's case, it's actually going). Claire shares how she plans ahead for big gatherings. Plus, learn Claire's evil plan to put Jim off his diet on their next trip to Atlanta.

Reporting midterm grades may seem like just more paperwork, but it can be vital to our students' success. In this brief episode, Claire and Jim unpack the uncertainty students sometimes have about their grades and kick around some strategies for giving meaningful feedback… even when you haven't accumulated many points yet in the semester.

We take a break from teaching tips and expert advice to talk about the next big change coming to the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. Find out what our move to Williams Hall... and, eventually, to destinations beyond... means for Illinois State instructors.

We're excited to be joined by Stacy Ramsey, Associate Director for Enrollment Management at Illinois State, about a new program to help ease students into the their complex digital life on campus.

A new semester is close at hand-- get excited and inspired to teach. CTLT Director Dr. Claire Lamonica shares her top five tips for starting your semester off successfully. She and Jim explore advice about your syllabus, classroom space, breaking expectations the first day of class, and much more! Plus, the talk about why it's okay... even important... to take a little "me" time before classes begin.

Dana Karraker joins Claire and Jim to discuss the 2020 University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium. They begin by unpacking the theme, Intentional Technologies: Reclaiming Our Spaces. They draw connections to the works of the 2020 the keynote speaker: educator, musician, and author of Teaching Naked, Dr. José Antonio Bowen. With the call for proposals now open, the three also explore the formats of potential presentations and how they are selected. If you have an idea for a presentation at the 2020 Symposium, the deadline to submit it is Monday, September 30, 2019. Find out more at prodev.illinoisstate.edu/Symposium.

Co-teaching can bring a potent combination of unique expertise and diverse perspectives to a course, affording students to a rich, deep learning environment. Dr. Jen Friberg is the Endowed Cross Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at Illinois State. She, along with her colleague, Dr. Lisa Vinney, sit down to discuss their journey in creating a truly co-equal collaboration. We discuss how to build trust and confidence in the co-teaching relationship, the importance of communication, and how to avoid missteps. Plus, we look at some of the important questions colleagues must ask each other, and themselves, when trying to determine if co-teaching is right for them.

CTLT's Charles Bristow returns with good news about the next update to ReggieNet, Illinois State University's customized learning management system... including the debut of a long-awaited new feature! Charles and Jim take a look at the new Rubrics tool, discuss an updated, cleaner interface for managing Tests & Quizzes, and more. Learn all you need to know about changes and improvements that await you for the start of the Fall 2019 semester.

We celebrate our 50th episode with a discussion about THAT phrase… the buzz word of buzz words in the college teaching profession: active learning. We always hear about it, we often talk about it… but are we really doing it? Jim and Claire unpack this ubiquitous phrase and explore examples of what it actually looks like. They highlight the three different components that make active learning "active" and the different ways of introducing students to the trio. Along the way, you'll hear some metaphors being tortured and a potential jeremiad about ham-and-pineapple pizza… but all in the name of helping our students to learn!

Dreading all of that grading at the end of the semester? Wish you could snap your fingers and make it all go away? Claire and Jim explore how much feedback your students really need after those final exams and projects are turned in. They discuss ways of putting a final flourish on their learning without burying yourself under a mountain of feedback that, let’s face it, they may never see.

Claire is teaching a new graduate course this semester, and she says her fresh approach to it is "life changing." She's shifted her methods so her students replace her at the center of their learning. We'll discuss what she's doing in detail and how it can be applied to other classes. Plus, Jim ponders a mystery: Why has this semester seen a jump in absenteeism and late work? All that and more in a podcast which, despite this episode's title, can't afford to license that song from Disney!

What are your students really thinking? In this episode, we discuss CTLT Director Claire Lamonica's new research into Midterm Chats, also known as Small Group Instructional Diagnoses. She provides a preliminary look at how faculty members at Illinois State believe this process improves their teaching. Also, Claire and Jim talk about the importance of making little changes, instead of wholesale revision, to one's teaching.

We take a first look at the theme for the 2019 University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium, Contemplative Teaching: Connecting Meaning, Purpose, and Values. Dana Karraker joins us to talk about this wide-ranging approach to making teaching a first-person act. We also talk mindfulness, posters, sessions, and preview both our keynote speaker’s morning workshop and luncheon talk. Plus, breaking news as Claire learns something unexpected about dessert. The 2019 University-Wide Teaching & Learning Symposium will be held on Wednesday, January 9, at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in uptown Normal. The event is free for faculty, staff, and graduate students at Illinois State and other area institutions. Find out more and register before Friday, December 14, at prodev.illinoisstate.edu/Symposium.

We take a deep dive into the concepts surrounding critical thinking. What is it and how do you know it when you see it? And just how do you get your students to do it? Jeff Rients, Senior Teaching and Learning Specialist at Temple University (and former CTLT graduate assistant) helps us explore critical thinking from a basic definition to advanced ways to assess it as a course-level goal. We also discuss how to incorporate it into your class without reinventing the proverbial wheel.

We kick off our Fall 2018 season with a look at ReggieNet, Illinois State University's customized learning management system. Instructional Developer Charles Bristow joins Jim Gee to discuss new features like the Attendance and Commons tool, introduced in the latest system upgrade. Plus, they look at some long-requested improvements to popular tools like Assignments, Tests & Quizzes, and the Gradebook. They also hint at a future improvement to ReggieNet that almost made it into this update, something exciting enough that Jim makes his happy teacher sound.

Dr. Bill Anderson, an associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, is one of the 2017 Outstanding University Teaching Award winners. In this jam-packed episode, Bill and Jim explore the power of interrupted case studies-- a way to foster students' creative thinking by giving them structured opportunities to engage in inference and prediction. They also discuss the value of "stacking the deck" to shepherd learners towards "ah-ha" moments, examine ways to structure class discussion and learning about controversial issues in a safe way, and speculate about what should really be in your statement of teaching philosophy.

Jim and Julie-Ann continue their conversations exploring ways to organize student experiences, including through the use of storytelling. They discuss the importance of moving students from behavior to cognition, and Julie-Ann introduces a new way for students to learn with those tired, old flashcards!