I was the first-generation immigrant college student, trying to navigate college, and working towards a degree was quite challenging. I share the sentiment with @Casandra; I thought everyone had it figured out except me. This especially became apparent when I took writing intensive courses, where I really struggled to communicate and express…[Read more]

Since I teach microbiology as a capstone course, I always make connections with the content I teach to students’ lives. This allows students to understand the importance of microbiology and its relevance to their personal and professional lives. For example, one of the exercises I developed entails students to use their own gum sample in order t…[Read more]

WAC pedagogy is foundational to my approach to teaching. GPS is a natural inclusion in so far as we are trying to teach students skills that will translate across and carry through all of their classes and beyond. The growth-mindset language fits quite comfortably within these goals and offers a discourse that students can readily understand and…[Read more]

“Grit” is great. It offers itself as a nice metaphor for development that results in a pearl. However, I think “grit” also tends to get thrown around too casually, particularly by those who are just annoyed by how someone else works and struggles. “Resilience’ seems to me to be the better vocabulary because it is pretty much always going to be positive.

This really annoyed me. Although the exercises suggested were all sound, I already do many of them without AI. This exchange felt like a nagging sales pitch for inclusion of AI. I also bristled at the constant barrage of emotional language (e.g. “truly inspiring”). I really did not see any real pedagogical value in incorporating AI, although the…[Read more]

4.5 Tutor Summary

Thank you for such a thoughtful and engaging conversation! Throughout our discussion, you shared your experiences and concerns about incorporating AI into your teaching of an introductory English literature course. You emphasized the strength of your existing pedagogy, which prioritizes peer collaboration, authentic student…[Read more]

4.4 Tutor Summary

Thank you for this thoughtful and candid discussion. You’ve clearly demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering critical thinking, reflection, and resilience in your students. You’re already doing the hard work of guiding them through discomfort, helping them build confidence in their own ideas, and creating opportunities for…[Read more]

4.1 Tutor Summary

In our conversation, you expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of generative AI on student learning and skill development. You shared your frustration with AI’s constant affirmation and how it may contribute to students’ expectations of positive reinforcement even when they are not succeeding. You also…[Read more]

Oh, this is an awful experience. I have an awkward cadence and a vocal timbre that just doesn’t feel welcoming (I have long felt this way and doing recording after recording has not changed this). I have a diction that always tends to sound overly formal. Thank goodness I didn’t have to do it in video where my Resting Jay Face (as my partner…[Read more]

Careen,

I really like your focus on getting them to accept challenges and failures as potentially productive. This is an attitude I have watched wither in our society over the past 20 or so years, and I think it has become rather dire at this point (2025). I have also heard an increasing parroting of reality tv discourse paired with…[Read more]

Cynthia,

I’m with you on ice-breakers, metacognition, and especially not requiring students to share personal information. Get to know each other: great. Think about process and purpose and what you’re learning: great. Tell everyone very publicly about your personal life: nope, no way. I keep my personal life personal and I invite them to do that…[Read more]

• What are some of the strategies discussed in this module that you already use to connect with your students?
• What is something new that you were introduced to?
• What are some concerns you may have about creating a sense of belonging now that you’ve learned what it could encompass?

I emphasize students talking to each other, participating i…[Read more]

I have rarely felt comfortable in social spaces and college was no exception. I had to force myself to talk to people the first two weeks of college because I decided it would be a long and miserable four years if I did not get to know people. That was a hugely important decision on my part. In doing that, I did meet people, some of whom I am…[Read more]