Do you live in dread of blank stares from students when beginning a classroom discussion on a new topic? There are many reasons for this, one of which being that students can struggle completing pre-class reading assignments. A recent study by Jae-eun Russell et.al. (2023) found that if students are not supported through the process… Read more »
Quick Tip: Adding Students to Your Top Hat Course
This summer, IU moved to a new version of Top Hat, which offers new functionality such as automatic syncing and deep links. One of the changes required by this new version, however, is how you add students. Where formerly you might have just provided students with a join code, this version requires students to log… Read more »
Activities for the First Day of Class
Our previous blog post talked about ways to ensure your students feel welcomed and included in your course from day one. However, welcoming students to class and establishing course goals are only the first steps. As James M. Lang has argued, “On that first day…your students are forming a lasting impression not just of you… Read more »
Planning your first day of the semester
Our previous posts in this series focused on creating and introducing inclusive syllabi. While the syllabus is often “the first point of contact with instructors,” your students’ first impression of you and the course is solidified on the first day of class. Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom (Hogan & Sathy,… Read more »
Meet our new Instructional Technology Consultant, Eric Brinkman
Can you introduce yourself a little? What’s a hobby or two you enjoy? Hi! My name is Eric Brinkman, and I prefer they/them pronouns. I know it can be hard or seem strange for people at first, but it’s actually quite simple and grammatically correct! I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but I haven’t lived… Read more »