Widening the Aperture: Experiential Teaching for Engaged Learning As community college faculty members and professional staff, we know good teaching. In fact, we specialize in it (i.e., experiential education, applied learning, student-centered instruction, interactive teaching). However, what are the mechanisms by which we practice these pedagogies of engagement? What is the learning science that maximizes students’ prior experiences and activates their working [...]

The Known Unknowns: Some Best Practices for Onboarding and Training New Full-Time Faculty Each year, community college administrators and Human Resources departments are busy hiring new full-time faculty members. These new faculty members then experience the transition from their previous place of employment, whether from an academic institution or industry, to their new campus [...]

The Office Hours Initiative (OHI): Outreach, Support, and Success Office hours at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (North Carolina) recently became an issue. Although some faculty members were not available during their advertised hours, many were available, yet students did not visit. While factors influencing students’ decisions to use office hours are largely beyond instructors’ control, [...]

Practical Strategies for Supporting English-as-an-Additional-Language Students This webinar considers pedagogical challenges from the perspective of learners of English-as-an-additional-language (EAL). In particular, it illustrates the salient linguistic features of a chosen source language, in this case Chinese, as an example of the potential communication challenges faced by students in order to help raise your awareness about [...]

Can Science Survive Without the Humanities? In modern curriculum, there has been a gradual disengagement of the arts from the sciences. Standard language has changed from the arts and sciences to the arts or sciences. During our webinar, we demonstrate that there is a forgotten reciprocity between the sciences and the humanities that can and [...]

Evidenced-based Strategies for Implementing Critical Learner Reflection At one point or another in our learning journeys, we have probably all been asked to reflect on our learning experiences. Although educators across disciplines have long recognized reflection’s importance and applicability across a wide variety of educational settings, it nonetheless remains a challenging concept for educators [...]

Active Learning Using Free Polling Software Active learning has been proven to help students analyze and apply course materials to develop a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught. Active-learning strategies include brainstorming, think-pair-share, case studies, discussions, in-class demonstrations, and many other deep-learning techniques. Kahoot, a free survey and quiz application, can be used to engage [...]

Elevating Success Opportunities for Our Students: Encouraging Emotional Intelligence Skill Usage Throughout the Community College Curriculum This webinar reviews the principles of emotional intelligence. The webinar facilitator provides reasons why it is beneficial to have students use high emotional intelligence skills throughout the community college curriculum and not just as part of psychology and [...]