Category Archives: Uncategorized

The MacGyver Mindset or Learned Helplessness?

Posted on April 27, 2013 by

Something of a response to Simon’s last post on recognizing a situation for what it is and using the tools at hand to improve it . . . It’s commonly acknowledged in online course design that no two people will … Continue reading →

Posted in Assignments, Chad Raymond, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I Got My Flippy Floppies….

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

Heard of the “Flipped Classroom” yet? The zany notion that students should engage the materials outside class, and then work through the concepts with one another and with the instructor during the class period?  It’s got all the educators talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Feeling Motivated?

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

My least favorite questions from my minions: 1. Will this be on the test? 2. What do I have to do to get an A in this class? 3. Do I have to read the whole thing? 4. How many … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Behavior, Cognitive Science and Psychology, Nina Kollars, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Purpose and Intent

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

3 Days in conference has yielded much… but I am reminded yet again…that the foundational choices and decisions we make to engage our students must begin and end with clear intent. The single most commonly articulated point: MAKE CERTAIN YOUR … Continue reading →

Posted in Amanda Rosen, APSA, Nina Kollars, Role-playing, Seminars, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Game Saturation?

Posted on February 9, 2013 by

In the mix of day two at TLC 2013. Hundreds of amazing ideas and new games to play. Nevertheless, we are 48 hours into the sims marathon and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.. winning & losing, grading & assessing…. the … Continue reading →

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Reminder: Register for APSA Teaching Learning by Feb 1st

Posted on January 26, 2013 by

Join the editors of ALPS at the 10th annual Teaching and Learning Conference, hosted by the American Political Science Association in Long Beach, California from 8-10 February, 2013.  This will also mark the fourth anniversary of our collective attendance on … Continue reading →

Posted in Amanda Rosen, Chad Raymond, Conferences, Nina Kollars, Simon Usherwood, Uncategorized, Victor Asal | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why Final Exams?

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

As I wade through stacks of essays, I am once again confronted by the question of “why give a final exam?” Final exams are assumed to accomplish two things: (1) provide one last testing environment that will help students transfer … Continue reading →

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We Ain’t Got No Badges

Posted on November 16, 2012 by

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) recently received regional accreditation for an online, competency-based associate’s degree priced at $5,000, which the university plans to launch in January. Competency-based bachelor’s degree programs are also under development. SNHU’s business model emphasizes convenience for students, … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Chad Raymond, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tinkering

Posted on November 4, 2012 by

When I was a doctoral student, I once spent several weeks teaching Asian history to teenagers at Barrack Obama’s former high school. I vowed never again to put myself in the position of having to prep for class at 1:00 … Continue reading →

Posted in Assignments, Chad Raymond, Comparative Politics, Presentations, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learning Occurred! Well, Maybe

Posted on October 12, 2012 by

As I’ve mentioned before, I conduct a pre- and post-test in my intro to US Politics course that is part citizenship test, part true-false questionnaire about issues in US politics.  The first part allows me to assess if learning may … Continue reading →

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