My son, Kenzo William Miller, was born 9 days early, arriving on August 12, exactly two years to the day after Mookie, my beloved little pup, passed away. I can’t decide if that’s just a crazy coincidence or something deeper. But I feel like there is a connection, and that has my brain spinning. InContinue reading “August 12: Mookie & Kenzo”
Author Archives: gwmiller3
Three Years in Japan
I recently found the letter I sent when applying for the job I just left, the associate dean for academic affairs at Temple University, Japan Campus. It’s amusing. It is 1,700 words of folksy language, joking around, and rambling, sentimental prose. It avoids outright boasting for the most part and sounds a little too modestContinue reading “Three Years in Japan”
The Single-speed Life
I’m not sure how many miles I have biked around Japan over the past three years but I’d venture to say it’s several thousand. I mean, I use my single-speed Tokyo Bike every day – going the short distance to and from school, picking up super-cheap sushi in Shibuya, biking to baseball games in allContinue reading “The Single-speed Life”
Everything Sucks Today
I know, I know: You are not happy. You are sad and annoyed, and maybe even a little angry. The last thing you want is an old dude telling you to chill out. But hey, chill out, young buck. Classes are going online and you didn’t get that tuition discount you wanted. You didn’t signContinue reading “Everything Sucks Today”
TL/DR: I Love Books & You Should Too
I once took a class in post-modern British literature and I became enamored with the idea of a lineage of writers. You know, a young Zadie Smith studied at Cambridge and likely read Kazuo Ishiguro, who was likely influenced by Julian Barnes, who was probably influenced by Kingsley Amis and Iris Murdoch, and so onContinue reading “TL/DR: I Love Books & You Should Too”
Things That Work While Teaching Online
Consider what you, the instructor, bring to the course. What are your strengths? Where is your comfort zone? Do those things align with the way students learn in the online world, and how they engage with the material? They should. Think about it: When a student complains that they “hate online teaching,” what does thatContinue reading “Things That Work While Teaching Online”
Things To Avoid While Teaching Online
There is no one proper way to teach online. Every person will experiment and develop a toolkit that best suits them, the course material and their students. It’s a world of experimentation, really, as new tools and apps come out seemingly every day. But rather than each of us stumbling around, we can learn aboutContinue reading “Things To Avoid While Teaching Online”
How to Activate Students Online
Students learn more when they are engaged with the course content. When we are in-person, we can directly address the students who are daydreaming or who may be too shy to speak in front of others. Whether in-person or online, students need to be properly prepared for discussions and activities. That means that professors needContinue reading “How to Activate Students Online”
How Do You Measure Learning Online?
How do we assess student learning in the online setting? Traditional tests and papers can work, when appropriate. But here’s the thing: Students need to feel invested quickly in the semester, they need frequent grading opportunities, and they need regular feedback. We need to do more, and more often. So, moderation is the key. OtherwiseContinue reading “How Do You Measure Learning Online?”
Creating Online Engagement
How should you present information during classes? Will traditional lectures work? Are there other ways to help students learn? Here are a few things to think about: Lay the groundwork. The first few classes of the semester are incredibly important in regard to developing class retention, activation and agency. Create a sense of community byContinue reading “Creating Online Engagement”
G.W. Miller III 