I told a colleague about the topic of the class I was about to teach and she said, “That sounds really great. Can I sit in?” So she did, arriving for the second half of class on the first day of the term. By the time she arrived, we had already gone through a rangeContinue reading “Active Learning”
Tag Archives: education
Leadership (also: I’m Moving to New York)
My friend Mai is a graduate student, studying education. She recently asked me how I define “administration,” and what does “leadership” mean to me? She hit me at a good time. I’ve been thinking about this stuff a lot lately. An administrator creates pathways for people to do the work needed, I responded. They ensureContinue reading “Leadership (also: I’m Moving to New York)”
The Public Advocate
Just about one year ago, I came back to Philadelphia after living in Tokyo for three years. The morning after arriving in Philly, I ran into a friend as I walked to the CVS to receive my first COVID-19 vaccination. I ran into a few other friends on the way back to the hotel. AContinue reading “The Public Advocate”
Teaching Journalism to Society
Back in 2007, during my first semester teaching the 300-student Journalism & Society class, I invited two journo friends to talk to the students. Josh Cornfield, then a hotshot young reporter covering city politics for The Metro, arrived on time and kindly responded to countless questions from me and the students. It was great. HeContinue reading “Teaching Journalism to Society”
Make Philly the Education Hub
Philadelphia should invite Cheyney University of Pennsylvania to return here, the county where that school was founded, and maybe even give them free or cheap land. Shoot, I’d even suggest throwing in a few buildings. And while we’re at it, the city should create an intercollegiate innovation campus where other Pennsylvania schools and colleges couldContinue reading “Make Philly the Education Hub”
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”
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?”
G.W. Miller III 