September 13, 2022Using Social Media to Support Student Peer Relationshipsby Claire Hamshire, Sophie Miller, Ellery Ewell, Christina Wyatt, and Mimi BenjaminAs academics from a large, modern UK university (Claire) and a medium-sized public US university (Mimi), we have been working with the Center for Engaged Learning as attendees in the (Re)Examining Meaningful Learning Experiences research seminar series for the last…
August 24, 2022Universal Design in the Classroom: Quick Tips to Tryby Caroline J. Ketcham and Alexa DarbyUniversal Design applied to a classroom is the concept that structuring your course and course materials can simplify, enhance, and make accessible the learning in your classroom. It originally started with physical spaces and continues to expand into many areas…
August 12, 2022Mentoring for Learner Success: Mentoring is not (just) having a cup of coffee, part 3by Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Cynthia Fair, and Caroline KetchamIn part 1 of this blog series, we introduced mentoring as more than (just) having a cup of coffee, and in part 2, we shared snapshots from our own experiences with mentoring relationships. In this final post in the series,…
August 10, 2022Mentoring for Learner Success: Mentoring is not (just) having a cup of coffee, part 2by Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Cynthia Fair, and Caroline KetchamIn Part 1 of this blog series, we described mentoring as situated in a larger sociocultural context and understood holistically and longitudinally, rather than as a snapshot of a meaningful moment (e.g., having a cup of coffee). In this post,…
August 8, 2022Mentoring for Learner Success: Mentoring is not (just) having a cup of coffee, part 1by Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Cynthia Fair, and Caroline KetchamWhat comes to mind when you hear the word mentor? What images and emotions are evoked by the term mentoring? Acknowledging that the concept of mentoring has become ubiquitous, not only in higher education but also in popular culture and…
July 19, 2022Disconnect between Instructor Feedback Beliefs and Practicesby Breana Bayraktar, Kiruthika Ragupathi, and Katherine A. TroyerFor many students, meaningful engagement with faculty beyond superficial classroom exchanges happens through the exchange of feedback on student work. Studies have shown that feedback that students receive from their teachers is crucial to their learning process and guides their…
June 24, 2022Through the Eyes of a Student: Forming an Effective and Meaningful Partnershipby Ellery Ewell, Sophie Miller, Gianna Smurro, Annelise Weaver, and Christina WyattAs the initial undergraduate Student Scholar cohorts working with the Center for Engaged Learning, we are often asked what our roles entail. Both in the context of the research itself, as well as in our partnerships, this collaborative leadership team…
June 8, 2022Meaningful Learning Experiences and the Value of a College Degreeby Jessie L. Moore, Jason Hussar, Kaye Usry, and Peter FeltenA recent survey by the Center for Engaged Learning and the Elon University Poll explored the types of meaningful learning experiences college graduates had while in school and how college helped them develop skills they’re applying in their professional careers….
March 1, 2022I’ve got it! What if they grade each other?by David BuckIn previous posts, I’ve discussed how collaborative assignments pose a challenge for valid assessment because the resulting product typically reflects pooled ability and effort (for a good review, see Webb et al. 1998). One way instructors have attempted to overcome…
November 23, 2021Through the Eyes of a Student: Attending an Interdisciplinary Multi-institutional Conference on Engaged Learningby Sophie Miller, Christina Wyatt, Ellery EwellWe, the CEL Student Scholars, were invited to attend CEL’s Conference on Engaged Learning. The conference was geared towards unpacking pedagogical approaches to engaged learning, specifically regarding capstone experiences and writing beyond the university. Many of the attendees had professional expertise…