In higher education institutions, many faculty members are hired because they are experts in their field of study, but not necessarily individuals who are trained in how to teach. This quantitative, quasi-experiment study examined college faculty member’s level of methodology training in relation to student satisfaction, current course performance, attendance, the belief in the need for training, and a faculty member’s sense of efficacy in teaching. In other words, does having a college professor trained in how to teach matter? The researcher found statistically significant results for student satisfaction, current course performance and attendance. The faculty member’s belief in the need for teaching methodology training showed that 96% (n = 87) of the faculty surveyed felt there was a need to be trained to teach at the college level. Faculty members want to be trained and great things can happen when faculty members develop the skills in “how to teach.”

Abstract. This action research project examined the effect of student assessment choice on grades and course evaluations, the two assessment options being a reading quiz or a two-minute video recording of themselves recalling what they could about the text (a “recall”). In the baseline condition (year 1), students were encouraged to complete recall videos about reading assignments for a type of extra credit in addition to required multiple-choice reading quizzes. In the experimental year (year 2), students were instead allowed to replace reading quizzes with recalls. The data included student submissions, grades, and course evaluations. Students completed more recall assignments when the recall replaced the quiz requirement than during the baseline year when recalls could not replace quizzes. In addition, the instances of students completing both the quiz and recall (for extra credit) increased in the experimental year. Average course grades did not change from the baseline year to the experimental year, but students with higher course grades were significantly more likely to have completed recalls. Student evaluations of the instructor were significantly higher for “responses to diverse learning styles” in the experimental year compared to the baseline condition. The study shows that letting students choose the assessment type they prefer can lead to increased student engagement and improve their perception of the instructor’s responsiveness to learning styles, without causing grade inflation.

Higher education faculty members are increasingly being asked to defend their teaching methods with research-based support. This article offers such evidence through a randomized control-group pretest-posttest study that examined whether a newly created andragogy method, Forming Optimal Classroom Environments (FOCE), increased master’s students’ research self-efficacy in comparison to the standard teaching method (STM). The article details the model, based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory, particularly his concept of self-efficacy. The model relies upon both Bandura’s publications and results over the last forty years from researchers who have investigated higher education teaching techniques based on the concept of self-efficacy. Fifteen such research-based techniques form the model. Results found no significant interaction effect when comparing FOCE with the STM. Additionally, both teaching methods demonstrated that knowledge increases were positively correlated with research self-efficacy increases. This indicates that increasing research knowledge is one factor in increasing students’ research self-efficacy. Implications of findings are discussed.

This study investigates experiential learning’s role and efficacy at a doctoral-level leadership studies program concentrating on a compulsory externship. Key to this work is the collegiate climate and collaboration of the graduate students and many participating organizations. This study employs hybrid community-based participatory research (incorporating graduate student, organizational stakeholder, and instructor perspectives) to increase knowledge and understanding of doctoral-level experiential learning and integrate that knowledge to benefit pedagogy, leadership development, and organizational-university partnerships. Results indicate that experiential learning builds robust collaboration between institutional and organizational settings. Moreover, the experiential learning experience provides a distinctive approach for graduate students, enabling them to make better work-context decisions and advance science by asking better, more salient research questions. Experiential learning also enriches the course context, encouraging students to marry their technical and academic expertise to make practical, positive changes.

Research in higher education has consistently focused on determining factors that influence student success and retention in academic programs. Successful students also positively impact the effectiveness of teaching practices used in a course. Previous work shows that a recurring set of assignments where students reflect on past work and set a SMART goal to make a specific improvement promotes a growth mindset and is an activity that students see value in completing. Promoting improvements by students should also make an instructor’s teaching efforts more effective. To understand how instructors and institutions can provide more support for student development and retention, students at four universities completed reflection and planning assignments that involved goal setting based on the SMART goal framework. Student submissions were analyzed to categorize the topic areas where students saw the need to work. Results highlighted the importance of many topics, including time management, self-care, course content, and study methods. Analysis of the data also revealed that facilitating exercises requiring students to set goals and report on their progress later in the term greatly enhanced student engagement and fostered behaviors geared towards establishing a growth mindset.

This paper presents an innovative pedagogical model that incorporates components of team-based learning, problem-based learning, and design thinking in the context of a community-engaged applied learning experience. Students participating in this project build 21st century skills needed to be successful in their future educational and career pursuits. Undergraduate sociology and master's level social work students partnered with community organizations to solve a real-world problem for that organization. They were coached through the process by their instructors. Before participating in the project, students reflected on what they hoped to get out of the experience. After completion, they reflected on the process and what they learned. Analyzing student reflection papers, we found three themes: excitement and fears, challenges and opportunities, and personal and professional growth. We conclude by describing how instructors can incorporate aspects of this model into their own classroom, and the importance of teamwork skills, design thinking skills, and meaningful community engagement.

The principles of positive psychology have been studied for many years, but it seems to be only recently that the benefits of these techniques are being accepted by the wider community of mainstream pedagogues. In this article, we describe the principles of positive psychology and then highlight its benefits for both students and instructors. Finally, we discuss strategies and tips for implementation in the higher education classroom, both in-person and online.

Students may sometimes benefit from due date extensions due to significant extenuating circumstances. These circumstances, though, may not be supported by documentation as required by university policies. Given this, I implemented a flexible due date policy called the Pause Button (PB) in a 16-week behavioral sciences research methods course. Students could use the PB to extend two due dates up to seven days each if they did not qualify for other university-approved extensions. Twenty-three students completed a survey about their use of the PB and perceptions of its helpfulness and benefits. Overall, students perceived the PB as very helpful, improving their ability to learn and complete greater quality coursework. Moreover, they perceived that it allowed them to better manage their academic workload, personal responsibilities, and stress. One of the PB’s perceived benefits, though, was dependent upon the assessment to which it was applied. This paper also suggests concerns for instructors who are considering implementation of a PB policy. It also contains recommendations for its use.