Explore every episode of the podcast Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

In this special episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Breana Bayraktar speaks with attendees and presenters from George Mason University’s 18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference about what makes ITL such a meaningful space for faculty learning, connection, and inspiration. Guests Cindy Parker of Costello College of Business, Colleen Reynolds of English, Lorena Jordan of Libraries at Schar School of Policy and Government, and Sanja Avramovic of the College of Public Health share practical teaching ideas they took away from this year’s conference. From design thinking and career-readiness framing, to digital escape rooms, student wellbeing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, our guests reflect on strategies they learned from George Mason faculty presenters across various disciplines. The conversation also highlights ITL as a welcoming, low-stakes opportunity to explore new approaches to teaching, connect with colleagues and campus resources, and share one’s own work with a broader audience. Whether you are a longtime participant or new to the conference, this episode offers a compelling look at how ITL helps George Mason faculty learn from one another and strengthen teaching across the university. 

Learn more about ITL: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/programs/home-itl-conference/ 

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In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, guests Joy Banks and Min Park from the College of Education and Human Development share with us how they create meaningful learning experiences across in-person and online teaching. Drawing on examples from their own courses in Education and Tourism Management, they reflect on how thoughtful course design—not just modality—shapes student engagement. The conversation also explores how faculty can help students grapple with complex and sometimes controversial topics across modalities by grounding discussion in evidence, inviting multiple perspectives, and giving students space to analyze, reflect, and grow. With practical insights for faculty across disciplines, this episode highlights how higher education teaching can move beyond content delivery to foster critical thinking, cultural competence, and meaningful student growth.

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In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, we spoke with two George Mason University Korea faculty from very different disciplines, Statistics professor Ajiboye Babalola and Business and Law professor Omario Kanji, about how instructors can build relevance in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on examples from both their classrooms and life experiences, they discuss how connecting theory to real-world practice helps students see why course concepts matter beyond the classroom, from legal problem-solving to data-informed thinking. Their engaging conversation also explores multilingual teaching and the value of meeting students where they are through clear communication, relatable examples, and an intentional investment in their educational journeys. With thoughtful reflections on inclusion and the growing role of AI, this episode offers faculty practical inspiration through a collegial conversation marked by connection, storytelling, and humor.

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In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, Ana Farnham and Kristin Johnsen-Neshati from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University share how perspective-taking can deepen teaching and learning across disciplines. Drawing on examples from graphic design and theater, they discuss how helping students consider audience, interpretation, and intent can deepen students’ thinking about how their work is experienced by others. The conversation also explores Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other accessible, multimodal teaching practices that support student engagement by making room for different ways of learning and demonstrating understanding. With thoughtful examples and practical insight, this episode offers faculty an inspiring reminder that when we design courses around experience, curiosity, and access, we create more impactful learning environments for all.

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In this inspiring episode about humanizing higher education classrooms, host Rachel Yoho speaks with George Mason University English instructor Eric Auld and Xiaoyu Gao (former instructor with George Mason's English department at time of recording) about practical, research-informed strategies for building authentic connections with students across modalities—from asynchronous online courses to face-to-face composition classrooms. Our guests share concrete activities they use in their own classrooms to build a conducive classroom culture, discuss the value of appropriate instructor vulnerability in fostering student trust, and explore how humanizing teaching can address contemporary challenges like AI in student writing and faculty mental health. Whether you teach required first-year composition courses or upper-level seminars, you'll discover actionable approaches to create learning environments where students see writing as process over product, develop their authentic voice, and feel genuinely supported. This conversation offers fresh perspectives on transforming mandatory courses from perceived obstacles into engaging experiences while reminding us that sustainable teaching requires putting on our own oxygen masks first—a timely message for faculty navigating the complexities of modern higher education.

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For the first time, Keystone Concepts in Teaching features a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) and a graduate instructor as guests, offering faculty a candid look into the student-instructor perspective. Host Dr. Rachel Yoho is joined by Sehaj Gill and Yasmin Rahmani, who share anecdotes from teaching introductory labs and lectures at George Mason University while pursuing their own graduate degrees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of relatability, patience, and clear communication, especially when guiding students through their core course requirements. The episode explores lessons learned from handling classroom challenges, advice for professors on working productively with GTAs, and practical guidance for aspiring GTAs—including adaptability, not overlooking fundamentals in the age of AI, and confidently admitting “I don’t know.” Faculty will gain actionable strategies and new perspectives on creating supportive, relevant, and inclusive learning environments, straight from the voices of those teaching and learning at the same time. 

Resource: George Mason University Graduate Education - Teaching Skills:  https://graduate.gmu.edu/professional-development/teaching-skills 

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How do we develop, support, and recognize effective teaching across career stages in higher education? In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Dr. Rachel Yoho is joined by Christi Wilcox, Director of the Office of Outreach, Student Success, and Engagement in George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing, for a wide‑ranging conversation about faculty development, graduate student preparation, and the recognition of teaching and learning work. Together, they explore why investing in pedagogical training, especially early with graduate students, strengthens both institutions and the profession. Additionally, Christi provides listeners with strategies for how to make the value of teaching development visible and why faculty should strategically advocate for and document their teaching‑related professional growth. This episode invites faculty across disciplines to rethink recognition, professional development, and the many ways effective teaching contributes to student success and the broader higher education ecosystem.

Resource: Faculty Podcast Credential: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/credentials/keystone-concepts-in-teaching-podcast-faculty-credential/ 

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Faculty mental health is rarely discussed—but deeply connected to teaching, learning, and student success. In this Hear From Your Host episode, guest host and Producer Kelly Chandler turns the microphone toward our host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore faculty mental health as a critical, and often overlooked, aspect of higher education. Drawing on research and observations, the conversation examines structural stressors in academia, the isolating nature of teaching, and the importance of community and support. Faculty will gain language, context, and practical ways to think about wellbeing - not as individual self‑care alone, but as a shared, systemic commitment essential to effective teaching and sustainable academic pursuits.

Guest Note: This is an academic exploration of a topic, not medical or mental health advice. Many campuses, local communities, and health insurances have mental health support. 

Resources: Some Mason Resources: Employee Assistance Programs: https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/insurance-and-benefits/employee-assistance-programs/  Mason Korea: BetterHelp online counseling sessions available. TimelyCare: mental health line https://rsr.gmu.edu/timelycare-now-available-to-faculty-and-staff/?utm_source=provosts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=facstaff&utm_term=20260126  Leave: https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/leave/ Dual Career Assistance: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/spouse-and-partner-employment/ Employee Resource Groups, Communities of Practice, and Other Networks: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/faculty-and-staff-networks/ Disability and Religious Accommodations: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/disability-and-religious-accommodations/ Center for the Advancement of Well-being's Faculty and Staff Resources: https://wellbeing.gmu.edu/resources-2/resources/ For references to the discussion and sources cited, please visit https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/keystone-concepts-in-teaching-podcast/season-4-spring-2026-keystone-concepts-in-teaching/

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George Mason’s University Career Services Executive Director, Saskia Campbell, joins host Dr. Rachel Yoho to explain the role her office plays in supporting students at the university and highlight practical ways faculty can partner in preparing students for life after graduation. The conversation explores George Mason’s career outcomes data, the chaos theory of careers, and the transferable skills employers value most. Faculty will also learn about low‑effort, high‑impact teaching practices and resources. This episode is a must‑listen for instructors interested in helping students make clearer connections between coursework and career pathways. 

Resources: University Career Services: https://careers.gmu.edu/ Career Readiness Guide: https://mymasonportal.gmu.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-193714404_1 Career Influencers Network: https://careers.gmu.edu/faculty-staff/career-influencers-network Request a Classroom Presentation: https://careers.gmu.edu/faculty-staff/request-presentation

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In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Dr. Rachel Yoho sits down with Dr. Kim Eby, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development at George Mason University, for a wide‑ranging conversation about faculty recognition, teaching, and the changing landscape of higher education. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience at George Mason, Dr. Eby reflects on student‑centered learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and what it means to support faculty across career stages in a time of increasing complexity. Settle in for an insightful conversation with Faculty Affairs' pivotal leader as she makes the compelling case that supporting faculty success is inseparable from supporting student success in a sustainable, effective higher education institution.

Resources: Faculty Affairs website:  https://provost.gmu.edu/about/administrative-units/faculty-affairs-and-development, The Chronicle article Dr. Eby references: https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-ai-is-changing-higher-education 

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What exactly do academic advisors do—and how can faculty benefit from understanding that role more clearly? In this episode, four of George Mason University’s professional academic advisors unpack the realities of advising with our host, Dr. Rachel Yoho. They explain where their work begins and ends, how they partner with faculty, and why collaboration matters more than ever for student success. Faculty listeners will gain insight into how advisors’ unique relationships with students can complement how students show up in classrooms and how partnerships between faculty and advisors can strengthen student referral practices, retention, and holistic student support. In a time of growing enrollment pressures and AI‑driven change, this conversation offers practical perspectives on how faculty and advisors can work together to better serve students. 

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Find out how the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence are natural collaborators as we navigate how to support faculty in today’s higher education landscape. In this episode, your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, explores this dynamic educational partnership with guests Dr. Indigo Eriksen and Hector Revollo from NVCC. These two institutions share a region, many students, resources, and even faculty. Listen in to find out how our guests are supporting faculty to feel empowered in our current, challenging environment, particularly around artificial intelligence. 

Resource: ADVANCE: https://advancesuccess.gmu.edu/ 

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Dive into our discussion with Drs. Stephanie Bluth and Alyssa Bivins from the Graduate Division! The host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, explores how our guests developed their innovative graduate teacher training programs, the importance of strategic unit collaboration across universities, and why everyone could benefit from having teaching skills. Find out how the Graduate Division developed evidence-based solutions to a ubiquitous issue in higher education: how many college instructors do not receive any teacher training before stepping in front of a classroom. Listen in as they share their experiences in creating productive communities of practice not just for graduate instructors, but for anyone who wants to talk about and assess their teaching. 

Resources: George Mason University Graduate Division:  https://graduate.gmu.edu/, Yoho, Rachel and E. Shelley Reid. Establishing Teaching Centers as Partners in Institution-Wide Initiatives. POD Perspectives, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 (2024), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.15868/socialsector.44761  

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In this episode, Dr. Tawnya Azar joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to share actionable strategies about how to avoid becoming the “AI Police” and teach students to think critically about how and when to responsibly use AI in college. Additionally, she shares how to meaningfully build rapport and trust with students in an online classroom and provides insightful tips to help students find value in demonstrating their learning – rather than relying on AI. Listen in to find out how Dr. Azar found joy in teaching in the age of artificial intelligence! 

Resource: Yoho, R. (2023), No, Let's Not Go Back to Handwritten Activities: Inclusive Teaching Strategies in the Context of ChatGPT. The National Teaching & Learning Forum, 32: 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/ntlf.30379

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Drs. Esther Park, Iulia Fratila, Allison Miner, and Yanika Kowitlawakul join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how they got started as new faculty members, their efforts to transform their teaching and students’ learning, and engagement with professional development. 

Resource: Stearns Center events calendar:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/ (events open to Mason affiliates only) 

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Dr. Lynnette Leonard and Dr. Dakota McCarty join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore how we approach from different disciplines teaching difficult topics, including those with social contexts and relevance. 

Resource: Mason Korea website:  https://masonkorea.gmu.edu 

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Drs. Tom Polk and Joan Hwang join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore what Writing Across the Curriculum is, how it has developed, and current initiatives and impacts. 

Resources: Writing Across the Curriculum:  https://wac.gmu.edu/ WAC Research Reports:  https://wac.gmu.edu/past-assessment-and-program-review-resources/ Meaningful Writing Report:  go.gmu.edu/meaningfulwriting  

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In our second Hear From Your Host episode, Dr. Rachel Yoho, the regular host of the podcast, becomes the guest as Producer Kelly Chandler guest hosts to facilitate a conversation on how we prepare for and navigate difficult situations in educational spaces.

Resource: Stearns Center Events Calendar (registrations for George Mason affiliates only):  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/ 

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Dr. Lisa Gring-Pemble, Dr. Aimee Weinstein, Maoria Kirker, and Doug McKenna join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss alternative grading strategies such as ungrading.

Resource: Stearns Center Events Calendar (registrations for Mason affiliates only):  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/ 

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Zach Greenberg, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, as the first guest from outside of the university to have an exploratory and academic talk about the timely topics of free speech and academic freedom. Please note that this episode was planned in June 2025 and recorded in August 2025. This is an academic exploration of a topic, not a set of directives, as are all podcast episodes. 

Resources: The FIRE Org: https://www.thefire.org FIRE’s Free Speech page:  https://www.thefire.org/defending-your-rights/free-speech FIRE’s Academic Freedom page:  https://www.thefire.org/defending-your-rights/academic-freedom FIRE’s Research & Learn page:  https://www.thefire.org/research-learn  

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Vicki Dominick from Learning Services joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss the resources and opportunities available through the efforts of the Learning Services office. 

Resources: Learning Services at George Mason University:  https://learningservices.gmu.edu Learning Services workshop announcements:  https://learningservices.gmu.edu/workshops/ Tutoring resources:  https://learningservices.gmu.edu/tutoring-resources2/  

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Dr. Leigh McCue, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Philip Wilkerson, Employer Engagement Consultant, join Dr. Rachel Yoho to discuss how podcasting can be a transformative communication strategy – for your course, research, department, or even as a hobby to make professional connections. 

Resources: Please check out the Mason Mechanical Engineer, hosted by Dr. Leigh McCue and Philip Wilkerson, where Dr. Rachel Yoho was a guest on their podcast in this crossover episode collaboration!

Mason Mechanical Engineer Podcast Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5N29nLkCvKt9euupjWex39?si=6a9313a7c7424311 

Positive Philter Podcast Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yr4WIxoB6qgdgU0n5cxBt?si=ae8daf52a5af4a09 

GMU Podcast Links: GMU Podcast Directory Form: https://forms.office.com/r/sLn6Xhs9NBm Podcast Club at George Mason RSO Join Link (students only): https://mason360.gmu.edu/PodcastClubGeorgeMason/club_signup 

Other: HigherEd PodCon Website: https://www.higheredpodcon.com/

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Kristen Wright and Dr. Shauna Rigaud, of the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning at George Mason University, join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss opportunities for community-engaged teaching and civic learning and... maybe a little teaching and learning magic!

Resources: Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) Website:  https://cecil.gmu.edu/ CECiL’s Community-Based Learning Introduction:  https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/community-based-learning-0 CECiL’s Engaged Summer Program:  https://cecil.gmu.edu/community-partners/engaged-summer-program George Mason University’s Quality Enhancement Plan:  https://provost.gmu.edu/academics/accreditation/quality-enhancement-plan CECiL Course Designations:  https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/course-designations CECiL Training and Support:  https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/training-and-support  

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In this episode, two inspiring Mason Korea faculty members, John David McGrew and Dr. Deborah Kwak, join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore key considerations for teaching at an international campus of a US university, as well as what has inspired them lately.

Resource: https://masonkorea.gmu.edu 

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Drs. Raven Russell and Laurel Marsh join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss some of the key stressors and big issues for new and “less new” faculty today.  We explore strategies to make teaching easier and better for everyone in the space. 

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Drs. Breana Bayraktar and Lila Fleming visit us to discuss Canvas, including key ideas, tips, and considerations whether you’re an experienced Canvas user or new to teaching. 

Resource: Information about the Canvas transition https://lms.gmu.edu/ 

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Dr. Joisanne Rodgers and Shyama Kuyver from the Contemporary Student Services office join us to talk about who are our contemporary students and how we can support them in their educational journey. 

Resources: Contemporary Student Services Office:  https://contemporary.gmu.edu 

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Prof. Kelly Knight and Dr. Christine Rosenfeld chat with us about how we might increase access to courses, even those in STEM like labs and field experiences. 

Resources: https://phet.colorado.edu Disability Services:  https://ds.gmu.edu Office of Access, Compliance, and Community:  https://oacc.gmu.edu 

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Dr. Laura Poms, Director of the Mason Core, joins us again to provide updates on the Mason Core and expand on undergraduate student learning experiences from the Mason Core and beyond. 

Resources: Mason Core Website:  https://masoncore.gmu.edu/ Mason Core Categories:  https://masoncore.gmu.edu/mason-core-course-categories/ 

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Drs. Glynita Bell and Amy Preston Page visit Keystone Concepts in Teaching to discuss an important part of the university community: military-affiliated learners.  We explore strategies that support all students in education, and consider the unique needs of the military and military-adjacent community. 

Resources: George Mason University Office of Military Services:  https://military.gmu.edu/ George Mason University Human Resources – Military Members and Veterans:  https://hr.gmu.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/military-members-and-veterans/ George Mason University Military Friendly School Announcement:  https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-05/george-mason-university-honored-top-military-friendly-university  Example paper about the military as a “greedy” organization:  Segal, M. W. (1986). The military and the family as greedy institutions. Armed forces & society, 13(1), 9-38.

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Join us for a conversation with Maoria J. Kirker, MS, to explore the many resources of the university library and consider opportunities to collaborate with librarians. 

Resources: George Mason University Library:  https://library.gmu.edu Data & Digital Scholarship Services:  https://dsc.gmu.edu George Mason University Libraries Special Collections Research Center:  https://scrc.gmu.edu Library Instructional Support links:  https://library.gmu.edu/instructional University Libraries Off-Campus Access support:  https://library.gmu.edu/use/off-campus

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Dr. Aimee Weinstein joins Keystone Concepts host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how to get started as a new faculty member... or perhaps, how you – as an experienced faculty member – might support your new colleagues.

Resources: Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/ George Mason University motto, mission, vision, core values, and more:  https://catalog.gmu.edu/about-mason/university/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning First Year Five program: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/first-year-five-fy5/ George Mason University Library:  https://library.gmu.edu/ George Mason University Korea (Mason Korea):  https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/ 

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Dr. Cameron Harris joins Keystone Concepts host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss the logistics and considerations for teaching when you are assigned to teach a new-to-you course.

Resources: Please be sure to also check out Episode 9, “Syllabi Supporting Learners and Instructors” https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/season-1-fall-2024-keystone-concepts-in-teaching/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Current Syllabus Guidance:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/current-syllabus-guidance/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Designing Your Syllabus:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/designing-your-syllabus/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning AI Text Generators:  Resource Page https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/ai-text-generators/ 

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Join our guest host, Kelly Chandler, as she talks with Dr. Rachel Yoho about how we can make our syllabi more inclusive of all learners and us as the instructor in the first of our “Hear From Your Host” series.

Resources: Eberly, M. B., Newton, S. E., & Wiggins, R. A. (2001). The syllabus as a tool for student-centered learning. The Journal of General Education, 50(1), 56–74., Bers, T., Davis, D., & Taylor, W. (1996). Syllabus analysis: What are we teaching and telling our students?. Assessment Update, 8(6), 1-14., References on first impressions, demonstrating values, and use as a learning tool: https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/explore-teaching-guides/inclusive-teaching-guide/planning-inclusive-course/building-inclusive https://ctl.columbia.edu/resources-and-technology/resources/designing-inclusive-syllabus/ References on course policies:  https://learninginnovation.duke.edu/resources/art-and-science-of-teaching/creating-an-inclusive-and-equitable-course/ George Mason University, Religious Holiday Calendar: https://ulife.gmu.edu/religious-holiday-calendar/ References on Tone and Language Use: https://ctl.columbia.edu/resources-and-technology/resources/designing-inclusive-syllabus/ https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/explore-teaching-guides/inclusive-teaching-guide/planning-inclusive-course/building-inclusive Sathy, V., & Hogan, K. A. (2022). Inclusive teaching: Strategies for promoting equity in the college classroom. West Virginia University Press. References on Readings and Resources in Syllabi: Sathy, V., & Hogan, K. A. (2022). Inclusive teaching: Strategies for promoting equity in the college classroom. https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/DiversityStatements Fuentes, M. A., Zelaya, D. G., & Madsen, J. W. (2021). Rethinking the course syllabus: Considerations for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Teaching of Psychology, 48(1), 69-79. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0098628320959979 References on Activities and Assignments: Fuentes, M. A., Zelaya, D. G., & Madsen, J. W. (2021). Rethinking the course syllabus: Considerations for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Teaching of Psychology, 48(1), 69-79. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0098628320959979 https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/DiversityStatements Sathy, V., & Hogan, K. A. (2022). Inclusive teaching: Strategies for promoting equity in the college classroom. Check out Episode 7 of Keystone Concepts in Teaching for more information on teaching multilingual learners:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/season-1-fall-2024-keystone-concepts-in-teaching/ References on Course Design: https://thewri<

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Drs. Richard Craig, LaNitra Berger, and Courtney Massie join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how we productively have conversations, facilitate student writing, and grade when centered around potentially challenging topics.

Resources: Office of Faculty Affairs and Development:  https://provost.gmu.edu/about/administrative-units/faculty-affairs-and-development (Contact this office for faculty affinity group information), Provost Website Resources for Faculty:  https://provost.gmu.edu/faculty, George Mason University Faculty Resources:  https://faculty.gmu.edu/,  Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/  

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Shelby Broberg and Dr. Idée Edalatishams join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, for a conversation on how we can support multilingual learners, including assignment design, assessment, and more! We explore actionable strategies for education that support all students, both multilingual and not, across disciplines.

Resources: George Mason University Writing Center: https://writingcenter.gmu.edu, A few example links about Dr. Bobbi Olson’s work (who was mentioned by Dr. Idée Edalatishams in the episode): Olson, B. (2013). Rethinking our work with multilingual writers: The ethics and responsibility of language teaching in the writing center. https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/items/8a663ff7-4f66-40be-8002-65e333778f72, https://www.grandview.edu/about/directory/profile?id=0011vln, Example links on translingualism (mentioned by Dr. Idée Edalatishams in the episode): Horner, B., Lu, M. Z., Royster, J. J., & Trimbur, J. (2011). Language difference in writing: Toward a translingual approach. College English, 73(3), 303-321.  https://www.jstor.org/stable/25790477, Horner, B., & Tetreault, E. (Eds.). (2017). Crossing divides: Exploring translingual writing pedagogies and programs. University Press of Colorado., https://louisville.edu/faculty/bmhorn01, Canagarajah, A. S. (Ed.). (2013). Literacy as translingual practice: Between communities and classrooms. Routledge., Canagarajah, S. (2016). Translingual writing and teacher development in composition. College English, 78(3), 265-273. 

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Dr. Laina Lockett, the STEM Education Specialist in the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, joins us to talk about the “big thing” right now in education: artificial intelligence-based text generators. We explore actionable strategies for continuing impactful and engaging teaching in this new educational context. 

Resources: Your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho’s, publication on inclusive teaching now that we have AI text generators: Yoho, R. (2023). No, Let's Not Go Back to Handwritten Activities: Inclusive Teaching Strategies in the Context of ChatGPT. In The National Teaching & Learning Forum (Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 1-4). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ntlf.30379, Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University recommendations for teaching considering AI text generators:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/ai-text-generators/, Inside Higher Ed article mentioned in the episode:  https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2024/07/23/new-report-finds-recent-grads-want-ai-be  

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Dr. Laura Poms, Director of the Mason Core at George Mason University, joins us to explore what Core courses can teach us about teaching.  We discuss content relevant to instructors who are – and are not – teaching in the undergraduate core curriculum program.

Resources: Mason Core Website:  https://masoncore.gmu.edu/, Mason Core Categories:  https://masoncore.gmu.edu/mason-core-course-categories/, GMU Learning Services:  https://learningservices.gmu.edu/, GMU Learning Services Video Series:  https://learningservices.gmu.edu/academic-skills-videos/, Distinguishing novice and expert learning practices: Daley, B. J. (1999). Novice to expert: An exploration of how professionals learn. Adult education quarterly, 49(4), 133-147. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/074171369904900401 

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Dr. Crystal Anderson returns to discuss the practical aspects of course design, transparency, and productively using feedback in our course.  This relates to our overall intentionality about how we approach teaching to support all students’ learning.  We also talk about how to approach teaching if you are handed a pre-made syllabus. 

For more information about student evaluations: 

• El-Alayli, A., Hansen-Brown, A. A., & Ceynar, M. (2018). Dancing backwards in high heels: Female professors experience more work demands and special favor requests, particularly from academically entitled students. Sex roles, 79, 136-150. 
• Boring, A., & Ottoboni, K. (2016). Student evaluations of teaching (mostly) do not measure teaching effectiveness. ScienceOpen research. 
• Kreitzer, R. J., & Sweet-Cushman, J. (2021). Evaluating student evaluations of teaching: A review of measurement and equity bias in SETs and recommendations for ethical reform. Journal of Academic Ethics, 1-12. 

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We welcome Dr. Crystal Anderson for a conversation about what teaching looks like today, particularly coming off several years of pandemic teaching.  We also explore how we engage students across different modalities, whether face-to-face, hybrid, online, or others.

Stearns Center Teaching Online:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/online-teaching/

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Dr. Shelley Reid returns for a follow-up conversation about how we create a classroom that supports all students – and the instructors – to create an environment of educational success through policies, procedures, assessment, and more.

Reality, equity, equality, and justice figure:  https://www.bu.edu/diversity/resource-toolkit/inequity-equality-equity-and-justice/ 

Stearns Center resource – Designing for Flexibility:  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/21-Course-Design-Flexibility-ALL-Policies.pdf 

 Stearns Center Face-to-Face and/or Hybrid Teaching Resources (see Course Design & Organization Basics section for Life Happens Pass):  https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/hybrid-teaching-resources/ 

 Fast Learner/Slow Learner news article:  https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2023/march/the-myth-of-the-fast-learner 

 Fast/Learner Slow Learner original research article:  https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2221311120 

 Example Exam Wrapper from the American Psychological Association:  https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/topss/teaching-resources/exam-wrapper.pdf  

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Join us as Dr. Shelley Reid discusses how good teaching is focused on learning, rather than just delivering content, in a way that supports and includes all students. 

Resources: Think-Pair-Share and other active learning strategies, Concentric circles of diversity 

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Listen to our podcast introduction to learn more about Keystone Concepts in Teaching!

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