And just like that, Fall 2025 is drawing to a close. Over the past semester, you’ve published articles, presented at national and international conferences, completed—or begun—the ACUE Effective Teaching Certification, experimented with GenAI, made your courses more accessible, and shared your ideas and expertise with students and colleagues—all helping to make USC Upstate a more … Continue reading 5 Practices for Winter Well-Being
Introducing Achievements in Blackboard Ultra
If you’re looking for a fun, motivating way to boost student engagement, consider using the new Achievements feature in Blackboard Ultra. From the Achievements tab, faculty can create course achievement badges and set criteria for student success. While faculty can review which students have earned a course badge, students can also see the requirements for how to earn a badge and monitor their earned and unearned badges. Monitor Progress Toward Achieving … Continue reading Introducing Achievements in Blackboard Ultra
Building Classroom Connections, One Name at a Time
Peter Felten recently gave a memorable workshop for USC Upstate’s Fall Faculty Day. In addition to being a kind, funny, and passionate student advocate, he left us with plenty to think about – and to act on - as we launch into the fall semester. Much of his research shows that small adjustments in faculty … Continue reading Building Classroom Connections, One Name at a Time
How Star Wars is Your Course?
In a recent video from Innovative Educators, Tom Tobin gives a short overview of what we can learn from Star Wars about making accessible places where intergalactic beings and droids can easily get around and communicate with each other. He highlights the consistent use of ramps, wide doors, limited or no stairs, and translation devices. … Continue reading How Star Wars is Your Course?
Informal Mentorship in Action
When I began teaching as a tenure track, assistant professor, I quickly realized I needed guidance and support when it came to pursuing scholarship, deciding which committees to serve on, and teaching in a new context. At the same time, I also discovered that the faculty around me, across the hall and in departmental and … Continue reading Informal Mentorship in Action
Teaching Critical Thinking is Essential
Critical thinking is a common cornerstone of education, emphasized across K-12 and higher education standards – from Common Core to NGSS to NACE and AACN. Yet, while it’s widely recognized as essential, students are rarely taught how to think critically in explicit, structured ways. This post offers some practical guidance for faculty to intentionally cultivate … Continue reading Teaching Critical Thinking is Essential