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Empower Your Teaching Journey: A Deep Dive Into ACUE Commons

10/17/2024 |

Empower Your Teaching Journey

A Deep Dive Into ACUE Commons

The pursuit of excellence in teaching is a journey, and for faculty certified in ACUE’s framework, it never ends! Our recent webinar, “Your Hub for Great Teaching: Explore the ACUE Commons Live,” served as a captivating introduction to a dynamic hub poised to revolutionize the way educators connect, collaborate, and push the boundaries of teaching.

The webinar, led by the amazing ACUE Commons Community Manager, Kelly Williamson, and faculty leaders from our founding members, Kiki Heintz (Pulaski Technical College) and Nicole Rice (Palm Beach State College), was an in-depth exploration of ACUE Commons. Through a live demo, participants got to see firsthand how the intuitive, user-friendly interface of the ACUE Commons can support their teaching while connecting them with faculty nationwide.

Search Tools

Let’s start with the platform’s powerful search capabilities, that make it super easy for educators to find exactly what they need, when they need it. From staying up to date on the latest trends and topics in higher education to accessing a wealth of ACUE course materials, including resources from completed pathway courses, the search tools put the power in your hands.

Learning Lab

The Learning Lab is a goldmine for continuous professional development. With brief, self-paced Quick Study courses covering relevant topics in higher ed like AI and constructive conversations, it’s the perfect place for faculty (including adjuncts!) to quickly gain the knowledge and skills needed to continue to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.

Community & Collaboration

ACUE Commons isn’t just about resources; it’s about networking with a vibrant community of educators. The webinar highlighted the hub’s potential to connect faculty from different disciplines and institutions, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and support.

Whether you’re a seasoned professor or a new faculty member, ACUE Commons is here to support you every step of the way. The webinar highlighted the platform’s versatility, catering to a variety of needs and aspirations. With ACUE Commons, you can:

  • Learn actionable teaching strategies, innovative approaches and practical tips that enhance your classroom practice, and propel your students’ success and engagement.
  • Tap into a curated collection of resources from trusted providers, ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed.
  • Forge connections with a community of passionate and skilled ACUE trained faculty, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Join ACUE Commons Today!

Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Eager to connect with an energetic community of educators? Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Connect with us today to learn more about becoming an ACUE Commons member. Whether you’re interested in joining as an individual or bringing ACUE Commons to your entire institution, we’ve got you covered!

Watch the Full Webinar
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ACUE’s Webinar: Creating Safe Spaces for Constructive Classroom Conversations

10/09/2024 |

About ACUE's Webinar

Having Constructive Classroom Conversations in Challenging Times

In an era marked by polarization, educators were tasked with a pivotal challenge: facilitating classroom conversations where students could freely express diverse opinions, foster empathy, and enhance critical thinking.

On Thursday, October 17, Adam Smith hosted a dynamic webinar in which three distinguished panelists shared their insights on fostering productive classroom conversations around challenging topics.

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Adam Smith

Host, Nationally Recognized Higher Education Expert

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Timothy Berry, EdD

Professor of Educational Leadership, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Teresa A. Nance, PhD

Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, Villanova University

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Zack Ritter, PhD

Lecturer , UCLA and Cal State Dominguez Hills

Unlocking the Secrets to Civil Discourse in Classroom Conversations

ogether, these leaders broke down the barriers to productive conversations in the classroom and provided participants with practical tools to navigate tricky discussions with confidence and clarity. Attendees walked away from the session with key strategies that not only transformed how they managed classroom discussions but also empowered their students to think critically and engage meaningfully.

By fostering an environment where questions were encouraged, using skilled moderation to turn heated debates into learning moments, teaching students to find credible sources, and addressing cognitive biases, educators were able to effectively guide their students through even the most challenging topics.

Why Dialogue Matters Now More Than Ever

Educator leading a classroom discussion, fostering inclusive and productive classroom conversations.

As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, campuses across the nation are becoming hotbeds of civic discourse. The stakes for maintaining constructive dialogue have never been higher. How faculty handle these classroom conversations will be a key sign of whether colleges and universities can weather the potential storm ahead.

Recent findings by the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, as highlighted by The Chronicle of Higher Education, emphasized that “civil-discourse training must be embedded into the curriculum.”

Inside Higher Ed has shed light on the proactive measures campuses are taking to brace for the forthcoming presidential election. They remind us of the last time higher education faced challenges like these, in the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016, acknowledging the reality that the 2020 election was a very remote experience because of the pandemic. Localized approaches, like those undertaken by several universities in New York City, are embracing a national trend to preemptively prepare students for possible conflict.

Empowering Faculty to Empower Students

Our Having Constructive Classroom Conversations in Challenging Times webinar is designed to help educators keep classrooms as spaces for meaningful, respectful conversations. This initiative builds on ACUE’s work to guide faculty through the intricacies of community building and constructive dialogue.

Previously, ACUE has explored the importance of supporting faculty in building community. In June, a blog written by Felice Nudelman outlined five guidelines and processes for making constructive conversations possible.

By watching this webinar, you’ll gain firsthand insights from leading experts and acquire actionable strategies to apply in your classroom. Whether you’re seasoned in facilitating challenging discussions or are contemplating how to approach them, this webinar will equip you with the strategies you need.

Watch Now

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ACUE October 2024 Newsletter

10/04/2024 |

Welcome to the Fall Semester!

We hope everyone had a great summer and look forward to sharing with you exciting highlights from this summer, tools you can use, and more in our August 2023 newsletter. 

In this Issue

National Higher Education Teaching Conference

Tools You Can Use

Grant Opportunity

The Student Lens

Partner Spotlights

ACUE on the Road

Share Your Story

ACUE's Inaugural National Higher Education Teaching Conference

On June 22–23, presidents, provosts, professors, students, policymakers, and philanthropists gathered for two inspiring days of bridging policy and practice, learning practical strategies, and centering the impact of faculty on higher education’s agenda at the inaugural National Higher Education Teaching Conference. Additionally, seven institutions were honored as “Movement Makers.”

Movement Maker Honorees

View coverage and learn more about the event at the links below. And stay tuned; NHETC 2024 information will be available in September.

Technology Translated Podcast

NHETC Recap


Listen

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Teaching: Does higher education value good teaching?

Read

ACUE

Why Faculty and Effective Teaching Make All the Difference

Watch
"NHETC was a great experience. Our engagements at the conference re-charged our campus-wide focus on teaching and learning. Dr. Pettis and I were happy to have had the opportunity, and we look forward to having ASU representative(s) at the 2024 convening.”
Patrice W. Glenn Jones
Executive Director of Online Education and Programs, Alabama State University

Tools You Can Use

Webinars

Resources

Driving Student Recruitment and Mental Health Through Generative AI
Investing in Professional Development: An Effective Driver of Faculty Engagement and Student Success
Reimagining Higher Education through AGI/ChatGPT
eBook: Funding Teaching Excellence: An Introductory Guide To Securing Title III and Title V Grants
White Paper: Success Factors Policies and Practices That Inspire Faculty and Strengthen Teaching
Grant Opportunity

Earlier this summer, ACUE announced that the ECMC Foundation is joining our national initiative, “Fostering a Culture of Belonging: The National Higher Education Excellence Challenge Grant Program,” as a founding sponsor.

Designed to strengthen the higher education experience for hundreds of thousands of U.S. students, this new program will allow up to 2,000 professors and staff to complete ACUE’s “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” course. Given typical teaching loads, the course will benefit an estimated 250,000 students annually.

To learn more and see if your institution is eligible to apply for this grant, visit go.acue.org/NCTCGS.

The Student Lens

In our latest episode of The Student Lens, we hear from Amanda, a Texas A&M University-Central Texas student, who explains how her professor, Dr. Shell, motivated her to participate and engage with others in their online course.

Partner Spotlights

Miami University

Last year, Miami University launched a pilot program on inclusive pedagogy. One year later, its success has led the university to scale up the program by offering three cohorts of 99 participants the opportunity to take ACUE’s “Fostering a Culture of Belonging” course this fall.

University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

At its 2023–24 convocation on August 14, University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College Chancellor Summer DeProw praised the college’s “Movement Maker” recognition from June’s National Higher Education Teaching Conference for its commitment to enhancing student learning.

Winston-Salem State University

This summer, Winston-Salem State University celebrated faculty that earned their Certification in the Effective Practice Framework during an ACUE pinning ceremony. This brings the college’s total number of certified faculty to 93. Faculty reflected on their experience with ACUE in the university’s 2023 Yearbook.

Waubonsee Community College

In a feature on the Waubonsee news site, Professor of Biology Dani Fischer shares her experience with ACUE and how it was one of the most meaningful professional development experiences her college offered.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

During the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Academic Summer Affairs Meeting, UNC-Greensboro’s Associate Vice Provost Regina McCoy held the presentation “Investing in Faculty & Empowering Students to Enhance Student Success.”

ACUE on the Road

ACUE will be at the following upcoming events this fall. Stop by and visit us!

Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) Student Success Learning Institute

California Community College Association for Occupational Education (CCCAOE) Fall Conference

Share Your ACUE Story

Interested in sharing a short video about your favorite ACUE practice? We would love to hear from you! To share, find all details and submission information at acue.org/share-your-acue-story.

Share My Story
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Generative AI in Higher Education and Responsible Implementation

07/22/2024 |

Generative AI in Higher Education and Responsible Implementation

At ACUE, we recognize the transformative potential of generative AI in higher education. What’s paramount, however, is understanding how to bring it to your faculty, students, and institution responsibly. 

Many campus leaders and faculty share that sentiment as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception of our AI Quick Study courses and the lively discussions during our recent webinar, “Getting Started With an AI Policy for Your Campus,” led by Dr. Penny MacCormack, ACUE’s chief academic officer. 

To continue the conversation, we’re spotlighting a strategy guide we just came across from MIT SMR Connections, a subsection within MIT Sloan Management Review. It focuses on responsibly using generative AI in higher ed, and we think it nicely complements our recent webinar by showcasing successful practices from various institutions and highlighting the need to prepare staff and faculty for an AI-driven world with training and support. Here are some key points that MIT’s guide delves into:

Instructor using AI in higher education, engaging with college students during class..

Establishing Guidelines and Governance

Learn how institutions are creating policies to ensure the responsible use of AI by focusing on fairness, accuracy, and privacy.

Preparing Academic Communities

Understand the importance of AI literacy and the steps universities are taking to educate their communities about AI. 

Enhancing Learning Outcomes

Explore the benefits of AI in improving student engagement, personalizing learning, and supporting instructors in their educational tasks.

Guarding Against Misinformation

Discover strategies to mitigate the risks of AI-generated misinformation and ensure the reliability of AI tools. 

Ensuring Security and Accessibility

Find out how institutions are securing AI tools and making them accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. 

Ongoing AI Engagement

See how universities are preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role, both during their studies and in their careers. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this guide and other AI resources that you’ve found to be insightful. As AI and emerging trends and topics continue to evolve, you can count on ACUE to be there to support you, your faculty, and your institution with evidence-based teaching practices you can trust. 

Are you ready to responsibly integrate generative AI at your institution?

Connect with us to learn how to bring the trusted ACUE Learning Lab of Quick Study courses to your institution. These flexible, self-paced learning experiences can have your faculty confident and ready to implement teaching practices in as little as 1 hour. 

Connect with Us

To save you time, here are links to resources referenced in this post:

  • Introduction to Generative AI 
  • Writing Effective AI Prompts 
  • Leveraging AI to Develop Course Resources 
  • Teaching with AI-Inclusive and AI-Resistant Learning Experiences 
  • Empowering Students to Use AI Responsibly 
  • Establishing a Culture of Constructive Conversations 
  • Developing Students’ Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
  • Developing Students’ Media Literacy 
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5 Guidelines for Fostering Constructive Conversations in Your Course

06/17/2024 |

Constructive Conversations: 5 Guidelines for Fostering Them in Your Course

by Felice Nudelman

President, Net Edge Training, LLC

I am sitting in a large meeting space at a university in Texas with tables spread across the room. Each table has six to eight students and they are tackling the hot topic of gun control. This could end up being one of the most contentious conversations I have witnessed. But because the faculty facilitator is employing a well-constructed and intentional approach to a deliberative dialogue the students are having thoughtful and constructive conversation that is informed by fact and reason, acknowledges cognitive bias, and is respectful of the multiple perspectives and views in the room.

It can seem nearly impossible to surmount the biases that are so ingrained in each of us and to rise above our partisan and polarized landscape. But by utilizing Constructive Conversations, we found that students were more engaged, strengthened their critical thinking skills, and built connections across ideological divides.

Constructive conversations connect academic rigor with credible sources of information, utilizing an intentional process for dialogue in a way that is approachable to students and yields significant results. It is a creative and hands-on experience that is suited to any discipline.

So, how in the world did these students accomplish this level of discourse?

There were guidelines and processes in place that made this and other constructive conversations possible.

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    Create a Culture of Exploration and Inquiry.

    By creating a culture of exploration and inquiry, we can equip and inspire students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to tackle society’s most pressing problems. A culture that engages students, promotes critical thinking, and supports their ability to take in the complexity of multiple perspectives, political ideologies, and lived experiences ultimately ensures that all have a voice and can share without threatening or feeling threatened.

    Building this type of culture is developed over time. A consistent process will help lay the foundation and is easily embedded into your pedagogical approach so that when you introduce the constructive conversation exercise your students have a sense of agency and the skills for productive engagement.

    Good Moderation Is Key.

    Intentional and well-planned facilitation is key to a successful constructive conversation. In higher education, students are often asked to engage with complex and thorny issues that can provoke strong feelings and diverse opinions. Whether discussing ethical dilemmas in medical research, debates around free speech on campus, or the challenges of balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth, students must navigate sensitive topics thoughtfully. A skilled moderator can introduce these difficult subjects, set a neutral and focused tone, and ensure that respectful and productive dialogue processes are in place. By learning to discuss these issues effectively, students can develop critical thinking skills and become more empathetic and informed citizens.

    Come prepared with issue guides that lay out the problem and include the process for constructive conversation. Show how the hot topic issue relates to what they are studying, is integrated in the curriculum, and has relevance to everyday life. Faculty moderators are in the perfect position to encourage students to be self-aware and cognizant of their own biases and blind spots and to be open to challenging their own assumptions. The moderator remains neutral, frames the issue, maintains consistency of process, and creates a climate for constructive conversation.

    Access Credible Sources of Information to Frame the Conversation.

    Help students understand how to access credible sources of information and how to spot problematic information, i.e., “inaccurate, misleading, inappropriately attributed or altogether fabricated” (Jack 2017).

    This includes the use of AI to manipulate and fabricate misinformation like the famous video of President Obama. Setting a solid foundation built on reliable information will go a long way.

    Understand Cognitive Bias, Elicit Normative Responses, and Build in Time for Reflection.

    Surmounting deeply ingrained biases can feel impossible, but by utilizing constructive conversations, we found that students were more engaged, strengthened their critical thinking skills, and built connections across ideological divides.

    As an example, in Stewardship of Public Lands, a project led by AASCU, faculty experienced constructive conversations as a powerful pedagogy of democratic engagement. They listened to the bitter antagonisms on either side of an issue at Yellowstone National Park. Each warring party had valid points, and each came to the conversation unwilling to accept the other, but ultimately, the ability to listen and engage led to compromise.

    Faculty studied the techniques of constructive conversations and the importance of building the culture for it to succeed. They identified a controversial issue relevant to their own campus or region and constructed a similar experience for students.

    Students studied the components of the issue—like the environmental impact of plastic in the Chesapeake Bay—and then used constructive conversation. They were able to take in the complexity of the multiple perspectives, political ideologies, opinions, and lived experiences. The students used this technique as part of an academic project to work with the Bay community and governance structures and were able to achieve an agreement to reduce use of plastic.

    Trust the Process.

    Oftentimes the most engaging and substantial constructive conversations utilize complex problems. Follow the process to ensure that all students have a sense of efficacy and agency, develop empathy and respect, value credible information and data, and provide space for all voices. The process will ensure that you have a solid foundation upon which to build and help students engage in constructive conversation without veering into debate.

    As an example, the moderator can establish a consistent process that includes the following key steps and elements:

    • Statement of the issue without interjecting opinion or assumptions
    • Review of data and credible information sources to get at the facts and avoid misinformation
    • Individual reflection time, followed by pair and share and/or small group discussion
    • Inclusion of students’ lived experience to enhance perspectives and give the issue relevance to everyday life
    • Finding common ground
    • Identifying potential next steps for resolution of the issue

    Constructive Conversations are a dynamic and innovative approach and an ideal way to help students connect what they are learning to the world around them and ensure they develop the skills and attributes to tackle some of most pressing problems.

    About the Author

    Felice Nudelman is the president of Net Edge Training, LLC, a higher education consulting firm. She also serves on the boards for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the Education Writers Association,  Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, and CN World Foundation.

    Previously, Nudelman served as the associate vice president of Academic Innovation and Transformation at AASCU. She originally came to AASCU in January 2019 as the executive director of the American Democracy Project (ADP), which supports member campuses in programming to encourage students to be informed, engaged citizens for our democracy.

    Prior to assuming her role at AASCU, Nudelman served most recently as the executive vice president of the Weiss Institute/Say Yes to Education, the Chancellor of Antioch University, and the chief global officer for innovation and partnerships.

    She has spent the majority of her career in education, both on college campuses and for 12 years with The New York Times Company. In her final role there, she served as executive director of education.

    Before joining The Times, Nudelman served as executive director for Pace University’s School of Education , and she spent nearly a decade in academic affairs at Bloomfield College.

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    Support Your Faculty: 5 Reasons to Support Faculty With Community

    05/02/2024 |

    Get Connected: 5 Reasons to Support Your Faculty With Community

    Faculty members serve as the pillars supporting higher ed institutions. Their contributions extend far beyond the classroom—shaping minds, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring that students succeed. They play the single most important role in ensuring student success, but are sometimes overlooked when it comes to an institution’s long list of priorities.

    In some cases, faculty find themselves navigating solitary paths and grappling with challenges alone. But when faculty are given the support to break down silos, the connections they make with one another are incredibly impactful. Fostering a sense of community amongst higher education faculty is crucial, benefiting the institution as a whole through collaboration, camaraderie, and collective growth.

    Here are some of the benefits your institution could provide faculty with by implementing a community.

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      Propel Confidence

      Increase Self-Efficacy Through Community

      Faculty understand the challenges their colleagues face, and fostering a sense of community on campus promotes confidence and well-being through connection. Those who have completed high-quality professional development to enhance their teaching can serve as mentors for colleagues. When faculty engage in communities of practice as part of professional development, they have increased self-efficacy and a stronger sense of teacher-scholar identity (Gast et al., 2017; Hoyert & O’Dell, 2019).

      Building a sense of community involves bridging gaps between departments and disciplines to foster confidence and enthusiasm among instructors. Through active engagement with a supportive community of like-minded and experienced peers, faculty members can discover newfound excitement and fulfillment in their work. This journey nurtures a growth mindset and brings joy to teaching.

      Sync Up

      Professional Networking

      Networking plays a crucial role in academia, with many fellow faculty members wanting to connect with, learn from, and grow alongside one another.

      A plethora of networking opportunities exist, both in person and online. Engaging in focus groups, conferences, and collaborative projects empowers faculty to refine their skills, broaden their knowledge base, and elevate their teaching prowess. These interactions not only bolster practical expertise but also enrich a resume portfolio, offering tangible and hands-on growth opportunities.

      Promote Collaboration

      Resource Sharing

      While faculty are experts in their subject matter, they are not always provided with support on how to teach effectively or develop course materials. A community is a place where faculty can share practices, outcomes of implemented practices, and resources that foster effective learning in their courses. Faculty can save time and effort by building upon existing materials rather than starting from scratch, freeing up space in their workload to do what matters—teaching and engaging their students.

      In a community, faculty foster a culture of resource sharing, promoting collaboration among colleagues who exchange lesson plans, class structures, teaching techniques, assessments, and more! These collective efforts refine course materials, enhance teaching and learning, and foster professional growth, ensuring that faculty and their students are set up for success.

      Tear It Down

      Eliminate Silos on Campus With Community

      Building a sense of community on campus is essential for facilitating connections among faculty and breaking down silos. Often, even though they share similar experiences and challenges, faculty members don’t have many opportunities to interact with their colleagues from other departments or schools.

      Faculty may not have as much scheduled time with their colleagues as they do with their students. Providing them with a dedicated platform and space to connect with fellow faculty members can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. This sense of community offers a practical avenue for busy faculty members—who are tasked with doing more with less—to connect with other instructors on campus dealing with the same student body and administrative pressures.

      Keep Them Happy

      Retention and Recruitment of Faculty Through Community

      Effective faculty are pivotal to your institution’s success, not only in retaining more students and enhancing grades but also in actively addressing and reducing equity gaps.

      Community building serves as a valuable resource for keeping faculty engaged and happy. Providing faculty with a space to connect with peers and enhance their teaching skills can significantly improve their well-being and overall job satisfaction.

      Happy faculty contribute to their institution’s success as it works to distinguish itself. And, in turn, the institution can become not only a destination for students but also a destination for faculty where they can grow and thrive for years to come.

      Start Building a Culture of Great Teaching Today

      By fostering community amongst faculty, more students succeed.

      Over the years, the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), a leading provider of high-quality faculty development endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), has helped over 550 institutions support great teaching and develop a sense of community on campus between faculty.

      Based on the feedback we’ve heard from course-takers and campus leaders, we know that the sense of community fostered among ACUE faculty is one of the most valuable aspects of an ACUE partnership.

      Connect with us to talk about how our turnkey solutions for faculty development can not only be your trusted provider of cutting-edge content but bring your faculty together, propel them forward, and showcase your institution as a leader in teaching and learning.

      Contact Us