Higher Education Observer

https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2018/08/31/arbitrating-use-student-evaluations-teaching?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=43784d0e7b-DNU_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-43784d0e7b-198482621&mc_cid=43784d0e7b&mc_eid=ab27a3f05f I'm at an institution that puts way too much emphasis on SETs becasue it's an easy way to say yea or nay to an instructor. Observations, assessment results, and proof of continuous improvement are more solid ways. I do think the right instrument can show patterns of concern, but requiring a certain number and making personnel judgments solely on them is not good policy.

I just received yet another newsletter email from a teaching and learning organization about making the syllabus "fun." Am I the only one who thinks the students don't care about  the format, font, or funniness (humor) of the syllabus, and that they are more concerned about what's in it? Our syllabi are so long with so much legal information (Title IX, ADA, etc.) that we should just accept it for what it is--a boring but vastly necessary document.  Everything doesn't have to be zippy and zappy. My son went to the National Archives last week on a trip to D.C.  He said people were saying "It's already old and faded." Well, duh.  It's not the color; it's the content. I'm going to stick with my boring, required syllabus and save my charisma for the class activities.

https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-textbooks/1/ This should take you to the recently finished 4th edition.  Written by Dalton State Communication Faculty based on a grant from the University System of Georgia. Ancillaries available. This text is far and away better than other OERs and probably some traditional publishers' books. We are very proud of it. 

This week I am giving two sessions for opening of the year faculty development. One is on "Reimagining the First Day of Class" and the other is on High Impact Practices.  While I do not tout myself as one, I actually am an expert on higher education, college teaching and learning, and faculty development.  I wrote my dissertation on it, which means I read close to 400 sources, and still do.  So if you would like to see my slides, let me know.  I'm also an expert on Open Educational Resources and Online Education, being Quality Matters certified.