It can be challenging to get to know your individual students at the college level as you do not see them frequently and likely have no prior connection. Building positive, personal relationships with your college students takes time and effort, but putting in that little extra work is well worth the results.

Science has been under fire since the pandemic started. It is my intent with this blog to explain what scientists do, how scientists think and communicate with one another, and how to go about fact-checking science-based statements that are made in the news.

Written online discussion forums are a great learning strategy for engaging students, for gathering assessment evidence, and to promote learning. Grounded in social learning theory, online discussion forums have such great potential. But too often they fall flat. Structuring them well from the start can set the stage for productive student discussions online.