LISTEN TO THE EPISODE   Learn how to support neurodivergent college students. In this episode, I interview Dr. Liz Norell, Associate Director of Instructional Support in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the University of Mississippi.  The focus of the episode is her article, Recap: What Instructors Need to Know When Working with Neurodivergent Students (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 4:26:08: Neurodivergent explained 8:38:00: Challenges neurodivergent students face and what faculty can do to help 15:12:50: What to do whe ..read more

(A. Solano) The 5E's is an instructional model based on the constructivist approach to learning, which says that learners build or construct new ideas on top of their old ideas. In addition to instruction, it's also a framework to help make presentations more engaging and meaningful for audiences. The 5E's are applicable in all modalities: in-person, online, remote, hybrid, etc.  Each of the 5E's describes a phase of learning, and each phase begins with the letter "E": Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. The 5E's allows students and instructors to experience common activiti ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE   Dr. Jesse Stommel unpacks his book, Undoing the Grade: Why We Grade, and How to Stop In this episode, I interview Dr. Jesse Stommel, Faculty, Writing Program, University of Denver, and co-founder Hybrid Pedagogy & Digital Pedagogy Lab The focus of the episode is his book, Undoing the Grade: Why We Grade, and How to Stop (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 6:21:46: How the book came to be 12:01:00: Understanding your teaching philosophy and the four-word pedagogy activity 18:47:25: Why I don't grade 21:42:50: The ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE   Learn practical equitable pedagogy practices to improve student success in higher education. In this episode, I interview Dr. Michel Estefan, Assistant Teaching Professor, Sociology Department at the University of California, San Diego. The focus of the episode is the article, From Inclusive to Equitable Pedagogy: How to Design Course Assignments and Learning Activities That Address Structural Inequalities (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 2:04:00: The influence of parenting and upbringing on Dr. Estefan's pedagogy 15:16:70 ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE   Learn how to improve accessibility for students and the campus community.  In this episode, I interview Dr. Denise Maduli-Williams, English & ELAC Faculty & Accessibility Mentor at San Diego Miramar College. (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 8:42:25: Humanities inquiry & action team project Example inquiry & action teams: Miramar College Santa Barbara City College Irvine Valley College 12:09:25: Journey to being more intentional about accessibility 18:55:50: The importance of alt-text and consisten ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:   Learn about leadership to support the student success & equity work. In this episode, I interview Dr. Julianna Asperin Barnes, Chancellor at the South Orange Community College District. (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 3:19:00: Karate principles that influenced her educational leadership Karate demonstration at UC San Diego Example Kata (Video) Karate principles and educational leadership application: FocusUnrelenting focus on student success & equity. PresenceDon't get distracted by the noise. Be there fo ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:   Learn how data can inform action to improve adult learner outcomes. In this episode, I interview Kathy Booth, Project Director for Educational Data & Policy at WestEd. (Scroll down to access the transcript.) Focus of the episode: WestEd's Center for Economic Mobility We cover the following key topics: 8:30:75: The Center for Economic Mobility resources and the significance of Skills Builder students 27:41:00: Strategy for transitioning Skills Builders into a transfer pathway 36:24:00: Psychology major: A liberal arts example that leads to careers in ..read more

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:   Learn about the power of humanizing online learning for college students.  In this episode, I interview Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock, Faculty at the Foothill-De Anza Community College District (Scroll down to access the transcript.) We cover the following key topics: 9:00:00 The story behind humanizing online learning. 15:00:00 Foundational mind shifts to implement humanizing online learning and culturally responsive teaching. 25:20:75: Reframing faculty professional development as equity infrastructure. 30:11:25: Benefits of asynchronous learning. 35 ..read more

(A. Solano) The ability of faculty to change—from external to internal attributions—is a foundational ingredient in student success, particularly for Latina/o/x students. External attributions assign blame for something that is beyond a faculty's control. The primary factor that faculty have control over is their internal attributions--the ability to consistently improve their craft. Let's consider a longitudinal study conducted by my colleagues Dr. Bill Saunders of UCLA and Dr. Claude Goldenberg of Stanford, guided by their mentor, UCLA Professor Emeritus Dr. Ron Gallimore.[1] In their s ..read more

(A. Solano) After more than two decades of coaching, keynoting, presenting, and conducting trainings, these high frequency asked culture-related questions from college educators have risen to the top. I address them in a Q&A format. What is the most significant challenge to improving student success and equity? Culture. By far. Exacerbated by an unproductive committee structure and my three-month rule. How do you define culture? Perhaps sociologists and cultural anthropologist will correct me, but in my coaching work to help colleges improve their practices—real implementation work, not ..read more