As the use of data in courses that incorporate statistical methods has become more prevalent, so has the need for tools for working with such data, including those for data creation and adjustment. While numerous tools exist that support faculty who teach statistical methods, many are focused on data analysis or theoretical concepts, and there…

This paper reviews the Digital Detox project at TRU. At TRU, the Digital Detox is not necessarily about abstaining from technology altogether, but rather establishing a more ethical, healthier approach to the tools we are required to use every day. Conceived this way, a Digital Detox offers an approachable opportunity to discuss difficult and…

Artificial intelligence (AI) text generators, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, have been used for various purposes such as creating written content, writing or debugging computer code, answering questions, providing information, and improving written communication. This robust functionality of AI text generators along with the high rate of use…

Writing assignments that students complete in university courses are typically designed for evaluation and grading by the instructor, who, therefore, acts as the sole reader of student written work. However, most written genres students would--and do--encounter in the world beyond the classroom are composed for diverse audiences who influence…

The insufficient focus on developing writing instruction in education is a significant problem. Despite the crucial link between writing and reading skills and their impact on academic and life success, there is a notable lack of emphasis on writing in schools. Writing A-Z is a digital-first program that helps teachers establish a writing…

The real time PCR (qPCR) method provides a powerful method to assess levels of particular species of DNA. When combined with reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) it is the predominate technique to measure expression of gene transcripts. While this approach is very powerful, particular care must be taken in the design of the primers to facilitate…

In this paper, we present an escape box as a means to introduce the escape room concept into classrooms. Recreational escape rooms have inspired teachers all over the world to adapt the popular entertainment activity for education. Escape rooms are problem-based and time-constrained, requiring active and collaborative participants, a setting that…

Faculty encourage students to create LinkedIn profiles and to use LinkedIn for job searches, but often realize that as soon as the profile is created, many students abandon LinkedIn. The project changed the approach to incorporate a series of assignments in which students not only revised an existing profile but then were required to develop a…

Tutor training programs are essential for the success of a learning center. For the learning center to adequately serve its students, the tutors must be given proper training, support, and guidance. By utilizing technology, especially learning management systems (LMS), in tutor training programs, learning centers can raise their quality of tutors…

In this paper, I present a homework system that supports a flipped classroom environment using only a textbook for students' first contact with the material. Motivated by David Pengelley's homework system, each unit of material has four key components: Core Assignments, Conceptual Assignments, In-class Worksheets, and Follow-up Assignments. The…

To a growing student population for whom smartphone and Internet use started in their early childhood, social media and popular culture can be effective tools to mitigate potential anxiety and alienation students may feel when taking a theory course. This paper offers strategies and insight on the endeavor of utilizing both popular and social…

The COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020 necessitated a sudden shift to online learning. Faculty at Saint Michael's College, in Colchester, Vermont (USA), had ten days to re-plan their courses as well as potentially learn new pedagogies, adapt to technology for instruction, and help students adjust to the changes. In addition, faculty needed to…

Adult English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) students at all levels struggle with having the confidence to communicate in the classroom. This can have a greater impact on students with lower English language proficiency. In the landscape of remote learning, a lack of digital literacy skills can create even more barriers. Briya Public…

Located in Napa, California, the Oxbow School is a 1-semester boarding program for visual arts, critical inquiry, self-discovery, and community. Oxbow's pandemic story concentrates on a series of assignments designed to help students cope with the transition to emergency online instruction amid isolation and uncertainty. The images illustrating…

Teaching and composing with multimedia humanizes online technical writing and communication classes. However, students do not always see the connection between multimedia instructional materials, multimedia assignments, and the course learning outcomes. Purposeful pedagogy-driven course design uses multimedia instructional materials to connect…