What We're Learning About Learning

In this podcast episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), education, and the ethical challenges it presents in the classroom. Our guests, Lara Bryfonski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics, and Ben Harbert, Professor and Chair in the Department of Performing Arts, share insights from their fields of linguistics and music. Lara describes how she integra...

Belonging is gaining increased attention on college campuses, likely due to factors such as the mental health crisis, pandemic-induced isolation, challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and debates on inclusivity versus free speech. Recognizing belonging as a universal human need has become paramount. In August 2022, we aired a highly popular episode featuring 13 faculty...

Belonging is gaining increased attention on college campuses, likely due to factors such as the mental health crisis, pandemic-induced isolation, challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and debates on inclusivity versus free speech. Recognizing belonging as a universal human need has become paramount. In August 2022, we aired a highly popular episode featuring 13 faculty...

The onset of artificial Intelligence tools—like ChatGPT —continues to engender debate in higher education. It’s safe to say many faculty and students alike are concerned with the uncertain and far-reaching implications of using AI, especially as it relates to academic integrity. But as Andrea L. Guzman ( Inside Higher Ed 2023) says, “knee jerk reactions” to new innovations may misconstrue the natu...

At a recent forum we hosted on AI in the classroom, faculty shared their excitement, concerns and approaches to integrating AI into their teaching practice. In this episode, we'll bring you highlights from their conversation, as well as interviews and statements with other GU faculty. There have been so many chat GPT articles and insights that it's hard to remember why it's dominating...

Show Notes: Opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in research can be profoundly impactful for learning and mentorship experiences, while also providing opportunities for institutions to further scholarship and research in various fields (Adebisi, 2022; Blanton, 2008; Knight et al, 2021). While there are several ways for students to get involved in undergraduate research at Georgetown,...

Bios Featured in this episode: heath pearson , Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology Amanda Phillips , Associate Professor, Departments of English, Women’s and Gender Studies, Film & Media Studies, and American Studies Sivagami Subbaraman , Adjunct Professor, Department of Performing Arts; Former Founding Director for LGBTQ Resource Center (2008-2021) Elizabeth Velez , Adjunct Profes...

Grading practices and techniques range from strict policies, to contract-based grading, to assigning no grades at all. Wherever they find themselves on the continuum, in this episode, we hear Georgetown faculty wrestle with the nuances and complexities of assigning grades, and thoughts about their impact. Featured in this Episode: Karen Shaup , English; Miléna Santoro ,  French and Francophon...

We’re kicking off our third season with a deep dive into how faculty inspire academic excellence in students.  Listen to this episode to hear questions about how faculty support students in succeeding in and outside classrooms, how to design curriculum that brings out their best work, and what excellence means in the current era. _______________ Bios   Mun Chun (MC) Chan , Assistant Teac...

We wrap up our second season with a closer look at a theme that has come up repeatedly in our podcast: belonging. Our interviews with faculty have focused on a wide range of topics, including antiracist pedagogy, accessibility, experiential learning, well-being, and religious diversity. But, in conversation after conversation, the faculty, staff, and students we talked with emphasized the importan...

Call to mind an occasion when you felt out of your depth or unsure what to do in an encounter or engagement with religious or spiritual diversity inside or outside the classroom. What did you do in that situation? What do you wish you had done in that situation? We asked these same questions of three clergy from Georgetown University’s Campus Ministry. In CNDLS’ latest podcast episode of What We A...

Students everywhere have experienced the brunt of the pandemic not only through learning loss but also through extended, well-documented mental health issues. Research has found that that students struggle to cope with coursework and the pressure to excel in school, especially as their priorities have shifted to maintaining personal relationships and mental health. In CNDLS’ latest podcast episode...

During this pandemic, faculty and students alike have had to continually pivot between virtual and in-person learning. This has caused much stress — for students who have to miss class due to contraction or exposure and for faculty, who are struggling to find ways to teach students who cannot physically be there. One solution is for faculty to teach to students in person and over Zoom simultaneous...

This two-part episode features conversations among faculty at Georgetown University about some of the most pressing challenges they faced while teaching during the Fall 2021 semester.  Part I features three faculty who discuss ways in which they fostered inclusivity and equity in their classes by leveraging technology and other strategies.  In Part II, five faculty share assessment strat...

This two-part episode features conversations among faculty at Georgetown University about some of the most pressing challenges they faced while teaching during the Fall 2021 semester.  Part I features three faculty who discuss ways in which they fostered inclusivity and equity in their classes by leveraging technology and other strategies.  In Part II, five faculty share assessment strat...

In this episode, GU History professor Adam Rothman talks with us about his work studying and teaching about the history of slavery at Georgetown and draws on his teaching and research expertise on the history of the United States from the Revolution to the Civil War andthe history of slavery and abolition in the Atlantic world. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Atlantic history, 19t...

Featuring faculty and staff who build awareness of best practices and advocate for students with disabilities, this episode focuses on accessibility and practices that meet the needs of all learners. While we learn that there are more students with learning disabilities or differences, or other forms of 'neurodivergence,' than many faculty assume, these ideas also provide ways to meet the new norm...

In the latest episode, we look back at lessons learned from pandemic-era teaching in order to start creating a new, better normal this fall. We gathered ideas from two groups of educators: Georgetown University staff and administrators, whose experience with our students last year demonstrated what our continuing students are going through and what they’ll need, and a panel of high school educator...

Graduate students are in a unique position in higher education, both teachers and students, mentors and mentees. Their dual roles come with challenges, tensions, and competing demands, but the proximity of these differing roles of graduate students leads to important revelations, insights, and personal growth.  This episode features their unique perspective on what students want and need from...

This episode, we feature faculty who engage active strategies to create inclusive, anti-racist classrooms. We grounded this episode in the events of the past year on the Georgetown campus and across the country, as well as the results of our Campus Climate Survey. The goal is to learn from colleagues how to foster a sense of belonging for all students, even when the conversations get tough. ...

This episode, we share the stories of several faculty and students who have engaged with experiential assignments. We focused particularly on learning activities that required students to get away from their screens and interact with the physical world around them—wherever that may be. Click here for the episode show notes or see below.  Show Notes Featured Faculty Dr. Edward Barrows , Profes...

As we head into another semester of virtual learning, hone your teaching practice with this podcast. While last episode featured students, this episode features a conversation among faculty at Georgetown University who share what worked well to keep students engaged, motivated and connected. Click here for the episode show notes or see below.  Show Notes Episode transcript Links to Faculty Bi...

As we head into another semester of virtual learning, hone your teaching practice with this podcast. This conversation with students at Georgetown University provides insight into what's working to keep students engaged, motivated and connected.  Click here for the episode show notes or see below.  Show Notes Student Bios Becky Choi , School of Foreign Service Class of 2022, BSFS in Inte...