Teaching Guides & Resources > Additional Resources > Empowerment Reading Group
Exploring Empowerment in Education Together
A faculty-led initiative where participants read books together throughout the semester to discuss strategies to cultivate supportive, welcoming approaches to teaching and improving student learning and success.
If you have any questions or know you’d like to participate, please email cetl@reynolds.edu to receive a copy of the book (supplies pending) and the links to participate in the Zoom sessions.
AY 2024-2025
This year, the Empowerment Reading Group (ERG) will explore books with an emphasis on evidence-based, high-impact strategies and concrete steps that can be implemented immediately into online and in-person classrooms.
Promoting Belonging, Growth Mindset, and Resilience to Foster Student Success
by
In recent years, growth mindset, resilience, and belonging have become popular topics for research and practice among college educators. The authors of this new volume deepen the conversation around these noncognitive factors that significantly impact student success. Along with offering support for the development of learning mindsets, this book contains strategies for faculty and staff to consider as they create initiatives, programs, and assessments for use in and outside the classroom.
by
In recent years, growth mindset, resilience, and belonging have become popular topics for research and practice among college educators. The authors of this new volume deepen the conversation around these noncognitive factors that significantly impact student success. Along with offering support for the development of learning mindsets, this book contains strategies for faculty and staff to consider as they create initiatives, programs, and assessments for use in and outside the classroom.
Transforming Online Teaching in Higher Education: Essential Practices for Engagement, Equity, and Inquiry
by
Drawing on their years of experience leading transformative online classrooms in higher education, the authors present an approach for teaching online that is both engaging and effective. This practical book provides an overview of essential approaches, bolstered by examples from various instructors who are teaching online courses. The authors examine how progressive practices are useful for instructors new to the online classroom as well as for experienced online educators seeking to enhance their existing practices. The topics discussed include engagement, equity, presence, and community―all relevant areas for today’s college and university classrooms. Each chapter introduces and defines a specific topic and then provides stories based on interviews with members of the authors’ online teaching network. The end result is a narrative guide that will help faculty strengthen their students’ online experience by creating an atmosphere that is connected and robust.
by
Drawing on their years of experience leading transformative online classrooms in higher education, the authors present an approach for teaching online that is both engaging and effective. This practical book provides an overview of essential approaches, bolstered by examples from various instructors who are teaching online courses. The authors examine how progressive practices are useful for instructors new to the online classroom as well as for experienced online educators seeking to enhance their existing practices. The topics discussed include engagement, equity, presence, and community―all relevant areas for today’s college and university classrooms. Each chapter introduces and defines a specific topic and then provides stories based on interviews with members of the authors’ online teaching network. The end result is a narrative guide that will help faculty strengthen their students’ online experience by creating an atmosphere that is connected and robust.
Past Reading Groups
AY 2023-2024
Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead)
by
The moment is right for critical reflection on what has been assumed to be a core part of schooling. In Ungrading, fifteen educators write about their diverse experiences going gradeless. Some contributors are new to the practice and some have been engaging in it for decades. Some are in humanities and social sciences, some in STEM fields. Some are in higher education, but some are the K–12 pioneers who led the way. Based on rigorous and replicated research, this is the first book to show why and how faculty who wish to focus on learning, rather than sorting or judging, might proceed. It includes honest reflection on what makes ungrading challenging, and testimonials about what makes it transformative.
by
The moment is right for critical reflection on what has been assumed to be a core part of schooling. In Ungrading, fifteen educators write about their diverse experiences going gradeless. Some contributors are new to the practice and some have been engaging in it for decades. Some are in humanities and social sciences, some in STEM fields. Some are in higher education, but some are the K–12 pioneers who led the way. Based on rigorous and replicated research, this is the first book to show why and how faculty who wish to focus on learning, rather than sorting or judging, might proceed. It includes honest reflection on what makes ungrading challenging, and testimonials about what makes it transformative.
Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms
by J
Grading–one of the most important responsibilities of teachers with major implications for students’ academic and life trajectories–is ironically also among the most enigmatic and frequently avoided topics in education. Although most teachers sense that common grading practices are often ineffective, there is limited understanding of how those practices can undermine effective teaching and harm students, particularly those historically underserved. It is long past due to implement grading practices that are more accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational, and which improve student learning, empower teachers, and transform classrooms as a result.
by J
Grading–one of the most important responsibilities of teachers with major implications for students’ academic and life trajectories–is ironically also among the most enigmatic and frequently avoided topics in education. Although most teachers sense that common grading practices are often ineffective, there is limited understanding of how those practices can undermine effective teaching and harm students, particularly those historically underserved. It is long past due to implement grading practices that are more accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational, and which improve student learning, empower teachers, and transform classrooms as a result.
AY 2022-2023
Bandwidth Recovery
by
This book argues that the cognitive resources for learning of over half our young people have been diminished by the negative effects of economic insecurity, discrimination and hostility against non-majority groups based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and other aspects of difference.
by
This book argues that the cognitive resources for learning of over half our young people have been diminished by the negative effects of economic insecurity, discrimination and hostility against non-majority groups based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and other aspects of difference.
The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching, and Connecting With Students At-Promise
by
To reach students who may see school as an obstacle, rather than an opportunity, connection and trust must come first. Paul Hernandez, a former student at risk, is now a nationally recognized, award-winning educator and trainer. His Real Talk is a practical methodology that helps education professionals build rapport with at-promise students while creating learning experiences that are relevant―and life-changing.
by
To reach students who may see school as an obstacle, rather than an opportunity, connection and trust must come first. Paul Hernandez, a former student at risk, is now a nationally recognized, award-winning educator and trainer. His Real Talk is a practical methodology that helps education professionals build rapport with at-promise students while creating learning experiences that are relevant―and life-changing.
