Episode 14: Equity First, Technology Second

In honor of finals week here at UCI, I thought it would be worthwhile to reflect on my published #DenninInsights posts and highlight the common themes and threads that bring them all together.  Many of my posts are focused on the questions of what instruction may look...

Episode 12: Why We Should Record Lectures Post-Pandemic

As the return of in-person instruction draws closer and closer, more and more thoughts turn to how we want our courses to look in the Fall. In a previous post, I expressed my hope that faculty would be encouraged to experiment with different technologies, delivery...

Episode 11: Why Success (Not Winning) is the Goal

In reflecting on the last year and my blog posts so far, a fundamental question has emerged—why is higher education structured as a competition? I can already hear reflexive answers to this. There are limited spots to get into college so that naturally creates...

Episode 10: Why Do We Report Fs in College?

Why do we report failing grades in college? Common responses will include the traditionally cited (but perhaps not thoroughly articulated) concepts of academic rigor and standards. People may ask, “How can we uphold our standards if we do not report failing grades?...