Professors Talk Pedagogy

Tammy Adair: Research with Undergraduates

Today, our guest is Dr. Tammy, Adair, Senior Lecturer in biology and Director of course based undergraduate research in biology, and director of Baylor’s undergraduate research and scholarly achievement program known as URSA. Doctor Adair also teaches course based undergraduate research experience labs, such as the phage lab sponsored by HHMI and the Science Education Alliance. Her undergraduate researcher group, the M&M bears focuses on microbial genomics. We are delighted to have Dr. Adair on the show to discuss active and then experiential learning in STEM education and undergraduate research across the academy.

Karenna Malavanti: Teaching While Introverted

Today our guest is Dr. Karenna Malavanti, senior lecturer and neuroscience advisor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University. Dr. Malavanti’s research focuses on applied cognition and human memory, looking at issues of legal psychology such as eyewitness memory, and education, addressing issues such as study strategies. Recognized as a Baylor Teaching Fellow in 2018, Dr. Malavanti is active in the Society for Teaching Psychology. We are delighted to have Dr. Malavanti on the show to chat about teaching as an introvert, increasing your awareness as a teacher, reflecting on our teaching, and much more.

Paul Martens: Beyond and Between the Disciplines

Today, our guest is Dr. Paul Martens, associate professor of ethics in the department of religion and director of interdisciplinary studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Martens holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and has published widely on John Howard Yoder and Soren Kierkegaard. Dr. Martens has been director of the Baylor ethics initiative, where he serves as Global Ethics Research Convener. We are delighted to have Dr. Martens on the show to discuss what is right and wrong about disciplines in the academy and why interdisciplinarity matters for researchers and students.

Brooke Blevins: Civics and Justice

Today our guest is Dr. Brooke Blevins, the Conwell G. Strickland Endowed Chair, Associate Professor, and Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Baylor University’s School of Education. In 2017, Dr. Blevins was selected as a Baylor Fellow—a cohort of Baylor teachers recognized for excellence and stimulated for experimenting in their classrooms. She was also the senior fellow for the program in 2018. Dr. Blevins teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in secondary education, social studies education, and multicultural education. We are delighted to have Dr. Blevins on the show to discuss, infusing virtues into your classes, how civic education relates to politics, the differences between high school and college learners, and much more.

DeAnna Toten Beard: Learning in a Foreign Land

Today, our guest is Dr. DeAnna Toten Beard. Dr. Toten Beard is Professor of Theater History at Baylor University, where she teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate Theatre Studies courses. In 2012, she was named a Baylor Teaching Fellow, a recognition of great teaching with a cohort devoted to experiment in teaching. Dr. Toten Beard has also taught in the Baylor interdisciplinary core and is the past co-director of the Baylor in Oxford study abroad program. We are delighted to have Dr. Toten Beard on the show to discuss how place affects teaching, what students learn about themselves and each other and others when they study abroad. And much more.

Kara Poe Alexander: Writing to Learn

Today our guest is Dr. Kara Poe Alexander, professor of English and Director of Baylor University’s Writing Center. Specializing in composition, rhetoric, literacy studies, and writing pedagogy, Dr. Alexander teaches undergraduate and graduate courses ranging from first year composition to travel writing to composition theory and pedagogy. She has published dozens of articles and book chapters on various aspects of teaching writing and teaching through writing. We are delighted to have Dr. Alexander on the show to discuss how the writing center fits in the mission of the university, why writing still matters, how to build on students’ writing skills throughout their college careers, and much more.

Jeff Doyle: Academics and Student Life

Today our guest is Dr. Jeff Doyle, associate director of planning and assessment in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Baylor University. Dr. Doyle has a B.A. in Biology, M.Ed. in Counselor Education, and Ph.D. in Higher Education, all from the University of Virginia. Before serving in his current role, Dr. Doyle served for nine years as the Dean for Student Learning and Engagement at Baylor, where he oversaw the departments of Campus Living & Learning, New Student Programs, the Academy for Leadership Development, and Student Activities. Throughout his time at Baylor, Dr. Doyle has taught numerous behavior, leadership, and higher education management courses. We are excited to have Dr. Doyle on the show to discuss the full circle of student involvement with the university, from the freshman experience to assessing program outcomes.

Robert Darden: Telling Stories

Today, our guest is Robert Darden, professor in Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media at Baylor University. Teaching at Baylor since 1988, Prof. Darden has taught a range of courses from magazine writing to screenwriting to intro to Mass Communication. He has written over two dozen books, his most recent being the two-volume history of Black Sacred Music, Nothing But Love in God’s Water. Prof. Darden has won numerous teaching awards, including the Cornelia Marschall Smith Award in 2011; and this year, Prof. Darden was also named a Baylor Master Teacher—the highest honor for teaching bestowed by the University. We are thrilled to speak with him about the power of storytelling, teaching with emotion and humor, love for your students, and much more!