Professors Talk Pedagogy

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!

Corey Carbonara: Taking Risks

Today, our guest is Dr. Corey Carbonara, professor of film and digital media at Baylor University. Dr. Carbonara is an active filmmaker and teaches corporate communication, lighting, cinematograph, and production. Dr. Carbonara has frequently been recognized as an outstanding teacher. He was recently awarded the Excellence in Education Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; and in 2016, Dr. Carbonara was named Baylor Master Teacher—the highest award for teaching bestowed by the University. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Carbonara to the show to discuss the symbiotic relationship between industry and academia, the importance of getting students involved, and why it’s probably not a good a idea to stand on a table to make a point in class!

Amy Goodman: Creativity in Online Teaching

Today, our guest is Amy Goodman, Lecturer in Mathematics at Baylor University. An early advocate of online teaching at Baylor Professor Goodman is currently chair of Baylor’s Teaching, Learning, and Technology Committee. She is currently finishing her PhD in Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas. She was also a recent recipient of a teaching exploration grant for a project investigating technologies enabling online math students to more easily show their work. We are delighted to have Professor Goodman on to discuss creativity in online teaching.

Darin Davis: Faith and Learning

Today our guest is Dr. Darin Davis, Director of Baylor’s Institute for Faith and Learning and clinical professor of moral philosophy in the Honors Program. Dr. Davis teaches courses on ethics and has been instrumental in scholars programs that help students connect faith and learning, including the William Carey Crane Scholars for undergraduates and the A.J. Conyers Scholars for graduate students. He is a regional editor for the International Journal of Christianity and Education and conducts research on the vocation of learning, educating for wisdom, and the philosophy of friendship. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Davis for a conversation about student character development, what it means to teach “Christianly,” and much more.

Laine Scales: Know Thyself as a Teacher

Today, our guest is Dr. Laine Scales, professor in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. Dr. Scales has served in many roles at Baylor, including teaching on the faculty of the School of Education, facilitating Baylor’s Summer Faculty Institute, and for many years as Associate Dean in the Graduate School, focusing on graduate student professional development. In 2016, Dr. Scales was named a Baylor Master Teacher—the University’s highest recognition for teaching excellence. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Scales to the show to discuss authenticity in teaching, relating to your students as “whole people,” and much more.

Gaynor Yancey: Continual Improvement in Teaching

Today our guest is Dr. Gaynor Yancey, Lake Family endowed chair in Congregational and Community Health, Director of the Center for Church and Community Impact, and professor of social work teaching in both the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work and Truett Seminary at Baylor University. Dr. Yancey has won several teaching awards, including outstanding professor in 2006, the Cornelia Marshall Smith award in 2019. And she was also named a Baylor Master teacher, the highest honor awarded by the university. We are delighted to have Dr. Yancey on the show to discuss teaching as vocation, changes in students over the last generation, seeking continual improvement in our teaching, and so much more.