This is the space where we explore the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. We also share ways to increase our personal productivity approaches, so we can have more peace in our lives and be even more present for our students.

Lessons in Teaching from The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride on Facebook – official site

Store (selling magnets… if only today’s fridges were magnetic)

Princess Bride party game

IMDB: The Princess Bride

Test your knowledge: The Princess Bride quiz

From: “Who played the grandson?” (Fred Savage) to “What town is Inigo Montoya from?” (huh?)

The Wonder Years

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Help students break things down. visualization. pencasts.

As you wish.

Pay attention to wishes… dreams… going to take a lot to get there. grit. resilience.

From Psychology Today:

“Resilience is that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever. Rather than letting failure overcome them and drain their resolve, they find a way to rise from the ashes. Psychologists have identified some of the factors that make someone resilient, among them a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback.”

Beware of ROUSs (rodents of unusual size)

Politics in higher ed. power. French and Raven’s five bases of power.

From MindTools:

“One of the most notable studies on power was conducted by social psychologists John French and Bertram Raven, in 1959.” They identified five bases of power:

Legitimate – This comes from the belief that a person has the formal right to make demands, and to expect compliance and obedience from others.
Reward – This results from one person’s ability to compensate another for compliance.
Expert – This is based on a person’s superior skill and knowledge.
Referent – This is the result of a person’s perceived attractiveness, worthiness, and right to respect from others.
Coercive – This comes from the belief that a person can punish others for noncompliance.

EdTech Tools

HaikuDeck (Bonni)

Pinboard (Dave)

Lessons in teaching from The Princess Bride

Teaching in Higher Ed