Supporting Teaching, Learning, and Technology in the College of Letters and Science
In this episode, we speak with 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award winner Brandon Bloch about his approaches to engaging students in their areas of interest and teaching challenging subjects in the age of AI.
In this Article Remix, IDC team members Maria Widmer and Molly Harris chat about their recent L&S Design for Learning article “Supporting First-Year Students.”
First-year students are new to learning in the college environment. Instructors can take steps to help students transition to new ways of learning and form community with their peers. This page offers strategies from research literature and our L&S colleagues for supporting first-year students. Pick one Mini Discussion below and include a 10-15 minute conversation …
Created by Maria Widmer and edited by Molly Harris. Every year, the University of Wisconsin–Madison welcomes around 8,500 first-year students and 1,200 transfer students to campus. Instructors in the College of Letters & Science teach 80% of first-year students’ credit hours. As a College, we play an outsized role in supporting the academic and social …
L&S Teaching Assistant Daria Tennikova shares her approaches to teaching–from private piano lessons to group music theory courses to YouTube. She provides insights that can apply to any discipline.
We kick off Season 4 with a conversation about music, creativity, and the art of learning. We hear from two music educators, Assistant Professors Amy Lewis and Jesse Rathgeber, as well as L&S students.
We partner with Ethics & Education for an episode exploring how higher education asks students to change their trust networks. Featuring philosopher Anthony Laden, L&S students, and Prof. Harry Brighouse.
To close the year, Molly Harris sits down with Lyn Macgregor of Sociology. They explore a resource that Lyn and her colleagues created to help instructors uncover the hidden curriculum for students.
For many students and instructors, the start of the semester is a time of high energy and motivation. For others, beginning a new term may feel daunting or alienating. Immediately helping students connect with you, other students, and your course content can help those who are eager and energized as well as those who feel …
As the school year begins, Jonathan Klein and Molly Harris talk with Professor Greg Downey. From building trust to intervening with care, Greg shares practical strategies for setting students up for success.
The College of Letters & Science values inclusive, productive, and respectful classroom communities. This page offers insights from our L&S colleagues on managing challenging discussions, addressing sensitive topics, and creating spaces where all students feel valued and heard. From acknowledging major events that impact students’ lives to setting ground rules for civil discourse, these excerpts …
In the second part of our series with TA Award Winners, we talk with Lucas Wiscons. He shares how the theory of “decentering” has helped him create an inclusive, engaging, and innovative classroom.