Walker Podcast for Teaching and Learning (WPTL)

Walker Center for Teaching and Learning

Join us as the WPTL crew discusses timely teaching and learning topics in each episode! With special segments such as author interviews, T&L event info, and faculty-centered teaching ideas, your hosts Mary Marr and Heather Boyd will be a reliable source of curated stories and higher ed news.  

Episodes

  1. Throwback: IEC 2025 with Michelle Miller

    Jun 5

    Throwback: IEC 2025 with Michelle Miller

    Our exclusive podcast interview with Instructional Excellence Conference 2025 speaker, Dr. Michelle Miller:  https://www.michellemillerphd.com/ The interview is a focused follow up to the keynote and workshop from the Walker Center’s annual end of the academic year conference. Dr. Miller spoke with us just after the conference about a variety of teaching and learning topics. We encourage you to check out her books, especially the one we discuss in some detail on the importance of learning students names! https://www.michellemillerphd.com/books  Many thanks to Dr. Miller for speaking with us and encouraging our use of the resources she mentioned, listed below.  S3, Ep2  Show Notes: Dr. Miller’s Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdmillerphd/ Books: https://www.michellemillerphd.com/books  Speaker’s Page https://www.michellemillerphd.com/speaking Dr. Miller mentioned Harvard’s Dr. Michael Sendel, his practice of calling students by name as he summarizes their points. He’s very calm and kind, and calls on lots of students to engage over the passed around microphones. I found an example here, and he’s a great speaker - talking to several students in a huge room. Start around 9:20, but the whole lecture is good! https://youtu.be/FX9S1uN2Lzw?si=hkmrr3CCd0xRQLB_&t=560  Dr. Miller also mentioned Dr. Jim Lang’s advice on using the first day of class well, and he’s written about that here: https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-to-teach-a-good-first-day-of-class/?utm_campaign=che-social&utm_content=20250104&utm_medium=o-soc&utm_source=li I mentioned an Edutopia quote, Kindness Changes the Brain, especially noting “ Studies show that people experience a “helper’s high” when they do a good deed. This rush of endorphins creates a lasting sense of pride, well-being, and belonging. It’s reported that even small acts of kindness heighten our sense of well-being, increase energy, and give a wonderful feeling of optimism and self worth”. and here’s more about that: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-kindness-essential-reduce-bullying-lisa-currie  – The Wildlife Minute this month focuses on water fowl, specifically ducks and geese who are at risk of “Angel Wing”, a terrible deformity that comes from poor nutrition -primarily too much bread or crackers!  Additional information and ideas for helping ducks in parks: https://wildlifecenter.org/help-advice/wildlife-issues/problem-feeding-ducks  Find help for local wildlife: https://campwildernest.com/  Outside the local area, keep this site in mind for help: https://ahnow.org WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    35 min

  2. 10/03/2024

    S3 Ep1: Interview with Anna Liu on the topic of Learning Science workshops

    S3 Ep 1 Show Notes (October 2024) Our first interview with Walker Center’s own, Anna Liu. The interview is a focused Anna’s follow-up workshop series to the August 2024 “Week Zero” presentation by Dr. Cindy Nebel. Cindy is one of the Learning Scientists, a group of cognitive psychological scientists interested in research on education, focusing on the science of learning.  Ideas and Resources shared:  Dr. Cindy Nebel: https://x.com/PsyDocCindy Cindy’s slides from her UTC presentation in August 2024 The Learning Scientists: https://www.learningscientists.org/  Ace That Test and other Learning Scientist team books: https://www.learningscientists.org/books  To register or learn more about Anna’s Deep Dive series, contact Anna by email or register: Anna-Liu@utc.edu  Registration form Resources from our Wildlife Minute:  The Wildlife Minute this month focuses on starting and keeping a bird list, for a year or for a lifetime. We would love to hear from listeners who do this or plan to start, or want to chat more about it! The Big Year - movie with Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson (also on Prime)The Big Year - book on AudibleHow to Start Birding: https://www.nps.gov/articles/birding-for-beginners.htm Merlin App is a must! As always, we share the local songbird rehabilitation center’s information:  Find help for local wildlife: https://campwildernest.com/ Outside the local area, keep this site in mind for help: https://ahnow.org WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    17 min

  3. 08/29/2024

    S2 Ep2: On Student Loneliness with Dr. James Lang

    Our exclusive podcast interview with Instructional Excellence Conference 2024 speaker, Dr. James Lang. The interview is a focused follow up to the keynote and workshop from the Walker Center’s annual end of the academic year conference. Dr. Lang spoke with us on this podcast season’s topic, Loneliness among young people and social connection.  For more background on this topic, reference the Surgeon General’s advisory on the epidemic of loneliness, and also this short video of him talking about social connections. Many thanks to Dr. Lang for speaking with us about this urgent crisis among our young people.  S2, Ep2  Show Notes: James Lang’s Links: Website: https://www.jamesmlang.com/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/jimlang7 Books: https://tinyurl.com/JamesLangAMZ Publisher’s Page https://www.jamesmlang.com/essays Speaker’s Page https://www.jamesmlang.com/speaking School/dept page: https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/whats-so-great-about-college/  The Wildlife Minute this month focuses on outdoor cats and their effect on wildlife. The majority of injured birds we see in wildlife rehabilitation come from outdoor cats. We love cats and want them all safe! Ideas on how to create a safe catio: https://tinyurl.com/2024Catio Find help for local wildlife: https://campwildernest.com/ Outside the local area, keep this site in mind for help: https://ahnow.org   WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    29 min

  4. 03/07/2024

    S2 Ep1: Interview with Jason Harville on the topic of Student Loneliness

    S2 Ep 1 Show Notes (March 2024) Special Guest Jason Harville, UTC Assistant Director of Academic Initiative  Jason’s UTC website: https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/housing/staff/residence-life  Our conversation was based on Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and this recent article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/physical-mental-health/2023/11/08/new-epidemic-gripping-college-campuses-lonelines  Ideas and Resources shared: -“Office Hours” = Consider changing the name to “Student Hours”  -Vivek Murthy’s We are Made to Connect: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/10/30/surgeon-general-launches-nationwide-we-are-made-to-connect-college-tour-to-inspire-students.html  -5 for 5 Connection Challenge: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/connection/challenge/index.html  -Jason mentioned the UTC Center for Wellbeing: https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/center-for-wellbeing  -Quote to Ponder: "You come home, make some tea, sit down in your armchair, and all around there is silence. Everyone decides for themselves whether that's loneliness or freedom."  -We mentioned Bengt Carlson, and ThinkAchieve, learn more here: https://www.utc.edu/academic-affairs/walker-center-for-teaching-and-learning/experiential-learning  Resources from our Wildlife Minute:  Camp Wildernest (local): https://campwildernest.com/  If you see wildlife in need of help outside of our area: https://ahnow.org/  Heather’s amazing photography is featured in our baby bird photo of the week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eYOKvbf42tR0t_1zethVH1YZ2pGcyjXY/view?usp=sharing  WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    35 min

  5. 11/02/2023

    S1 Ep4: Interview with Special Guest, Dr. Edward Maloney, Author and Executive Director of Georgetown's CNDLS

    Our special interview with Dr. Edward Maloney, author of Learning Innovation and the future of Higher Education. Dr. Maloney is also the executive director of Georgetown’s learning center, The Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS).  The interview is a focused follow-up to his campus visit and WCTL overview report from May 2023. The wildlife minute this month focuses on migration tips: birdbath cleaning and keeping your outdoor lights off. Local wildlife center mentioned in the episode: https://campwildernest.com/  Dr. Edward Maloney’s Bio at Georgetown, his unit is called CNDLS: https://cndls.georgetown.edu/people/ejm/  Eddie’s Social Media: Linked In -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiemaloney/   Eddie’s Book: Learning Innovation and the Future of Higher Education - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YQ8KCVJ  Publisher’s Page https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12072/learning-innovation-and-future-higher-education  Georgetown’s Teaching, Learning, Innovation Summer institute: https://tlisi.georgetown.edu/  Wildlife Minute this month features information on bird migration, bird bath cleaning and safety, and light pollution at home.  The wildlife rehab center that I volunteer with is Camp Wildernest: https://campwildernest.com/ CWWC Graphics: https://www.instagram.com/campwildernestwildlife/ Wild Birds Unlimited info on cleaning bird baths: https://granger.wbu.com/bird-bath-cleaning-tips-2022j#:~:text=Because%20birds%20clean%20themselves%20and,bleach%20to%2010%20parts%20water. Article on light pollution and bird migration: https://www.gcbo.org/resources/light-pollution/#:~:text=Many%20of%20these%20migrating%20birds,misdirects%20them%20into%20urban%20areas. WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the   Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu     Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Boyd.    Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023    We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu    WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    45 min

  6. 10/05/2023

    S1 Ep3: Interview with Author Kevin M. Gannon

    Interview with author Kevin M. Gannon.  This is a special follow-up with Kevin, our 2023 Instructional Excellence keynote speaker, and author of Radical Hope: A Teaching Manifesto .  The wildlife minute this week focuses on my personal favorite, the crows!   S1, Ep 3 Show Notes:  Kevin Gannon’s website: https://thetattooedprof.com/  Kevin mentioned James Lang, his site is here: https://www.jamesmlang.com/   WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu    Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Boyd.   Pilot shared Summer 2023 Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023    We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu  WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    38 min

  7. 09/07/2023

    S1 Ep 2: Guest Chris Johnson and Co-Host Heather Boyd Discuss Generative AI

    Interview with WCTL Staff colleagues with a focus on Generative AI. Chris Johnson and Heather Boyd answer questions and give updates on the resources our Center offers for faculty wanting to learn more about using AI with students and in classes. Also, the intense summer heat is the focus of our monthly wildlife minute. S1, Ep 2 Show Notes: Gen AI tools mentioned include: ChatGPT Bard by Google Dall-e Adobe Firefly Historical mentions: Deep Blue (chess computer) Deep learning advances such as Siri suggestions, Netflix recs WCTL Resources page Book Club: Ghost Work Book Club: Future Skills Syllabus Statements from Dean of Students office Turn It In tool and AI Vanderbilt and Turn It In Heather's Hummingbird photo Next time on the WPTL: Kevin M. Gannon, We will interview our 2023 Instructional Excellence keynote speaker, and author of Radical Hope: A Teaching Manifesto  WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    25 min

  8. 08/10/2023

    S1 Ep 1: Our Own Dr. Victoria Bryan talks Author Visits and Week Zero events - Heather's wildlife minute

    This month's episode is all about "back to school!" Our Walker Center director, Victoria Bryan, shares details about all of our new Week Zero events (Aug. 14-18) and then a special author visit announcement!  My sidekick, and world-traveler, Heather gives us a wildlife minute about her new favorite(after birds). We thank you for listening and ask you to send us feedback any time, at wctl@utc.edu Thanks! Mary Marr - -Week Zero Events https://www.utc.edu/academic-affairs/walker-center-for-teaching-and-learning/week-zero -Small Teaching and Other Books by James Lang https://www.jamesmlang.com/books -Rocky Mtn Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal -Next time: We take your "AI in the Classroom" questions, but it only works if you send some to us in advance: wctl@utc.edu Many thanks to all who have written in this month! WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    26 min

  9. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Pilot Episode: Brand *New* Walker Podcast for Teaching Learning

    Our first episode of the Walker Podcast for Teaching and Learning! We talk about our vision for the podcast, what the first season will cover - and share who our guests will be! Plan to join us each month of the Fall 2023 semester to see how we expand on our ideas for the WPTL at UTC! Show Notes: -Upcoming topics include Week Zero w/ our director, Dr. Victoria Bryan -Dr. Bryan will also have an exciting announcement for our 2024 author visit -Heather and our colleague, Chris Johnson, will cover AI in the Classroom -We have followups with Kevin Gannon and Edward Maloney planned for late Fall -Help for finding and listening to podcasts -Here are a couple of photos Heather has taken of Mockingbirds: Photo 1 Link, Photo 2 Link WPTL is a creative endeavor of the staff of the  Walker Center for Teaching and Learning - http://utc.edu/walker  at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. - http://utc.edu   Hosted by Mary Marr and Heather Thach.      Pilot shared Summer 2023  Inaugural Season 1 Fall 2023 Season 3 Spring 2025 - 2026 New season starting Summer 2026                       We would love to hear from you anytime at WCTL@utc.edu

    11 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Join us as the WPTL crew discusses timely teaching and learning topics in each episode! With special segments such as author interviews, T&L event info, and faculty-centered teaching ideas, your hosts Mary Marr and Heather Boyd will be a reliable source of curated stories and higher ed news.  

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