Episode 32: Why it's So Hard to Change the Way We Teach . . . and What to Do About It with Dr. Caitlin Faas
Description:
One of the common themes on this show has been the idea of change. Breaking up our lectures means changing the way we think about teaching, learning, and our role in the classroom. Sometimes it means changing our students’ perceptions of what real, meaningful learning looks like. And sometimes it means encouraging our colleagues to change the way they design courses.
Today’s guest is Dr. Caitlin Faas. She’s a professor and department head, and she’s also a certified life coach who works with academics who want to make some kind of changes in their life.
Caitlin’s combination of experiences in teaching, higher education administration, and coaching make her powerhouse when it comes to talking about change.
In this episode, she helps us re-think our relationship with change and how to create healthy attitudes around risk, failure, and experimenting in the classroom.
What you'll learn in this episode:
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The 3 things our brains are wired to do that make change difficult, especially when we're talking about changing the way we teach!
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How to encourage faculty to get on board and try new things with their teaching by re-framing the conversation around a continuity perspective.
- Tips to help students navigate changes in their roles and expectations in student-centered learning environments.
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How to prevent getting trapped in confusion or overwhelm when deciding to make a change or a decision
Barbi's Favorite Quotes:
- "Our brains are wired to not take risks or make changes."
- "The brain is wired to do three things [and] changing the classroom goes against all three of those things."
- "Discomfort is the currency of our dreams."
- "You have to be willing to do the work and embrace the hard part in the beginning"
Show Notes & Resources:
- Learn more about Caitlin's work on her website.
- Get the book Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.*
- Check out The Life Coach School podcast with Brooke Castille and listen to episode #308 which features Caitlin's story.
- Learn how to stop procrastinating in Caitlin's free course.
- Follow Caitlin on Twitter!
- Connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn
- Register for the Lecture Breakers Virtual Summer Conference!
- Join the free Lecture Breakers Facebook group
- Don't miss an episode! Be sure to subscribe to the show!
Transcript:
Some of these resources contain affiliate links (indicated by *). If you purchase a product or sign up for a program through one of these links, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only endorse products and services that I think will be helpful for you and that I have used myself. Thank you for your support.