The February 2025 Edition
Students. They’re the reason we all, as educators, do what we do. They’re at the core of every mission statement, the catalyst for every decision we make, and the ultimate measure of our success is their success. The articles in this month’s Sentinel are all about ways to give students what they need to succeed. At Concourse, we believe that providing syllabi that all students can easily access and digest is a key part of that mission. The best syllabus, after all, is a roadmap for success in your course. We hope these articles will provide some new ideas for ways you can set your students up for success.
In this edition:
- Creating a Syllabus that Bridges the Gap for Marginalized Student Groups
- A Second First Impression for Students on Academic Probation
- Every Student Deserves to Belong
- Improving Your Students’ Media Literacy
Students. They’re the reason we all, as educators, do what we do. They’re at the core of every mission statement, the catalyst for every decision we make, and the ultimate measure of our success is their success. The articles in this month’s Sentinel are all about ways to give students what they need to succeed. At Concourse, we believe that providing syllabi that all students can easily access and digest is a key part of that mission. The best syllabus, after all, is a roadmap for success in your course. We hope these articles will provide some new ideas for ways you can set your students up for success.
In this edition:
Creating a Syllabus that Bridges the Gap for Marginalized Student Groups
A Second First Impression for Students on Academic Probation
Every Student Deserves to Belong
Improving Your Students’ Media Literacy
Creating a Syllabus that Bridges the Gap for Marginalized Student Groups
What’s the difference between a “good” syllabus and a “great” one? There are some easy answers, like making it thorough, accessible, clear, and well organized. But researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University wanted to go beyond the obvious in their analysis of syllabi for introductory biology classes.They theorized that going beyond the basics of course content and rules to “promote three skills - study behaviors, metacognitive evaluation, and academic help-seeking - could impact student success.” This is especially important for “gatekeeper” courses like introductory biology classes. You can read more about their findings in Inside Higher Ed.
A Second First Impression for Students on Academic Probation
What if, at first, they don’t succeed? Tradition says to try again, but sometimes that goes better with a little extra help. Last summer, Stony Brook University (SBU) launched a program designed to support first-year students who had been placed on academic probation after their first semester - “The Summer Academic Resilience Program” (or SARP). SBU acknowledged that the transition from high school to college can be challenging for any student, and that transition can lead to unrealistic expectations for students and their capabilities within the higher education classroom. So, this program is designed to offer a second chance to students who may need another “first impression” as they begin collegiate level courses. You can read more about the program below.
Every Student Deserves to Belong
“Let’s work together to make inclusion more than just a rule—it should be at the heart of everything we do.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Students who feel like they belong are more likely to succeed - and to stay. And the first step towards student success is retention. This LinkedIn article, shared by Canyon Professional Development, shares five practical ways that institutions can promote inclusion for all students within their school. You can find some inspiration below.
Improving Your Students' Media Literacy
Improving Your Students' Media Literacy
There are lots of things we believe can help students. But what do the students themselves say they need? A Generation Lab survey recently found that over a third of students felt a need for more digital resources to help with media literacy. The digital exposure that students are experiencing is at an all time high, and the need for improved media literacy extends beyond their personal lives and into the classrooms. An Inside Higher Education article both highlights this need and provides great examples of this type of resource. For instance, Arizona State University and Baylor University both offer short courses to students that help them understand the digital world around them. You can read more below.
