Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning
Keystone Concepts in Teaching is a higher education podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University focused on discussing and sharing impactful teaching strategies that support all students and faculty.
You can find other Seasons and more episodes by navigating back to the podcast landing page.
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Season 2: Spring 2025
Episode 15: Teaching Strategies Creating Access to STEM Courses
Prof. Kelly Knight and Dr. Christine Rosenfeld chat with us about how we might increase access to courses, even those in STEM like labs and field experiences.
Click here to listen to the episode alongside the transcript.
Resources: https://phet.colorado.edu Disability Services: https://ds.gmu.edu Office of Access, Compliance, and Community: https://oacc.gmu.edu
Episode 14: What’s Happening in the Undergraduate Core Curriculum
Dr. Laura Poms, Director of the Mason Core, joins us again to provide updates on the Mason Core and expand on undergraduate student learning experiences from the Mason Core and beyond.
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Resources: Mason Core Website: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/ Mason Core Categories: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/mason-core-course-categories/
Episode 13: Strategies for Supporting Military-Affiliated Students
Drs. Glynita Bell and Amy Preston Page visit Keystone Concepts in Teaching to discuss an important part of the university community: military-affiliated learners. We explore strategies that support all students in education, and consider the unique needs of the military and military-adjacent community.
Click here to listen to the episode alongside the transcript.
Resources: George Mason University Office of Military Services: https://military.gmu.edu/ George Mason University Human Resources – Military Members and Veterans: https://hr.gmu.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/military-members-and-veterans/ George Mason University Military Friendly School Announcement: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-05/george-mason-university-honored-top-military-friendly-university Example paper about the military as a “greedy” organization: Segal, M. W. (1986). The military and the family as greedy institutions. Armed forces & society, 13(1), 9-38.
Episode 12: Libraries – and Librarians – as Teaching and Learning Resources
Join us for a conversation with Maoria J. Kirker, MS, to explore the many resources of the university library and consider opportunities to collaborate with librarians.
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Resources: George Mason University Library: https://library.gmu.edu Data & Digital Scholarship Services: https://dsc.gmu.edu George Mason University Libraries Special Collections Research Center: https://scrc.gmu.edu Library Instructional Support links: https://library.gmu.edu/instructional University Libraries Off-Campus Access support: https://library.gmu.edu/use/off-campus
Episode 11: Getting Started as a New Faculty Member
Dr. Aimee Weinstein joins Keystone Concepts host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how to get started as a new faculty member… or perhaps, how you – as an experienced faculty member – might support your new colleagues.
Click here to listen to the episode alongside the transcript.
Resources: Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/ George Mason University motto, mission, vision, core values, and more: https://catalog.gmu.edu/about-mason/university/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning First Year Five program: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/first-year-five-fy5/ George Mason University Library: https://library.gmu.edu/ George Mason University Korea (Mason Korea): https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/
Episode 10: You’re Handed a Syllabus. Now What?
Dr. Cameron Harris joins Keystone Concepts host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss the logistics and considerations for teaching when you are assigned to teach a new-to-you course.
Click here to listen to the episode alongside the transcript.
Resources: Please be sure to also check out Episode 9, “Syllabi Supporting Learners and Instructors” https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/season-1-fall-2024-keystone-concepts-in-teaching/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Current Syllabus Guidance: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/current-syllabus-guidance/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Designing Your Syllabus: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/designing-your-syllabus/ Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning AI Text Generators: Resource Page https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/ai-text-generators/