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.Join us as we feature conversations with experienced educators who discuss actionable, impactful, and evidence-based teaching strategies that may be applied across disciplines and instructional modalities. This podcast aims to support faculty professional development by providing access to broadly inclusive teaching strategies, supporting faculty of all appointment types and across all fields by discussing the keystone concepts of teaching and learning.Subscribe now to the K...
S3 E23: Exploring Free Speech and Academic Freedom in Teaching
Zach Greenberg, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, as the first guest from outside of the university to have an exploratory and academic talk about the timely topics of free speech and academic freedom. Please note that this episode was planned in June 2025 and recorded in August 2025. This is an academic exploration of a topic, not a set of directives, as are all podcast episodes.
Resources: The FIRE Org: https://www.thefire.org FIRE’s Free Speech page: https://www.thefire.org/defending-your-rights/free-speech FIRE’s Academ...
S3 E22: The Learning Services Office is Supporting Student Success
Vicki Dominick from Learning Services joins your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss the resources and opportunities available through the efforts of the Learning Services office.
Resources: Learning Services at George Mason University: https://learningservices.gmu.edu Learning Services workshop announcements: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/workshops/ Tutoring resources: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/tutoring-resources2/
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S3 E21: Podcasting as a Transformative Communication Strategy
Dr. Leigh McCue, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Philip Wilkerson, Employer Engagement Consultant, join Dr. Rachel Yoho to discuss how podcasting can be a transformative communication strategy – for your course, research, department, or even as a hobby to make professional connections.
Resources: Please check out the Mason Mechanical Engineer, hosted by Dr. Leigh McCue and Philip Wilkerson, where Dr. Rachel Yoho was a guest on their podcast in this crossover episode collaboration!
Mason Mechanical Engineer Podcast Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5N29nLkCvKt9euupjWex39?si=6a9313a7c...
S3 E20: Level Up Your Teaching with Community Engagement and Civic Learning
Kristen Wright and Dr. Shauna Rigaud, of the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning at George Mason University, join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss opportunities for community-engaged teaching and civic learning and... maybe a little teaching and learning magic!
Resources: Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) Website: https://cecil.gmu.edu/ CECiL’s Community-Based Learning Introduction: https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/community-based-learning-0 CECiL’s Engaged Summer Program: https://cecil.gmu.edu/community-partners/engaged-summer-program George Mason University’s Quality Enhancement Plan: https://provost.gmu.edu/academics/accreditation/quality-enhancement-plan CECiL Course Designations: https://cec...
S2 E19: Teaching Inspiration from Mason Korea
In this episode, two inspiring Mason Korea faculty members, John David McGrew and Dr. Deborah Kwak, join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore key considerations for teaching at an international campus of a US university, as well as what has inspired them lately.
Resource: https://masonkorea.gmu.edu
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S2 E18: How We Can Address Some of the “Big Issues” for Faculty Today
Drs. Raven Russell and Laurel Marsh join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss some of the key stressors and big issues for new and “less new” faculty today. We explore strategies to make teaching easier and better for everyone in the space.
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S2 E17: Exploring the Learning Management System (LMS): Canvas
Drs. Breana Bayraktar and Lila Fleming visit us to discuss Canvas, including key ideas, tips, and considerations whether you’re an experienced Canvas user or new to teaching.
Resource: Information about the Canvas transition https://lms.gmu.edu/
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S2 E16: How Do We Support Our "Contemporary Students"?
Dr. Joisanne Rodgers and Shyama Kuyver from the Contemporary Student Services office join us to talk about who are our contemporary students and how we can support them in their educational journey.
Resources: Contemporary Student Services Office: https://contemporary.gmu.edu
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S2 E15: 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.
Resources: https://phet.colorado.edu Disability Services: https://ds.gmu.edu Office of Access, Compliance, and Community: https://oacc.gmu.edu
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S2 E14: 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.
Resources: Mason Core Website: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/ Mason Core Categories: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/mason-core-course-categories/
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S2 E13: 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.
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). Th...
S2 E12 Libraries - and Librarians - as Important 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.
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
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S2 E11: 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.
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/
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S2 E10: 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.
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/
Che...
S1 E9: Syllabi Supporting Learners and Instructors
Join our guest host, Kelly Chandler, as she talks with Dr. Rachel Yoho about how we can make our syllabi more inclusive of all learners and us as the instructor in the first of our “Hear From Your Host” series.
Resources: Eberly, M. B., Newton, S. E., & Wiggins, R. A. (2001). The syllabus as a tool for student-centered learning. The Journal of General Education, 50(1), 56–74., Bers, T., Davis, D., & Taylor, W. (1996). Syllabus analysis: What are we teaching and telling our students?. Assessment Update, 8(6), 1-14., References on first impressions, demonstrating values, and use as a learnin...
S1 E8: Writing About Challenging Topics
Drs. Richard Craig, LaNitra Berger, and Courtney Massie join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to discuss how we productively have conversations, facilitate student writing, and grade when centered around potentially challenging topics.
Resources: Office of Faculty Affairs and Development: https://provost.gmu.edu/about/administrative-units/faculty-affairs-and-development (Contact this office for faculty affinity group information), Provost Website Resources for Faculty: https://provost.gmu.edu/faculty, George Mason University Faculty Resources: https://faculty.gmu.edu/, Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/
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S1 E7: Strategies for Teaching Multilingual Students
Shelby Broberg and Dr. Idée Edalatishams join your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, for a conversation on how we can support multilingual learners, including assignment design, assessment, and more! We explore actionable strategies for education that support all students, both multilingual and not, across disciplines.
Resources: George Mason University Writing Center: https://writingcenter.gmu.edu, A few example links about Dr. Bobbi Olson’s work (who was mentioned by Dr. Idée Edalatishams in the episode): Olson, B. (2013). Rethinking our work with multilingual writers: The ethics and responsibility of language teaching in the writi...
S1 E6: What Do We Do About Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Classroom?
Dr. Laina Lockett, the STEM Education Specialist in the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, joins us to talk about the “big thing” right now in education: artificial intelligence-based text generators. We explore actionable strategies for continuing impactful and engaging teaching in this new educational context.
Resources: Your host, Dr. Rachel Yoho’s, publication on inclusive teaching now that we have AI text generators: Yoho, R. (2023). No, Let's Not Go Back to Handwritten Activities: Inclusive Teaching Strategies in the Context of ChatGPT. In The National Teaching & Learning Forum (Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 1-4). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
S1 E5: What Core Courses Teach Us About Teaching
Dr. Laura Poms, Director of the Mason Core at George Mason University, joins us to explore what Core courses can teach us about teaching. We discuss content relevant to instructors who are – and are not – teaching in the undergraduate core curriculum program.
Resources: Mason Core Website: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/, Mason Core Categories: https://masoncore.gmu.edu/mason-core-course-categories/, GMU Learning Services: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/, GMU Learning Services Video Series: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/academic-skills-videos/, Distinguishing novice and expert learning practices: Daley, B. J. (1999). Novice to expert: An exploration of how professionals learn. Adult education quarterly...
S1 E4: Using Design Elements and Feedback in Your Course
Dr. Crystal Anderson returns to discuss the practical aspects of course design, transparency, and productively using feedback in our course. This relates to our overall intentionality about how we approach teaching to support all students’ learning. We also talk about how to approach teaching if you are handed a pre-made syllabus.
For more information about student evaluations:
El-Alayli, A., Hansen-Brown, A. A., & Ceynar, M. (2018). Dancing backwards in high heels: Female professors experience more work demands and special favor requests, particularly from academically entitled students. Sex roles, 79, 136-150. Boring, A., & Ottoboni, K. (2016). Student evaluations of teaching (mostly) do not...S1 E3: Fundamentals of Teaching for All Students
We welcome Dr. Crystal Anderson for a conversation about what teaching looks like today, particularly coming off several years of pandemic teaching. We also explore how we engage students across different modalities, whether face-to-face, hybrid, online, or others.
Stearns Center Teaching Online: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/online-teaching/
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S1 E2: Teaching for Everyone
Dr. Shelley Reid returns for a follow-up conversation about how we create a classroom that supports all students – and the instructors – to create an environment of educational success through policies, procedures, assessment, and more.
Reality, equity, equality, and justice figure: https://www.bu.edu/diversity/resource-toolkit/inequity-equality-equity-and-justice/
Stearns Center resource – Designing for Flexibility: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/21-Course-Design-Flexibility-ALL-Policies.pdf
Stearns Center Face-to-Face and/or Hybrid Teaching Resources (see Course Design & Organization Basics section for Life Happens Pass): https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/hybrid-teaching-resources/
Fast Learner/Slow Learner news article: https://www.cmu...
S1 E1: Building Strategies That Include All Learners
Join us as Dr. Shelley Reid discusses how good teaching is focused on learning, rather than just delivering content, in a way that supports and includes all students.
Resources: Think-Pair-Share and other active learning strategies, Concentric circles of diversity
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Keystone Concepts in Teaching Introduction
Listen to our podcast introduction to learn more about Keystone Concepts in Teaching!
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