Transform Your Teaching

Center for Teaching & Learning at Cedarville University

The Transform your Teaching podcast is a service of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. Join Dr. Rob McDole and Dr. Jared Pyles as they seek to inspire higher education faculty to adopt innovative teaching and learning practices.

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195 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes195

Newest first

April 3 · 26 min
Life Outside the Classroom with Dr. Michele Worley
What are some stressors that could influence a student’s motivation to be active in a course? How can instructors help students acclimate to higher education? How can an instructor connecting on a personal level influence student motivation? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Michele Worley (Assistant Professor of Education at Liberty University). View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
March 27 · 30 min
Applying Psychology to Practice with Dr. Stephen Aguilar
What information about their success can motivate a student’s learning? What shouldn’t be shared? What roles can learning mastery and Generative AI play in motivation? How much feedback is too much for students, and what type works best? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Stephen Aguilar (Associate Professor of Education at USC) to answer these questions and more. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Authenticating Intelligence Podcast with Stephen Aguilar FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
March 20 · 29 min
The “Teaching Compass” with Dr. Nathalie Aelterman
What is the “Teaching Compass?” How can it be used as a tool to adjust our teaching to meet the needs of our students? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Nathalie Aelterman (Co-founder of Impetus Academy, a spin-off from Ghent University) about how to provide pathways that motivate students to learn. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Toward an Integrative and Fine-Grained Insight in Motivating and Demotivating Teaching Styles: The Merits of a Circumplex Approach – N. Aelterman, M. Vansteenkiste, L. Haerens, B. Soenens, J. Fontaine & J. Reeve A Deeper Dive into the Teaching Compass – Nathalie Aelterman Need-Supportive and Need-Thwarting Socialization: A Circumplex Approach – Nathalie Aelterman & Maarten Vansteenkiste FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
March 13 · 30 min
Fostering Motivation Through Feedback with Dr. John Hattie
How can the feedback we give to students increase their motivation? How can understanding how they receive it help teachers give better feedback? Join Rob as he chats with Dr. John Hattie (Honorary Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne) about effective types of feedback and why one of them is not the feedback sandwich. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Visible Learning – John Hattie The Power of Feedback – John Hattie and Helen Timperley FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
March 6 · 23 min
Why Use Bloom’s Taxonomy?
Is Bloom’s Taxonomy the best standard for creating learning objectives? What other taxonomies like Bloom’s exist, and where are they useful? Join Rob and Jared as they revisit the conversation on objectives with Jason Frieling (Instructional Designer with the Center for Teaching and Learning at Cedarville University). View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
February 27 · 26 min
Sleeping Habits and Motivation with Dr. Chao Liu
How can sleeping habits influence a student’s motivation? How does it affect cognitive abilities? What can instructors do to help? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Chao Liu (Associate Professor of Psychology at Cedarville University) about the effects of sleep on motivation. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
February 20 · 27 min
Self-Determination Theory with Dr. Erika Patall
What is self-determination theory? What role do autonomy, competence, and relatedness have in driving motivation? How can giving students the right choices increase their motivation? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Erika Patall (Professor of Education and Psychology at the University of Southern California). Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
February 13 · 27 min
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
What are the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? Can extrinsic motivation be enough for students to succeed in a class? How can an educator move students to be intrinsically motivated? Join Rob and Jared as they discuss the benefits of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
February 6 · 25 min
Why Does Motivation Matter with Professor Betsy Linnell
What factors are at play in motivation? Can showing the value of our content increase a student’s motivation? How important is it that students know their instructor is invested in them and their learning? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Professor Betsy Linnell (a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Cedarville University). Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
January 30 · 22 min
Stirring Motivation - Kickoff
Can an educator increase a student's motivation towards academic goals? What motivational theories can serve as tools to understand how to motivate students? Join Rob and Jared as they start our series on student motivation. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Theories of Motivation in Education: An Integrative Framework – Detlef Urhahne & Lisette Wijnia FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
January 23 · 26 min
Student Perspectives – Usage of AI with Kaiya and Jude
How are current college students using AI in their academics? Where are they finding it useful? What limitations do they see? Join Rob and Jared as they discuss how students are using AI with current students Kaiya and Jude. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
January 16 · 21 min
Student Perspectives – Flexible Deadlines, Tech Integration, and Real-World Applications
What do students think about flexible deadlines, technology integration, and real-world applications in the classroom? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Lauren and Daniel. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
January 9 · 24 min
Behind the Scenes with Professor Eric Stroud
In this episode, Rob McDole and Jared Pyles chat with Eric Stroud (Instructor of Communication at Cedarville University). They discuss his professional experiences prior to stepping into higher education and the adjustments he had to make during his first semester of teaching. Please take this opportunity to fill out our 2025 wrap-up survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
January 2 · 17 min
Transform Your Teaching's Goals for 2026
What are we doing in 2026? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss the topics that they are looking forward to covering this year. Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Dec 26, 2025 · 17 min
Year in Review - 2025
In this episode, Rob and Jared reflect on this year's podcast. Thank you to our listeners and followers who have joined us this year! On to year 4! Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will still remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Dec 19, 2025 · 28 min
Book Review: "Teach Like a Human" with Dr. Dave Mulder
How do Christian educators approach Generative AI with caution? How can educators find the balance between using GAI as a tool and having it take over their teaching? In this episode, Rob and Jared chat with Dr. Dave Mulder about his new book Teach Like a Human. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Teach Like a Human: Playful Practice and Serious Faith in the Age of AI – Dave Mulder Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses for Engaging Theology and Culture – Justin Bailey FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Dec 12, 2025 · 18 min
Reflections on OLC Accelerate Conference with Dr. Bob Lutz
In this episode, Rob and Jared reflect on the OLC Accelerate 2025 conference in Orlando, FL. They are joined by Dr. Bob Lutz, the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Cedarville University. Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will still remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Take our survey Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Dec 5, 2025 · 22 min
Yes We Tried...
What did Rob and Jared take away from our series, “Have You Tried...”? What innovative strategies made their way into their classes? Join Rob and Jared as they reflect on the series and how they tried to put these ideas into practice. Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will still remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Take our survey Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Nov 28, 2025 · 25 min
Mind Mapping for Systems Thinking with Dr. Larry Cox II
We've discussed how mind mapping can impact teaching and learning, but what other applications exist? How can mind mapping help solve problems or organize thinking? Join Rob and Jared as they chat with Dr. Larry Cox II (Senior Instructional Designer at Virginia Tech) about his presentation on using mind mapping techniques in systems thinking while at the 2025 OLC Accelerate Conference. Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will still remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources Organise Ideas: Thinking by Hand, Extending the Mind – Caviglioli and Goodwin FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions
Nov 21, 2025 · 24 min
Have You Tried...Mind Mapping?
What is mind mapping? How can it be an effective tool for making connections between concepts? How can it help us process knowledge more effectively? Join Rob and Jared as they discuss how mind mapping can help students and teachers work through ideas. Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes, and your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Even if you enter the drawing, your survey response will still remain anonymous. View a transcript of this week's episode. Resources The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps - Tony Buzan Learning with concept and knowledge maps: A meta-analysis - Nesbit, J. C., & Adesope, O. O. FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL Chat with us! Connect with us via LinkedIn Contact us at ctlpodcast@cedarville.edu with any questions