“I had so much fun grading papers last night!”  Not a sentiment frequently heard, expressed, or even thought. Yet this legitimately describes my experience a few weeks ago after reading my students’ Beowulf quizzes. Over the last several semesters, I have shifted my idea of what evaluation should look like. We are so accustomed to one type of exam or paper (especially in literature fields), … Continue reading The Fun Case for Alternative Assessment

In this second Fall offering my Medieval Epic Through the Lens of Game of Thrones class, I wanted to shake up my assignments a bit, especially after researching into alternative assessment and inclusive teaching practices. In my class, this sometimes takes the form of options of assignments so that students can demonstrate their learning in a manner that resonates with them. In keeping with the spirit … Continue reading A Song of Medieval Boulder, vol.1

Dante’s Inferno is a text that is as difficult to read as it is fascinating. However fun it is to teach, it can be frustrating for students to encounter the hundreds of characters whose names are devoid of meaning and context. Like Dante himself, students need a guide to take them through Hell. But how to teach them to guide themselves? In line with my Fren 1200 course … Continue reading Playing Dante in 2015