Innovative Educators

?? This Week’s Monday Musings: Major Changes in Higher Education The latest edition of Monday Musings covers sweeping changes at the U.S. Department of Education, including mass layoffs affecting student loans and civil rights enforcement. Universities are under increased scrutiny over antisemitism investigations, and concerns about free speech restrictions are growing. Plus, we explore how bioscience funding uncertainty is impacting research programs and why online education is no longer just an alternative—but a permanent fixture in higher ed. ?? What these changes mean for colleges and students ?? The latest policy shifts and institutional challenges ?? Trends shaping the future of higher education ?? Read this week’s edition and stay informed about the most pressing issues in higher ed. #HigherEd #EducationPolicy #StudentSuccess #EdTech #FreeSpeech #DEI #OnlineLearning #MondayMusings #InnovativeEducators #MegFoster

Are Your Students Building the Skills They Actually Need After Graduation? Degrees matter. But skills drive success. In our Exploring Careers & Choosing A Major workshop, we spotlight five must-have skills every student needs to thrive beyond the classroom: 1. Flexibility – Adapt to change with purpose and patience 2. Time Management – Prioritize and plan without getting stuck 3. Collaboration – Create teams where everyone contributes 4. Effective Communication – Start by listening 5. Analytical Thinking – Make smart, informed decisions quickly Each skill is paired with real-world examples to help students apply what they learn right now—not just after they graduate. ?? This workshop shifts the conversation from “What’s my major?” to “What will make me successful?” ?? Want to explore this and our other skill-building workshops? Get full access with our StudentLingo 30-Day Free Trial. ?? https://bit.ly/4bSlnNu #StudentSuccess #CareerSkills #CollegeReadiness #FacultySupport #ParentResources #LifeAfterCollege #HigherEd #StudentLingo #InnovativeEducators

Online Test Performance is a Growing Concern for Colleges. ?? Low test scores. ? High dropout rates. ?? Instructors overwhelmed with support requests. Many students struggle with time management, technical issues, and test anxiety in online exams. Faculty and support staff spend hours answering the same questions—but students still aren’t prepared. What if you could give them expert-led training—without adding to your team’s workload? That’s where StudentLingo comes in. Our "Taking Tests Online: Strategies for Success" workshop helps students: ? Master online test formats. ? Develop time-management strategies. ? Reduce test anxiety for better performance. ?? The best part? It’s ready-to-go, accessible 24/7, and can be implemented across your institution immediately. ?? Schedule a demo today to see how StudentLingo can support your students. https://bit.ly/4ilIJgM ?? Want to try it first? Sign up for a free trial here: https://bit.ly/4iKAivo #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #AcademicSupport #OnlineLearning #EdTech #HigherEducationLeadership #TestAnxiety #FacultySupport #StudentRetention #LearningSolutions

Why do students struggle with time management? It’s not because they’re lazy. ?? The real reason? They don’t think about time on task. Students often underestimate how long assignments take—and that’s exactly what leads to last-minute stress. ?? Writing a paper? It’s more than just typing—it’s research, drafting, and revising. ?? Studying for an exam? It’s not just reading notes—it’s practice tests, flashcards, and reviewing. ?? Group project? Coordinating schedules alone can take longer than expected. So, how can students fix this and take control of their workload? ?? Laurie Hazard explains the simple strategy that helps students master time management → https://bit.ly/4hpcL1F P.S. What’s one task you always underestimate the time for? Drop it in the comments! ?? #TimeManagement #StudentSuccess #CollegeTips #ProductivityHacks #StudySmart #EducationMatters #LearningStrategies #SelfImprovement #AcademicSuccess #FutureLeaders #InnovativeEducators #TutorLingo #LaurieHazard

Are your students ready for an AI-driven workforce? Employers expect AI literacy, yet many students feel unprepared to use AI responsibly. That’s why Dr. Cynthia Pascal (Northern Virginia Community College - NOVA) led a must-watch discussion on ethical AI integration in education—and now, you can access it on-demand for free. ?? Watch now → https://bit.ly/4ik8QVa What you’ll learn: ?? How to prepare students for the workforce with AI skills ?? Recognizing personal biases and ensuring fair, transparent AI use ?? Syllabus guidelines & classroom examples for responsible AI integration ?? Addressing AI bias and its impact on diverse populations ?? How StudentLingo, a micro-credentialing program, supports AI literacy with a focus on accessibility and equity Cynthia Pascall encourages open discussion on AI in education and shares her contact info to keep the conversation going. This session is a must-watch for faculty, administrators, and education leaders committed to responsible AI use in higher ed. ?? No registration required—click and watch → https://bit.ly/4ik8QVa What’s the biggest challenge you see with AI in education? Let’s discuss this in the comments. #AILiteracy #HigherEd #StudentLingo #StudentSuccess

I'm heading to San Antonio to present at the Innovations Conference. I'm very happy to join Innovative Educators to tell the story of how embracing technology has been transformative for my team of Orientation Advisors. We have truly been on a constant road to improvement in the last two years and it really has shown in the work we do for our students.

Monday Musings is a weekly higher education news digest that delivers key updates on policy changes, institutional trends, and student success initiatives. Designed for higher ed professionals, faculty, and administrators, it highlights the most pressing developments—from government regulations and legal battles to innovative programs and enrollment shifts. Each edition provides: ? Concise summaries of major news stories ? Quick insights on why these issues matter ? Actionable takeaways to help institutions stay ahead Whether it’s federal policy updates, campus governance challenges, or evolving student needs, Monday Musings keeps you informed on the forces shaping higher education.

?? Students are bombarded with digital content. ?? Some of it’s reliable. Some of it’s misleading. Some of it’s flat-out false. And yet—many start college without the skills to tell the difference. That’s a big problem. Higher ed must step up. We’re hosting a free webinar to tackle this head-on. If you work in education, this is your chance to learn how to help students think critically, assess online content, and engage responsibly in a digital-first world. What we’ll cover: ?? How to help students spot misinformation (including AI-generated content). ?? How to teach critical thinking so they question sources—not just believe them. ?? How to prepare them for a workforce where digital credibility matters. ?? How to build a culture of responsible online engagement in higher ed. ?? BONUS: We’re introducing our Digital & Media Literacy Micro-Credential—giving students the skills they need for college, careers, and beyond. ?? Spots are limited. Register now → https://lnkd.in/gxmGeDK6 Let’s give students the tools they need to succeed in a world full of digital noise. ?? What’s the most misleading piece of content you’ve seen online? Drop it in the comments.

?? What’s one test-taking tip you swear by? We’ve all been there—the pressure of exam day, the last-minute review, the "Wait… what’s the answer?!" moment. Some students rely on flashcards ?? Some swear by practice tests ?? Others have unique test-day rituals ?? ?? Watch this quick clip https://bit.ly/4gLxPiG to hear Dr. Saundra McGuire’s one test-taking strategy that can make a huge difference! ?? What’s your best tip? Drop it in the comments! Let’s build the ultimate student success guide. #TestSuccess #StudentTips #HigherEd #CollegeLife #SaundraMcguire #StudentLingo

Most colleges make one big mistake with online orientation. They focus on delivering information, not engaging students. Sarah, a first-generation student, logged into her online orientation feeling excited. Within minutes, that excitement faded. The platform was outdated, the videos were too long, and there was no way to connect with other students. When classes started, she still had unanswered questions. Many students feel the same way. Colleges need to create experiences that connect, support, and prepare students before day one. Join Innovative Educators for a free webinar to learn: The latest trends in online orientation Strategies to keep students engaged Accessibility features every program should have Date and Time: Monday, February 24 ~ 3:00-4:00pm (Eastern) Register: https://bit.ly/413Y67e What’s one change you’ve made to improve your online orientation? Share your thoughts in the comments.