Tips, tutorials, and commentary on pedagogy, productivity, and technology in higher education.

Author Archives: Nels P. Highberg

Standing Out on the Job Search

March 11, 2010 in How-To by Nels P. Highberg

There are a lot of articles out there on ways to handle the job market. I'm sure, though, that each of us could think of people who broke each of the "rules" offered by such articles and succeeded anyway. What works for one person does not always work for another, which is what makes the process so stressful.

When You Need a Substitute Teacher

March 4, 2010 in Pedagogy by Nels P. Highberg

If you had to immediately hand your classes over to someone else for one, two, or three weeks, would you be ready? What can we do to be ready should we not be able to teach our classes for more than a day or two?

Managing Project Files in GTD

February 15, 2010 in Productivity by Nels P. Highberg

One of the most important parts of the GTD process is the weekly review, which involves going over a list of projects. This entry describes one way of maintaining and organizing projects to enhance productivity.

The Down-and-Dirty Article

February 1, 2010 in Productivity by Nels P. Highberg

Maybe there's something you've written in the past that's closer to being publishable than you think.

Handling the Stress of the Tenure Process

January 25, 2010 in Life by Nels P. Highberg

The years between obtaining a job and earning tenure are stressful. No one denies that, but there is little discussion out there about the deeper effects of such stress on our lives, bodies, relationships, and careers.

Google Faculty Research Awards Program

January 20, 2010 in Productivity by Nels P. Highberg

Google has announced their Faculty Research Awards Program of grants from $10K-$150K for projects that will improve information access.

The Soundtrack of the Semester

January 18, 2010 in Life by Nels P. Highberg

At the start of the semester, many of us perform various rituals to get us in the mindset to embrace a new beginning. This post describes how creating a mix CD can be one such ritual.

Rid Your Syllabi of the Passive Voice

January 11, 2010 in Pedagogy by Nels P. Highberg

Passive voice often brings with it an air of formality, which is why it often appears in our syllabi. This post argues that we should get rid of it and claim responsibility not just for ourselves but for our students.

Managing Grant and Fellowship Deadlines

January 5, 2010 in Productivity by Nels P. Highberg

It always seems like the first three months of the year are filled with fellowship, grant, and workshop deadlines. If you're worried about letting something slip through the cracks, there are a few things you can do now.

Review of Organizing for the Creative Person

December 18, 2009 in Reviews by Nels P. Highberg

If traditional organizational books don't ring true for you, I recommend Organizing for the Creative Person. It might show you a way of doing things that completely counters what works for others but that can revolutionize your sense of the world like it did mine.

Disruptive Student Behavior: What’s That Smell?

December 4, 2009 in How-To, Pedagogy by Nels P. Highberg

Before class begins, Lethargic Larry/Laura walks by, and you notice a rather pungent, unusual smell. You realize that the smell comes from alcohol or marijuana. What do you do?

Growing a Beard for Productivity

November 23, 2009 in Life by Nels P. Highberg

How can we improve our daily grooming and personal care routines so that they help us move forward through the day rather than add stress to it?