This week’s Round-Up focuses on how higher education is adapting to changing expectations around learning and work. From student perspectives on AI to the growth of apprenticeship pathways and efforts to address workforce needs, these pieces offer a look at how institutions are responding. As you explore these articles, you may find related…

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This week’s Round-Up highlights a mix of recent articles and a podcast focused on how colleges are strengthening the connection between learning and long-term outcomes. Across these pieces, there’s a clear emphasis on aligning academic experiences with career readiness, expanding holistic student support, and designing pathways that help…

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This week’s Round-Up highlights two recent Inside Higher Ed articles that focus on student success and career readiness. Both pieces explore how colleges are strengthening support systems and helping students connect their education to meaningful career pathways. These themes also align closely with ACUE’s Preparing Workforce-Ready Students…

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This week’s Round-Up looks at how higher education is balancing new technologies with the human connections that remain central to teaching, learning, and student success. From the evolving role of faculty in an AI-enabled university to efforts that prepare students to serve their communities and strengthen workforce pipelines, these articles…

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This week’s Round-Up looks at the link between teaching and career readiness. These articles explore how we can move past “add-on” programs to create more cohesive, human-centered learning experiences. As you explore these pieces, remember that you can find practical tips for your own teaching in our Quick Studies, specifically under the…

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As you explore this week’s Round-Up, you can find practical strategies for your own teaching in our Quick Studies.

Happy reading!

Gail

Harnessing Data, Taming Digital Sprawl, and Enabling Experiential Learning for Student Success

EDUCAUSE Review | February 16, 2026

By Elliot Felix

In this article, Elliot Felix argues that “digital sprawl”,…

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This week’s Round-Up looks at how we’re balancing the use of new AI tools with the simple need to get students to look up from their screens and focus. These articles explore how technology can give faculty more time for their students and why some professors are returning to old-school pen and paper to keep classrooms engaged. As you explore…

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This week’s Round-Up includes an opinion piece on engaging students in course reading and a continued look at AI. As you explore these articles, remember that you can find practical strategies related to AI in our Quick Studies located within the AI for Higher Ed tab.

Happy reading!

Gail

Managing AI Risk and Return in Higher Ed

Educause
By Jay…

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As the semester gets underway, this week’s Round-Up highlights how institutions and instructors are approaching learning design, student pathways, and instructional support.

Wishing everyone a smooth and productive week ahead as we move into February!

Happy reading,

Gail

The Rise of Degree Apprenticeships

Inside Higher Ed
By Katherine Knott

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I’ve been especially excited this week by the opportunity to connect with so many Commons members as the semester gets underway. I hope you enjoy the Weekly Updates, and I’m always happy to hear how these—or other topics—are resonating with you. My best to you all for a smooth and productive semester.

Wishing everyone a safe and warm weekend.

Gail

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This week’s Round-Up looks at how institutions are adapting instructional models and delivery formats in response to changing student needs. From experiential capstone courses that connect learning to real-world problems, to new enrollment data on online and hybrid education, these pieces offer insight into how colleges are responding to…

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As the new year begins, this week’s Round-Up looks ahead at how higher education may evolve in 2026. The articles below reflect a moment of prediction and recalibration, as institutions and instructors consider how AI, assessment, and broader educational priorities are shaping teaching and learning.

For those interested in exploring these ideas…

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As the year comes to a close, this week’s Round-Up features four pieces that speak to how faculty are thinking about teaching right now. From making intentional choices about class time, to navigating student questions about AI, to reflecting on the teaching ideas that resonated most in 2025, these readings offer practical insight and helpful…

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As the semester reaches its busiest stretch, this week’s Round-Up highlights new insights into how employers view higher education and how instructors are refining grading practices. You will also find a set of practical resources to support a strong finish to the semester. If you have strategies that help you wrap up the term effectively, we…

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I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This week’s Round-Up highlights how colleges are adapting to new teaching demands and shifting student needs.

Happy reading,

Gail

Colleges Powering a New Tech Hub

In this New York Times feature, Peter S. Goodman explores how colleges in the Phoenix area are helping build the talent pipeline for a…

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Taking a short break from the usual Weekly Round-Up to share a few fun Thanksgiving tidbits to kick off the holiday festivities.

Wishing you a warm, restful, and delicious holiday,

Gail

Thanksgiving break has been part of college life for over 150 years.
Many campuses gave students travel days long before academic calendars standardized it.

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This week’s Round-Up highlights how campuses are responding to rapid changes in teaching and learning. From the evolving role of AI in course design and institutional leadership to new research on what motivates students to learn, each piece offers a window into how faculty and administrators are adapting in real time.

Happy reading,
Gail

How…

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This week’s Round-Up looks at how we define learning and recognize progress. From rethinking seat time to reflecting on the human side of teaching, each piece offers a different lens on what matters most in the classroom.

Happy reading,

Gail

 Teaching: The Human Work of Teaching and Learning

This week, Beckie Supiano wrapped up her long…

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This week’s Round-Up shifts the focus from technology to people. Each piece looks at connection and care in teaching: from learning students’ names to supporting veterans and creating healthier learning environments.

Happy reading,

Gail

Teaching by Name: Tools for Student Empowerment

In this month’s Educational Development Digest, Kathleen…

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It’s a light news week in higher ed, but I’ve still got a couple of treats to share. This week’s edition features one piece on AI and the other on active learning. Both share insights that might spark ideas for your own teaching practice.

Happy reading,

Gail

Big Tech Makes Cal State Its A.I. Training Ground

In her October 26 New York Times…

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Hey Melissa — I love how you’re highlighting the importance of a thoughtful approach to AI. I’m including a New York Times piece in tomorrow’s Weekly Round-Up that looks at Cal State’s new partnerships with Amazon and OpenAI, and the questions they raise about where this trend might be heading in higher ed.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Once again, AI takes center stage in this week’s Round-Up, with all three featured pieces exploring its growing role in teaching and learning. Two of the articles come from the open access publisher MDPI, offering research that is both timely and widely available. I’d love to hear what you think, especially how these…

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Hey Melissa — finally catching up after being away a couple of days. Your Happy Hour idea is such a fun, low-stakes way to foster community. And I love your plan to use name tags — can’t wait to hear how it goes next semester!

Hi everyone,

This week’s articles hit on themes I know many of us think about often, and I’m especially curious to hear what resonates with your own work. They all circle around one big idea: connection. If something here sparks an idea or even just a quick thought, I’d love for you to share.

Enjoy your day and happy reading!

Gail

📊 Supporting…

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I’m so excited to be connecting with so many Commons members this week! I’d love to hear what kinds of topics you’re interested in exploring—and if any of the articles below spark ideas or reactions, please share. This week’s articles highlight a familiar mix: AI continues to dominate headlines, but it’s not the only theme worth watching.…

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Happy Friday, everyone!

This week’s picks touch on some big themes in teaching and learning such as helping students build real-world skills, learning from the lasting impact of the pandemic, and bringing community-engaged learning into the classroom. Each article offers a fresh angle on how higher ed is evolving and what that might mean for your…

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Hi everyone,

This week’s Round-Up includes a few articles I thought you’d enjoy. They look at different ways we support student learning by using technology in thoughtful ways, rethinking how we approach math, or making science more hands-on. While each article focuses on a specific subject, the ideas may resonate with you in your…

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Even though I’m not currently teaching, I’m game for your game:

• “My most essential teaching tool is building a strong community with my students.”
• “The one thing I always forgot to bring to my 8 a.m. class was my ability to speak without yawning.”
• “I know it’s the middle of the semester when I hear my students asking if the group project can be done solo.”

Marcella, I appreciate your perspective on how self-doubt continues to shape student experiences.

Hi everyone,

This week’s articles touch on some of the most popular conversations happening in higher education right now. From career readiness and AI integration to student mental health, these pieces offer both encouraging trends and practical insights for educators. As you look through these articles, I’d love to hear which topic resonates…

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Thanks, Ashlee! I’m especially interested in Duke’s new AI initiative and the recommendations they’ll be sharing in their report later this fall.

Thanks for the shout-out, Kelly! I’m excited to be a part of this new offering for the Commons and I do welcome and encourage feedback from the members. Happy Friday 😎