[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”832.1px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”20px” box_shadow_style=”preset6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
While the Coulter Faculty Commons newsletter is on summer break, we\u2019re revisiting selected newsletter introductions from the past year. These posts highlight reflections, teaching ideas, and resources that continue to resonate beyond their original publication date.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/05\/CFC-Archive-2-1024×576.jpg” alt=”From the Archive: Revisit reflections, teaching ideas, and resources from the CFC Newsletter” title_text=”CFC Archive” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”649.9px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Originally published in the CFC February 2026 Newsletter<\/a> <\/em><\/span>on February 4, 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n By Scott Seagle<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A student recently introduced themself in one of my online courses with, \u201cHi. My name is _____, I\u2019m originally from Michigan, but moved here about a couple of years ago. I\u2019m in this class to complete the course requirements, so I\u2019m not really hoping to learn anything\u2026\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n My first reaction was probably a predictable one for many. A feeling of deflation followed quickly by offense. Here I was, carefully constructing a course, thinking about engagement strategies and student outcomes, and this student had just declared intellectual disengagement before we\u2019d even started. But as that initial offense faded, something more unsettling became clear: this student had simply articulated what many others might feel or think but know better to say out loud.<\/p>\n The student\u2019s blunt honesty raised concerns many of us have been reluctant to fully examine. Maybe the student was expressing their experience of taking courses in the past that have shown them they can pass, get their credits, and learn nothing. I don\u2019t think this student\u2019s comment was specifically about my class; rather, it\u2019s about the transactionalization of higher education in the U.S. We have taught some students to be only motivated by external rewards (credits, badges, certificates, degrees) \u2013 not internally rewarding them by learning something new and interesting.<\/p>\n The comment revealed something about the general shift towards higher education as more transactional than transformational that has been documented in recent educational research. Undergraduate students have increasingly adopted a transactional approach to college characterized by overemphasis on labor market preparation and financial returns to a degree. Considering this framework, my student wasn\u2019t being cynical, just honest about experiencing education as an exchange: completion of assignments for credentials, rather than an exchange of activities that help students gain knowledge and new skills that relate to their world.<\/p>\n Nobel laureate Herb Simon captured the fundamental challenge: \u201cLearning results from what the student does and thinks and only from what the student does and thinks. The teacher can advance learning only by influencing what the student does to learn\u201d (quoted in Ambrose, S. A., et al., 2010, p. 1). If learning truly emerges only from what students actually do and think, and not from what they\u2019re assigned or what boxes they check, then my student\u2019s declaration was a stark reminder that I had failed to influence their thinking even before the course began. How many of our course requirements genuinely facilitate the kind of doing that leads to the type of learning described by Simon? Are our course requirements engaging and clearly aligned to meaningful learning outcomes or simply exist because that\u2019s how our courses have been traditionally structured?<\/p>\n Are our course structures inadvertently encouraging students to ask transactional rather than transformational questions? When students optimize for grades rather than learning, are they gaming the system or simply responding to the game I\u2019ve designed? This isn\u2019t to absolve students of responsibility for their own learning. But it does raise questions about higher education culture. When we require attendance without examining whether our classes warrant attending, when we grade participation without considering whether our pedagogies genuinely invite meaningful contribution, when we demand demonstrations of engagement without reflecting on whether our content truly engages, we create conditions where honest disengagement might be more rational than performed enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Perhaps the question isn\u2019t how to get students to hide their disengagement better, but whether their candor might be the catalyst we need to examine what we\u2019re really doing in our classrooms and why. The student\u2019s introduction was uncomfortable because it was true. And sometimes the truths we least want to hear are the ones we most need to consider. If we\u2019re serious about creating life-long learners rather than transactional credentialing, we might start by returning to Simon\u2019s insight: our job isn\u2019t to create requirements, distribute grades, or demand performances of engagement. Our job is to influence what students actually do and how they think, and if we\u2019re not doing that, perhaps we need to ask ourselves how we can get there.<\/p>\n Sparks, D. (2022). Student perceptions of college\u2014how to move beyond transactional approaches to Higher Education.<\/em>\u00a0Higher Education<\/em>, 85(2), 477\u2013481.\u00a0https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10734-022-00919-4<\/a><\/p>\n Ambrose, S. A., et al. (2010).\u00a0How learning works: Seven research-based principles for smart teaching<\/em>. Jossey-Bass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_all=”2px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Browse the full newsletter archive: CFC Newsletter Archive<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From the Archive – Summer 2026 While the Coulter Faculty Commons newsletter is on summer break, we\u2019re revisiting selected newsletter introductions from the past year. These posts highlight reflections, teaching […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" min_height=\"832.1px\" custom_padding=\"0px||0px|||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row column_structure=\"3_5,2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" header_font_size=\"20px\" hover_enabled=\"0\" box_shadow_style=\"preset6\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> While the Coulter Faculty Commons newsletter is on summer break, we\u2019re revisiting selected newsletter introductions from the past year. These posts highlight reflections, teaching ideas, and resources that continue to resonate beyond their original publication date.<\/p> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/05\/CFC-Archive-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"From the Archive: Revisit reflections, teaching ideas, and resources from the CFC Newsletter\" title_text=\"CFC Archive\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" min_height=\"649.9px\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" hover_enabled=\"0\" global_colors_info=\"{}\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> Originally published in the CFC May 2026 Newsletter<\/a> <\/em><\/span>on May 6, 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p> By April Tallant<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> I have a corkboard next to my desk. I pin things on the board that I need to refer to often, like WCU\u2019s academic calendar. I like to pin up fun stuff, too. I recently pinned up a meme that reads, \u201cIf you\u2019re ever having a bad day, just remember what Eddie Vedder said:\u00a0ona whellahn, ona wizzit ona whaya, ana calldnana saya nanna whoa wanna sayn anna coldouta gnnn<\/em>.\u201d I knew exactly what Pearl Jam song the meme referred to when I read it. It\u2019s called\u00a0Yellow Ledbetter<\/a>\u00a0and those of us of a certain age can mumble\/sing it without actually knowing all the lyrics. I also like to pin meaningful quotes on sticky notes around my board. One of them reads, \u201cMornings are for coffee and contemplation\u201d \u2013 Jim Hopper (of\u00a0Stranger Things<\/em><\/a>). Another one reads \u201cStrategic pauses aren\u2019t a luxury. They\u2019re essential\u201d \u2013\u00a0Melanie Ho<\/a>.<\/p> You can see my board topics run the gamut, a little business to a little fun. For many of us working year-round, whether on contract or not, summer leans heavily towards business with just a touch of fun. My hope for everyone is that we listen to Melanie Ho and take at least one long, strategic pause to enjoy our summers, to connect with loved ones, and enjoy our beautiful surroundings (see \u201cWe Recommend\u201d below). I hope we all take time to sleep in and awaken to those contemplative morning sips of coffee (or tea) that Jim Hopper recommends. And if you take a road trip, I hope the mood strikes for carpool karaoke (any playlist of songs will do!). This summer, I hope you do more of whatever it is that brings you joy and restoration. CFC is here to help you take care of a little bit of business, too, so don\u2019t hesitate to reach out as you gear up for fall.<\/p> Happy summer!<\/p><\/div> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.6\" _module_preset=\"default\" border_width_all=\"2px\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p> Browse the full newsletter archive: CFC Newsletter Archive<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22015,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2025\/01\/15\/etle-spring-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":0},"title":"ETLE – Spring 2025","author":"CFC","date":"January 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "AI"","block_context":{"text":"AI","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/ai\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"QR code to registration form.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/01\/ETLE-2025-reg-SV_9ohl1hG2sh0Hp2e-qrcode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21131,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2023\/02\/24\/summer-institute-for-teaching-learning-sitl-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":1},"title":"Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL) 2023","author":"CFC","date":"February 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2023\/02\/Bradshaw.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12205,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2019\/12\/09\/2020panoptoupdate\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":2},"title":"Upcoming Panopto 2020 Update","author":"CFC","date":"December 9, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2019\/12\/Panopto-Logo-300x74.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18380,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2021\/03\/03\/notifications-and-preferences\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":3},"title":"Canvas Notifications and Preferences","author":"CFC","date":"March 3, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Canvas logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2020\/09\/Canvas-no-text-feature-image.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9889,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2019\/06\/17\/panopto-7-release-notes\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":4},"title":"Panopto 7 Release Notes","author":"CFC","date":"June 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":139,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2016\/02\/01\/gettingstartedwithpanopto\/","url_meta":{"origin":25248,"position":5},"title":"Getting Started with Panopto","author":"CFC","date":"February 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Creating flipped videos (videos intended to be viewed by students outside of class) can be a great way to provide learning resources for students and free up face-to-face time for discussion and higher order learning. All WCU faculty and staff have access to Panopto, a desktop recording and video hosting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3390"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25248"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25272,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25248\/revisions\/25272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Honesty We Don’t Want to Hear: When Students Say the Quiet Part Out Loud<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
View the original newsletter: CFC May 2026 Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\nFrom the Archive - Summer 2026<\/h1>
May 2026 CFC Newsletter Intro<\/span><\/h2>
Business, Fun, and a Little Yellow Ledbetter<\/span><\/h3>
View the original newsletter: CFC May 2026 Newsletter<\/a><\/p>