Thriving on Challenge: Unlocking Student Potential Through Risk-Tolerant Learning Environments

Presenters

Mandie MauldinFollow

Proposal Format

75-minute Workshop

Track Choices

Wellness and Trauma Informed Teaching

Abstract

Creating a safe learning environment is critical for students, particularly those who have experienced academic trauma in the past. Students often fear mistakes rather than see them for what they are - one of the best ways to learn. Through purposeful course design, we can create risk-tolerant environments that reduce anxiety by building community and supporting students as they experience challenges, make mistakes, and persevere. Participants will learn to develop community in their classes, recognize the impact of anxiety in learning and how to address it, use the Universal Design Framework, and create opportunities for students to experience desirable difficulties. They will leave the workshop with activities they can use immediately in their courses regardless of discipline.

Keywords

Academic Anxiety, Desirable Difficulties, Student Resilience

Speaker Bio

Mandie Mauldin founded Mandie Mauldin Consulting, is a math faculty member, and is a faculty professional developer. She is a published author sharing unique professional development models with the academic community. As a workshop facilitator across the country, Mandie is recognized as an innovator in education, helping faculty understand the needs of students and how to create and use strategies that address these specific needs. Her expertise in Universal Design for Learning, and strategies that reduce anxiety in students, allows educators to become transformative in their teaching. These strategies resulted in disability services, TRiO, and Multi-cultural Services recommending her classes.