When and Why Do Students Read for Class?
2026-03-10 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
Note: Change in day and time from the announcement in the TLL newsletter.

Dr. Liz Norell, Associate Director of Instructional Support in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at the University of Mississippi.

Description

Drawing on survey data and focus group findings from a spring 2025 pilot project, this workshop will present the top reasons students say they skip readings in their undergraduate courses. Dr. Norell will then share strategies on how to make the goals of course readings more transparent and meaningful for students, with plenty of time for Q&A. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of students’ perspectives on course readings and ideas for how to frame the importance of the readings so students can engage with course materials more effectively.

Open to the MIT teaching community. Space is limited.

About the Speaker

Dr. Liz Norell serves as Associate Director of Instructional Support in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at the University of Mississippi. She has spent more than 20 years teaching in higher education, including stints in composition, journalism, new media, and political science — much of it as an adjunct faculty member teaching simultaneously at multiple institutions, including community colleges. She completed a PhD in political science at the University of Texas at Dallas. Liz’s first book, The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press’s brand-new series, Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed, co-edited by James Lang and Michelle Miller. Liz is passionate about equitable, inclusive teaching, constructive conversations across differences, and fostering meaningful learning. She is also dedicated to boosting awareness of disability in higher education. You can find Liz on social media (@liznorell) and at her website, liznorell.com.
