Month: December 2021


More Tinsel and Less Tension: How to Get the Best Out of the Holiday Season

December 22, 2021

“Whenever and however you celebrate, having a holiday season is important for wellbeing,” says UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Sandra Chafouleas. “Holidays set aside time for relaxation, reflection and reliable traditions — a trio that has become increasingly important as the world has gotten more chaotic and less predictable. Whether you approach them from a spiritual, social or cultural perspective, celebrating holidays can offer a ‘super big dose’ of positive emotions like joy, gratitude, serenity, hope, pride and love.



The Stories That Attracted the Most Readers

December 20, 2021

The year 2021 featured many newsworthy events that kept Inside Higher Ed’s reporters busy. As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for sticking with us for the news, regardless of how weighty the topics were. The five most read stories were: 5. Biden’s Choice for Education Secretary: Miguel Cardona, education commissioner in Connecticut, is a strong defender of public schools.


Color coded map of COVID numbers in Connecticut.

Teaching Map Literacy Is Important for Having an Informed Public

December 17, 2021

People tend to look at maps as information that should be taken as fact without the need for analysis, but that’s a mistake. When the average person consumes information through sources like television, radio, a website, or a newspaper, they might do it with a critical eye. What is the viewpoint of the news outlet? Has it been trustworthy in the past? Is there another source for this information to get a second opinion? A map is different. People tend to look at maps as absolute information that should be taken as fact without analysis. But that’s a mistake, according to a pair of UConn professors from the Neag School of Education in a recent article published in Social Studies Research and Practice.


Teaching Map Literacy Is Important Part of Having an Informed Public

December 17, 2021

When the average person consumes information through sources like television, radio, a website, or a newspaper, they might do it with a critical eye. What is the viewpoint of the news outlet? Has it been trustworthy in the past? Is there another source for this information to get a second opinion? A map is different. People tend to look at maps as absolute information that should be taken as fact without analysis. But that’s a mistake, according to a pair of UConn professors from the Neag School of Education in a recent article published in Social Studies Research and Practice.


Using Phenomena to Help Students Explain the World

December 15, 2021

What are phenomena and how can science teachers use these events to engage students in science? Professor of Science Education Todd Campbell joins us to help start a series about using phenemona in science education. Listen to hear about new strategies in how pre-service science educators are being prepared, where to start if you are beginning a journey to adopt NGSS, and how we can all use phenomena to help students explain the world around them.


Celebrating Holiday Traditions

December 13, 2021

Sue O’Connell hit the streets to find out about people’s holiday traditions. She also spoke with Neag School of Education Professor Sandra Chafouleas about how important these rituals are to the holiday season.


UConn Forum Discusses Education and Human Rights

December 13, 2021

Friday was International Human Rights Day and the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education and Dodd Human Rights Impact Program both recognized the occasion. The virtual event Friday was highlighted by the appearance of U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Car-dona, who provided opening remarks. The roundtable featured former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, Conard High School teacher Abigail Esposito, UConn graduate student Tyler Gleen and Capitol Region Education Council Civic Leadership High School student Zoe Maldonado.


Dodd Impact Programs, Neag School to Host U.S. Education Secretary for Discussion about Importance of Civics and Human Rights Education

December 10, 2021

As part of the observation of International Human Rights Day, the Neag School and Dodd Impact programs are jointly hosting a series of virtual workshops that introduce the intersecting fields of human rights education and civics education to undergraduate and fifth-year students in the Neag School’s pre-service teacher education program and in its Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates, or TCPCG.


Education Forum at UConn Features Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

December 10, 2021

The University of Connecticut is bringing in a national name with state ties Friday as part of a virtual forum supporting civics and human rights education in public schools. The program is highlighted by an afternoon roundtable talk on the role of civics and human rights education, with opening remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Friday’s event will feature the engagement arm of UConn’s Human Rights Institute, Dodd Human Rights Impact and the Neag School of Education. This event will be in recognition of International Human Rights Day.