What gets lost when we automate? Dr. Kevin Mason, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Northern Iowa, uses an unexpected analogy: you can get an efficient cheeseburger at McDonald's, or a better one from someone who cares about the human presence in the process. Applied to education, this raises questions about what automation gains in efficiency versus what it sacrifices in human connection and judgment. In this episode of the CETL Podcast, the conversation traces this tension back through industrial history while keeping the focus practical. For faculty considering AI integration, Dr. Mason offers a framework: identify where human presence matters most in your teaching and protect it.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Allison Rank, who joined the University of Northern Iowa in July 2025 and has already made an enormous impact on campus. Dr. Rank brings together a deep understanding of classroom practice, community engagement, and scholarly research on teaching and civic learning. In this episode, we explore student participation in the college classroom, not just as an instructional strategy but as a foundation for building participatory cultures and democratic skills. Dr. Rank shares insights on how fostering student engagement in our disciplines creates civic learning opportunities that extend far beyond traditional political content. Whether you're looking for practical strategies to increase student participation or are interested in the broader connections between pedagogy and civic engagement, this conversation offers research-informed perspectives on creating inclusive, participatory learning environments.

In this episode, Wilson Rojas speaks with Deb Young and Rachel Morgan, faculty members at the University of Northern Iowa, about their research on students' use of AI in first-year writing classes. The conversation explores the implications of their research, the importance of clear communication about AI policies across disciplines, and strategies for helping students build confidence as writers rather than relying solely on AI tools. Deb and Rachel share their insights about why faculty should actively teach about AI, set transparent boundaries, and consider the ethical dimensions of AI use in higher education.