Derek Bruff
@derekbruff.bsky.social
Educator, author, consultant. Associate director at the University of Virginia Center for Teaching Excellence. Author of Intentional Tech from West Virginia University Press. Host of the Intentional Teaching podcast. Birder.
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Derek Bruff
@derekbruff.bsky.social
· Aug 2
Hi to all the new followers! I'm Derek, and I help higher ed instructors make more informed and intentional teaching choices. I run the Intentional Teaching podcast, intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com, and newsletter, derekbruff.kit.com/profile, among other things!
I just learned that the first Nancy Drew books enter the public domain next year. That reminds me that in the first one, a girl's parents are mentioned as having died in a boat explosion, with no other explanation, as if boat explosions were common and unmarkable. 1930 was a different time.
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 AM
I just learned that the first Nancy Drew books enter the public domain next year. That reminds me that in the first one, a girl's parents are mentioned as having died in a boat explosion, with no other explanation, as if boat explosions were common and unmarkable. 1930 was a different time.
Jessica Taggart, Andrew Kennedy, and I have a new piece out that's about UVA's Faculty AI Guides program, but it's really about how centers for teaching and learning can be key players in an institution's response to disruption. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Responding to Disruption? Consult a Center for Teaching and Learning
A guest post by Derek Bruff, Andrew Kennedy and Jess Taggart.
www.insidehighered.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Jessica Taggart, Andrew Kennedy, and I have a new piece out that's about UVA's Faculty AI Guides program, but it's really about how centers for teaching and learning can be key players in an institution's response to disruption. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
“This is by far the most divisive technology of my adult life. I would’ve thought nuclear power.”
@edufuturist.bsky.social on generative AI, on the latest Learning Curve podcast episode
@edufuturist.bsky.social on generative AI, on the latest Learning Curve podcast episode
Is AI Becoming the Next Polarizing Issue on Campuses?
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-ai-beco...
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-ai-beco...
Is AI Becoming the Next Polarizing Issue on Campuses?
As some professors boycott AI trainings, one longtime education expert worries about how to have productive conversations and guide students about the fast-moving tech.
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“This is by far the most divisive technology of my adult life. I would’ve thought nuclear power.”
@edufuturist.bsky.social on generative AI, on the latest Learning Curve podcast episode
@edufuturist.bsky.social on generative AI, on the latest Learning Curve podcast episode
Reposted by Derek Bruff
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
I went to Radnor Lake here in Nashville to see some waterfowl and I wasn’t disappointed! Sunshine + these migrants = an hour well spent. #birding
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I went to Radnor Lake here in Nashville to see some waterfowl and I wasn’t disappointed! Sunshine + these migrants = an hour well spent. #birding
Reposted by Derek Bruff
I did it, I wrote it. The thing I think (?) some educators have been waiting for for quite a while. mikecaulfield.substack.com/p/sift-for-a...
SIFT for AI: Introduction and Pedagogy
Once I thought more deeply about what people had been asking for it made a lot of sense
mikecaulfield.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I did it, I wrote it. The thing I think (?) some educators have been waiting for for quite a while. mikecaulfield.substack.com/p/sift-for-a...
After a brief hiatus from the top spot in my most-used emojis, 😳 is back on top.
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
After a brief hiatus from the top spot in my most-used emojis, 😳 is back on top.
Pretty sure I did that thing where I show my presenter view instead of my slides on Zoom.
🤦🏻♂️
🤦🏻♂️
November 19, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Pretty sure I did that thing where I show my presenter view instead of my slides on Zoom.
🤦🏻♂️
🤦🏻♂️
I hosted a workshop earlier today called "Avoiding AI: Strategies for Keeping AI (Mostly) Out of Your Course." In an hour, I'm hosting one about teaching with AI chatbots.
It's a bit of whiplash!
It's a bit of whiplash!
November 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I hosted a workshop earlier today called "Avoiding AI: Strategies for Keeping AI (Mostly) Out of Your Course." In an hour, I'm hosting one about teaching with AI chatbots.
It's a bit of whiplash!
It's a bit of whiplash!
This is not a great use case for AI.
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 PM
This is not a great use case for AI.
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Today on the podcast, I share a "Take It or Leave It" panel on the role of generative AI in online learning! The panel features Michelle Beavers (education), Sara McClellan (public policy), and Leo Lo (@uvalibrary.bsky.social), all from UVA! intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Today on the podcast, I share a "Take It or Leave It" panel on the role of generative AI in online learning! The panel features Michelle Beavers (education), Sara McClellan (public policy), and Leo Lo (@uvalibrary.bsky.social), all from UVA! intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
Update: My podcast host Buzzsprout confirmed that this problem was caused by the Cloudflare outage, not any shenanigans from Apple.
Sorry, Apple.
Sorry, Apple.
I got an email earlier this month from Apple Podcasts asking me to accept their new terms and conditions. There was no mention of a problem if I failed to do so, so I didn't rush. But today my new episode is getting 0 plays via Apple Podcasts.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Update: My podcast host Buzzsprout confirmed that this problem was caused by the Cloudflare outage, not any shenanigans from Apple.
Sorry, Apple.
Sorry, Apple.
Passed a car with a license plate that said “NOCOLON” and I can’t decide if they have a GI problem or just strong opinions about academic book titles.
November 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Passed a car with a license plate that said “NOCOLON” and I can’t decide if they have a GI problem or just strong opinions about academic book titles.
Today on the podcast, I share a "Take It or Leave It" panel on the role of generative AI in online learning! The panel features Michelle Beavers (education), Sara McClellan (public policy), and Leo Lo (@uvalibrary.bsky.social), all from UVA! intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Today on the podcast, I share a "Take It or Leave It" panel on the role of generative AI in online learning! The panel features Michelle Beavers (education), Sara McClellan (public policy), and Leo Lo (@uvalibrary.bsky.social), all from UVA! intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
I got an email earlier this month from Apple Podcasts asking me to accept their new terms and conditions. There was no mention of a problem if I failed to do so, so I didn't rush. But today my new episode is getting 0 plays via Apple Podcasts.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
November 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I got an email earlier this month from Apple Podcasts asking me to accept their new terms and conditions. There was no mention of a problem if I failed to do so, so I didn't rush. But today my new episode is getting 0 plays via Apple Podcasts.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
Not cool, Apple, not cool.
Hopping on the Cogniti mini-symposium for a spell to support my UVA colleague Spyros Simotas, who is presenting about his current AI chatbot experiments.
There are 78 folks on the Zoom call, and this is one of three concurrent sessions!
Also, I think it's already tomorrow in Australia.
There are 78 folks on the Zoom call, and this is one of three concurrent sessions!
Also, I think it's already tomorrow in Australia.
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Hopping on the Cogniti mini-symposium for a spell to support my UVA colleague Spyros Simotas, who is presenting about his current AI chatbot experiments.
There are 78 folks on the Zoom call, and this is one of three concurrent sessions!
Also, I think it's already tomorrow in Australia.
There are 78 folks on the Zoom call, and this is one of three concurrent sessions!
Also, I think it's already tomorrow in Australia.
Surveillance of students is problematic. Close observation of student learning is good teaching.
Online learning is powerful. Online assessment is forever broken.
Lots of wisdom in the interview about AI with @tbertramgallant.bsky.social and David Rettinger. pca.st/episode/4f66...
Online learning is powerful. Online assessment is forever broken.
Lots of wisdom in the interview about AI with @tbertramgallant.bsky.social and David Rettinger. pca.st/episode/4f66...
November 17, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Surveillance of students is problematic. Close observation of student learning is good teaching.
Online learning is powerful. Online assessment is forever broken.
Lots of wisdom in the interview about AI with @tbertramgallant.bsky.social and David Rettinger. pca.st/episode/4f66...
Online learning is powerful. Online assessment is forever broken.
Lots of wisdom in the interview about AI with @tbertramgallant.bsky.social and David Rettinger. pca.st/episode/4f66...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
For anyone following the dueling revelations out of UVA over the last 24 hours—perhaps the fullest picture yet of the extent of the Trump administration’s coordinated assault on higher ed—the Cavalier Daily has a side by side walkthrough of the claims. www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
Ryan and Sheridan provide full accounts of Ryan’s resignation. They differ significantly
“I concur fully with President Ryan’s recollection of events,” former Board Rector Robert Hardie said.
www.cavalierdaily.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
For anyone following the dueling revelations out of UVA over the last 24 hours—perhaps the fullest picture yet of the extent of the Trump administration’s coordinated assault on higher ed—the Cavalier Daily has a side by side walkthrough of the claims. www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
I have no insider info, but Jim's account plus the recent agreement that DOJ signed w/ UVA suggests, to me, the following theory:
- Key folks at Board of Visitors and/or DOJ (at least two of whom UVA alums) wanted Jim out immediately in Summer '25.
1/
- Key folks at Board of Visitors and/or DOJ (at least two of whom UVA alums) wanted Jim out immediately in Summer '25.
1/
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I have no insider info, but Jim's account plus the recent agreement that DOJ signed w/ UVA suggests, to me, the following theory:
- Key folks at Board of Visitors and/or DOJ (at least two of whom UVA alums) wanted Jim out immediately in Summer '25.
1/
- Key folks at Board of Visitors and/or DOJ (at least two of whom UVA alums) wanted Jim out immediately in Summer '25.
1/
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
We're talking about trust at our staff retreat, and I'm reminded of @liznorell.bsky.social's lovely piece about the role of reflective writing in building psychological safety on a team: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
November 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We're talking about trust at our staff retreat, and I'm reminded of @liznorell.bsky.social's lovely piece about the role of reflective writing in building psychological safety on a team: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Two days at UVA means a morning bird walk at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Beautiful weather and excellent birding this morning. The highlight was a Northen Flicker who posed for me. I don’t get to photograph Flickers very often! #birding
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Two days at UVA means a morning bird walk at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Beautiful weather and excellent birding this morning. The highlight was a Northen Flicker who posed for me. I don’t get to photograph Flickers very often! #birding
Does your staff retreat include Lego? No? It should.
November 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Does your staff retreat include Lego? No? It should.
New on the UVA Teaching Hub: a curated set of practical activities for use early in a course to set the stage for civil discourse and dialogue across difference. Thanks to JT Torres, Kylie Korsnack, and colleagues for this new resource! teaching.virginia.edu/collections/...
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 PM
New on the UVA Teaching Hub: a curated set of practical activities for use early in a course to set the stage for civil discourse and dialogue across difference. Thanks to JT Torres, Kylie Korsnack, and colleagues for this new resource! teaching.virginia.edu/collections/...
Took the dogs outside this morning and heard a flock of starlings and a few red-winged blackbirds in the yard. That brings the yard list for the new house up to 17 species! The highlight so far was seeing a great blue heron fly over the weekend we moved in.
November 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Took the dogs outside this morning and heard a flock of starlings and a few red-winged blackbirds in the yard. That brings the yard list for the new house up to 17 species! The highlight so far was seeing a great blue heron fly over the weekend we moved in.