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!
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.
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Heyo - I'm still trudging through a piece on faculty motivation in a time that's, well, de-motivating.
I've talked to lots of lovely folks BUT if you happen to be in a role where you are trying things to animate or support faculty, help rediscover joy or community or purpose, etc. I'd love to chat!
I've talked to lots of lovely folks BUT if you happen to be in a role where you are trying things to animate or support faculty, help rediscover joy or community or purpose, etc. I'd love to chat!
November 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Heyo - I'm still trudging through a piece on faculty motivation in a time that's, well, de-motivating.
I've talked to lots of lovely folks BUT if you happen to be in a role where you are trying things to animate or support faculty, help rediscover joy or community or purpose, etc. I'd love to chat!
I've talked to lots of lovely folks BUT if you happen to be in a role where you are trying things to animate or support faculty, help rediscover joy or community or purpose, etc. I'd love to chat!
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Calling Tuesday night a “half-dozen scattered elections” shows why everyone needs to follow sites like The Downballot. There were thousands of elections this week, and Dems achieved as close to a clean sweep as is possible. We kept readers informed on dozens and dozens of them.
November 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Calling Tuesday night a “half-dozen scattered elections” shows why everyone needs to follow sites like The Downballot. There were thousands of elections this week, and Dems achieved as close to a clean sweep as is possible. We kept readers informed on dozens and dozens of them.
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Today on the podcast: How does one move from faculty member to faculty developer? What are the pathways into jobs at centers for teaching and learning? And why are educational developers so important to higher education with all this happening?
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Today on the podcast: How does one move from faculty member to faculty developer? What are the pathways into jobs at centers for teaching and learning? And why are educational developers so important to higher education with all this happening?
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Students are skimming, skipping—and sometimes outsourcing—their reading to AI. Dr. James Lang, celebrated author of "Distracted," says it’s time to rethink our approach.
Join us on November 20 for a virtual event designed to spark new ideas for your next term.
RSVP now: bit.ly/4qIUhiK
Join us on November 20 for a virtual event designed to spark new ideas for your next term.
RSVP now: bit.ly/4qIUhiK
November 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Students are skimming, skipping—and sometimes outsourcing—their reading to AI. Dr. James Lang, celebrated author of "Distracted," says it’s time to rethink our approach.
Join us on November 20 for a virtual event designed to spark new ideas for your next term.
RSVP now: bit.ly/4qIUhiK
Join us on November 20 for a virtual event designed to spark new ideas for your next term.
RSVP now: bit.ly/4qIUhiK
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Last week, Harvard released a report on curtailing "grade inflation," and (some) Harvard students kind of freaked out in an embarrassing way.
It's easy to call the students coddled, but why grade inflation became a problem is a knotty, decades-long nightmare of a problem, which I wrote about:
It's easy to call the students coddled, but why grade inflation became a problem is a knotty, decades-long nightmare of a problem, which I wrote about:
Why Students Are Obsessed With ‘Points Taken Off’
Students and professors are in a drawn-out battle over grade inflation. It may never end.
www.theatlantic.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Last week, Harvard released a report on curtailing "grade inflation," and (some) Harvard students kind of freaked out in an embarrassing way.
It's easy to call the students coddled, but why grade inflation became a problem is a knotty, decades-long nightmare of a problem, which I wrote about:
It's easy to call the students coddled, but why grade inflation became a problem is a knotty, decades-long nightmare of a problem, which I wrote about:
Today on the podcast: How does one move from faculty member to faculty developer? What are the pathways into jobs at centers for teaching and learning? And why are educational developers so important to higher education with all this happening?
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Today on the podcast: How does one move from faculty member to faculty developer? What are the pathways into jobs at centers for teaching and learning? And why are educational developers so important to higher education with all this happening?
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2069949/epis...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Very proud to have worked on this statement of the Modern Language Association with @annamillsoer.bsky.social and other colleagues on the MLA’s task force on AI in Research and Teaching. It is a direct call for faculty input into Ed Tech decision-making, especially AI: www.mla.org/Resources/Ad... 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Very proud to have worked on this statement of the Modern Language Association with @annamillsoer.bsky.social and other colleagues on the MLA’s task force on AI in Research and Teaching. It is a direct call for faculty input into Ed Tech decision-making, especially AI: www.mla.org/Resources/Ad... 🧵
Reposted by Derek Bruff
"Vanderbilt is failing in its moral responsibility to push back against rising authoritarianism and political coercion."
My effort to convince Vanderbilt (and all universities) to take a stand for the rule of law, the Constitution, and our democracy.
www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...
My effort to convince Vanderbilt (and all universities) to take a stand for the rule of law, the Constitution, and our democracy.
www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...
Here's why Vanderbilt's response to the Trump higher ed 'compact' is not enough | Opinion
With the deadline looming for colleges to sign Trump's "compact," Vanderbilt must resist, says one university professor.
www.tennessean.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:32 PM
"Vanderbilt is failing in its moral responsibility to push back against rising authoritarianism and political coercion."
My effort to convince Vanderbilt (and all universities) to take a stand for the rule of law, the Constitution, and our democracy.
www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...
My effort to convince Vanderbilt (and all universities) to take a stand for the rule of law, the Constitution, and our democracy.
www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
Strong agree with @mikecaulfield.bsky.social here: "The better alternative to “spotting” AI was always the lateral reading focus on provenance and context. Who shot this video? When? What was the purpose? Can we trace it to an authoritative, trustworthy source, a useful caption, or something else?"
The Video Apocalypse Is Not At Hand. We've Just Been Teaching Students the Wrong Skills.
Sora 2 shows that "looking for clues" is useless information literacy. Can we now focus on durable understandings?
mikecaulfield.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Strong agree with @mikecaulfield.bsky.social here: "The better alternative to “spotting” AI was always the lateral reading focus on provenance and context. Who shot this video? When? What was the purpose? Can we trace it to an authoritative, trustworthy source, a useful caption, or something else?"
Reposted by Derek Bruff
If a critical mass of profs enter their lecture notes into AI tools to save a few minutes making their slides, is that giving away the store as far as their intellectual property? Are companies like Gamma amassing valuable sets of lecture notes?
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-my-prof...
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-my-prof...
Is My Professor Using AI to Teach?
If a critical mass of instructors enter their lecture notes into AI tools as prompts to save a few minutes making their slides, is that giving away the store as far as their intellectual property?
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
If a critical mass of profs enter their lecture notes into AI tools to save a few minutes making their slides, is that giving away the store as far as their intellectual property? Are companies like Gamma amassing valuable sets of lecture notes?
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-my-prof...
learningcurvepodcast.substack.com/p/is-my-prof...
Expert use of AI requires expertise.
An OpenAI executive said GPT-5 found solutions to 10 "previously unsolved" math problems when in reality all it did was find online references to places where people had already solved them
techcrunch.com/2025/10/19/o...
techcrunch.com/2025/10/19/o...
OpenAI’s ‘embarrassing’ math | TechCrunch
No, GPT-5 did not solve a bunch of previously unsolved math problems.
techcrunch.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Expert use of AI requires expertise.
Vanderbilt neither accepts nor rejects the compact because that wasn’t the assignment?
t.e2ma.net/message/tu4x...
t.e2ma.net/message/tu4x...
email : Webview : Vanderbilt and the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education
t.e2ma.net
October 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Vanderbilt neither accepts nor rejects the compact because that wasn’t the assignment?
t.e2ma.net/message/tu4x...
t.e2ma.net/message/tu4x...
Brown pelican fishing on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula earlier this month
#SuperSeabirdSunday
#SuperSeabirdSunday
October 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Brown pelican fishing on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula earlier this month
#SuperSeabirdSunday
#SuperSeabirdSunday
That’s a 96% discount, Dr. Oz, which most 5th graders could tell you.
Dr Oz: "You'll notice, President Trump, these are discounted from $242 to $10. I don't know what the math is on that. We can't even calculate it. It's too high to calculate."
October 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
That’s a 96% discount, Dr. Oz, which most 5th graders could tell you.
Reposted by Derek Bruff
And now Brown University has rejected the Trump Loyalty Oath. Two down and seven to go! @aaup.org @aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Brown University Rejects White House Deal for Special Treatment
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:49 PM
And now Brown University has rejected the Trump Loyalty Oath. Two down and seven to go! @aaup.org @aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Reposted by Derek Bruff
I've been wanting to write more—from my own voice—and the CRLT Substack made a small step possible. This piece is intended as a guided tour of some CRLT and Ginsberg resources supporting instructors building skills for better civil discourse #highered #teachlearnsky
crlt.substack.com/p/promoting-...
crlt.substack.com/p/promoting-...
Promoting Democracy: Fostering Skills for Better Civil Discourse
Resources to support instructors preparing students for productive engagement with differing viewpoints, values, and experiences.
crlt.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I've been wanting to write more—from my own voice—and the CRLT Substack made a small step possible. This piece is intended as a guided tour of some CRLT and Ginsberg resources supporting instructors building skills for better civil discourse #highered #teachlearnsky
crlt.substack.com/p/promoting-...
crlt.substack.com/p/promoting-...