Colloquium: Dr. Kevin Palencia Infante
April 17 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
“My Instructor Was Kind of a Computer”: Rethinking Faculty–Student Interactions in Calculus |
Dr. Kevin Palencia Infante
Assistant Professor & Calculus Coordinator
Northern Illinois University
| While computers and AI are playing a growing role in education, faculty remain essential to teaching in ways that meaningfully shape student learning. In this talk, I present findings on how calculus students experience their interactions with instructors. Drawing on a qualitative study framed by academic validation and invalidation, Black and Hispanic students share perspectives on their classroom experiences. They highlight instructional practices that support their learning, including collaborative environments, clear conceptual guidance, availability outside of class, and actions that make them feel valued. They also point to interactions that leave them feeling unsupported or not validated. Across these experiences, students emphasize the importance of compassion, care, and instructor presence. By centering student voices, this talk shows how faculty–student interactions shape students’ experiences in calculus beyond content delivery. |
