iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Whyyyyyy does my brain insist on having a Late To Class dream at the start of every semester? I've been teaching over 10 years, you'd think my brain would get over it, but the dreams are like clockwork.

150

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Emily Pitts Donahoe @empittsdonahoe.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

If you are working on course design this week, and you teach a lot of students, let me recommend this guest post on my blog from three fantastic instructors who are pursuing innovative grading methods in their large lectures. It's a lot of work, but alternative grading can be done in big classes!

12313

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Hiiiiii Bluesky 👋 It's been a while. While I haven't been posting here, I have been writing about teaching and grading. Lots to say about grades! ✏ Here's a thread of recent blog posts...

141

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Next up in my Instructor-as-Student Chronicles: I’ve spent the last few days studying for a physics exam, and in the process I’ve learned a lot about what learning feels like jaymedyer.substack.com/p/to-learn-i...

jaymedyer.substack.com

To learn, it helps to know what learning feels like

Being a student again is teaching me a lot about learning

021

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Bonkers experience today: I'm taking a course & while the instructor was handing back exams, I was idly reading a paper about the harms of grading on a curve. Instructor goes on to explain that she *would have* graded the exam on a curve (to increase all grades) but the average score was too high 😱

110

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Dr. Moira McDermott @mmcdermo.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Interesting post by @youtoobio.bsky.social Should homework count in a student's grade? Is using Multiple Grading Schemes more equitable? open.substack.com/pub/jaymedye...

open.substack.com

Why I use Multiple Grading Schemes

It's about equity

021

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Kindred spirit right here. My husband, who works from the same home office with me, has learned to ignore my "Wow's!" as I read and write about biology. He knows I'll interrupt him when it's so cool I have to share

120

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I'm reading about persistence of students in a STEM major in "Talking About Leaving Revisited" (2019). The authors identify: "An important, common strategy [of persisters in STEM majors] was working with informal peer study groups." It makes me wonder...

120

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Today's teacher euphoria: Student from last year texts to say that a study group that formed in my class (because I intentionally structured the course to build community) is still going strong and providing support for their new classes. 🥰🥰🥰

1170

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Yesterday, I sat in a class as a student for the first time in 15 years. I'm hoping that being a student again will teach me how to be a better teacher. PS I'm learning physics for the first time! I assume there will be many spherical cows. 🐄⚽ open.substack.com/pub/jaymedye...

open.substack.com

"Clearly" and other words of caution for the classroom

What my first day back as a student taught me about being a better teacher

010

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Every show where someone uses a micropipette without a tip loses all credibility and instantly gets rated -2 stars

iStock image of a smiling woman holding a micropipette into a test tube. The micropipette doesn't appear to have a tip on it.

140

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Science Question! How do mushrooms do gas/nutrient exchange? 🍄 I'm talking specifically about fruiting bodies. Some are big! Diffusion shouldn't be sufficient, but they don't have vasculature (right?). How does it work? 🤔 Mycologists, pls help! #biology #mycology #fungi #mushrooms

Photo of a Meripilus giganteus (Black-staining Polypore). Photo by Henk Monster on Wikimedia

271

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Dr Craig R McClain @drcraigmc.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Deep-sea hermit crabs without shells? 🦀 Meet Parapagurus! Instead of traditional snail shells, many species use deep-sea anemones for protection. It's a mutualistic partnership—crabs get shelter, anemones get mobility and scraps of food. #marinelife oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/expl...

919043

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Hey #Academic bsky - have you tried the AI-assisted research search engine Undermind? I just tried it and I am duly impressed. undermind.ai (I have no affiliation with it! I just tried it and thought WOW)

undermind.ai

Undermind - Radically better research and discovery

Our AI assistant carefully reads hundreds of academic papers for you, finding exactly what you need, no matter how complex.

010

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Hey #bio peeps, what subdisciplines rely heavily on the use of model organisms? I'm thinking cell bio, genetics, some evolution, but not really ecology, etc 🤔

000

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Hannah Reich @hannahgreich.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Hi, #AcademiaSky! I'm a #newPI gearing up to teach a mid-level #CellBio course in spring 25. I'm implementing a final project where students work in small groups to make a poster on an emerging model organism in cell bio. Please suggest potential taxa! Bonus points if you include a paper! (1/N)

111411

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

A5: The most impactful resource for me has been the Biology Grading for Growth #BioG4G group. We meet monthly on Zoom for #community & an informal chat about our successes & challenges with alternative grading in our Bio courses. Want to join us? sites.google.com/view/biograd... #Ungradingchat

sites.google.com

Bio Grading For Growth

Welcome to our Bio Grading For Growth Landing Page! We are a group of Bio Instructors (and friends) using alternative grading including ungrading, standards-based grading, specs grading, etc. in our H...

020

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Greg Crowther @tqthq.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I always enjoy Jayme's blog posts about trying to teach biology better. They have a compelling mix of storytelling, humility, and wisdom. This latest post is no exception. Even when I don't want to adopt her approach (e.g., her multiple grading schemes) she provides food for thought.

121

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

In which I use a strange text thread with friends, and Disney's Ursula, to explain what implicit bias feels like in the classroom. Plus! Concrete ways to reduce the impact of implicit bias in the classroom. open.substack.com/pub/jaymedye...

open.substack.com

What implicit bias looks like

And how to reduce its impact in the classroom

000

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

A4: Since grading is a ranking system, I find it problematic for students to choose their grade bc they don't see the range of other Ss' performance. However, I'm a big believer in self reflections in which Ss consider their strengths & areas for growth *relative to their own goals* #Ungradingchat

020

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Austin Moser @austinjacious.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

My favorite part of Bluesky right now is the increasingly specific starter packs being formed. Sign me up for "Queer Chemists who Play Violin, Write Poetry, and Predict Weather Changes With Their Knees"

0112

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

David Buck @dbuckedu.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Thanks for this unvarnished look at #ungrading and the potential for implicit bias in the arrival of a grade! 🙏🏽 I'm guilty of wanting to see only the benefits of #unfgrading for my teaching and students' learning, but it's so useful to step back and view #ungrading through a critical lens.

152

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

David Buck @dbuckedu.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

#Ungradingchat A3: The challenges— 1. Deprogramming and re-focusing students' deficiency-based mindset and correcting the myth that deep learning must be hard (the myth of rigor) and full of anxiety. 2. Building trust once the anchor of grades has been removed. Ss find comfort & safety in grades. 1/

3212

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Russell Garwood @russellgarwood.co.uk · 19/11/2024

Teaching has gotten to this point in the semester in my second year courses. ⚒️🧪🦀🦑 #evosky

Meme showing undergrads saying "When will I get to learn about a species concept that works across the tree of life?" and me, their lecturer, answering "That's the neat part you won't" based on the "That's the Neat Part, You Don't," meme template

48613

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Hello new followers! Let me introduce myself: 🌱 I teach Gen Bio at a community college in NC 📕 I am writing an innovative new Gen Bio textbook ✅ I experiment with and write about alternative grading systems 📹 I am a #SciComm YouTuber More deets below! 👇

181

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

A3: When I used #ungrading, on average white cis-men overestimated their performance, while women and POC underestimated their performance. It's why I won't use collaborative grading again. I wrote more about it here: gradingforgrowth.com/p/ungrading-... #Ungradingchat

gradingforgrowth.com

Ungrading Has an Equity-Related Achilles Heel

Implicit bias is unavoidable in ungraded courses

0133

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Effin' Birds @effinbirds.com · 20/11/2024

A painting of a bird beside the text "yeah, fuck that plan"

249065

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Fietser @americanfietser.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

If you like something, then hit the like button. But if you REALLY like something and think other people should see it, then you should hit the repost button. Bluesky works differently than platforms you're already used to. Liked posts don't get boosted to new eyes. The key is reposting.

6222105

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

A2: I use Multiple Grading Schemes (jaymedyer.substack.com/p/reflecting...) and I've used #collaborativegrading, though I won't do it again because I think it has serious equity issues. I've also incorporated lots of built-in revisions, flexible late work policies, & the EMRN rubric #Ungradingchat

jaymedyer.substack.com

Reflecting on 3 Unique Grading Strategies in Intro Bio

What worked and what didn't for these grading strategies: Multiple Grading Schemes, Late Work Tokens, and using a 4-point grading scale for essay exams.

010

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

A1: Grades are a sorting system. I'd rather use pass/fail + Letters of Rec to point out individual students' strengths and weaknesses. But! Grades exist, we have to use them. Thus, my grading philosophy: earning grades is a game. Make the game explicit, accessible, & equitable. #Ungradingchat

1131

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

📣 Exciting announcement! 📣 I'm writing a biology textbook! Details below 👇👇👇

Molecular digital visualization of the interior of part of eukaryotic cell. Individual proteins and lipid compartments are visible.

281

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Pride in STEM @prideinstem.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

November 18 is the International Day of LGBQTIA+ People in STEM! Today more than ever we want to stress the importance of communities, building connections, and raising each other up. Let's keep leaving our mark for the betterment of us all! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #QueerinSTEM prideinstem.org/lgbtstemday/

8866369

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Dr Susan D Blum @susandblum.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Starter Pack for #CommunityCollege and Allies! I'm delighted to find myself on the list! Community colleges educate almost half the students in US #highered.

1114

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

David Buck @dbuckedu.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Based on a wonderful suggestion from @jaustinedu.bsky.social, I've created a rough Starter Pack for those involved with #ungrading & alternative #assessment. If I forgot someone (I'm sure I have!), please forgive me & let me know if you want to be added to the list. Thanks! go.bsky.app/G6hA6Ru

379553

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Post a picture you took (no description, but do use alt text) to bring some zen to the timeline

Two kids stand at the edge of a grassy lawn overlooking a valley of trees and houses with a mountain and clouds visible in the distance

041

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

More impactful, I think, would be putting pressure on political bodies to make the green energy transition happen sooner and more robustly across industries.

010

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Me: Writing about antibiotic resistance for Gen Bio students. Also me: Diagnosed with walking pneumonia and taking antibiotics, hoping that everything I'm writing about doesn't apply this time. 🤞🤞🤞

050

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 07/11/2024

Hey all, I've been absent from social media for a while because I'm working on an exciting project. Update coming soon!

020

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Josh Eyler @josheyler.bsky.social · 08/01/2024

Important post from @youtoobio.bsky.social on @dccmath.bsky.social & @roberttalbert.bsky.social's substack. A question, though: if instructors work to address these issues & to confront biases that occur, can we turn that final conference into a driver of equity? gradingforgrowth.com/p/ungrading-...

gradingforgrowth.com

Ungrading Has an Equity-Related Achilles Heel

Implicit bias is unavoidable in ungraded courses

1105

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

David Clark @dccmath.bsky.social · 08/01/2024

Today on Grading for Growth: An important analysis of ungrading and equity, by @youtoobio.bsky.social

gradingforgrowth.com

Ungrading Has an Equity-Related Achilles Heel

Implicit bias is unavoidable in ungraded courses

074

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 02/01/2024

College students like stickers, go figure. (More details here: jaymedyer.substack.com/p/using-stic... )

220

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD @omqu.bsky.social · 30/11/2023

Who here teaches a microscopy course pitched at undergrads/very early grads, who might also be at cellbio2023, and would like to chat about their approach? I'm looking to see what others have tried. 🔬

278

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 28/11/2023

A year ago I started blogging on my personal website about my teaching successes and failures. I just moved my blog to Substack! Now you can subscribe to get email notifications each time I post. Check it out! jaymedyer.substack.com

170

Reposted by Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈

Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD @omqu.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

The ASCB Maximizing Access for PEERS and Education Committees are looking for judges for the Poster Competition that will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 1:45-4:15pm at the #cellbio2023 meeting. www.ascb.org/cellbio2023/...

047

Jayme Dyer, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @youtoobio.bsky.social · 16/10/2023

Should I feel guilty that I'm enjoying multiple parts of my life right now (family, marriage, work, play), when the rest of the world is apparently burning to the ground? Wrong answers only.

010