LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the 5th issue of Teaching and Learning Excellence through Scholarship (TALES) from the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)! A half decade of publishing is no small feat, and we at TALES are so proud to be thriving thanks to our ingenious authors, dedicated reviewers, and engaged readers like you. We continue to extend our reach to audiences around Maryland, as this issue demonstrates by showcasing articles from colleagues at Bowie State University, College of Southern Maryland, Montgomery College, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Wor-Wic Community College. Now that TALES is indexed in the preeminent database for scholarship on education— ERIC.ed.gov—our research contributes to the national discussion on best practices in teaching and learning. This visibility helped TALES garner submissions from Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee and Southwestern Community College District in California, resulting in valuable additions to this edition.

Within this issue TALES brings you insights from far and wide. Starting right from home is the account of a CCBC faculty who has taught for over 50 years at our college and still looks forward to coming in early every morning to be available for his students. Within Maryland, an intercollegiate group of faculty collaborated to align learning outcomes for sociology classes to improve the transfer experience for students. There is also a study from across our country at the border of California and Mexico that estimates the number of students who may cross into the US for community college coursework with an eye to assisting their educational aspirations. Even further afield, a survey report assesses language support in vocational courses in Saudi Arabia. The recurring theme in each is the authors’ commitment to identifying practices that promote student success, and we can all be inspired by their work.

This issue advances TALES’ mission to publish a body of literature that illuminates evidence-based practices in teaching and learning at community colleges. While each of our articles contains valuable insights, some rise to a level that merit special recognition. In January we awarded our second “Best CCBC Research Paper” to Thushangi Pathiraja for her investigation published in the 4th issue into how gamification can promote student engagement in biology courses. You too can contribute your insights to TALES, and in doing so your efforts will add to the dialogue that shares knowledge for the greater pedagogical good. We would welcome your contribution!

To your enrichment—one page at a time,

Robin K. Minor, PhD | rminor@ccbcmd.edu
Editor-in-Chief
Community College of Baltimore County