One of the largest challenges in my “Introduction to Fiction” course was showing students how skills like close reading would serve them outside the classroom. I know many of my students will enter careers where their employers would never dream of having them analyze the works of Louise Erdrich, but I also know that their employers will ask them to problem-solve, embrace creativity, and utilize specific frameworks. The “Application Card” technique, as described in Angelo and Zakrajsek’s Classroom Assessment Techniques, helps bridge this gap by asking students to consider the practical application of their course work.
To use the Application Card technique, identify a concept, procedure, theory, etc. that your students are studying. Ask students to generate a list of real-world applications for that topic. While you can ask students specifically for one or two applications, we encourage you to have them brainstorm as many as possible. Because this technique asks students to think about the relevance of what they are learning, it promotes long-term retention of content (178).
Don’t forget: Before assigning the Application Card Technique, try it yourself to be sure there are multiple applications. You’ll also want to clearly explain the purpose of the activity and let students know when they’ll receive feedback.
Work Cited
Angelo, T.A. with Zakrajsek, T.D. (2024). Classroom assessment techniques: Formative feedback tools for college and university teachers. Jossey-Bass.
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