Let’s face it: getting students to participate in class is a challenge. My discussion-based sections of English composition sometimes felt more like Old Western standoffs than the collaborative learning communities I was striving for. After much trial and error, I found a simple practice that amped up the volume in my classes: attendance questions. Research… Read more »
Tag: engagement
What Will You Keep This Fall? – Carl Ipsen on Video Modules
This this week’s “What Will You Keep this Fall?” video, I am talking to Dr. Carl Ipsen from the Department of History, learning about how he used short instructional videos accompanied by short questions to improve student accountability and engagement. While Carl notes teaching an asynchronous course was a challenge, he thinks many students were… Read more »
Using Undergrad Poster Sessions for Final Assignments
Having students create and present posters as a final course assignment is a great alternative to traditional term papers. Not only does this type of assignment allow a creative approach to synthesis and application of course concepts, but it also offers a fun end to the semester that emphasizes collaboration and community. If this idea… Read more »
But They Don’t Do Their Homework! Holding Students Accountable
What do you do when your students come to class unprepared to work? How much valuable class time do you spend covering what they didn’t do or don’t know? Holding students accountable for assigned work is an important strategy in student-centered learning. When students prepare for class, in-class lecture segments will be more meaningful and… Read more »
Academic Year In Review: Top Blog Posts from 2016-17
The CITL Blog Year in Review: 45 blog posts to date have been read over 6800 times this past year by more than 2400 unique readers from across the world. We are beyond pleased the CITL Blog has become a part of your professional reading and hope you will continue to read and grow with us. When we started this… Read more »
Designing Assignments to Promote Academic Honesty
Assignment design can be a powerful tool in your efforts to engage your students with your subject matter and encourage them to do their own work. To make assignments more interesting and less vulnerable to cheating, consider some of these suggestions: Ground assignments in real-world events or in controversies in your field. Ask students to… Read more »