Faculty training in higher education often emphasizes verbal participation as the primary indicator of student engagement. In graduate preparation, instructors learn to value quick interaction, frequent discussion, and other visible forms of participation. An “active” classroom commonly means one in which students speak often. Over
As the Covid-19 pandemic ran its course, you most likely found yourself adapting classroom policies and activities to meet the challenges of remote and hybrid learning. Perhaps you flipped your classroom for the first time, saving precious class time to have students work through activities
John lost both his parents by the time he was 12. He moved around between different families, got himself into a lot of trouble, and eventually was expelled from high school. Fast-forward many years, and John, after earning degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and Yale, went
Storytelling is a powerful tool that can transform the learning experience. By weaving a cohesive narrative throughout a course, educators can captivate students’ interest, deepen understanding, and create a more memorable and engaging learning journey. Storytelling can serve as a versatile means to deliver content,
You’ve prepared a fabulous, interactive class. You’ve designed engaging activities, developed meaningful discussion questions, and cultivated an inviting atmosphere for dialogue. You ask a wonderful open-ended question, anticipating a flurry of discussion and critical thinking—only to be met with silence. Your students stare back at
An integral part of the college experience is the exploration of possible academic majors and career paths that align with personal interests, passions, and skills. Data concerning how students accomplish this task is rather shocking. Students typically use family members (52 percent), social media like
I’ve often felt that a teacher’s life is suspended, Janus-like, between past experiences and future hopes; it’s only fitting, then, that I’m preparing for this new year by looking back. Here’s a countdown of last year’s gratitude journal entries that reminded me how kind, clever,
The start of a new semester is an emotional experience. As a former kindergarten teacher, I vividly remember spending much of the first day of school making students feel welcome and comforting them while they cried. Whether you are teaching five-year-olds or 25-year-olds, the need
Whether you teach synchronously online or create asynchronous video content for your students, producing professional-looking material has always been a challenge without a production team—until now. This article explores how Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) empowers educators to craft engaging, broadcast-quality learning experiences for both synchronous
Are you still lecturing? If so, you are like most faculty. The lecture continues to be the most used teaching approach. Although the lecture has often got a bad reputation for not being active enough, you may be pleased to know that a substantial body
