engagement Recommendations
7 Recommendations are tagged with "engagement"
How can I set clear expectations, and motivate students, so that they engage in active learning?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderIf you teach using active learning strategies, you may find that students don't automatically engage. Students may just sit back and listen, waiting for their peers to term. Luckily, open resistance is rare. You have the power to impact how students engage with the curriculum and the content.
active learning, expectations, first day of class, productive engagement, student buy-in
How can I help students become more expert learners? Metacognitive strategies for the classroom
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderStudents may approach coursework from a mechanistic stance: If the instructor gives me information, I will memorize it, and get a good grade. This approach to learning doesn't lend itself well to an active classroom, which requires students to wrestle with difficult ideas in order to lead to deeper conceptual learning.
active learning, metacognition, mastery, productive engagement, student buy-in
How can I create a classroom community, so that students feel encouraged to engage?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderIt is challenging for instructors to create and maintain a classroom environment where students are comfortable engaging with each other and sharing their results with the class. This article focuses on creating a supportive and respectful classroom community that welcomes engagement, especially in a classroom using active learning.
active learning, community, productive engagement, student buy-in
How can I assess the level of student engagement in my class?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderInstructors who are attempting active learning are often concerned that students won't like it, or will resist. It can be hard, even in the middle of a course, to gauge how well-engaged students are. This article focuses on ways to assess student engagement, both formally and informally.
assessment, active learning, productive engagement, student buy-in
What are some strategies for the first day of class, to set the stage for student engagement?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderThe first day is important for setting the class tone. It is especially important if you are using active engagement strategies, since students may not be expecting the energy and risk that an active classroom demands. This article focuses on activities that can be done in an active learning classroom in the first week of class, to increase student engagement throughout the semester.
first day of class, active learning, productive engagement, student buy-in
How can I help students work well in small groups, so they are more likely to engage?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderGroups do not always work productively, and not all tasks are suited to group work. Poor group dynamics, or ill-suited tasks, can reduce student engagement. This article focuses on helping students engage productively in active learning classrooms through the type of tasks that are used, and support of productive group dynamics.
cooperative groups, active learning, worksheets, productive engagement
What can I do if students don’t speak up in discussions?
June 20, 2017 by Stephanie Chasteen, University of Colorado BoulderMany active learning techniques require students to discuss their ideas either in small groups or in a large class discussion, but, as you know, students don't always erupt into productive conversation. This article focuses on helping students engage productively in discussions in active learning classrooms.
active learning, discussion, productive engagement, student buy-in
