By using different ways to capture student attention you can manage their energy levels and help them learn in different ways.
Sprinkle in multimedia
- Highlight ideas with short video clips from commercials, music videos, YouTube, Ted Talks, etc.
- Add photos or other images (GIFs, cartoons, etc.) to emphasize and/or bring humor to key points.
Conduct breakouts
- Create structured in-class discussions, to give students various opportunities and ways to participate. This can be done online through Zoom Breakout Rooms:
- Set-up a think-pair-share. First give students a few minutes to think about a topic on their own. Then pair each person with one other student to share ideas in pairs before opening up the conversation to a full class discussion. For more information about facilitating think-pair-shares and other class discussions, please reference this presentation from our past Faculty Development Day.
- Prior to discussion, give students 5 minutes to think about a problem with a peer. Students will be less intimidated to participate in front of the entire class if they’ve had the chance to talk/think through their ideas in a smaller group first.
- Prior to case debrief, break students into groups of 3 or 4 people and give them 5 minutes to come up with a recommendation.
- Call on volunteers to present and others to agree/disagree.
Invite guest speakers
- Invite relevant professionals to join class to engage with students and share their expert insights.
- Introduce pre-recorded interviews and/or talks.
- Assign in class problems facilitated by the guest speaker.
- Balance guest speakers with your own lecturing.
Play games & simulations
- Think of ways for students to experience what you are trying to have them comprehend.
Set up debates
- Encourage general debate by asking the class thought-provoking questions.
- Encourage 1:1 debates between students or between you and a student with an opposing viewpoint.
- Assess students’ opinion through a poll question and divide students into groups to debate.
- Create commitment by setting up the context of the discussion for students.
- Use supportive non-verbals that are not intimidating and show you’re listening.
- Allow some tension but intervene if things turn disrespectful.
- Reference this 1-page guide for more information on debates, including specific examples and sample language.
Engage outside of class
- Brown bag lunch (can be done virtually)
- Pre-course drop-in
- Additional office hours