HILT 2017 Conference: Creating connections & increasing engagement

TL;DR

This session explores how small interventions can greatly improve teaching and learning experiences in classrooms, with a focus on creating engagement, building trust, and providing students with essential tools for learning.

Transcript

Hi. Welcome, everyone. We were so thrilled to have such a wonderful turnout for this session. And I just want to welcome you all to it and thank you for the active engagement that we're going to be asking of you. So don't get too comfy in the seat that you're sitting in because there's going to be some true breaking out happening here. I'm Rebecca ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏫 Small interventions can have a significant impact on teaching and learning experiences in classrooms.
• 🧑‍🎓 Engaging students through activities and discussions helps create a collaborative learning environment.
• ☢️ Learner-generated questions enhance active learning and improve retention of knowledge.
• 🧑‍🎓 Building trust and community among students is crucial for a successful learning experience.
• 👶 Instructors should start with small changes and gradually increase their comfort level in implementing new methods.
• 👥 Implementing icebreaker activities and small group activities can foster collaboration and relationship-building.
• ♻️ Creating a classroom contract can establish clear norms and expectations for a positive learning environment.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can small changes in a course improve the overall learning experience for students?

Small changes, such as implementing a classroom contract or promoting learner-generated questions, can create a more engaged and interactive learning environment. This increases student participation and retention of knowledge.

Q: What are some examples of interventions that can help build trust and community in a classroom?

Creating opportunities for students to share personal experiences and fostering open discussions can help build trust and a sense of community among students. Implementing icebreaker activities or small group activities can also encourage collaboration and relationship-building.

Q: How can learner-generated questions enhance learning?

Learner-generated questions require students to actively engage with the material and think critically. This practice promotes deeper understanding, retention of information, and the development of metacognitive skills.

Q: How can instructors overcome the fear of implementing small changes in their teaching methods?

Instructors can start by implementing small changes and gradually increasing their comfort level over time. By focusing on specific areas of improvement and observing the positive impact on student engagement and learning, instructors can gain confidence in making further changes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The session aims to bridge the gap between the big picture of teaching evaluation and the specific improvements that can be made in individual courses.

• Two faculty members share their experiences with interventions that have made transformative changes in their own classes.

• Emily Click discusses the use of a classroom contract to create a collaborative and engaged learning environment.

• Jonathan Haussmann explores the benefits of learner-generated questions to enhance retention and active learning.