Second Chat Session

This summary is from the chat held during the evening of Thursday, November 9.

Strategies

• Use of lecture clickers to improve interaction in a large class setting
• Debates - student groups of 5 - 7; hot button issues
• Crossword puzzles (see link below) for review of previous weeks lecture material
• Short answer questions on cue cards given to "lecture dozers" to answer for the class
• Pre- and post-lecture activities
• Deliver material in small manageable chunks followed by a one-page activity with "real world" questions requiring application of theory. Use "think-pair-share" approach.
• Concept mapping
• Refer back to a student's answer when answering another question; gives them ownership of the material
• Fill-in-the-blank lecture guides
• Be creative with PowerPoint slides and break up the presentation
• Use a remote mouse for great mobility
• Case studies
• Jeopardy for review (see link below)
• Make PowerPoint dynamic, but not over the top with sounds, etc.
• Go over review questions in a lottery fashion (using dice and draw tickets) before lecture starts. Draw names to choose students who will answer; roll dice to pick the question that must be answered. Using very large dice makes it fun.
• Use foam balls to throw into class to generate responses to questions; aim for those who don't seem to be listening.
• Use wild, off the wall remarks (inoffensive) to re-engage students when they start to drift
• Throw out controversial ideas that will divide students and mediate the ensuing discussion

Issues

• Grades may increase participation, but does that necessarily contribute to engagement?
• Keeping students on task during sharing/group work.
• Students resist active learning strategies initially.
• Using active learning strategies may mean taking risks as a teacher.

Links

• Crossword Puzzle Games - thanks Diana!
• Jeopardy PowerPoint
• Also see links from the previous chat session