“Just-in-time” Resources to Prep for Fall 2021: Part 1
Ready to welcome students to your classroom(s)? Fall 2021 will present its own unique challenges, so we have pulled together a series of quick resources to support faculty as they make their last preparations for teaching. In this first post, we are pleased to offer the following: (1) final checklists for in-person teaching and syllabi; […]
Setting Up Students to Succeed on Final Assessments
Contributed by CTL staff (2 minute read) As we near the end of the term, it’s critical to prepare students to succeed on their final assessments by building in low-stakes opportunities for them to practice and receive feedback on the skills they will be asked to demonstrate. Too often, there is a disconnect between how […]
Have you checked in with your students?
Contributed by CTL staff (2 minute read) The middle of the semester is the prime time to check in with students, inquire about their well-being, provide support, get feedback for the course, and re-focus on priorities till the end of the semester. Our earlier News & Announcements post, “Harness the Positive Power of Feedback”, offers […]
Planning Peer Review for Students
Contributed by Ben Keating (4 minute read) When students develop their capacity to give and receive feedback—and to use that feedback to revise their work—they are empowered in multiple ways. They learn to engage with peers while also claiming their own authority, and to make choices about how to integrate feedback into their revision and […]
Keeping Breakout Rooms On Task
Contributed by Phillippa Pitts (2 minute read) Research shows that assigning students to work in small groups can enhance learning (and introduce variety, which can help reenergize a long summer term class!), but how can you structure the activity to keep students engaged and on task? In our Graduate Student Teaching blog, Graduate Teaching Consultant […]
First week of class: Welcoming the Community!
Contributed by CTL staff (2 minute read) As you meet your students online or in person this week, we recommend you have an intentional and purposeful approach for welcoming your students to the learning environment and building community in your classroom. When students feel that they are welcomed members of a group and part of […]
Turning Inside Out: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Contributed by CTL staff, with thanks to CAS Writing Program Instructors (3 minute read) Summer courses are known for their long and concentrated classes, which can be draining on both the instructor and the students. However, summer classes also offer great possibilities to experiment with content and format. Taking your class outdoors – on BU’s […]
Student Engagement Part 2: Ensuring deep learning
Contributed by CTL staff (3 minute read) In our Student Engagement Part 1 News & Announcement post, we focused on the emotional aspects of learning, and offered strategies to keep students invested and motivated in your courses. It is equally important to have techniques during class to ensure that students are engaging in learning activities […]
Student Engagement Part 1: Focusing on the emotional aspects of learning
Contributed by CTL staff (3 minute read) Are your students engaged, actively present and effortful at their learning? Are your students ‘there,’ with you, in class? Are your students still emotionally invested in our course now that you are half-way through the semester? The middle of the semester always presents its own challenges for keeping […]
Practice, Practice, Practice
Graduate Teaching Blog Post Contributed by Ben Suitt (2 minute read) Q: My students did poorly on the essay questions of the midterm despite acing my multiple choice quizzes. How do I help them do as well on the final essay exam as they did on my quizzes? A: Seeing a disconnect between class performance […]