Supporting students and faculty in the classroom
Contributed by Jean Otsuki and Deb Breen, CTL (3 minute read) After more than a year and a half of pandemic pedagogy (masks, social distancing, remote and hybrid teaching), many students and faculty have been looking forward to the prospect of a return to face-to-face classes. Yet the spread of the Delta variant has subdued […]
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 […]
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 […]
Jump-starting Discussion Using Images
Graduate Teaching Blog Post Contributed by Phillippa Pitts (5 minute read) Q:I’ve heard that starting class by asking students to discuss an image can help get students talking, even in a non-arts based course. What are your suggestions for teaching with images? A: In almost every conversation that I’ve heard about “opening up a good […]
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 […]
Keeping Breakout Rooms On Task
Graduate Teaching Blog Post Contributed by Phillippa Pitts (4 minute read) Q: I hear students benefit from small group work and appreciate using Zoom breakout rooms. But how will I know that they’re staying on task if I’m not there? A: This is a question that came up frequently in the physical classroom. Now, in […]
Getting Ready for Your First Day of Class
Contributed by Jean Otsuki (2 minute read) Unsure how to prepare for your summer term course? Teaching a remote or hybrid course introduces new considerations about what technology you’ll use to engage students, how you’ll help students to get to know each other, etc.