Strategies for Student Engagement (2020 Faculty Showcase)

Sarah Cash, Lecturer, English

The proposed presentation will showcase several teaching innovations for the fully online and hybrid class. These are strategies that I currently use in my classes, and they have been effective in increasing dialogue and engagement. Given new challenges with student interaction and attention in virtual and hybrid classes, these innovations encourage student engagement both synchronously and asynchronously, allowing for more interactive class time. The proposed modes of engagement will include: 1. Pre-recorded mini lectures with visual presentation, including interactive, embedded activities ranging from true and false/multiple choice questions, short discursive responses, and links to outside sources and other learning material. 2. Pre-recorded introductions of assigned readings with annotations, allowing faculty to approach annotating pdfs of readings for the students. 3. Interactive quiz games in class to promote student engagement and discussion, providing a way for students to “test” their understanding of readings and content and allowing the professor a mode to assess comprehension and identify problem areas. 4. In-class small group work and presentation discussions using Slide Decks, promoting full engagement in small groups and the full class setting. Slides also add a visual component to discussion which promotes understanding, particularly for L2 learners.