Class Time Reconsidered
Motivating Student Participation and Engagement
Derek Bruff, Vanderbilt University
A Time for Telling
Schwartz & Bransford, 1998
In a text-based course:
Encounter a text
React to the text
Do a close reading of the text
Leverage other perspectives to think critically about the text
Revise one's views of the text
Integrate new views into the "big picture"
In a problem-based course:
Encounter a tough problem
Brainstorm solutions
Seek additional perspectives
Design a solution strategy
Implement the strategy
Share and assess the solution
In a theory-based course:
Call to mind one's intuitions
Test those intuitions against the natural or social world
Reconcile one's intuitions with theory
Apply theory to a new situation
Receive feedback on one's application
Revise understanding of theory
What are the steps in the learning process for your students?
Think - Pair - Share
What are six steps in the learning process for your students?
Find a partner and describe your six steps.
Then we'll hear from a couple of volunteers.
Steps in the Learning Process
First Exposure
Walvoord & Anderson, 1998
"Super 8," eqqman, Flickr
"Mentos + Diet Coke," the Cobras, Flickr
"6," Sid/Stephen, Flickr
Readings
Videos
Podcasts
Pre-Class Assignments
Just-in-Time Teaching
"nose slide," by B.A.D, Flickr
"Stop Watch 6031," by Yukon White Light, Flickr
Quizzes
Blog Posts
Questions
When and how should these steps occur?
Before Class?
During Class?
Clicker Questions
Vanderbilt Medical Center Reporter
Visuals
Keep it simple.
Limit bullet points & text.
Use high-quality graphics.
Use appropriate charts.
Choose your fonts well.
Spend time in the slide sorter.
by Peter Norvig
Brainstorming
Peer Assessment
"Brainstorms at INDEX: Views," by @boetter, Flickr
"Score Cards," by Poundcommapound, Flickr
Mini-Lectures
"8:00 Class," Robert S. Donovan, Flickr
Problem Solving
"Four heads are better than one," by Unhindered by Talent, Flickr
What motivates your students?
"last man standing," ratterrell, Flickr
"spellingbee12," wumpiewoo, Flickr
"puntan," Mikelo, Flickr
Competition?
Fear of Failure?
Challenge?
Think of a class you teach in which it is challenging to motivate students to participate and engage.  How many students are in this class?
A. 15 or fewer
B. 16-30
C. 31-60
D. 61-120
E. 121 or more
Which of the following is the most significant challenge to motivating students in this class?
A. Its large size makes it easy for students not to engage.
B. Students are hesitant to speak up in front of their peers.
C. Students focus on taking notes, not engaging.
D. Students focus too much on their grades, not enough on learning.
E. Students expect to succeed by memorizing and regurgitating.
F. Students don't prepare adequately for class.
Which of these approaches to engaging students in class would you like to try?
A. Clickers
B. Problem Solving
C. Peer Assessment
D. Brainstorming
E. Mini-Lectures
www.derekbruff.com - @derekbruff - #GLCTL
Q&A via Google Moderator
Greg Kulowiec, History, Plymouth (MA) High School
David Newman, Physics, Univ. Alaska-Fairbanks
Visual Thinking
Quantitative Problems
Case Studies
Short Essays
The Learning Process
http://tinyurl.com/greatlakesQandA