Techniques for Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning in Lecture and Discussion-Based Classrooms Harvard Chan Center for Case-Based Teaching and Learning Digital Learning Team

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Appropriate Teaching Modality Types of Learning Knowledge (facts, concepts, principles) Lecture (online, on-site), PowerPoint presentation, readings Techniques (applying formulas, procedures) Problem sets, exercises (online, homework, lab) Skills (communication, teamwork, listening, critical thinking, problem-solving) Small group projects and presentations, case-based discussion in small or large groups, blogs, peer review/feedback Application of Theory (ability to transfer knowledge learned in one context to another, different context) Case-based discussion Problem-based learning in small groups Professional Identity and Leadership (values, self-awareness, ongoing capacity for learning) Small and large group projects and presentations Field practice

Benefits of Lecture Communicate up-to-date information/current research/ideas Compile related information efficiently Tailor information to the specific interests of the audience Enhance students’ ability to read relevant text Motivate further learning (If instructor is engaging) Model scholarly behavior Bland et al, “In Defense of the Lecture”, J Coll Sci Tch, Vol 37:2; 2007

Constraints on Lecture Approach Passive learning does not promote long-term retention or transfer to new context Student attention span drops off after first 10 – 18 minutes of a lecture Psychological distance between instructor and student inhibits learning Instructors talk faster (120 – 240 words/minute) than students can take notes or absorb material (20 words/minute); students learn more in low-density lectures PowerPoint promotes even faster delivery

Suggestions to Improve Effectiveness of Lecture Open a dialogue with students: Use clickers, have students write a one minute summary of major point so far, discuss a point with another student Change pace/tenor/intensity/move around room Smile/use humor/relax stance/look at your students Slow down/address fewer concepts, less detailed information Learn best practices in use of PowerPoint Stop talking (two minute pauses every 12-18 minutes), allow students to work in pairs to discuss/rework notes Could show an instructional moves segment to illustrate the use of videos…two videos that might helpful are: Providing Wait-Time for Students to Process and Gain Confidence https://instructionalmoves.gse.harvard.edu/providing-wait-time-students-process-and-gain-confidence?admin_panel=1 Waiting for student responses https://instructionalmoves.gse.harvard.edu/waiting-student-responses

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Tips for Successful Discussion Management (case-based or not) Educate students on their role at the very beginning of course, and reinforce throughout course Learn students’ names and relevant background Spend at least as much time planning how you are going to teach as on what you are going to teach

More Tips Choose topics or cases to discuss for which there is no one best approach/answer, and that illustrate a key concept/learning objective of the course Actively manage the discussion to stay on point (use board strategically), facilitate, and LISTEN Summarize key points, how they relate to learning objectives

Tools for Generating Discussion in Online Courses Discussion boards Prompts that encourage dialogue Establish guidelines for discussions (word count limit, deadline to participant) Weekly discussion student co-facilitators Group/Project specific boards Setting on discussions Prior responses are not visible until student responds

Discussion Sample Sample Prompt

Sample Student Response Discussion Sample Sample Student Response

Sample Faculty Re-direct Discussion Sample Sample Faculty Re-direct

Sample Student Response Discussion Sample Sample Student Response

Tools for Generating Discussion in Online Courses Blog or online portfolio Peer feedback (portfolio buddies) and course reflection Project sharing and professional portfolio Possible platforms (not supported by METS) Pathbrite (pathbrite.com) WordPress (wordpress.com) Wix (wix.com)

Tools for Generating Discussion in Online Courses Blog or online portfolio (not supported by METS)

Tools for Generating Discussion in Online Courses Small group activities Projects or specific activities on Canvas Peer learning and feedback activities

Tools for Generating Discussion in Online Courses Quizzes Knowledge check (not graded) Assigned assessments (graded)