This post is inspired by a Coursera Mooc entitled, “University Teaching 101” by John Hopkins University. You can register for future courses here. The original seven principles of best practices in education were developed by Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson, you can find further information about the principles and the work of Chickering and Gamson here.
3. Active Learning
Learning should not be passive. Students must talk about their learning, share their experiences, reflect on their learning and most importantly apply it to their daily lives. Here are some things I do to try and stop learning becoming a spectator sport.
Reflection Journal
At the end of each class students complete their reflection journal. Students are encouraged to write down their feelings about the class, their performance as a student, evaluate their work and constructively criticise the work of their classmates.
Constructive Criticism
Presentations play a big role in my class. From off the cuff presentations to presentations where the students have spent weeks polishing their presentations, students are encouraged to present their work to the class. After the presentation, students critique the work of their classmates.
Challenge and Create
The days of the teacher being the monopoly of knowledge in the classroom are finished. Today’s students can find information at the touch of a button. I encourage students to challenged the views I present in class, the views of their classmates and their own views. The materials I produce for the students focus on analysing information, keywords such as “discover”, “examine”, “investigate”, “research” and “question”, allow students to make inferences and find evidence to support generalisations
The Real World
University students need to use their time at university effectively. Not only should they walk out of the institution with an expensive piece of paper, but they also need to show their future employers what they have actually done. My classes always have the end goal of creating something which has value in the world outside of academia. This might be an English language short film, a resume/CV, an infographic, a public awareness campaign, a newspaper/magazine article, or even a certificate from an online MOOC, whatever it may be, students will have created something they can show other people.
Students are always in control of what they produce
3. Active Learning
Learning should not be passive. Students must talk about their learning, share their experiences, reflect on their learning and most importantly apply it to their daily lives. Here are some things I do to try and stop learning becoming a spectator sport.
Reflection Journal
At the end of each class students complete their reflection journal. Students are encouraged to write down their feelings about the class, their performance as a student, evaluate their work and constructively criticise the work of their classmates.
Constructive Criticism
Presentations play a big role in my class. From off the cuff presentations to presentations where the students have spent weeks polishing their presentations, students are encouraged to present their work to the class. After the presentation, students critique the work of their classmates.
Challenge and Create
The days of the teacher being the monopoly of knowledge in the classroom are finished. Today’s students can find information at the touch of a button. I encourage students to challenged the views I present in class, the views of their classmates and their own views. The materials I produce for the students focus on analysing information, keywords such as “discover”, “examine”, “investigate”, “research” and “question”, allow students to make inferences and find evidence to support generalisations
The Real World
University students need to use their time at university effectively. Not only should they walk out of the institution with an expensive piece of paper, but they also need to show their future employers what they have actually done. My classes always have the end goal of creating something which has value in the world outside of academia. This might be an English language short film, a resume/CV, an infographic, a public awareness campaign, a newspaper/magazine article, or even a certificate from an online MOOC, whatever it may be, students will have created something they can show other people.
Students are always in control of what they produce