+ Follow

Strategies for Engaging Students in Large Classes

by Barbara B. Nixon on Feb 25, 2011

Part of the Best Ideas in Teaching series at Southeastern University.

File a copyright complaint

http://publicrelationsmatters.com	103
http://www.recrutadormultinivel.com	1
http://paper.li	1
http://www.publicrelationsmatters.com	1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34353483@N00/174285859/
Tips from Michael Reksulak:WHAT: A practical summary of successful expectation setting strategies can be found in Sorcinelli (2002)*.Define expectations at the outsetthe challenge => “establishing both a pleasant atmosphere and a code of conduct”design an unambiguous and informative syllabus to clearly delineate behavioral boundariespermit students to help shape classroom policies by inviting reasonable suggestions and objectionsHOWDecrease (the expectation of) anonymity from day one“Background Questionnaire”“Knowing” to encourage civility in large classroom settingsConsider establishing a group of class facilitators
Life After Death by PowerPoint video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cagxPlVqrtM
Photo Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsand/3361865626/
Here’s a strategy I’ve just started implementing . . . Not 100% confident it will work for everyone yet.At various points in your classes, ask students to stop & write down one key/surprising/interesting point using just 140 characters. After class, the students can use their Twitter accounts to tweet their points.

10½ Strategies for Engaging Students in Large Classes
Barbara B. Nixon :: Southeastern University
A Vision of Students Today
BeforeClass
Review “Mugshots”
1
Get there early
2
Set clear expectations
3
During Class
Follow 20-Minute Rule
4
Don’t stay glued
5
No Death by PowerPoint
6
Ask lots of questions
7
Have students share
8
After Class
Use BlackBoard
9
Check pulse
10
What other tips do you have to share?
Ideas from you?
But wait . . . There’s more!
The ½ strategy?
10½
Resources
Links
For a variety of additional tips on teaching large classes, see http://delicious.com/barbaranixon/TeachingLargeClasses
Contact Me
Barbara B. Nixon, Ph.D. (ABD)
Assistant Professor of Public Relations
Southeastern University
Life Member & Past President of the International Listening Association
E-mail: bbnixon@seuniversity.edu
Twitter: barbaranixon
Skype: barbara.b.nixon
Blogs: publicrelationsmatters.com