“More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given.” (Bertrand Russell) Becoming a good teacher is one of the greatest challenges – a never-ending learning curve. As you continue and design your methods for engaging students, FaCIT and others offer a wide variety of means for “capturing” your students, engaging them as active learners, guiding their feedback, and considering or using the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL).

Connecting With Students

Ever had to compete for the hearts and minds of your students? Research indicates that affording students opportunities for connections with you and other students will engender higher commitment, engagement, and enthusiasm for your course.

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Teaching to a Diverse Audience

The students in our classrooms represent a variety of identities, which intersect in rich and unique ways. While CMU is committed to promoting diversity, individual instructors are not always sure about how this might factor into their classrooms. Have you ever wondered how to make your teaching practices more inclusive? Perhaps you’ve wondered about how you can work more diversity related content into your discipline.

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Engaging Active Learners

The research is unmistakable:  more engaged students learn more. Students as passive “receptacles” is out, active learning and NSSE are in (National Survey of Student Engagement). Build your teaching options and find the strategies, methods, or SETs (Student Engagement Techniques) that suit your context and your strengths as a teacher.

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Effective Large Classes

Larger classes don’t necessarily mean less (like fewer connections with students). Configuring ways to engage learners in large classes is not as daunting as you might think. Cooperative learning, small groups, and learning technologies (like Blackboard, clickers, the iPod Touch and podcasting) offer a host of effective and efficient choices for engaging a large number of students.

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