We found 553 results that contain "classroom engagement"

What is iClicker? 
iClicker is a student response system that allows instructors to incorporate interactive and engaging aspects of teaching and learning into their lessons. Students can participate using actual clicker remotes, or their own devices (such as phones, tablets, and laptops) via the iClicker Reef application. 
 
What is the difference between iClicker Cloud and iClicker Reef? 
iClicker Cloud is the portion of the tool that allows for instructors to set up courses and assessments. ICloud Reef is for student responses and can be accessed via different devices as long as students have internet access.  
 
Why is iClicker important?  
With iClicker, instructors can engage students throughout instruction, whether face-to-face or remote. As instructors have the opportunity to incorporate activities like polls and quizzes directly into their lessons, iClicker can be used for both formative and summative assessment. This tool also allows assessments to be graded and transferred to learning management systems such as D2L. 
 
How do I access iClicker? 
iClicker is FREE for all MSU students and instructors. The application can be downloaded here.  
 
Where can I find more information about iClicker? 
The Academic Service Technology Catalog has guidance for instructors and students on iClicker. 
 
 

This workshop is designed to help you prepare for your teaching roles by strengthening your pedagogical understandings of D2L. For us, this means understanding how to implement thoughtful, intentional, and inclusive practices. We will introduce GTAs to foundational skills and strategies necessary to create well-structured, engaging, accessible online learning experiences.  
Upon completing this session, GTAs will be able to: 

Identify key components and goals of the learner experience through design thinking exercises. 
Consider factors that may impact learners’ ability to fully participate in various modes of online learning, and develop strategies to gain a sense of learners’ digital learning contexts. 
Evaluate opportunities for asynchronous and synchronous connection, community-building, interaction, and engagement. 
Discuss and explore features for enhancing learning and improving accessibility.   
Identify resources and supports for technical aspects of D2L. 

Here is a set of resources about different aspects of student engagement and online teaching. 
 
“What Is Caring Pedagogy? An Introduction: Relationships of Reciprocity Series” by Monica B. Glina, NYU.
 
“Stanford researchers identify four causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their simple fixes” by Vignesh Ramachandran, about Stanford research into the psychology of online work.
 
“8 Ideas Designed to Engage Students In Active Learning Online” by Caitlin Tucker, Pepperdine University.
 
“The Human Element in Online Learning” by Larry DeBrock, Norma Scagnoli and Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta for Inside Higher Ed.
 
“4 Zoom-Friendly Creative Warm-ups” by Hilary Buchanan and Alexis Schuknecht, Pixel Park.
 
“Zoom Friendly Warm-ups and Icebreakers” by Eugene Korsunskiy for Future of Design in Higher Education [Medium].
 
Hybrid Learning Models with components of different learning modalities from The Linden School.
 
Image Credit: ST.art / Shutterstock.com © 2020

Information Technology at MSU provides an overview of available classroom technology, including active learning classrooms.

This post delves into inclusive classroom activities as part of the Inclusive Pedagogy playlist.
What are some strategies for inclusive classroom activities? 
Classroom activities and interactions are where learners spend the most time with the educator. It is the space to build in trust, transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity. Some specific strategies include:

Build rapport with learners, as it is one of the most effective ways to make learners feel like they belong. There are many ways to build rapport, such as sending introductory emails, asking learners to introduce themselves, having asynchronous check-ins with learners, getting to know their interests and goals through one-on-one interactions, providing feedback that also centers praise, and having email check-ins with all learners throughout the semester.
Learn learners' names and pronouns (if they share) and how to pronounce their names correctly. Do not call roll on the first day, as learners’ names on the roster may not match the name they use. Encourage learners to also learn and use each other’s names and pronouns correctly.
Make connections of class sessions to the larger learning goals of the course, to the larger field, and to the world. 
Collaborate with learners to develop ground rules and norms
Anticipate subject matters that may need content warnings and incorporate pathways for learners to opt-out of content that would put them in a place they can no longer learn effectively
Deliver content through accessible principles and Universal Design for Learning. You may also want to consider incorporating breaks if your class session is long. 
Incorporate into classroom activities a range of diverse perspectives and thinking across race, nationality, language, disability, sexuality, gender, class, etc.. This representation should not be tokenizing but spread throughout the syllabus (i.e., not occur once to “check” a box; not present stereotypes; not be centered on a diversity month, such as Black authors in February only)
Structure discussions to include all learner voices, such as “take a queue, ask to hear from those who have not spoken, wait until several hands are raised to call on anyone, use think-pair-share activities” (University of Michigan).
Acknowledge difficult current events (but do not force learners to discuss them) and provide learners with resources if they want further support
Provide opportunities for learners to give feedback throughout the semester. For example, you may distribute an anonymous survey near mid-terms asking learners what they would like to continue, what they want to see changed, and any open questions/concerns they have. 
Refrain from making assumptions about learners, requiring learners have to speak on behalf of their identities, letting harmful comments by learners go unaddressed
If a challenging moment arises, use the P.A.L.S. method to address it in the moment and follow up with those harmed, as needed

How can I reflect on my classroom activities for inclusion? 
Some reflection questions to consider: 

How might the ways I set up classroom spaces and activities foster inclusion or disinclusion?
How do your own experiences, values, beliefs, and stereotypes influence the way you behave in the classroom?
How can I build rapport with my learners, and what impact do I think this has had on their sense of belonging?
How can I connect individual class sessions to the broader learning goals and real-world applications?
How can I involve learners in co-creating and upholding classroom ground rules, norms, and activities?
How can I prepare for and address potentially sensitive topics in my teaching?
How can I incorporate diverse perspectives into my syllabus and classroom activities in a way that is meaningful and not tokenizing?
What methods can I use to ensure all learner voices are heard and supported in classroom discussions?

Where can I learn more about inclusive classroom activities?
The resources below informed this article’s content. They are also great resources for learning more: 

Columbia’s Guide for Inclusive Teaching at Columbia
Harvard’s Teaching in Racially Diverse College Classrooms
Ohio University’s Building Rapport
University of Chicago’s Inclusive Pedagogy Strategies
University of Michigan’s Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Reflecting on Your Practice

Return to the Inclusive Pedagogy playlist.

Student to student interactions are a very important part in any classroom and the online setting is no exception. There are many ways students can engage with each other online - but here a few tips and suggestions you can structure in your course that can offer this connection between students.
Methods

Discussions
Group Work

Group Projects
Group Discussion
Study Groups
Group Case Studies

Peer Review
Peer Instruction
Collaborative Brainstorming

Tools

D2L Discussion Threads. Students need to be able to connect with classmates around your teaching. Provide them with discussion threads for both the entire class "i.e. General Course Conversation" and module-specific. Some students can and will use this tool. Others will only use it if it's required. But it still is a great way to be able to provide students opportunity to connect.
Microsoft Teams. Every student at MSU can use Teams for realtime group chat, individual chat, voice and video and file sharing. 
Zoom. Every student by default is able to use Zoom for voice/video/meetings. 
Google Apps: Docs, Slides, Sheets. Students can work together to create and work on files in real time.

Dip Deeper
If you would like to further explore this topic, here are some resources you could check out:

10 Tips for Effective Online Discussions 
Mastering Online Discussion Board Facilitation Resource Guide 
Zoom Breakout Room Information Sheet

SOIREE Team:
Design Lead: Sarah Wellman
Content Leads: Kate Sonka, Stephen Thomas, and Jeremy Van Hof
Content Authors: Jason Archer, Kevin Henley, David Howe, Summer Issawi, Leslie Johnson, Rashad Muhammad, Nick Noel, Candace Robertson, Scott Schopieray, Jessica Sender, Daniel Trego, Valeta Wensloff, and Sue Halick

Topic Area: Pandemic Pivot
Presented by: Carrie Hauser
Abstract:
COVID unexpectedly challenged us all to truly assess the needs of our students, what it means to have a campus environment, and how to develop that in a virtual space. The Michigan School of Psychology (MSP), a small graduate program in Farmington Hills, is known for having a very personal and connected environment. Faculty and staff know almost the entire campus by name and students are truly invested in each other’s lives. When the school changed to remote teaching in March, 2020, the Student Engagement Office went to work to figure out how to offer anything virtual that would create that same feeling of care and nurture that the campus typically provided. This presentation will discuss how MSP developed an online supportive culture, how student needs were assessed, and how creativity helped save the day. It will also cover programming ideas for faculty and staff members that can be implemented at all types of institutions and how to remain creative with programming in the face of adversity. The presentation will finally discuss how COVID will impact the future of student programming.
Session Resources:A PDF of Carrie's presentation can be accessed here. 

Title: MSUvote and Democratic Engagement at MSUPresenters: Renee Brown (MSUvote Initiative); Suchitra Webster (MSUvote); and Erin Kramer (MSUvote)Format: WorkshopDate: May 11th, 2023Time:1:30 pm - 2:30 pmClick here to viewDescription:Workshop presenters, Renee Brown, Suchitra Webster, and Erin Kramer will share data and information about student democratic engagement and the student voting landscape at Michigan State University (MSU). This workshop has been designed for those who are interested in effectively integrating democratic engagement strategies in their teaching or program. Presenters will share tools for increasing and improving democratic dialogue, syllabus design, and student civic skills building. This workshop will offer a comprehensive overview of the MSU National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) Reports. NSLVE is the first and only study to objectively examine student and institution-level data on student voting and to share these data with participating campuses. There are more than 1,200 participating campuses and over 10 million student records included in this study. The NSLVE Study is produced by the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University. The presenters will highlight opportunities for continuing to improve student voting and engagement. Opportunities for connecting to the MSU Campus Plan for Democratic Engagement (a part of the NASPA Voter Friendly Campus Designation held by MSU since the designation inception) will be shared. Input and partners will be sought for the first Annual MSU Civic Skills Conference planned for the 2023-2024 academic year.