Here is a summary of actionable tips for higher education instructors based on my discussion with Dr. Alexandra Mihai, who is a fantastic source of advice on her excellent blog https://educationalist.substack.com/:
Engage Students through Interactive Class Sessions
Outcome: Increased attendance and participation in your classes
Tips:
- Replace passive lecturing with facilitated discussions, debates, simulations and group activities that leverage the face-to-face environment
- Prepare open-ended questions and thought experiments that provoke deeper thinking
- Have students co-create session content like presentations, mock trials or poster displays
Learn Directly from Your Students
Outcome: Align your teaching approach with learner needs and preferences
Tips:
- Simply talk to students about what engages them and tailor activities accordingly
- Conduct end-of-term student feedback surveys with open comment sections
- Invite students to co-design certain class elements like assessment formats
Share Best Practices with Fellow Instructors
Outcome: Expand your repertoire of active learning techniques
Tips:
- Attend conferences and seminars focused on pedagogy and instructional design
- Check out the teaching methods of acclaimed instructors at your university
- Discuss successful and failed teaching innovations with colleagues over coffee
Focus on Nurturing Adaptive Learning Skills
Outcome: Equip students for lifelong success beyond university
Tips:
- Teach metacognitive strategies around motivation, study skills and memory tricks
- Set assignments that require self-directed research, analysis and content creation
- Prioritize transferable critical thinking abilities over content knowledge recall
Leverage University Support Structures
Outcome: Efficiently develop your teaching abilities
Tips:
- Consult Learning Design/Development teams for guidance on course enhancement
- Request peer coaching, observation and feedback from respected colleagues
- Attend specialized training in areas like online facilitation or assessment design
I hope these suggestions inspired by Alexandra’s insights provide a helpful starting point for instructors looking to refresh their sessions. The key is to keep experimenting with new formats aligned to learner needs until you discover what reliably amplifies engagement.
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