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Teaching with Technology

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Below are some ideas to try. Please see Extending the Classroom for more information on setting up in-class polling, recording videos, using class forums, and other ways to engage students inside and outside the classroom.

Please contact Media Services for assistance with any of these...

Before Class

  • Pose discussion questions on the Course Email List or on a Sakai discussion board
  • Require students to post their own discussion questions on the Course Email List or on Sakai
  • Require students to reply to discussion questions you pose
  • Poll students to test conceptual understanding of the day's readings (using Sakai, Qualtrics or other polling software)

At the Start of Class

  • Display your main points in a brief PowerPoint or an outline from a word processor, so that students are oriented to the day's plan
  • Let students know that you will distribute your Powerpoint slides, or outline, so they don't feel they have to write everything down
  • Poll students electronically (using Sakai or Qualtrics) to test conceptual knowledge, or to illustrate the controversial nature of a topic
  • Start off with a scene from a video or DVD to highlight the day's main point
  • Display on screen and discuss the morning's headlines from Jurist, NYTimes.com or CNN.com

During Class

  • Put a piece of student or professional writing up on the screen and ask for help in polishing it (if there is a wireless keyboard, ask a student to take notes or make the agreed-upon changes)
  • Show a video or describe a scenario, and poll the students before discussing it
  • Ask students to close their laptops and discuss more intently
  • Put students into pairs, then into groups to reach a consensus or majority opinion on a question, then have groups report back, perhaps with a simple PowerPoint or outline of their main arguments

After Class

  • Send out your slides, outline or notes to the Course Email List, or post on Sakai
  • Ask a follow-up question on the Course Email List or Sakai
  • Require students to post follow-up observations or responses on the Course Email List or Sakai

During the Semester

  • Give self-assessment assignments to allow students to review their conceptual understanding, perhaps through CALI lessons, or through review questions or quizzes on Sakai
  • Provide brief mock exams questions to work through, in a timed environment, perhaps using Sakai, and provide model or alternative responses
  • Assign mock exam questions to groups, have groups develop model responses and share them with entire class through the Course Email List or Sakai