Please see Extending the Classroom for 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 Wayne Miller for assistance with any of these...

Before Class

• Pose discussion questions on the Course Email List or on Sakai
• Require students to post their own discussion questions on the Course Email List or on Sakai
• Require students to reply to discussion questions
• 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 mornings 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 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 observation or question/response 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