It’s been the first week back to school here in Tucson, Arizona. Pumpkin flavors abound, back-to-school specials are everywhere, and students are adjusting to their new classes and instructors.
Meanwhile, I have started my first semester as a math professor at Pima Community College. I have been LOVING it. It’s been very rewarding for me.
I thought I’d share some tips I’ve used for creating an engaging classroom. So far, all my students have eagerly participated and asked a lot of questions. Which, according to the New York Times, is the best way to succeed in college! So, how did I do it?
- Acknowledge and thank them
When I was completing my master’s degree in public health, I had a professor who began every class with welcoming us for arriving. She thanked us and made it known that we were appreciated and accepted in her class. It always seemed so authentic, too. It never felt cheesy or forced to me.
So, when I begin my classes, I thank my students. I thank them for showing up, for arriving, and for their willingness to work. For the first two classes, I acknowledged all the hard work they did just to get to the class: enrolling, finding financial aid, perhaps finding childcare, getting transportation here, finding the room, finding the courage to enroll – all of that before we even learned anything!
My students greatly appreciated this. I could see their eyes light up as they acknowledged their hard work and felt a sense of accomplishment. I’ve since learned that most of my students suffer from some form of anxiety, so pausing for a moment of gratitude is particularly helpful.
2. Recap what you learned and the homework
I never understood why this was so hard for professors to do. You know what I could never do as a student? Keep track of what was due before next class. I even tried getting an accommodation for it, so that the professor would be required to do this to keep compliant with the ADA, and I was told this wasn’t allowed. Huh?
What’s the point of assigning homework if you don’t remind your students about it? They’re not going to remember where it is or how to use it if you don’t instruct them.
So, each lesson, I spend a couple minutes recapping what we talked about last class. I find this particularly helpful in math, where so much of our knowledge builds off what we last learned.
And, at the end of each slideshow, I explicitly state the homework that’s due before next class.
Finally, I send a follow-up announcement after each class that reminds them as well. I want my students to succeed and have access to all the tools I never had while I was in college.
3. Share “wins of the week”
Before we start each class, I make space for positivity. I call this the “win of the week.” I start off by sharing something good that happened – for example, the time a baby hummingbird hatched in my backyard! Then I open the floor for students.
I’ve heard a range of answers so far, in only a few classes – breakthroughs in therapy, finding new jobs, new places to live….and “little” wins such as finding parking in the shade and drinking great coffee.
It gives my students a chance to be recognized for their efforts and it gives me a chance to better get to know them. I love our wins of the week and I cherish them.
So, what about you? What have instructors done that made a difference to you as a student? Or, instructors, what have you done to create an engaging classroom?
If you need more resources for the classroom and beyond, be sure to check out my resources tab here.