These first few days of the institute has provided a valuable opportunity for reflection and sharing amongst colleagues.
Building rapport with our students is essential from the onset of the semester and helps students to feel connected and at ease in the classroom. Whether in person or online, my first class provides the opportunity for students to introduce themselves, mention their pursued course of studies, and one thing that they wish to take away from the class during the semester. This provides students a chance to learn about each other and also hear who may also be pursuing a similar career path, facilitating connections and potential study partners.
In my online classes, I have a “Cyber Cafe” – an informal forum for students to ask questions and to form study groups.
Additionally, it is important for students to feel connected across the campus and I encourage them to join clubs. I remind them that it doesn’t have to be a year long commitment, but to explore and see what might be a fit. Increasing social support and connectedness to the school can help students stay committed to completing their degree.
I appreciated the activities that have been introduced so far during the institute and I plan to incorporate several. The emphasis on strengths is especially important. Additionally, I plan to revisit how I structure my group projects.
Thank you for a productive first two days!
3 thoughts on “Reflection 1”
Antionette, I agree its so important to recognize students resilience not just academically. I learn so much each semester because our students are so diverse.
Great strategies, Antoinette! I particularly agree that building rapport early on is imperative for building community. I am sure your students appreciate it as well.
Antoinette, I love the idea of a Cyber Cafe. I have a discussion forum, even in my face-to-face classes in which students can post questions (one forum is dedicated to content, and the other is dedicated to logistics such as “when is our next test”). I find that only a small few take advantage. This past semester, I had some posts primarily asking for class notes. Maybe the forum is too formal… I would love to hear your ideas if you have had more success.
Also, I only started having my students post introductory slides when we started teaching remotely. I liked it so much that I kept it up this semester when we were back face-to-face. I find that posting my own introductory slides really helps guide them. Sometimes sharing and showing I do the assignment too can help give my students a sense of belonging and a feeling that we are all in this together. I started doing this with a lot of my assignments that are also interventions.