It was wonderful learning how everyone else deals with getting students on board at personal and academic levels.

Till now, I have been focused more on what Dr. Jessica Summers described about changing mindsets, but have become more aware that while discussing what we have in common, it is important to bring in the importance of differences, too.

While I have had introductory sessions, during which I also to remember everyone’s names and background details to help connect better later, I liked the idea of putting it up on the discussion board for future reference – and to help the students bond better.

While I bring up the roles of researchers and thinkers from other cultures and backgrounds more than what students are used to, I haven’t stressed the adversities they may have faced as much (except perhaps in the case of Neil deGrasse Tyson). Focusing on their work alone may not do them sufficient justice.

The idea of having assigned leaders for group work may spread the workload more evenly across its members. That is a nice idea to work on.

The idea of pairing students up is particularly good; it ensures a dynamic that isn’t as intimidating as a group, but also ensures there is more support for each.