I would like my students to better recognize patterns that exist across content.  Too often students see each unit as separate, and they forget they can apply prior knowledge to problem solving.  In the past, I assigned a project in which students created a visual representation of these connections at the end of the semester, but this was unsuccessful.  They did not recognize any of the smaller connections.  I have also pointed these out to them throughout the semester, but it still didn’t have the effect I want.  I think I will start making this part of their assignments.  They will have to find the connections in each unit as we go. 

I also think awareness is a big part of using these strategies.  In so many articles we see that students can’t know that something is an intervention in order for it to be effective, but this is not the case here.  I want my students to know this is a strategy they can use on a test, perhaps minimizing test anxiety.  I will also remind them immediately before a test.

Students’ varied backgrounds and experiences are definitely an asset to any class.  Again, I think awareness is called for in this particular instance.  I want to give students opportunities to share.  I already do this by having students create introduction slides and when I akh students to participate in the discussion (both in class and online) “I Show Grit When I”.  I think the new project in which I will be asking students to write a proposal to solve a community problem will help reinforce the idea that your background and experience will help you succeed, and I think they will use it to help them both choose the problem they want to solve and find a solution.