Topic

 Regardless of content and methodology, if students are not active and engaged in the learning process, little learning is likely to occur.  Module 6 examines numerous ways to engage students in the learning process.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, you should be able to...

6.1. Develop lessons that encourage higher-order thought.

6.2. Implement effective questioning techniques at varying cognitive levels.

6.3. Describe and practice the utilization of student engagement techniques (active learning).

6.4. Describe and implement varying techniques that check for student understanding.

Activities

 
  1. Read this article from the NACTA Journal. Newcomb & Trefz are leaders in the investigation of teaching and learning at higher cognitive levels in agriculture.
  2. Read each of these articles about effective questioning. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
  3. Review this Power Point Presentation that details the results of the 2004 National Survey of Student Engagement.
  4. Review each of these pages that outline and/or discuss student engagement. 1 - 2 - 3
  5. Each of these Engagement Moments can be utilized during every course meeting to maximize student engagement. These activities serve as cognitive anchors that assist you in "holding down" the information you sail through students' minds. Each ties your content to a student's brain dominance, preferred learning modality, and multiple intelligence. They may unconventional, but I can honestly say that I use them and they work! Try one, you will like it!
  6. Read this document from the University of California - Santa Barbara. It offers a brief but insightful look at checking for understanding for teaching assistants.
  7. Assignment: Develop a Engagement Scenario
    • Choose a questioning technique (#2), an Engagement Moment (#5), and a checking for understanding techniquie (#6) and implement them all in an individual classroom scenario. Describe how you would use each of them in detail through a description of one day in a course you might be teaching.